So, You're Engaged Now?

HELL FUCKIN' YEAH HOMIES!!

Congratulations!


Getting and being engaged is such a fun period in your relationship! Now, you get to catch yourselves saying "my girlfriend/boyfriend" and replace it with "fiance/e", show off your shiny new ring, and you get to start cultivating (or adding to) the perfect wedding day Pinterest board...


But now that one of you has (finally!) popped the question, you've also got a lot of work to do before your West Virginia elopement day actually arrives.

I'm sure you're probably wondering..


"HOW DO WE EVEN ELOPE IN WEST VIRGINIA?"

HOW TO ELOPE IN WV:

1. YOU NEED YOUR PARTNER (obviously!)

And your rings or whatever else you may be exchanging along with your vows.
Which reminds me... don't forget your vows!

3. AN OFFICIANT TO MARRY YOU

+ You can hire a professional or a friend to officiate, but West Virginia does require you to have someone who is legally ordained perform the ceremony and sign the marriage license.
+ You can have a friend get ordained online for free - then pay ~$50 to get a kit of information that walks your newly ordained friend through everything they'll need to know and do before and during the ceremony.
+ Or they can print off their certificate and google what else to do.

5. A PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR VIDEOGRAPHER (my packages start at $3000!)

+ Have your elopement day documented so you can enjoy and relive the day for the rest of your lives.
+ Have moments spent with your dearest loved ones memorialized forever.
+ Pass on your wedding album or prints as heirlooms to your children and grandchildren.

7. A MARRIAGE LICENSE

Things to consider:
+ Visit your county clerk’s office (with your partner) to get one.
+ A wv marriage license is $56 and is valid for 60 days.
+ You must have this license signed and turned in for your marriage to be considered solemnized/legal/valid in the eyes of the state of West Virginia and the U.S. Government.

9. DECORATIONS

Things to consider:
+ Flowers are always a beautiful choice and timeless choice, plus a bouquet gives you something to do with your hands and boutonnieres provide a nice pop of color on suits.
veils are the traditional choice of brides past, but you can also opt for a crown (floral or actual), decorative hair piece(s), a beautiful updo, or keep it simple and wear no headpiece at all.
+ A pretty customized hanger with your new last name can be a great touch for dress photos.
+ You can have your attire (specifically the suit) tied in with your wedding colors. you can show off your personality or represent your favorite fandoms with your choice of tie(s), socks, pocket square(s), custom cufflinks or lapel pins, or even a custom liner or monogram for the suit.

2. A DATE (OR A GENERAL TIMEFRAME) YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED

Things to consider:
+ Vendors you hire may charge higher rates for weekends and/or less for weekdays.
+ State parks are usually busiest on weekends - especially in the fall months.
+ If you want to elope and use a public state park, keep in mind that it's likely for random people to disrupt or distract during your ceremony or portraits, especially if they take place in a popular spot in the park. (I'm looking at you, Coopers Rock in Morgantown and bear rocks overlook at Dolly Sods Wilderness...)

4. A LOCATION OR VENUE TO GET MARRIED AT

Things to consider:
+ The people attending and whether they have any mobility issues that may affect their ability to travel or be present for parts of your day.
+ some venues have golf carts, ATVs, or buses and will help take guests from point A to B.
+ The type of weather that may occur on your chosen date as well as the terrain and the accessibility to the location in those different weather conditions.
+ If the venue is outdoors, is there a backup location in case of bad weather or are you (and your guests) okay with braving anything mother nature throws at you?
+ If using a public place/venue, make sure you aren't scheduling your wedding for the busiest time of the day - people can be oblivious/rude and ruin your moment/photos.

6. THE GUESTS YOU WANT TO INVITE

+ Decide how intimate you want to keep the celebration and who you want to spend the day celebrating with.
+ Do you want to keep things truly intimate and just the two of you? Do you want to invite just your closest family and friends?
+ There are no rights or wrongs here. invite whoever the fuck you want and don't invite anyone you think may negatively affect the two of you, your moods, or your big day in any way.

8. AN EXPERIENCE/ACTIVITY

+ Planning an experience or two helps make the day even more memorable than it will already be. + They help you bond as a newlywed couple and increase your oxytocin levels even more than the union itself. (And you can't argue with science.)
+ They help make your wedding photos more unique!
+ I wrote a blog post to give you some ideas to elevate your elopement experience!

10. SUSTENANCE

Things to consider:
+ Water and food are a must for everyone involved, even if you are nervous and there are other things you'd rather be drinking.
make sure to eat breakfast and keep a few snacks handy throughout the day - it will go fast and if you don't eat beforehand, you probably won't eat until dinner is served.
+ When it comes to alcohol, you can take the edge off while making for a cute ass photo. popping a few cheap bottles of champagne or sparkling juice can make for some awesome photos. shotgunning a few beers together is always a fun time. and you can't go wrong sharing a shot of your favorite liquor either. let's maybe just avoid the red wine this time around, though... unless you wanna risk looking like Carrie and Wednesday at prom.
+ You can't go wrong with a delicious cake! or cookies (i love a good Pittsburgh cookie table)! or donuts! or pie!... or any dessert really! gotta keep my - I mean your energy up, am I right? (;

Wedding rings, bouquet, boutonniere, and vows
LGBTQ+ same sex lesbian couple show off their matching halloween socks
LGBTQ+ same sex lesbian couple show off wedding dress, suit, and bouquet

I KNOW PLANNING AN ELOPEMENT IN WEST VIRGINIA CAN SEEM A BIT TEDIOUS - BUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEST VIRGINIA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.


As your West Virginia elopement photographer, I volunteer to take on many different roles throughout your big day. At times I will be your honorary veil-fixing, train-holding, bridesmaid. at others, I will be your hair-fixing, boutonniere-pinning, strap-hiding bestie. I can even provide the tissues and blotting papers when those inevitable tear-jerking moments occur.

And on top of all that, I will document your wedding day in a way that you + your loved ones will cherish for their entire lives.

Hey Homie, I'm Aireal.

Meet the West Virginia Wedding Photographer

I'm focusing in to capture souls who are wildly in love & searching for a fun, passionate, laughter-filled photography experience for their wedding and elopement day.
By capturing photojournalistic, candid, and posed images throughout the day, you'll be sure to have a wide variety of images that illustrate your wedding day and love story.
Inclusivity & representation matter. I am an LGBTQIA+ Wedding Photographer in West Virginia. Same-sex & non-binary couples are always welcome in front of my lens.