Boston Elopement Photographer
For couples who
keep it true to themselves
Documentary elopement photography in Boston and New England
View PortfolioJust the two of you. A place that means something. A day that finally gets to be exactly how you wanted it to be.
At every wedding, the couple is always the host.
Last to eat. First to get pulled away. Smiling for someone else’s photo request before they’d even had a minute alone together.
The “best day of their lives” and also the day they were most on.
Now imagine this…
You got ready at your own pace. No timeline printed out and taped to the mirror. The first time you cried that day, you didn’t have to pull it together in thirty seconds because the next thing was already starting. You remembered your vows word for word because you were fully in them, not half-managing the moment while it was happening. The day ended and you weren’t exhausted. Just full.
An elopement is the only format where you’re the guest at your own wedding.
Present for it. Not managing everyone else’s demands and expectations.
That’s the kind of day worth choosing.
Not because it’s smaller. Because you’re different in it.
Here’s the thing nobody says.
Choosing to elope isn’t an easy way out. It’s the braver call. A big wedding gives you a structure to follow – the traditions, the timeline.
An elopement has no such cover. It’s just you, the person you love, and whatever this day is.
That takes a lot of clarity and guts. I think you know that. And it’s why the couples I work with tend to be some of the most thoughtful, deliberate people I’ve ever met.
Hi, I’m Sam!
I’m a wedding and elopement photographer based in Boston. I photograph love stories throughout New England, from the Cape to the White Mountains and anywhere in between.
I know what it’s like to steer away from the traditional wedding script, because I did it myself. My own wedding was small, just a handful of close family and friends, it was exactly what we wanted. And I remember how it felt to decide that. The clarity. The quiet relief of building a day around what mattered instead of what was expected.
That experience is what I bring to your elopement. I’m not showing up with a shot list and a “now kiss” energy. I’m showing up paying attention and deeply invested in your version of this day, because I genuinely understand what it takes to get there.
Get to know me more
Tips for Planning a Boston Elopement
01
Choose a meaningful location. Whether it’s urban, coastal, or in the mountains, Boston and New England have endless backdrops.
02
Decide who’s coming. You can invite a few family and friends, depending on the location/venue capacity; or just the two of you.
03
Book your photographer early. Popular weekend dates fill up quickly.
04
Consider weekday or off‑season options. You’ll find quieter spaces and more flexibility.
05
Plan a celebration afterward. Even a dinner for two is worthwhile!
Favorite Elopement Locations Around Boston
- Boston/Cambridge City Hall: No-frills, fully legal, and honestly more meaningful than people expect. Ceremonies are 15 minutes with room for up to 20 people.
- Boston Public Library: One-hour private ceremonies in the gorgeous Guastavino Room, up to 12 guests, available on select Mondays for $200.
- Boston Public Garden: Classic bridge, willow trees, and swan boats – timeless.
- Dearly Studio (Somerville): Cozy micro-wedding chapel with bespoke elopement packages for up to 30; intimate, all-in-one space with big heart.
- Warehouse XI (Somerville): Industrial-chic loft for creative couples; flexible for 20–30, LGBTQ+ friendly with city skyline views.
- Loring-Greenough House (Jamaica Plain): Historic 1760 home with gardens and ballroom; perfect for 20–30 guests.
- Hampshire House (Beacon Hill): Elegant townhouse for candlelit micro-dinners; stuns for 25 or fewer with classic Boston vibes.
Elopement Planning Resources
Looking for help or inspiration for planning your Boston elopement? Check out the articles below.
Boston Elopement Planning Guide
Everything you need to know to plan a Boston elopement: legal requirements, permits, tips.
Show me
Boston City Hall Marriage Guide
Step-by-stop guide to getting married at Boston City Hall.
See GuideElopements in Boston & New England
Arnold Arboretum Intimate Wedding & Elopement: Planning Guide
Everything you need to get married at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum: no permit, no fee, up to 40 guests for your intimate wedding or elopement.
Intimate LGBTQ Boat Wedding in Portsmouth, NH
An intimate lesbian wedding on Portsmouth Harbor – vows on a sailboat, garden portraits, and a love story worth every frame.
Boston Common & Public Garden Wedding and Elopement
Everything couples need to know about getting married at Boston Common or the Public Garden, including permits, locations, and seasonal tips.
Cambridge City Hall Wedding: Complete Planning Guide
A complete guide to getting married at Cambridge City Hall. Get tips on paperwork, scheduling, and capturing beautiful city hall wedding photography.
Boston City Hall Wedding: Complete Planning Guide
Everything you need to know about getting married at Boston City Hall – license requirements, ceremony fees, guest limits, and the best nearby photo spots.
Common Questions about Eloping in Boston
Below are some of the questions I get asked the most when meeting with couples who decide to elope.
It depends on the location. Some public parks and spaces require a permit for marriage ceremonies, while others are completely open. I know the Boston landscape well and can walk you through what your chosen spot requires so there are no surprises.
No. Massachusetts doesn’t legally require witnesses at your ceremony. Your officiant’s signature on the license is all that’s needed.
Yes, and it’s a great option. City hall marriages are simple, legal, and can be surprisingly meaningful when you lean into them. I’ve written a Boston City Hall marriage ceremony guide as well as a Cambridge City Hall wedding guide. You can get married at any city hall in any city or town within Massachusetts, so that gives you a lot of options.
It depends on what your day looks like. A simple two-hour session works beautifully for a ceremony and portraits. If you’re building a full day with multiple locations or an intimate dinner, you’ll want more. We’ll figure out what fits.
Three to six months is a comfortable window for most couples. That said, I’ve turned around bookings in a few weeks when the timing works. If your date is soon, reach out anyway, it’s worth checking.
Elopement photography in Boston typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on hours, travel, and what’s included. Every elopement is different; I offer packages built around your actual day. The best way to get real numbers is to reach out and tell me what you’re planning.
The Public Garden, the Esplanade, the South End, East Boston waterfront, and Arnold Arboretum are all great, each for different reasons. Check out my full list of best Boston elopement locations with pros and cons for each spot.
Absolutely. Winter elopements in Boston are underrated. Snow in the Public Garden, the quiet of the city in the off-season, it all works. Cold weather requires slightly more planning, but the results are consistently worth it.
An elopement is typically just the two of you, or you plus a very small number of people, with the focus entirely on the couple. A micro wedding usually involves a guest list, just a much smaller one, maybe ten to thirty people. Both are great. I photograph both.
Yes. I photograph elopements throughout New England and travel nationally and internationally for the right fit.
Let’s Make Magic!
You built something that couldn’t have belonged to anyone else. That’s not small. And it deserves to be documented by someone who understands what it took to get here.
If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Tell me what you’re planning. The location, the vibe, the part you’re most excited about.