Elopements

Because love isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your wedding day shouldn’t be either.

Let's create a wedding day that's

outside the box.

and your wedding day shouldn’t be either.

Because love isn’t one-size-fits-all, 

  • Get ready together at home
  • Have a friend officiate your ceremony
  • Exchange vows in a charming bed & breakfast
  • Say "I Do" at sunset by a fire pit
  • End your day with dessert, cocktails, or pizza

...and get photos you’ll cherish forever.

What if you + boo...

Whatever your reason for planning a smaller day, you deserve to have an amazing experience that reflects your relationship with your best friend, AND art to hang on your walls.

Work on that Pinterest board, and sent it my way. I'll make your vision happen. 

All love is welcome & 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.

Sam + Nyah's Courthouse Ceremony +
Capitol Portraits

Jazmin + Jake's Courthouse Ceremony + Capitol Portraits

Jakki + Shelby's
intimate elopement

Really Small Real Wedding Days

Check out these galleries from past couples. 

coming soon

The Process

1.

4.

2.

3.

Fill out the contact form here.

Sign contract & pay retainer.

We iron out the details for your day.

Your dream day, documented forever.

The Process

1.

4.

2.

3.

Fill out the contact form here.

Sign contract & pay retainer.

We iron out the details for your day.

Your dream day, documented forever.

Airbnb

Location:

4:30pm get ready with partner

5:30pm private vows

5:45pm sunset photos

6:30pm meet at restaurant with friends and family

6:45pm short n sweet ceremony

7:00pm dinner & celebrate

Restaurant

8:00am breakfast

9:00am get ready with partner

10:00am ceremony

10:30am portraits

12:00pm celebratory lunch

1:00pm celebratory nap

6:00pm celebratory dinner with friends and family

Location:

8:00am breakfast

9:00am get ready with partner

10:00am photos at IL Capitol Building

11:15pm courthouse ceremony with friends

11:45pm group photos with guests

12:00pm celebratory lunch

Courthouse

Location:

Elopement DayIdeas

Need some help brainstorming? Check out these ideas.

Airbnb

Courthouse

Restaurant

Need some help brainstorming? Tap on the following locations to envision how your day could go. 

8:00am breakfast

9:00am get ready with partner

10:00am photos at IL Capitol Building

11:15pm courthouse ceremony with friends

11:45pm group photos with guests

12:00pm celebratory lunch

Courthouse

Location:

BOOK NOW

GO BACK

8:00am breakfast

9:00am get ready with partner

10:00am ceremony

10:30am portraits

12:00pm celebratory lunch

1:00pm celebratory nap

6:00pm celebratory dinner with friends and family

Airbnb

Location:

BOOK NOW

GO BACK

4:30pm get ready with partner

5:30pm private vows

5:45pm sunset photos

6:30pm meet at restaurant with friends and family

6:45pm short n sweet ceremony

7:00pm dinner & celebrate

Location:

BOOK NOW

GO BACK

Restaurant

wedding portraits only, 950
2-4 hours of coverage, 1200+ 

- 1-4 hours of coverage
- Polaroid coverage 
- High resolution images 
- 24/7 access to me
- Vendor research
- Timeline creation
- Day of coordination
- Access to licensed officiants
- Optional engagement photos

please inquire for all packages

Pricing for Elopements

every day is different- share you vision and let's make it happen

Do we have to go to a courthouse to elope?

No, you do not! Although courthouse weddings are the easiest to plan.

I’ll be 100% honest, those drop ceilings at the Sangamon County Clerks Office are UGLY. Usually when couples go to the courthouse we will meet after their appointment for photos.

So we just need an officiant, then we can get married anywhere?

Yes! In Illinois you need an officiant. Then we default to the county you will get married in for your marriage license.

For the officiant, I find one for you, or you ask a loved one to become ordinated online! I have resources on that.

How do you help plan our elopement? 

After you book, I’ll ask you detailed questions about how you want your day to go. I'll do the research, come back with options, and help you hire your vendors for your day.

I’m your coordinator & photographer in one. 

questions

Frequently asked

What are the next steps?

Fill out the the form here. When I hear from you, I'll send over packages your way, and we can schedule a call to go over ideas, you can ask me questions, and you can see if we vibe. Once you pick your package, the 30% non refundable deposit is due and a signed contract.

PLAN MY DAY ASAP

ELOPEMENT EDITION

Do we have to go to a courthouse to elope?

No, you do not! Although courthouse weddings are the easiest to plan.

I’ll be 100% honest, those drop ceilings at the Sangamon County Clerks Office are UGLY. Usually when couples go to the courthouse we will meet after their appointment for photos.

So we just need an officiant, then we can get married anywhere?

Yes! In Illinois you need an officiant. Then we default to the county you will get married in for your marriage license.

For the officiant, I find one for you, or you ask a loved one to become ordinated online! I have resources on that.

How do you help plan our elopement? 

After you book, I’ll ask you detailed questions about how you want your day to go. I'll do the research, come back with options, and help you hire your vendors for your day.

I’m your coordinator & photographer in one. 

questions

Frequently asked

What are the next steps?

Fill out the the form here. When I hear from you, I'll send over packages your way, and we can schedule a call to go over ideas, you can ask me questions, and you can see if we vibe. Once you pick your package, the 30% non refundable deposit is due and a signed contract.

PLAN MY DAY ASAP

ELOPEMENT EDITION

*

How to Plan a Sangamon Courthouse Wedding

How to Plan an Airbnb Elopement

What Exactly is an Elopement?

Resources for Planning Your Elopement

Free ideas- no strings attached.

Kenny + bwayisak

Her attention to detail, creativity, and genuine care for us made all the difference. The photos she took are more than just images, they’re memories filled with emotion, and she helped us create those moments we’ll cherish forever.

If you’re looking for someone who will go the extra mile and treat your special day with the love, kindness and care it deserves, Rachael is the one.

"She went the extra mile."

GooglE reviews here

AUndie + TOry

She was so invested to make sure our day was as special as couple with a full ledge wedding and reception.

She really was able to capture our vision for our style but also our genuine and deep love for each other. Rachael's photography skills are incredible and what a bonus that she's probably the most kind and genuine person my husband and I have ever met."

"She was invested in us + our day."

GooglE reviews here

Tyler + Taylor

She wore many different hats for our day (DJ, hairdresser, and family wrangler lol). The consultations we had with her before our wedding were detailed and helped us consider how we wanted our day to feel. She has such a great personality and helped us relax and made us laugh.

Her personality and presence feels like a warm hug, that's the best way I can describe working with her!

"A truly personalized experience."

GooglE reviews here

love notes

*

Let's start writing your story.

Step 1: Fill out the contact form 

Step 2: Pick your fave personalized, custom package

Step 3: Plan the day you want with me as your guide

Step 4: Have the best day ever and walk away with memories turned into art

start here

you're going to want to remember this