How To Make The Best Of Bad Weather, Elopement Ideas
The weather cannot always be counted on to behave as you would like it to. Weddings have been rained on for ages, so when Hannah of Annabeth Photography, her beautiful IRL couple woke up to find a gloom and wet day outside, rather than caning the whole shoot, they packed up the car and took their elopement ideas to better weather. Now we understand this might not be possible for your actual wedding day, but the positive message is still worth sharing.
Go with the flow and find the beauty where you can, even if that beauty wasn't what or where you planned on finding it.
Keep scrolling to see how this once cozy mountain boho elopement turned into a stunning shoot in Joshua Tree National Park. Plus see every last detail in the full gallery. Oh and we have a rough estimate for how much a photo shoot like this might cost! Find that and more below.
Have Camera Will Travel
From This amazing elopement shoot with a hint of Valentine's Day was captured in the Joshua Tree National Park, Arizona by Hannah of Annabeth Photography. Hannah is from the UK and road tripped around the USA during January taking our dresses with her.
You Can't Rain On This Parade
Lifestyle blogger Caitlin Sauer from Lost Luxe and her husband Mark Sauer had originally planned a romantic cozy boho Valentine’s lakeside mountain shoot at their home in Lake Arrowhead with Hannah of Annabeth Photography. On the morning of the shoot, however, the weather decided it just wasn’t coming out to play, it rained and rained so badly. So they jumped in the car, headed down the mountain and drove till they found sunshine….all the way down in the valley at the Joshua Tree National Park.
The setting was incredible and they managed to capture this sweet celebration of their love before the rain caught up with them in the desert too!
Boho Bridal Style
Caitlin wore the River gown from Shikoba Bride, it’s a striking ivory beaded geometric bohemian pattern on a blush nude tulle, with a sweetheart neckline. The look was paired with a stetson and floral ring and cuff. Shikoba Bride is a new boho bridal range from British designers Fi and Becca.
Caitlin had a beautiful bespoke flower elopement ring, flower cuff, and bouquet created by Wild Flowers at the Lake, with beautiful red blooms just perfect for a valentines elopement. The flowers complimented Caitlin’s pop of red lipstick.
Capturing Real Love
These two are smitten with each other in the most romantic way, Mark was so sweet making sure Caitlin's hat didn't blow away, helping her over the rocks and I love the shot of him giving her a kiss on the forehead. This is what it's all about. The reds of the flowers and blush of the dress have a lovely subtle Valentines feel and are stunning in contrast to the desert tones.
Advice From This IRL Married Couple
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a wedding day schedule but make sure to remember what the day is all about, your love for each other. Take some time to step back from all the excitement and soak in a special moment just the two of you- no photographers or family or anyone else- just you. Think of how fortunate you are to be surrounded by so many people who love you and want to join in celebrating your love! And how grateful you are for each other and that you were blessed enough to find each other.
Budgeting A Photoshoot
I would say between dress, wedding, and photographer it was about $3500. Mark already had his tux and the Stetson hat I wore was my Grandfather's. So even though this was a post-wedding elopement shoot we still had something old (our shoes) something new (my dress) something borrowed (my Grandfather's hat) and something blue (Mark's tux)
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- Bride's Hat: Stetson
- Caitlin the Bride in the shoot's lifestyle blog: Lost Luxe
- Flowers: Wild Flowers at the Lake
- Jewelry: Au Rate New York
- Photographers: Annabeth Photography
- Wedding Dresses: Shikoba Bride