On October 8th, 2021, I traveled to the coastal town of Brookings, Oregon to provide videography services for Patti and Tori’s elopement ceremony. The Oregon coast offers breathtaking, cinematic views that serve as the perfect backdrop to an intimate celebration of love between two individuals. Brookings in particular, with its pristine, bright-blue waters and stunning rock formations, functions seamlessly as an unforgettable destination for a private coastal wedding. There is an inherent intimacy that can be found in these natural scenes, complementing the special, one-of-a-kind union between Patti and Tori.
Traditionally, eloping meant “to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent.” This meaning retains some truth–there is something very special and romantic about elopement; keeping the ceremony between yourself and your spouse is like having an inside joke or secret that no one else could possibly understand or share in the same way. However, destination elopements such as Patti and Tori’s aren’t about secrets or jokes, but rather, they are about escaping the chaos of everyday life to truly think and reflect on their love for one another.
“From this coastal paradise, surrounded by the beauty of creation, and nourished by the sights and sounds of nature, we take ourselves out of the usual routine of daily living to participate in one of the most sacred moments”
When it came to creating this video for our eloping couple, I wanted to highlight how beautifully the natural backdrop of Brookings complemented the heartfelt vows shared between Patti and Tori. We had them record a card-reading, which means that one person would read the other’s vow as if it were a love letter sent from miles away. This choice in particular proved to be very cinematic as I was able to layer their readings over drone shots of waves gently crashing up against the shore, in addition to both interior and exterior shots of the cozy wooden A-frame, which added to the overall natural and homely atmosphere of the video. As they read these cards in the beginning of the video, Patti and Tori stand out as two separate individuals. But once they converge into one-another’s worlds, so to speak, the vows become direct and we see shots of the two joined together in both physical and emotional presence.
While a traditional wedding can be a great way to bring friends and family from two distinct worlds together to celebrate, a destination elopement offers a truly unique experience that is not only romantic and intimate, but also far more affordable. When it is only the two of you, the world is your oyster, and you don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting everyone to the right place at the right time. I have come up with excellent elopement videography results, particularly because it welcomes so much creative freedom, and extra attention can be paid to both the calm, natural surroundings and the couple themselves.
