Big Sur Backyard Elopement

I’ve known the Collins family for years. When I got a call from Amy about her daughter Emery’s wedding I jumped up straight from my seat. Amy began describing their big plans for a Big Sur backyard elopement kept intimate and small, with beach elopement vibes. I couldn’t wait to be there, and capture their love story.

It was so exciting to be able to hear that this sweet girl had met the love of her life on her swim team (pretty fitting that we did their bridals and first look on the beach!) I absolutely loved being able to do their engagement session, and then their backyard elopement was so exciting. 

Covid-19 Ruined their Plans

When we started dreaming up what they wanted for their wedding, honestly we didn’t know what we’re going to be doing until a week beforehand. They knew they wanted beach elopement vibes, but that was about it. 

With how 2020 has been, we made plan after plan and watched it get dashed over and over and over again. Their Big Sur Backyard Elopement was meant to be, and it was so worth all the stress for their beautiful day to come together. 

They went from a big formal wedding and a beautiful venue to a beautiful backyard wedding. It was so humbling to see these two just roll with the punches and continue to be so excited for their future together.

Bridal Session at Big Sur

It was absolutely so much fun being able to go around Big Sur with these two and being able to take photos of them. Watching the sunset on the ruby red skyline was absolutely breathtaking. Then the sun went down, and there was bioluminescence in the water. You could see absolutely breathtaking glowing blue ultraviolet light coming from the water.

It was so romantic being able to see the way that David looked at Emery during their backyard elopement. I loved being able to see the way that they get so excited about each other. Two days later we went to their wedding, and it was seriously such a blast. With an emotional walk down the aisle, tender vows led by her grandfather who is the officiant, and then homemade tacos and churros, it was such a perfect night. 

I found myself looking over at them so many times and just seeing how happy they and their family were. This is why I love elopements, it’s so intimate and special and the couple’s relationship can really shine. 

It was a roasting hot day at 111° and we survived. It was so much fun to be there and capture their backyard elopement, but man, I was so tempted to jump in the pool that day! These two really turned a COVID 19 wedding to something absolutely beautiful and fun. I danced so hard with these guys at the end of the night and it was awesome!