GETTING MARRIED AT BOSTON CITY HALL

We had such fun! ?On our planning phone call we discussed ways to extend the celebrations after the City Hall wedding. ?I suggested champagne. He thought they should pair it with cake! And that is a pretty good combo.? They decided on?Carrie Nation – the gm graciously let us shoot in the back room and pop a bottle of champagne there.?

Behind the red velvet curtains, they cut into a red velvet cake! So we basically had a mini private reception and I loved the scene. If you haven?t been in the back room there – it?s well worth a look. And a lovely way to keep out of the unpredictable Boston weather.

After photographing dozens of wedding up at the City Clerk?s office this was my first time photographing on the second floor (which if you know City Hall is the floor below the entrance just to make it extra confusing). ?We walked through the record room – volumes upon volumes of marriage and birth records. It was an amazing glimpse into history. I even ran into my friend and neighbor registering his son?s birth.

This couple is originally from the west coast and were happy to have some brick and snow in their photographs ?- things they didn?t grow up with and are now a part of their east coast lives.

ELOPING AT BOSTON CITY HALL

Considering eloping in Boston? What are the reasons to just elope? ?Each of the couples I have photographed at Boston City Hall have different reasons that they are choosing a smaller wedding ceremony; budget, pressure, speed, not wanting to be the center of attention in a big party. As a photographer in downtown Boston, I love photographing elopements at Boston City Hall. ?They have just as much excitement and romance as a big Saturday wedding just on a small and sweet scale.

Sidestep the pageant – and get back to the basics. You are in love. You want to be married. The rest of it is not as important. And if you scale down your wedding you can choose other things – like putting more down on a home or like a fantastic honeymoon with unforgettable meals.

How to Tell Your Parents You Want to Elope

Elopements means you aren?t required to invite anyone. Though this might mean that some important people in your life might feel excluded. Part of the fun of eloping is that nearly all of the obligations are easy to address. Want to execute this tearlessly?

Tell them in ahead of time.

• Explain your why and be sympathetic to how they?re feeling without backing down on your plans. If they are disappointed, acknowledge that. ?Being heard is important – even to parents. Just how far in advance to tell them is up to you.

Make sure your parents know it’s not about them.

• Though let?s be honest – sometimes it can be just a little about them. ?But there are reasons you and your fiance decided to have an intimate wedding and you?ve probably already talked out the why between you two. ?Explain your reasoning to your parents. Firmly. Without hesitation. Remind them that you love them and tell them the ways that they can share joy and excitement with you.

Find ways to include them.

• From choosing flowers for a small bouquet or facetiming them just after or just before the ceremony to suggesting that a formal dinner with them later – there are ways to make them feel like they are part of the event even if they aren?t present during the ceremony itself. You never know, they might even not mind your decision. ?

Share the Excitement

• You are celebrating – and photographs that set the scene and tell the story of your wedding day are a wonderful way to share (and that?s the key part making sure your family feels included) the love and joy of your elopement. ?This bride and groom called their parents before the ceremony began and then kept them on silent speakerphone so they could hear the ceremony in live time. ?

HOW TO CELEBRATE AFTER ELOPING

I suggest a glass of champagne and a dessert or a fancy lunch at your favorite restaurants of course. ?

You can also plan a celebration with your inner circle and family either that night or another day. An after party can be a lovely way to share your vows and include people. And of course you get to wear your wedding clothes again. Or wear whatever you like.

SHOULD YOU STILL HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER IF YOU ELOPE?

Obviously, I?m biased. ?I feel deeply that photography, specifically documenting your life milestones (and w wedding, even if it?s at City Hall counts) is important part of your shared history. ?I LOVE photographing small wedding, like Boston City Hall weddings, Cambridge City Hall weddings and elopements. It?s the essentials of the wedding day, and even paired down it is a thrilling and awesome way to begin a new chapter in your lives.

You can use the images from your Boston elopement photographer in your announcements and holiday cards and of course on instagram.

BOSTON MA ELOPEMENT PACKAGES

When I photograph elopements, or city hall weddings, most clients book me for two hours. This covers the moments before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, and we have time for location portraits in and around Boston or Cambridge.

It?s more of an investment that a typical portrait session. ?Why? The equipment we use is the same, the time invested in processing time is the same and the end product is the same caliber. ?Even if it?s untraditional it?s still a wedding and a one time event. I photograph elopements with the same attention and care that I would a large wedding. ?

Boston Elopement Photographer

I love photographing elopements in Boston, creating beautiful and honest images of this moment in their lives. Get in touch for more ideas about your Boston City Hall wedding!?