Laura + Chase reached out just six weeks before their elopement date. They knew three things:
They wanted to elope. They wanted their kids there. And they wanted it to feel intentional. What they didn’t know yet? How much goes into planning an elopement—especially when family, locations, vendors, and logistics are involved. This is exactly why hiring an elopement photographer who specializes in elopement planning matters.
Let me show you.
How to Plan An Elopement That’s Meaningful (& How I Help You!)
1. Complete Elopement Planning Questionnaire
This is where things could have gotten stressful. Before we get the ball rolling, I send every couple a questionnaire that helps me learn more about them, their intentions for the day/experience and anything else that would be helpful for me to know.
After they filled out my planning questionnaires, I sent them my 90-page elopement guide— covering:
• Dress + suit recommendations
• Shoe suggestions for terrain
• Packing lists (Grab my Georgia Elopement Packing List here)
• How to tell family/eloping with family tips
• Timeline planning
• Vendor recommendations
2. Decide On A Location
Laura + Chase met on a dating app and instantly fell head over heels. Both divorced. Both with kids. And both were surprised by how quickly it all felt right. Their first date was at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Five hours round trip. No hesitation.
Laura shared during our planning call that:
“We got along so well, neither of us gave it a second thought that our first date was 5 hours away round trip… I would never in a million years have thought I’d go so far with someone I didn’t know, but we were just comfortable with each other from the minute we first started talking.”
That comfort never left. So naturally, they thought about a Cloudland Canyon elopement. A place that is not only beautiful, but a special place that holds a lot of meaning in their relationship.
The main ceremony area at Cloudland Canyon? Closed for construction.
Because I specialize in Georgia elopement locations, I already knew—and confirmed through my contacts—it wouldn’t reopen in time.
They were also bringing small kids and didn’t feel comfortable at a cliff’s edge with minimal guard rails.
So we pivoted.
Want some help deciding on an elopement location in Georgia? See this blog where I share 10 free locations for your Georgia elopement.
Instead of forcing a public park location, we found an Airbnb nearby with a private mountain overlook.
It was still the area that meant something to them.
Still beautiful and intentional with that private escape feeling.
The Airbnb owner was thrilled to host their elopement. We secured:
• Chairs
• Florals
• Hair + makeup
• And a private dinner reservation at Amada’s Tapas in downtown Chattanooga
This is what real elopement planning looks like.
Check out my 2026/2027 Tennessee Elopement Planning Guide here for even more ideas!
3. The Elopement Day
They woke up at the Airbnb. Laura and the girls upstairs. Chase and the boys downstairs.
They kept it traditional with no peeking. There was laughter. Sneaking around corners. A perfect blending of families. Laura helped her daughters and stepdaughter into their dresses. Chase helped his son and soon-to-be stepson get dressed.
It wasn’t just a wedding. It was two families becoming one. The ceremony took place at the hang gliding overlook in the backyard.
Laura’s son walked her halfway. Her father took over the rest. I had Chase and the boys turn around until Laura was close enough for a dramatic first look.
They did a sand pouring ceremony with their children. Laura’s father prayed over them. It was deeply personal.
Afterward, they cooled off inside, shared portraits, and I made sure to give them space as newlyweds. That evening, we all headed to Amada’s Tapas for an intimate dinner celebration filled with laughter, toasts, and a first dance.
From start to finish, it felt like them.
Why You Want an Elopement Photographer Who Helps You Plan
Elopements are not “easier weddings.” They’re intentional weddings. And that takes guidance.
- It looks like gently telling you not to wear brand-new leather boots on a gravel Smoky Mountain trail—and suggesting broken-in hiking boots with real grip instead.
- It’s checking sunset time in December (5:12pm, by the way) and building your timeline backwards so we’re standing on the overlook when the sky turns gold—not loading chairs into a car. Find out when to elope in Georgia here.
- Knowing the most popular ceremony spot at Cloudland Canyon is under construction before you ever send it to me from Pinterest.
- Choosing a private mountain overlook with guard rails when little kids are involved—not a dramatic cliff edge with zero margin for error.
- Calling an Airbnb host personally to confirm they allow small gatherings—because not all of them do.
- Texting a rental company to deliver chairs to the top of a gravel driveway on a mountain, then helping set them up myself when we get there.
- Having extra bobby pins, heel protectors, water bottles, tissues, safety pins, and a backup timeline in my bag…just in case.
- Padding your schedule with breathing room so you’re not rushing from ceremony to portraits to dinner like it’s a production.
- Knowing Chattanooga traffic on a Saturday night can shift dinner plans—and adjusting accordingly.
- Stepping back after you say “I do” and giving you five quiet minutes alone before I lift my camera again.
- Triple checking that your pups are welcome to join the celebration (I talk about how to include your dogs in your elopement here).
Choosing a Photographer Specialized In Elopement Does Actually Matter
That’s what specializing in elopements really means. Not just showing up to photograph it. But knowing how to build a day that feels effortless. Anything you need—I will make it happen.
Still deciding between an elopement and intimate wedding? This blog will help.
If you’re dreaming of eloping but feeling unsure where to start, let Laura + Chase’s story be proof: Elopement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right guidance, it becomes joyful.
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