Elopement vs Traditional Weddings: How to Capture Each Beautifully

In today’s wedding landscape, couples are redefining what “getting married” means — and we’re here for all of it. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration with 200 guests or an intimate cliffside elopement, the way your love is documented should feel just as intentional and beautiful.

At Filmhaus, we’ve captured both traditional weddings and wildly romantic elopements. Each is special — and each requires a unique photographic approach.

Traditional Weddings: Timeless, Emotional, and Grand

Traditional weddings are structured events — often with multiple locations, detailed timelines, and dozens (or hundreds) of guests. They require precision, planning, and endurance.

What we focus on:

• Getting-ready moments with your closest friends
  
• Emotional first looks with parents or partners
  
• Full ceremony coverage from multiple angles
  
• Group and family portraits (efficiently handled)
  
• Reception energy — speeches, dances, and candids
  
• All the little details: the florals, the flatlays, the fashion
  

We often recommend a two-photographer setup to ensure all moments are covered without disruption. With us, you get a three-person team: a lead photographer, second shooter, and coordinator/drone op.

Elopements: Raw, Romantic, and Intentional

Elopements are stripped down — not in importance, but in distraction. With no formal timeline or guest list to juggle, every moment becomes more personal.

What we prioritize:

• The environment: landscapes, natural light, and scenery
  
• Connection between the couple — the quiet, the closeness
  
• Documentary storytelling: hiking, handwritten vows, champagne on the rocks
  
• Creative editorial portraits that reflect your story and surroundings
  

Because elopements are slower-paced, we often incorporate film photography to capture the warmth and depth of each moment.

Key Differences in How We Shoot