I remember when we were still photographing bigger weddings in Texas, we would always try to work 10 minutes of alone time for the couple into their schedule. It was a hard thing to do. When your timeline requires everything to run minute-by-minute, scheduling a few minutes alone is a tough thing to prioritize. Planners were often annoyed we wanted that in the timeline at all, because it would cut into the important things like cocktail hour or special dances or portraits. But our couples always appreciated it, they’d mention it was the only time they really got to talk or reflect on the day. We’ve all heard the classic trope that your wedding day just flies by and you barely remember anything. That’s why we love elopements. That’s why we have a minimum of 6 hours when people book with us. Because we want the whole day to be an amazing memory, not a blur. We want plenty of moments to let our couple walk ahead and spend time just the two of them in the incredible place they’ve chosen to elope. We want extra time for the picnic with family, or the last bits of sunset, or the quiet moments before their ceremony. We want them to be able to soak up every minute, and never feel rushed from one thing to the next. Our timelines are always full of flexible moments, in case the couple wants to stand under the arch a little longer, or walk through a few more canyons, or pause to have a meaningful conversation with their best friend. The thing about elopements is, when you remove all the extra expectations and features of a traditional wedding, you’re not left with less...you’re giving yourself more.