Nadia and Caleb were planning a larger wedding with their community, but as a pair of introverts it was important to them to have a quiet, private experience as well. A few months before their big celebration, we arranged for an adventure elopement session at a secluded hike-in beach along California’s North Coast, a rocky and ruggedly beautiful area.
We timed the adventure for the early hours of the morning, when the sun was just beginning to rise above the forested eastern hills and cast a warm glow onto the beach. At that time of day, we had the space entirely to ourselves.
After hiking in to the beach and changing into elopement clothes (a buttoned shirt for Caleb and a spunky short romper and cape-veil for Nadia) the couple walked along the waterside, scrambled barefoot up a large rock, and explored the beach’s driftwood tangles. After a quick snack break, they took a moment to say some private words to each other in preparation for their later vows. The couple took one more rest to soak in the natural beauty of the space, and hiked back through the forested hills to the trailhead, stopping briefly for a playful moment at a second driftwood-filled beach.
Though it wasn’t their official “wedding”, the experience allowed the couple a moment of freedom and privacy (in addition to memorable photos) to deeply focus on each other and their relationship as part of their marriage process.
