Frequently Asked Questions ELOPEMENTS
h k The Booking Process Permits Locations The Planning Process The Day-Of After The Elopement 3 4 5 6 7 11 Content
Booking
HOW DO WE BOOK?
Once you decide you want to book and you have chosen a date, send me an email and then I will send you a contract and invoice where you can choose how many hours you want to book, sign, and pay your retainer. It's all online and done through my booking system over email.
WHEN ARE COSTS DUE?
The first retainer of 40% is due when you sign your contract. We can set up a payment plan if you’re interested, but final payment is due 1 month before your elopement day.
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HOURS I WANT?
That is okay! You can book 2 hours to start and then you can continue to add on more hours as you plan if you want to.
IS HIKING TIME INCLUDED IN TOTAL BOOKING TIME?
Yes, hiking time is included in the booking time. Once we meet up, all travel/driving/hiking time is included until we say goodbye. So traveling from an overlook back to your Airbnb needs to be taken into consideration when building your timeline and choosing how many hours you want to book.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?
Nope. Prices are firm.
Permits
DO WE NEED A PERMIT TO MARRY IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK?
If your group includes more than 15 people, then yes you need a permit. You cannot have any additional set up on Shenandoah National Park (an arbor, chairs, an aisle, etc.) But you can bring hiking chairs or blankets.
If your group includes 30 or more people then you need to have your ceremony at the Loft Amphitheatre - I have more about this location in my guide.
If you have 15 or fewer people in your group, then you do not need a permit.
WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS A PERMIT FOR THE SPOT AND WE DON'T?
If you don't have a permit, that means that when we show up on location, there might be other people there who *do* have a permit. If that's the case, then we will go to the next closest location or wait our turn.
Shenandoah National Park is not a busy park, depending on the time of year and day. But, please be ready just in case there is another photo shoot or elopement happening. We will base the situation on first-come-first-serve if neither party has a permit.
WHAT IF OTHER HIKERS SHOW UP?
Just because you do have a permit does not mean other people won't show up - it is still public land. Hikers love seeing a wedding happening in the mountains, they are literally in-awe and may stop to watch. This Isn't always the case, though. Sometimes you can go a whole day without seeing other people.
If you aren't comfortable with this, the only way to totally avoid it is by finding a very secluded spot at sunrise or choosing a private location such as an Airbnb or a venue to rent.
Locations
WILL YOU HELP LOCATION SCOUT?
I have already pulled together a selection of my favorite locations that are on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. All of these locations are within my travel radius. I also have backup locations like lakes and hikes in nearby towns in case of road closures or weather.
CAN WE SHOOT AT A LOCATION THAT'S NOT ON YOUR GUIDE?
If you want another location (a flower field, a hike outside of Shenandoah National Park, your Airbnb, another National Park, outside of Virginia, a Sail Boat) I no longer offer location scouting/planning for these locations, but I am very happy to t
Some locations may incu
Portland, Maine
Shenandoah National Park
Planning
WHAT DOES YOUR PLANNING INCLUDE?
My "planning" includes guides like this one that are full of - locations
- vendors
- local places to stay, eat, and drink
- local things to do
- timeline examples
We can have 1-2 planning phone calls specifically to go over your timeline and to discuss which location suits you best if you can't decide.
Other than that, I do not offer further planning services.
WILL YOU BOOK VENDORS FOR US?
I do not book or reach out to vendors, and I do not apply for permits.
WILL YOU HELP WITH A TIMELINE?
Absolutely! If you need help coming up with a timeline from scratch or just want me to look over one that you already have in mind, I'm very happy to help.
WHAT IF WE DON'T WANT HELP WITH PLANNING?
That is fine if you decide you just want me to be there for photos, but there is no discount. Everyone gets the planning guides and help with a timeline.
The Day-Of
HOW DO YOU POSE?
