To celebrate the growing interest in elopements I’ve decided to create a short guide to a few elopement ideas that I’ve experienced first hand as a wedding photographer. These ideas offer a spectrum of options that suit all tastes and personality types, the one thing they all have in common though is that they’re sure fire ways to create an intimate and unforgettable experience for you to share together on your wedding day.
THE URBAN ELOPEMENT
The Urban Elopement is a concept born from living in Toronto for a decade now and getting to know the ins and outs of what this great city has to offer. The landscape of Toronto is diverse so there’s something for everyone whether you prefer the vibe of a park or the idea of being on a rooftop overlooking the city skyline. If the idea of waking up in your own bed and getting ready together isn’t your thing, there’s incredible AirBnB options in both the West and East end of the city that offer plenty of character and natural light for you to start the wedding day off on the right foot. Another great option with so many boutique hotels in the city, you can easily do a one-stop elopement, from the getting ready, to the ceremony and portraits, can all take place in one beautiful location saving you time and stress.
What your Urban Elopement could look like:
Sleep in
Have brunch at your favourite place in the city
Check into your airbnb/hotel + get ready
First Look in the area
Head to a cool urban location of your choice
Say your vows
Head to another awesome location for portraits (we can always bring along some drinks to celebrate)
Arrive for your dinner reservations at one of your favourite Toronto restaurants
Sneak out before your food arrives for a first dance in the middle of the street
Get some late night eats if you celebrated a little too hard
THE COTTAGE ELOPEMENT
They say spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety by nearly 30%. If you love being outdoors among the trees and by a lake then you should know Ontario and Quebec have some of the best cottage options in the whole country. Whether you’re renting a quaint cottage via AirBnB or using the go-to family cottage, you’ll have the benefit of privacy and that cozy at-home feeling that’s synonymous with the cottage life. Spend the weekend together alone or with your families & friends in Muskoka or the Laurentians, an epic 2-day elopement that encompasses the importance of shared experiences as you enjoy a morning swim or watch the sunset from the dock.
Ideas for the perfect cottage elopement:
Wake up and go kayaking or swimming together
Have lunch and hang out on the dock
Get ready (together or separately) - inside the cottage or in the forest nearby
Do your first look or ceremony (this depends on if you are getting ready together or not)
Portraits at sunset to soak in the golden light
A privately catered dinner for just the two of you
A first dance under the string lights and stars
THE WATERFRONT ELOPEMENT
You can have a quaint cottage town wedding right here in Toronto. A short ferry ride from downtown brings you to Toronto Island, a unique and beautiful location for those who love the beach and sights of endless water. Whether you’re using one of the many local venue options on the Island or simply renting a country home through AirBnB, Toronto Island is one of the most unique and authentic elopement experiences you can have without leaving the city.
Wake up and have a delicious brunch
Get ready together or separately
First look near your area
Take the ferry to the island
Set up for ceremony on the beach at sunset
Celebrate with drinks at the Island Cafe
Take the night ferry back to the city and maybe do your first dance on the ferry (we will provide the speaker, you just need to choose the song!)
THE HIKING ELOPEMENT
Within two hours or less of Toronto, you can find yourself in the true wilderness that would satisfy the outdoors person in anyone. With many provincial parks providing stunning landscapes to explore, you can easily have an epic 2-day elopement experience by camping at Algonquin Park and portaging to a remote island to exchange vows. Alternatively, with a little help from your photography guides, you can pinpoint countless epic views as final destinations for your hike, bringing you to a breathtaking landscape to overlook as you exchange vows. (We’ll also share our expert advice to make sure you look your best when you finally arrive too).
Have a chill morning together
Get on the road
Hike or kayak to our beautiful destination
Stop for lunch
Get ready (don’t worry, we have a pop up tent for you to change in)
Find the perfect first look spot
Stop at the waterfall to exchange vows
Celebrate! (we will bring a little picnic and champagne)
Hike out of the location stopping for a few portraits
THE CITY HALL ELOPEMENT
Although this may seem like it’s not the most unique way to elope, it is a great way to keep things simple. Simple doesn’t have to mean little effort, or cheap, it just means putting no-stress on your wedding ceremony. The first wedding we ever photographed was a surprise elopement at city hall that had just the bride and groom and their parents. The small atmosphere that Toronto City Hall has to offer creates an intimate experience between everyone in attendance.
You can even incorporate aspects of the urban elopement into your city hall wedding. Before you head to the chambers we can plan for a first look near by at a hidden park or within the chaos of downtown Toronto. Another great element of eloping at City Hall is that the low-key ceremony opens up a lot of options for your timeline. If you wanted to venture out to a specific area for portraits and family photos, then a city hall elopement gives you the opportunity to do that without the stress of a busy timeline.
Walk to your local flower shop to get bouquets or boutonnieres
Get ready together or separately at home/a downtown AirBnB
First Look in the area
Ceremony at Toronto City Hall
Portraits of the two of you and any family you brought along (before or after the ceremony)
Go to a restaurant for a private dinner celebration
Head home to Netflix and Chill
