When it comes to elopement picture ideas, why not take them in a place that you and your partner love, that has special meaning, and that is unique to you?
I often see couples choosing to take photos celebrating their elopement in popular locations in their area that are beautiful and aesthetic — but they may not have a personal connection to the location.
I believe that the best photos are the ones that aren’t just in a gorgeous spot but are also filled with personal significance. When you show them to others, you have a story and memories tied to that location, making them uniquely yours.
I recently had the chance to photograph Audrey and Tim, who were celebrating their elopement, and we had their session at Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library in Wheaton, IL – this location was incredibly meaningful and personally significant for both of them.
Read on to learn more about Audrey and Tim’s celebratory elopement photos and to gain inspiration for your own unique elopement picture ideas.
Audrey and Tim’s Elopement Celebration: Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library in Wheaton, IL.
I love that Audrey and Tim choose to commemorate their elopement at the place that is meaningful to them – they share a deep love of books and met while working as librarians.
The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library was the perfect setting for their photos as it’s a beautiful, classic library with stunning grounds.
The interior has a big bay window that lets in lots of natural light, making it a photographer’s dream. It also has warm wood architecture and lots of charming, quiet nooks to capture intimate moments.
Libraries are truly special places for couples, engagement, or elopement photos as they create such a romantic and enchanting ambiance and the location itself is telling its own story along with yours.
Another unique feature of this session was that Audrey and Tim complete a crossword together every night, so they actually brought one with them to take photos. This showcased their personalities, and it was a thoughtful touch that really demonstrated what makes their love story so special.
The library also had a gorgeous backdrop for photos outside underneath the willows and next to a serene pond as well as a lush, colorful garden. If you reside in Wheaton and are looking for the perfect spot for your engagement photos or to commemorate your elopement like Audrey and Tim, then you definitely need to consider the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.
This is the ideal location for you if you want a location with timeless charm, stunning architecture, and a place where you feel like you’re in your own dreamy romance novel with your partner.
If you love the idea of taking photos in a library, discover my top tips for library engagement photos in my blog here.
Unique Elopement Picture Ideas
When it comes to your elopement pictures, just remember they can look however you want — you have permission to be as creative and imaginative as you wish.
Here are some of my unique suggestions for elopement picture ideas to inspire you for your own session:
Doing a hobby or activity together
Your elopement pictures can feature you and your partner doing something that you both love! Whether that’s going on a hike, sitting in your favorite coffee shop with your favorite beverages, making pottery or art together, or salsa dancing, you can compliment your session by being present in the moment and doing something special and memorable with your partner.
Going to the place where you first met
Think about how romantic it would be to have elopement pictures at the place where you first met and to have professional photos to capture where your love story started. This location already holds so many special memories and moments, and having photos here will be a beautiful reminder of your love story and how it all began.
Take your elopement pictures at night
Another unique idea for your elopement pictures is to take your elopement pictures at night. These will create fun and exciting pictures that are one-of-a-kind. You could add lanterns or candles to your photos to add something different and also have beautiful silhouette photos of you and your partner.
Adding in color
If you want bright and vibrant photos, why not try adding some bursts of color to your elopement photos? Not all of your photos have to be colorful, but if you want to add a creative flair to your photos, you and your partner could bring a vibrant outfit, go to a location with a colorful backdrop for some of your photos, or bring additional props that enhance your pictures.
Include your furry friends
Let’s be real, we all love our pets and they are part of our family so why not include them in some photos? This just creates an even more special and memorable moment for you and your partner and really helps to capture what your life was like during this time.
There are going to be some restrictions you can run into like your pets not being allowed in certain spaces, but that doesn’t mean you have to exclude them altogether. Even if you are planning an elopement in an indoor space that isn’t pet-friendly, who says you can’t plan a session after your elopement to include them?
Not only does this allow you to get even more incredible couples photos in a more relaxed environment, but it also allows you to include some things that you may not have been able to on your elopement day.
Indoor elopement photos
If you had your elopement outdoors why not also incorporate a meaningful location for you and your partner that is also indoors to have a mix of both? Whether that’s in a library, your favorite restaurant where you always go for date night, your home, an arcade, a movie theater it can be any place that holds significance for the two of you.
Final Thoughts on Elopement Picture Ideas
There’s nothing more meaningful — and dare I say romantic — than choosing to have your elopement photos at a location that is significant to you and your partner and also has a story for both of you.
Audrey and Tim’s elopement pictures were truly special in the sense that they chose a location that was important to them. As you plan your own elopement pictures, remember that the possibilities are endless and can be uniquely yours.
And if you’re in the Chicago suburbs and want your own library engagement or elopement photos (or have another spot in mind for your session), I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch and start planning your own session!
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