Author: Joleen Willis with Love Wildly

At first glance, photography is photography, right? A camera, a couple getting married, some vows, and beautiful images at the end.

But if you’ve been wondering what the real difference is between elopement vs. wedding photography, let’s just say: it’s not just about the size of your wedding. It’s about intention, experience, and incredibly breathtaking photos. And the way your photographer shows up for an elopement is beautifully different than for a big wedding.

Let’s break it down:

The Pace of Elopements vs. Weddings

Image by Dani Purington Photography

Image by Love Wildly

Big weddings tend to move fast. There’s usually a tight timeline, dozens (if not hundreds) of people to greet, and a checklist of traditions to hit. First look. Ceremony. Family photos. Cocktail hour. Reception. Table hopping. Toasts. First dance. Grand exit. Boom, boom, boom.

At a traditional wedding, your photographer is often operating like a director-slash-wedding-day-wrangler- watching the clock, gathering people, keeping the schedule afloat. It’s part of the job, and it helps the day move smoothly.

But elopements? They’re built differently.

Elopements are intentionally slow. They’re about presence. You might hike to your ceremony spot. Share a slow breakfast before getting ready. Pause to hold hands and take in the view. The pace invites connection. It allows you to feel the day rather than just move through it.

During an elopement, your photographer’s role is less about posing and wrangling aunts and uncles, and more about creating space for moments to naturally unfold. There’s time to breathe, time to be, and time to fall even more in love with each other in real time.

Image by Aimee Flynn Photography

The People

Wedding photography often includes a large cast of characters- family, friends, coworkers, childhood neighbors, and your mom’s best friend from Pilates. There’s beauty in that, of course. But it also means a lot of your energy goes outward. 

Elopement photography is more inward-facing. Introverts rejoice! Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of people who truly matter to you, elopements naturally make space for intimacy. You’re not performing. 

That shift allows your photographer to capture the small, quiet moments. The way your hands find each other. The spontaneous laughter during vows. The look in your eyes when no one else is around. The in between moments with your dog. A quiet sunset that you can actually enjoy because you don’t need to rush back to your reception with 100 waiting guests. 

Image by Sierra Jessup Photography

Image by Love Wildly

The Location

Weddings usually take place in venues designed to host large groups—ballrooms, banquet halls, wineries, golf courses.

Elopements take place in locations that feel like you. Maybe it’s a granite cliff at Yosemite National Park at sunset. Maybe it’s a quiet forest clearing or a lakeshore you’ve camped at together. Or a bucket-list location you’ve always wanted to visit. These aren’t just pretty backdrops- they’re part of your story. And they make you feel most like yourselves.

Your photographer will help scout and plan a location that aligns with your vision. There might be hiking, kayaking, or driving down dirt roads to get there (if that makes you happy). Your photographer comes prepared—not just with gear, but with snacks, extra layers, and a calm, steady presence.

Image by Sarah Linda Photography

Images by Love Wildly

The Experience

This is the heart of it all: when you choose to elope, you’re not just choosing a smaller wedding- you’re choosing an experience that puts you first.

No more planning your day around dinnertime for 100 guests. No pressure to perform or follow tradition just because “that’s how it’s done.” Eloping gives you permission to craft a day that’s truly your own. Want to start the morning with a sunrise hike and end it with a hot air balloon ride? Go for it. Want to get matching tattoos, snowboard down a mountain, or savor a private meal prepared by an heirloom chef? You can.

This kind of day isn’t about rushing from event to event or making small talk with every distant relative. It’s about slowing down, connecting deeply, and being fully present with your partner.

When your wedding day isn’t built around entertaining a crowd, it becomes something entirely different- it becomes yours. And your photographs- they’re more than just a checklist. Your photographs will be full of life: quiet moments, big feelings, belly laughs, windblown hair, dog kisses, epic views, and that look you only give each other when no one else is around.

They’ll feel like you, somewhere incredibly beautiful.

Image by Between the Pine

The Role of Your Elopement Photographer

Here’s one of the biggest (and most overlooked) differences between wedding photography and elopement photography:

With a traditional wedding, couples are often surrounded by a whole team- a planner, a venue coordinator, maybe even a stylist or day-of coordinator. There’s structure built in, and many of the decisions are guided by well-trodden paths.

But eloping? Eloping is a brave, beautiful act of charting your own course. You’re stepping off the beaten path and building a wedding day that’s completely your own. That can feel empowering, but also a little overwhelming.

That’s where your elopement photographer becomes so much more than just the person behind the camera.

Your photographer often steps into a role that’s part guide, part planner, and full-on logistical wizard. From helping you find the perfect ceremony location with golden light and the right amount of privacy, to building a timeline that flows naturally and honors what’s most important to you, they’re thinking through every detail.

Elopement photographers are also deeply familiar with the local landscape- especially when you’re getting married in wild, remote, or permit-restricted locations like national parks or public lands. They can help you understand the legal requirements to be officially married, navigate any permits you might need, and ensure your plans are both beautiful and respectful to the land you’re on.

And when it comes to vendor recommendations? Priceless. Elopement vendors are a special breed- often willing to hike up a mountain, travel light, and go with the flow. Your photographer likely has a trusted network of florists, officiants, and hair & makeup artists who get it.

In short: your elopement photographer isn’t just documenting your day. They’re helping you create it.

Whether you choose an elopement or a traditional wedding, your day should feel like you. But if you’re craving something slower, more intentional, and rooted in real connection, eloping might just be the most meaningful choice you’ll ever make.