If I had to put four words to the ‘how to’s’ of having an anti-bride elopement that is entirely whimsical and adventurous and uniquely yours, they would be these four: “Surrender to your surroundings.”

Why You Might Choose to Elope

The choice to have an elopement is one that is wrapped up in ALL of the whimsy as it is. Typically, a couple who chooses to elope have decided that their priorities for their special day are a bit different than your “traditional” wedding. A big venue rental is perhaps traded for an unsuspecting location, one that often has sentimental significance to the couple. The guest list is cut down to nobody but the bride, the groom, the photographer (lucky me!), and maybe a select few extra humans. The minute-to-minute agenda is swapped out for a day without timeline, structure, or a care in the world.

No matter what your reasons for eloping are, one of my absolute favorite things about photographing elopements— as a photographer whose love language is the adventure and the unexpected– is that you, as the couple, really get to embrace whatever happens… and I get the sweet honor of capturing it, moment-for-moment. In this particular elopement set in the wilderness of Washington, Jurnee and Mitch chose a lighthouse on the hillside of Puget Sound to say their “I do’s,” and it was a complete and totally perfect ode to Washington from start to finish.

The Anti-Bride Movement

So, what is this anti-bride movement that is taking the wedding world by storm in 2024, and why do I mention it in my own blog? Well, in a nutshell, the anti-bride movement that you’re probably seeing all over TikTok is all about thinking outside-the-box, challenging the conventional way of doing things and creating a day that captures your uniqueness as a couple. It’s all about doing things your way and making choices that resonate with who you are and what your love is all about.

Jurnee’s and Mitch’s kitschy Washington elopement was the perfect demonstration of why this trend is all the rage. It was spontaneous and whimsical and personalized. Jurnee and Mitch had nowhere they had to be, except for together, and I got to tag along and watch the magic unfold.

How to Incorporate the Anti-Bride Movement into Your Elopement

While the anti-bride elopement inspo all over your Pinterest board right now might be a trend in and of itself, the love you and your significant other have for each other is timeless and unforgettable. What’s more, taking a kitschy approach to your elopement means that you get to make the day and the details 100% your own and revolving around your personalities.

If you’re thinking of making your anti-bride elopement all kitsch, kitten heels, and keepsakes, here are some ideas for you to consider:

1. Focus on the details and personal touches. Now that you don’t have to coordinate a seating arrangement for your massive guest list or send all of those invitations, use your energy instead to add sweet and special personal touches. Our Washington bride and groom opted for things like a stunning gold mirror thrifted from Whidbey Island, gold and pearl wedding rings, a hand-drawn invitation suite by Moons and Things Co. … and if I’m being honest, the details totally set the tone for the rest of the day!
2. Pick an atypical location that is special to you. This beautiful elopement was set on a hillside overlooking Puget Sound, complete with a lighthouse backdrop, the waves crashing gently on the shore, and seagulls flying overhead. Make this once-in-a-lifetime day something that happens in something of a once-in-a-lifetime place.
3. Memorialize your location in the details. The oyster shells and freshwater pearls you see in the detail shots will someday be a great way for Jurnee and Mitch to immediately be transported back to that hillside when they look at their detail shots, years from now.
4. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Brides! This is the perfect opportunity to doll yourself up with all of the accessories! Jurnee wore the most beautiful, espresso-colored velvet bow, detachable gloves and sleeves, and the longest and dreamiest veil of all time, all to complement the shape of the bodice on her stunning dress from The White Door Bridal and Chosen by Kyha.
5. Build a color palette around your details, not the other way around. Get colorful with it, and let your distinctive choice of colors run a little wild, especially in the florals! My sweet Washington couple settled on gold and autumnal tones to match the setting of their November elopement, along branches and velvet bows in the bouquet custom designed by Uprooted Designs and Rebecca Lillian Photo. The color and quirk added so much necessary character to their unique day.
6. Have a clean and crisp background available to you. Jurnee and Mitch are every bit the quirky and cool couple, and having the crisp, white background of the lighthouse made it so that I captured photos with their personalities as the focal point, along with all of the other incredible, adventurous moments.
7. Most importantly, surrender to your surroundings. I promise you: the best moments of the day, the ones that you’ll live on loop for every day to come, are going to be the ones that you didn’t expect whatosever. For example, we ran into some deer on the way to our second location, which was not only entirely unplanned and fun, but the photos we caught of that surprise added to the kitschiness of the day itself. Let yourself enjoy quiet moments, as well as savor bits of play and sweetness together. After all, you don’t have an agenda, other than to be together.