Before You Book: The Top 5 Questions to Ask an Elopement Photographer
- Sara Michaels
- Dec 22, 2025
- 7 min read
Because the right questions change everything about your experience.
Booking an elopement photographer isn’t just about loving someone’s photos — it’s about trusting them with one of the most meaningful days of your life.
Elopements come with unique logistics, legal requirements, and moving pieces that most couples don’t realize until it’s too late. And unfortunately, not every photographer is equipped to guide you through all of it.
If you’re not sure what questions to ask (or even what you should be thinking about),
you’re not alone.
That’s why I’ve narrowed it down to the five most important questions every couple should ask before booking an elopement photographer — and exactly why they matter. A note: These questions are excerpted from my full guide, 15 Questions to Ask Your Elopement Photographer.
If you’d like the complete, expanded version — thoughtfully written and beautifully designed to save or print — If you'd like the full experience, I’ve made it available as a complimentary download. My gift to you. Access it here.
1. Are you legally ordained, or will we need to hire an officiant?
This is one of those details that’s easy to overlook . . . until it suddenly feels urgent.
Some photographers are legally ordained and able to perform your ceremony.
Others aren’t, which means you’ll need to hire an officiant, coordinate schedules, and plan around another person on your day.
Neither option is right or wrong. What matters is knowing the answer early, so you can plan with intention instead of scrambling later.
It’s also worth noting that this decision often depends on whether you want your elopement to be legally binding or symbolic in the first place.
Many couples choose to complete the legal paperwork separately and focus their elopement day entirely on the experience and their vows . . . something I’m always happy to talk through.
I’ve also written more about this here: [Legal vs. Symbolic Elopements — Read More].
For me, clarity around these details is about keeping the day feeling simple and grounded. When fewer logistics are floating around, there’s more space to stay present. . . to slow down, breathe, and actually be in the moment you’re creating.
Many photographers focus solely on documenting what unfolds and leave ceremony logistics to the couple.
My approach is a little different. I like to think through these elements from the beginning, so nothing feels rushed or overlooked, and the experience flows with ease.
2. Is planning support included, or do you only handle the photos?
Elopements don’t follow a traditional wedding structure.
There’s often no venue coordinator, no set timeline, and no one else managing the flow of the day.
Some photographers arrive with a clear start and end time, capture what unfolds, and leave the rest up to you. Others take a more supportive role: helping with location planning, pacing the day, and adjusting timelines based on light, weather, and energy.
Why it matters: The level of planning support directly shapes how your elopement feels.
Guidance brings ease. Lack of it can create uncertainty or pressure.
My personal approach is rooted in helping couples feel held throughout the process . . . not just photographed. The goal is never to control the day, but to create space for it to unfold naturally, with intention and holding space for your vision and desires.
3. Are you FAA-certified to fly drones legally?
If drone imagery is something you’re drawn to, this is an important conversation to have early.
Flying drones commercially requires proper certification — and in many locations, additional permits.
Without them, flights can be restricted or stopped altogether, and in some countries can result in significant fines or legal consequences, including being detained.
And while adventure and excursions are often a magical part of an elopement experience, it’s probably safe to say your version of adventure doesn’t include spending a week in jail — or, in places like Thailand, up to a year in prison. Morocco is another location with especially strict regulations, particularly near beaches and resorts.
It’s also helpful to understand how drone imagery is captured.
In many cases, aerial coverage requires a second shooter or an additional photographer dedicated solely to drone work. Not every photographer has the team, experience, or infrastructure to manage this smoothly — which is why it’s worth asking upfront.
This is also the right moment to clarify what’s included. Some photographers bundle drone imagery into their coverage, while others offer it as an add-on or as part of a separate video experience. Knowing whether drone footage, videography, or additional shooters are included helps set clear expectations and avoids surprises later.
For me, this isn’t about technology for the sake of it. It’s about responsibility, safety, and respecting the landscapes you’ve chosen to elope in.
I take the time to understand airspace regulations, location-specific requirements, and what’s permitted . . . and to plan coverage thoughtfully so everything feels smooth, intentional, and fully supported.
I also have the capability to capture drone imagery and offer second or third shooter support when needed, depending on the experience you’re envisioning.
The goal is always the same: for your day to feel uninterrupted, grounded, and fully present — with nothing pulling you out of the moment.