I like to do a mix of posing and documentary - some people like a lot of direction and a lot of posing while others only need a small mix. I’m happy to help as much as you’re comfortable with! Most of my posing is very relaxed : “wrap your arms around each other and check out that view.” “can one of you lead the other through this field right here?” That way you feel like you’re getting help with posing but it’s still natural!
WHAT IF WE FEEL SUPER AWKWARD ABOUT BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA?
Seriously every single person I’ve photographed has been nervous/felt awkward. So all those beautiful people you see on my site are just normal people, not professional models! I try my best to help you relax and feel natural and have fun during your shoot. I tend to goof off a lot, and I won’t put any pressure on you to feel like you need to perform for the camera. I also try to find secluded spots if you don’t want to pose in front of strangers. Feel free to let me know what you’re nervous about so that I can make it an awesome experience for you. If you’re really feeling the nerves, feel free to bring something along that will help - like your favorite drink, a picnic so you can focus on something fun to set up, or your pet!
WHAT IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT?
If I can’t make it on your wedding day for some insane reason, I’ll make sure another photographer is there for me instead and I’ll still be the one to edit and deliver the photos.
The Day-Of
CAN WE BRING OUR DOG?
You absolutely can, but some hikes do not allow dogs, so as long as the hike you choose is dog-friendly. All of the overlooks are dog-friendly!
Please bring a leash - this is also a fun chance to get a new leash or collar for photos.
The Day-Of
WHAT ABOUT CANCELING/RESCHEDULING?
If you decide to cancel, the retainer you paid is non-refundable but you can transfer it. That means you can use it for another date or give it to a friend/family member. If you decide to reschedule, please stay in touch with me so we can find a new date that works for both of us - if you reschedule to another date that I have already booked, you still do not receive your retainer back. There is no cost to reschedule if it is to a day that is open in my books, and with ample notice.
WHAT IF IT'S RAINING?
Rain is one of my favorite things in the world! I’ve photographed in all sorts of rain many a time. I always keep umbrellas in my car for you or for your guests, I also have lanterns in my car to add some fun mood to the rain or fog. If the rain is too much, we can use backup locations :
- nearby lake or hike
- your airbnb or cabin or reschedule to another date/time of day.
WHAT IF IT'S SNOWING?
Road closures can happen on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway due to snow/ice/wind. If it's snowing and the roads are closed, we can use backup locations :
- nearby lake or hike
- your airbnb or cabin or reschedule to another date.
After The Elopement
DO WE RECEIVE SNEAK PEEKS?
Yes! You'll receive sneak peeks via your online gallery (Pic-Time) within 48 hours of your elopement. This normally includes about 10 pictures that showcase different parts of your elopement.
WHEN DO WE RECEIVE OUR FULL GALLERY?
Depending on time of year, your gallery will be done between 4 - 8 weeks after your elopement. Typically Winter and Summer months are around 4 weeks and Spring and Fall are 6-8 weeks.
WILL YOU SHARE OUR PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
I will post your sneak peeks on social media, as well as other photos from your gallery once it's finished. Please let me know before your elopement
If there are certain photos you don't want shared. Some examples are :
Not posting your names with the photos. Not posting photos with your faces. Not posting photos with faces of children/certain guests. Only posting photos of details/shoes/flowers/etc. Only posting photos on my website, but not on social media. No photos at all.
After The Elopement
HOW MANY PHOTOS DO WE RECEIVE?
On average, you can expect 50-100 per hour booked. You will receive all of the best photos (except duplicates) and they are edited in *both* black & white and color.
HOW DO WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?
All the best photos from your day are artistically edited in both color and black & white and delivered via email - it's a link to an online gallery that's easy to share with friends & family.
— Included is an attached shop where you can order professional quality albums, prints, frames, and more products - any of your friends and family that you share the gallery with can order, too!
— Digital downloads (with print & social media release for personal use) to share, print, and enjoy as you please!
CAN WE PRINT OUR PHOTOS?
You can print your photos anywhere you'd like - I am not responsible for quality of pictures printed anywhere unless they are printed through the online shop attached to your gallery.
online gallery & products
