From Photographer:  I have known this couple since 2012 and even photographed their 1 year anniversary as "married" along with family sessions and a close friend's wedding. So when they asked me if I could go with them from Texas to New Orleans to photograph their actual wedding day of course I said YES! Seph had everything planned to a T and shared all of the fun with me.  He told me it was gunna be glammed with  skulls, gorgeous locations, and a 3 tier cake that also had a king's cake mixed in. Now, Seph is a big Mean Girls fan. Like, he sent out a surprise save the date that had a meme from Mean Girls that said "it's October 3".  I mean, that's pretty fantastic! Fast forward to October 3 and we start off with a pre-wedding session around  NOLA. We traveled to St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery followed by Crescent Park and French Quarter. Every part that we visited captured them perfectly for who they are. Fast forward to the ceremony location that night and my heart was overflowing with joy. They not only decorated with dark dramatic colors and regular skulls but they also had bat skulls as their boutonnieres and a BURN BOOK as their guest book with Mean Girl memes next to the cake and bar. I mean, everything mixed in perfectly and their real life intimate wedding went perfectly. ​

Vendors:
​Ibay Photography
City Park, New Orleans
Colleen Oltmann Weddings - Officiant
French Market Inn

Brandon and Aleesha are a sweet, lovely couple who recently hosted their only closest of friends and family for their short ceremony on the evening of Friday the 13th. They held their event among the swans and gardens of Swan Lake Iris Gardens, and the venue's natural environment and abundance of Spanish Moss complimented the couple's unique wedding day style perfectly. Aleesha wore a non-traditional gown, a pretty frock with dyed blue details throughout. Brandon wore one of his favorite suites and donned a pair of custom cufflinks Aleesha gave him before their wedding day. The couple opted for a First Look and portraits before their ceremony, and it was an emotional few moments for the couple. We explored among the gardens and the swans for their portraits together as a couple. They said their emotional and heartfelt vows in front of a smaller gathering of family and a few friends, and Aleesha shed quite a few tears throughout the short ceremony. Afterwards, they spent time celebrating with family as they enjoyed a few refreshments and a macaroon cake from Ally & Eloise! 
All-in-all Brandon and Aleesha are a sweet couple who hosted a lovely small elopement ceremony to promise each other forever in the Swan Lake Iris Gardens!

Charis and Josh had been visiting Crested Butte together for 5 years and each time were completely blown away by the beauty.  Their intimate ceremony took place in the peak wildflower season, and it included only 6 people - myself as the photographer, an officiant, and the bride's brother and his girlfriend.  We spent the late-afternoon doing their first look in a scenic river valley, with plenty of sweet, and tender moments as they explored along the hillside.  Our next stop was at the base of Mount Crested Butte, surrounded completely by stunning scenery.  Charis and Josh shared their vows, with the mountains as their witness.  They shared a champagne toast and a lovely cake designed to look like the trunk of an aspen tree.  Afterwards, an adventure through the ski-area terrain took us to some breath-taking views just as an epic sunset provided the perfect backdrop to a happily-ever-after.

From Photographer: I love my home state SO much – and the people that live here are second to none. I drove up to Anacortes to catch the Lopez Island ferry for a sweet little elopement on a STORMY Saturday morning… but that wasn’t stopping this couple. I pulled up to their art studio airbnb and Katie was standing in the doorway. We’d never met before, but standing there in her perfect jewel tone dress, I crossed my fingers and hoped that was the BRIDE!
One of my favorite parts of a wedding are the details that make the wedding unique – true to the style of the couple. From start to finish – that was the case for these two… No fuss of a big wedding, just a perfect little weekend getaway to say their forever commitments + end the day with a warm crockpot of bbq chicken for sliders on a stormy evening.
The PERFECT autumn elopement.

​Vanessa & Brandon are true epitome of love conquers all. These two love birds had a rough start in life and found each other in the Second Chances program located in Chula Vista, California. Through thick and thin they overcame struggles and let their relationship blossom. Vanessa & Brandon have supported each other in the best of times and the worst of times so what better way to celebrate their bond and strength with their family. Vanessa & Brandon decided to tie the knot in an intimate ceremony at the San Diego Courthouse with the people that supported them their most, their family. It was an important day for everyone who was a part of it. Vanessa was such a budget savvy bride and found most of her fashion accessories at Price Breakers Indoor Bazaar in National City. She was able to find designer pieces at wholesale prices making her a vintage bridal princess. This young couple is truly one of a kind and embodies “love didn’t find us; we found love.”

This amazing couple traveled from Australia to be married in the grooms hometown, New Orleans.  They were surrounded by family and closest friends to celebrate their marriage.  Photography by Ibay Photography / Elope To Nola

Katie & Adam met while working at the Sheriff's department in San Diego a few years ago. They quickly connected and spent tons of time together as friends and eventually grew into a romantic relationship. Adam has 2 kids from a previous relationship that stood by Katie and their dad during their intimate elopement at the San Diego Administration Center. It was clear that Katie & Adam had so much support from their friends and family. Their day was all about bringing their 2 families together and starting their next big adventure. Katie's ring was from her favorite antique store in Carlsbad. Adam had his boutonniere made out of a bullet casing by Epic Stems.  

A golden mountainside served as the backdrop for this beautifully simple fall elopement in Whitewater, Colorado. There were no frills or fuss, the bride wore a vintage dress and accessories, including a meaningful purse her brother had given her years ago. The couple exchanged vows over a view of the Kannah Creek River and took a romantic walk back to the cabin resting on this private property. The bride arranged the flowers herself, and the two enjoyed a decadent chocolate cake with desserts giving homage to her ethnic background.

Sophia and Antonio traveled miles and years together to get to their elopement at Gateway Canyons Resort in Colorado.  The couple from Michigan drive 1,500 miles to create their dream day in an intimate setting at this spectacular 5-star resort.  Although Antonio had proposed nearly ten years ago, it took until now for the time to be just right.  It was just the two of them and the officiant by a lake overlooking a spectacular Colorado vista with amazing 360 degree views.  After the ceremony, the couple laughed and danced together through the desert and enjoyed the most carefree and romantic moments of their day.