Why We Chose to Elope: My Personal Story as a Bay Area Photographer
Every couple dreams of their perfect wedding day, but "perfect" looks different for everyone. For my husband and me, our journey to "I do" was a decade in the making, filled with unexpected turns, deep personal meaning, and ultimately, a series of intimate celebrations that felt perfectly us. As a photographer, I've always been drawn to authentic stories, and now, I'm excited to share a very personal one: our own elopement journey.
This story isn't just about my wedding; it's about why I'm so passionate about capturing intimate weddings and elopements for others, ensuring their unique love stories are preserved as timeless art.
A Decade in the Making: Our Love Story Begins
My husband and I have known each other since we were just 14 years old, back in 8th grade. There was always a quiet crush, a spark that lingered, but dating across different schools without cars felt like a long-distance relationship for teenagers! We stayed in touch over the years, and after high school, our friendship deepened. We officially started dating in June 2012.
We were so young, still figuring out who we were as individuals and navigating life's big questions. But we did it all together. We supported each other's growth, always a team, yet never losing our individuality. That foundation of support and deep connection became the cornerstone of our relationship.
The Proposal & A Small Request
After seven incredible years together, my husband finally proposed in December 2019 during a magical trip to Leavenworth. It was everything I could have dreamed of. On our drive back to the hotel, he made one simple request: "I don't want a big wedding. I just want a ceremony for just us and your grandma." He knew my grandma meant the world to me, and sharing that moment with her would be incredibly special. I was more than happy to fulfill his wish.
Our 8-year anniversary was approaching in June 2020. In Chinese culture, the number 8 is auspicious, symbolizing prosperity and wealth. It felt like the perfect year to get married, and with a small ceremony in mind, we thought we could plan everything in just six months, dreaming of eloping in beautiful Oahu.
Navigating the Unexpected: Love in the Time of COVID
Then, the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, pausing all our plans. Travel restrictions to Oahu were strict, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. While I was sad for all the brides who had their big dream weddings planned that they couldn't have anymore, I was more than okay to wait. Our love was patient, and we knew our day would come.
Fast forward to June 2022. Our 10-year anniversary was approaching, and getting married on our decade anniversary felt just as special, if not more so. We decided to make up for lost time with not one, but three heartfelt celebrations!
Our Three Celebrations: A Week of Love
Our Celebration Dinner with Friends (June 4th): We kicked off the week with our 12 closest friends at a Chinese restaurant. We treated it like a traditional Chinese wedding banquet, sharing an 8-course family-style meal, filled with laughter and joy. It was the perfect start to our celebrations.
Honoring Our Families (June 6th): This was a deeply special day dedicated to our beloved moms. We held a traditional Chinese tea ceremony at my mom's house, a beautiful way to honor our heritage. Afterward, we continued the celebration at his mom's house for a post-ceremony lunch, ensuring both mothers felt equally celebrated and included.
Our Intimate Oahu Elopement (June 12th): This was our day. We flew to Oahu with one of our closest friends, who officiated our ceremony. We spent time celebrating our 10-year anniversary on June 9th, leading up to the big day. I chose June 12th, 2022, because it uniquely represented our journey: June 2012 was when we became official, so the '12' in the date honored that milestone.
The Oahu Elopement: Authentic Moments (and a few delightful mishaps!)
Our ceremony was set at the end of a deck at Secret Island, with the breathtaking backdrop of Kualoa Ranch. And like any truly memorable wedding day, anything that could go wrong, did! As we left the hotel, I realized I'd forgotten something important (maybe my wedding shoes!). Five minutes into the drive, we turned back. Leaving a second time, five minutes later, I realized I'd forgotten our AirPods – meant for our first dance on the beach. At that point, we just laughed, decided it wasn't important enough to turn around again, and kept going, already running late.
As soon as we got out of the car and started the short walk to the ceremony location, the rain began. My perfectly curled hair, already a challenge to hold, quickly uncurled. But I didn't let it dampen my spirits. I just kept moving forward.
When we arrived, a sweet mom and daughter saw me changing into my dress in a changing room and kindly helped walk me to the deck. We even used cardboard to shield me from the rain until it stopped.
Then, it was time. We started with our first look. When we were done, my photographer asked if I wanted music to walk down the deck. I told her no, but also that I didn't want to walk down to my soon-to-be husband. He and I had always done everything together, and this was just another thing we would do as a team. So, we held hands and walked down the deck (our "aisle") to our friend (the officiant) together. It was a small, unique choice that made the moment even more special for us.
We also honored Hawaiian traditions with a beautiful lei exchange, symbolizing the unbroken circle of our love. My Haku Lei was custom-made with pink, orange, and yellow roses (my mom's English name) and orchids (his mom's favorite flowers). The colors held extra meaning: pink for my favorite, orange for his, and yellow representing the warmth and sunshine our mothers bring into our lives. It was a beautiful way to have our moms symbolically present.
After the ceremony, we drove around Oahu, capturing stunning photos at the beach, by a river, and cliffside.
Why Eloping Was Our Perfect Story (and Why It Might Be Yours Too)
I loved everything about how we chose to get married. We celebrated with our closest friends, honored our traditions and culture with our family, and created something incredibly intimate and special just for us.
Elopements are not for every couple, and that's perfectly okay. But for us, it was profoundly meaningful. And for others, it can be too. My personal experience fuels my passion to help other couples create their own unique and authentic intimate wedding or elopement. I want to capture photos that are not only timeless, allowing you to relive that special day, but also shareable, so others can feel like they were there, witnessing the beautiful memories made.
Ready to Plan Your Own Intimate Celebration?
If our story resonates with you, and you're dreaming of a celebration that truly reflects your love and values, I'd be honored to help you capture it. Let's create timeless memories together.
