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When I first began focusing more on weddings than family photography, we were in the thick of the pandemic. Everything changed overnight. Guest lists were slashed, plans postponed or canceled, and many couples were forced to rethink what a wedding even meant. But in the middle of all that uncertainty, something beautiful happened… a shift toward intimacy.

As someone who is neurodivergent, introverted, and deeply sentimental, I quietly celebrated that shift. Suddenly, weddings weren’t about giant venues or over-the-top production. They became about moments. Real ones. A walk through Fairmount Park, a quiet vow exchange on a rooftop, a brunch celebration with a few close friends, or a hand-in-hand stroll to Love Park. These moments speak volumes.

Elopements and micro-weddings are not “less.” They’re intentional.

They’re full of meaning, centered around connection, and crafted with care. And while they may be smaller in size, they deserve just as much—if not more—attention when it comes to photography.

Because let’s be real. You won’t remember everything. But a photograph? A good one? It brings it all back. The way your partner looked at you. The texture of your dress. The laughter, the nerves, the way the wind moved your hair just before you kissed.

I often think about my grandmother’s photo albums. The ones from the ’60s and ’70s, worn at the edges but still brimming with story. Even without words, those pictures speak. They tell you who you came from. They carry legacy. I believe elopements—just like those old photographs—hold that same kind of generational storytelling.

So why hire a photographer for your elopement?
Because it matters. Because even if it’s just the two of you and a witness, it’s still your wedding day. And years from now, you’ll want to remember how it felt—not just that it happened. You’ll want more than blurry phone pictures that got lost in a cloud backup. You’ll want to see it through the eyes of someone who cared to tell it right.

That’s why I do this. I don’t believe small means simple. In fact, I think small gives us space to breathe, to be present, to feel deeply. It gives us time to linger on portraits, to capture those honest, emotional moments without rushing. It’s my favorite kind of storytelling.

And maybe—just maybe—it’s yours too.

Here are my suggestions for places to do either an Elopement or Micro-Wedding in the Greater Philadelphia area or Beyond.

1. Love Park Philly

Few places feel as iconically Philly as Love Park. Located right near City Hall and home to the famous LOVE sculpture, this public park is now one of the city’s official civil ceremony locations. The Marriage License Department hosts civil weddings here on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., giving couples a unique way to say “I do” outdoors with a backdrop that screams city spirit.

If you’re someone who loves the energy of Philly and wants a short, meaningful ceremony without the courthouse vibe, this is such a fun and vibrant alternative. You’ll need a valid marriage license and must book in advance through the Marriage License Bureau’s website (spots go fast!).

It’s ideal for couples who want something small, stylish, and surrounded by a little city magic.

2.) Wissahickon Park & Valley Green Inn

I was pleasantly surprised to learn this area is an excellent location for those seeking to get married surrounded by nature without having to travel an extreme distance away from Philadelphia! Wissahickon Park is a beautiful wooded area with hiking trails, rivers, waterfalls, and more. Nicole and Daniel’s micro-wedding was very chill vibes, with only family members (and one adorable puppers) in attendance. To make it even more special, the couple hired a pair of talented violinists to play during the ceremony and a fabulous officiant to oversee their ceremony vows.

Nicole and Daniel included their family in their micro-wedding in the woods near a waterfall and set up a beautiful DIY wedding arch with their assistance. The ceremony was gorgeous, with plenty of tears, hugs, and a lot of love from everyone. Since the park is public, this meant that hikers and visitors could see the ceremony from afar but nothing that ruined the intimacy of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the family quickly took down the wedding decor and traveled to Suraya for their reception.

3.) The Rittenhouse Hotel

I highly recommend the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia for those looking to do something small but luxurious. The Rittenhouse Hotel is a gorgeous boutique venue offering exquisite catering and a personalized experience for the couple who wants to enjoy their day with all the trims but on a smaller scale. I had the opportunity to photograph a micro-wedding at this location for Paul and Jerina.

Wedding - Dress

Their wedding day started with them getting ready in their hotel room, where they dressed in separate rooms. Then, after a quick first look, the pair traveled downstairs to their reserved ceremony location at the Lacroix Restaurant. The entire space was reserved for their use, allowing me to use the restaurant area for a few quick couple portraits without worrying about non-guests showing up in the background. This location is perfect for those wanting sensory-friendly and complete privacy.

Restaurant - Dining room

A previous mayor of Doylestown, PA, provided his officiant services for the pair as they cited their vows amongst a small selection of friends and family. It was a lovely ceremony that ended with a private dinner in the adjourning area. From delicious appetizers to the beautiful architecture and decor, I can’t say enough good things about this upscale location for the more distinguished couple wanting to splurge on fine accommodations but on a smaller-sized scale party.

4.) Fairmount Park

In Philadelphia, Fairmount Park is a vast area of acres of beautiful green forestry around parts of the city. With it, the use of it is not held back by the usual permits required n some of the more popular areas of Philadelphia. Sometimes all one needs is a beautiful gazebo early in hthe morning with just a few people in attendence. Fairmount Park is a beautiful location to say your vows should you want the feel of the woodsy elements while not strayign too far from home.

An hour may be all you need to exchange gifts, share words of promise, and simply be invested in remembering what the day means to you. The changing of times may make it where you are limited, but want to still memoralize the day somehow. An elopement photographer can help you with this by capturing the moment and giving you the gift of memories visually telling how the two of you wedded between just yourself and a few friends or loved ones.

5. Wherever You Want — It’s Your Day. How Do You Want to Remember It?

There are thousands of little corners, hidden gems, and even venues around Philadelphia that cater perfectly to couples planning something more intimate. My advice for anyone considering a micro wedding or elopement? Think about what moments you most want to remember, visually.

Maybe it’s the quiet of getting ready at home, in your own space, in your own way. One of my couples chose to focus on perfecting the handmade corsage she would pin on her partner. That tiny act was her favorite memory, and now it’s preserved forever.

For others, it might be the laughter echoing from the living room as your sister does your hair and friends surround you with joy and love before heading to a quiet park in the city to exchange vows. That’s the beauty of eloping: it can be personal, peaceful, and deeply meaningful.

Maybe there’s a willow tree in the neighborhood park where you always met. Now it’s where you commit your lives to one another. It doesn’t have to be a grand affair. It can be an hour or two, just enough to celebrate and soak it all in. The point isn’t to perform. It’s to be present.

Whether it’s a trendy boutique hotel, the quiet woods, or the kitchen in your own home, it all counts. It’s all valid. What matters most is that it’s yours.

Whatever you choose, capture it. Even if it’s not professionally photographed, make sure someone takes a photo. These images are how your story gets told long after the moment has passed. They’re what’s left when memories fade.

So ask yourself: how do you want to remember your love day? What parts will mean the most to you years from now?

I’ll always root for the small, the quiet, the real. Whether you’re sticking to tradition or rewriting the whole thing, I’d love to help—whether that means guiding you through it or simply showing up to capture it all.

Reach out if you’d like to talk about planning your elopement or micro wedding in Philly or beyond. Yes, I travel!

I’ve photographed weddings as far as Jamaica and would love to go even further if your celebration takes us there. If all you need is a storyteller, I’d be honored to be yours. Just contact me. Who knows—your destination might even be on my bucket list.

Happy planning!

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