4. Do you offer adventure or excursion sessions beyond the ceremony?
For many couples, the ceremony is just one part of the elopement experience.
Some couples want to hike up a mountain or along a cliffside together.
Others want to book a yacht off the coast for the afternoon, chase the light, and let the ocean carry the day.
Some want to walk to a waterfall, explore a stretch of coastline, or move slowly through a landscape that feels meaningful to them.
and imagine having a photographer with you who will capture this as an experience!
These sessions are often additional next day or add-on sessions.
This is where it’s important to ask what your photographer offers beyond the ceremony itself.
Some photographers only document the vows.
Coverage begins, the ceremony happens, and coverage ends.
Others offer adventure or excursion sessions that allow the experience to unfold beyond a single moment… capturing the elopement as a lived experience, not just an event.
This question helps you understand whether your photographer sees your elopement as something contained… or something expansive.
I offer adventure and excursion sessions either as an add-on or included within select premium collections, depending on the location and what you’re envisioning. That means if you want to hike a cliff, spend time on the water, explore a waterfall, or move between locations without watching the clock, it can be planned intentionally and documented with care.
Not every photographer offers this.
Some don’t have the experience, the time built in, or the flexibility required.
(and some just flat out aren't willing to wear hiking boots or get dropped at. remote location)
Knowing this upfront allows you to choose someone who can support the kind of day you actually want… not just the ceremony itself.
5. Do you travel anywhere, and what’s included in your pricing?
Destination elopements can feel incredibly freeing… especially when expectations are clear from the very beginning.
Every photographer structures their pricing differently. Some charge separately for travel, accommodations, permits, or location research. Others include these details upfront and communicate them clearly from the start.
Clarity here matters more than most people realize.
When you know exactly what’s included, you’re able to plan with confidence… without second-guessing decisions or worrying about unexpected costs showing up later.
I believe transparency creates trust.
My collections are designed to support the full experience, not just the moment you arrive at the ceremony location.
I don’t simply meet couples at the destination.
I travel with you, stay present throughout the experience, and plan intentionally so nothing feels rushed or disconnected. I hold a passport and photograph elopements worldwide, and my pricing reflects that level of involvement and care.
If you’re curious, I invite you to take a look at my experiences and pricing to see what’s included and whether my approach feels aligned with the kind of elopement you’re envisioning.
And if it does… you’re always welcome to reach out & inquire. I’d love to hear about your dream day and explore what it could look like together.
A gentle note before you continue planning . . . get the full list of 15 questions to ask an elopement photographer
These five questions are a strong foundation but they’re only part of the bigger picture.
I’ve created a complimentary guide, 15 Questions to Ask Your Elopement Photographer, designed to help you feel informed, grounded, and confident as you plan.
Inside, you’ll find thoughtful guidance around timelines, permits, weather backup plans, delivery expectations, guest considerations, and more.
The guide is beautifully designed to save or print. . . something you can return to throughout the planning process, whether or not we end up working together.
Download the full guide: 15 Questions to Ask Your Elopement Photographer
My hope is that you feel supported every step of the way and empowered to create a day that feels honest, intentional, and completely your own.
Next Steps
If reading this brought clarity, if you feel a quiet sense of yes starting to form,
you’re welcome to take the next step.
For couples who feel ready to begin the conversation, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.
If that resonates, you’re invited to inquire and share your ideas,
wherever you are in the process.
And if you’re not quite there yet . . . if you’re still gathering inspiration, sorting through options, or feeling a little overwhelmed by all the moving pieces - that’s completely okay, too.
For that season of planning, I created my Ultimate Elopement Bundle to help bring calm and clarity to the process. It’s designed to gently guide you from overwhelm to confidence, and from dreaming to making real, grounded decisions.
Inside the bundle, you’ll find:
A Dream Destination Planning Guide to help you explore locations intentionally
Thoughtful checklists that simplify logistics without taking the magic out of it
A beautifully designed Elopement Planning Workbook to help you organize your ideas, priorities, and timeline
It's like having a $5K elopement planner in your pocket . . . without the price tag.
Whether you’re ready to book now or simply ready for more clarity,
support is here when you need it.
Wherever you're at in your elopement journey, I’m here.
— Rachel
Note: as a special thank you for stopping by the resource vault today . . . enjoy the code: ELOPE7 to get my best-selling guides bundle for just $7 at checkout
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