July 17, 2026
Elopements are one of my favorite things to help my couples plan and photograph, because you really can do it any way you want. I love them so much I wrote an in-depth blog for folks to learn how.
Photographing AND planning a real elopement at Allerton Park had been on my bucketlist for a while. I was so excited to be trusted this opportunity with A&L.
Planning their Allerton Park Elopement
When Aaliyah & Lewis first contacted me, they were thinking of having a small backyard wedding with about 50 people. Their plans shifted, and they decided they wanted to have an elopement- something something super small. The photos still really mattered to Aaliyah. She wanted them to feel straight out of a storybook, but had no idea where to elope.
As an elopement photographer super familiar with central Illinois, I already had a few elopement spots in mind. But when she said she wanted nature vibes from a fairytale with a little bit of elegance, I knew JUST the place.
Allerton Park & Gardens is such a beautiful space for photos. There are statues, hedge mazes, florals, a pond, a mansion, like literally 1500 acres of land to run around. If you love Pride & Prejudice, Tuck Everlasting, or Beaux arts/Neoclassical style gardens— Allerton is the place for these kind of photos. And this place is IN ILLINOIS!!
We decided on a weekday elopement, which is great because we wouldn’t be around other weddings or a lot of folks hanging out in the gardens on their day off. Since she wanted those storybook glow, I suggested we meet in the evening, and time our coverage to be around sunset.
What to even do during your elopement
Since we were going to be together for about 3 hours for photography, I suggested we incorporate dinner into their evening. Because no one likes being hangry, and what’s cooler than eating your favorite meal in your wedding dress??
So we planned out their elopement timeline:
- meet at the public restrooms to change into their wedding outfits
- first look!!
- dinner – sushi & wedding cake
- photos around the gardens
- ceremony with vows at sunset
Aaliyah did invite her best friend Angela & her wife to hang out with us that evening. Angela was the officiant for their sunset ceremony, and actually was super helpful when we moved locations around Allerton Park. Thank you Angela!!
I made a playlist of their favorite songs to listen to as they ate sushi 🍱 they were kind enough to share cake with us, which was SO INCREDIBLY GOOD
After they had dinner & cake, it was time for photos!!!
We ran around the gardens together for some romantic photos. Lewis’s white suit jacket really made him stand out against the green, and Aaliyah looked so so good in her dress!!
Love love love this shot!
Illinois gets a bad wrap. Like yes there are corn & soybean fields, but there are some really pretty spots to get married at! I love making Illinois feel beautiful (because surprise, it can be!)
If you want to elope in nature in Illinois, check out these picturesque outdoor Illinois elopement locations.
If you’re less of a nature person and would rather elope with gorgeous architecture, without driving into Chicago, then you might want to elope in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois State Capital building is absolutely stunning!
Allerton Park has been describe as “a vast prairie turned into a personal fantasy land of neoclassical statues, Far Eastern art, and huge European-style gardens surrounding a Georgian-Revival mansion.”
And we didn’t even deicde to use the manion as the backdrop!! There is a gorgeous library in the mansion that gives Beauty & the Beast vibes.
Elopement Ceremony at Allerton Park
We timed our photos to finish around sunset, specifially by the Sunken Gardens. Together walked up to the Row of Musicians for their cermeony.
We decided on this spot for their elopement at Allerton Park through a video chat / virtual tour of the gardens (because when you hire me I think of EVERYTHING!!)
After their ceremony, we hung out a little longer for some flash photos, AND lanturn photos.
It was the perfect Tuesday!!
If you’ve been thinking about eloping, but you have no idea where to start, there are also lots of blogs to help you get started. And if you love my work & want to do less of the planning, fill out my contact form. I’ll be sure you have the best day ever.
I’ve also helped plan:
- this cocktail bar elopement
- this courthouse elopement in Springfield, IL
- this coffee shop elopement (before the coffee shop closed 😭)
hire me to plan your elopement
All love is affirmed & celebrated here.
Rachael Marie Photography values inclusivity and will never discriminate against your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, body type, or abilities. You are wonderful, beautiful, and loved here.
For the people who would rather be living the moment than posing for it.
I'm Rachael (she/her) by the way.
I'll give you direction when you need it and space when you don't. I believe the best photos aren't always the ones where everyone is looking at the camera.
Sometimes they're the ones where your best friend is crying. Your grandma is laughing.
Your partner is looking at you when you aren't paying attention. And someone is absolutely losing their mind on the dance floor.
Those are the photos I want to make.
