You’ve located an elopement photographer that you LOVE! Now, what next? Who else do you need to hire?! Are you picturing someone brand new to hire, coordinate, research, and budget for?! In many cases, the answer is yes, if you’re dreaming of a traditional wedding. But eloping is entirely different. You may not need a separate, dedicated elopement planner in Chattanooga.
I am one of those elopement photographers who helps plan, based here in Chattanooga, TN. So I’m going to talk about exactly what having an elopement planner in Chattanooga (or a photographer who offers that support) actually looks like, rather than just including it as a bullet point on a pricing page.
In this post:
- What “Planning Help” From a Photographer Actually Includes
- How This Is Different From Hiring a Dedicated Elopement Planner
- Why This Matters More for Elopements Than Large Weddings
- Questions to Ask Your Photographer
- Elopement Planner vs. Elopement Photographer FAQs
What “Planning Help” From a Photographer Actually Includes
When you are looking for a photographer and see “I help with planning” on their website, that can mean a lot of different things. When you see it on my website, this is what I am talking about: location ideas and recommendations, establishing a realistic timeline, permits and other legal aspects related to your wedding, and recommending vendors.
Locations & Recommendations
Maybe you’ve already decided on an area for your wedding, or maybe you’re still trying to decide where to even begin searching.
You may have that ideal location in mind but have absolutely no idea where to get started. Whatever your situation may be, I will assist you in finding a location that best fits your vibe (e.g., number of guests, hiking or walking distance you and your partner are willing to sign up for, etc.).
Fun story: during my last photo shoot’s location scouting, I was thinking of a gorgeous overlook for the couple. However, neither the bride nor the groom was interested in doing much hiking. It was June in Tennessee… the heat and humidity were a REAL thing! After I put some boots on the ground to scout the locations I had picked out for them, I found the terrain and hiking distances were major problems due to the heat and humidity. I kept scouting and found a great overlook that only required a short walk to access. We got the location we wanted, we had some seclusion, and nobody sweated off makeup while walking. Win-win!
As a born and raised Chattanoogan I know plenty of options locally, from long hikes to short walks. If you’re considering Chattanooga, check out this post about eloping here. I also have a soft spot for the Smoky Mountains. I’ve been visiting the Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove since I was a little girl, and it continues to be one of my happy places today! I highly recommend the Smoky Mountains whenever possible.
Building a Realistic Timeline
In my opinion, a lot of stress around an elopement comes from the logistics… wondering what you need to do and how it will all fit into a timeline that works. I will help develop a realistic timeline for your elopement day so you know what to expect: when to get dressed, when we leave, when we arrive, and ultimately how the day flows. You can relax and enjoy your elopement day.
Elopement planning can be extremely overwhelming. There is so much information to digest at once. Large-scale wedding planning often includes researching and scheduling meetings with multiple vendors before the wedding day. Not so with an elopement! Which is why having your photographer help organize your elopement planning makes things feel safer and more comfortable.
You’re also talking to a gal who is a total list nerd! Whether it’s Kanban boards or color-coding my lists, I love getting organized! And that organizational craziness carries over to helping create your elopement timeline so nothing gets left behind.
Obtaining Permits & Legal Requirements
Depending on your location, there may be permits needed. There are also specific laws regarding obtaining a marriage license in the state of Tennessee. Depending on your choices, there may be other factors to consider that could catch you off guard unless you’re made aware of them ahead of time. I wrote an entire blog post on how to legally elope in Tennessee. We will walk through it together. No surprises a week before your elopement!
Vendor Recommendations
Do you need flowers, a hair stylist, or an officiant? I have an ongoing list of vendors I personally trust in the Chattanooga area, and I’d be happy to give you referrals.
How This Different From Hiring a Dedicated Elopement Planner
Working with a dedicated elopement planner in Chattanooga is equivalent to hiring a smaller version of a full-time wedding planner. They usually coordinate all necessary vendors and contracts, obtain all necessary permits, and manage all logistics on the day of your elopement. Everything listed above is essentially a scaled-back version of that, sized for an elopement.
What I offer is slightly less hands-on than what you’d experience working with a dedicated planner. However, I really believe my planning help fits well into what most elopements actually need. Think of what I do as more like having a helpful friend in your corner guiding you through decisions, rather than hiring someone to manage a project.
If your day is small (just the two of you or a handful of people), you probably won’t need an elopement planner at all.
Why This Matters More for Elopements Than Large Weddings
Traditional weddings have this entire industry of planning built around them because of how much typically needs to be coordinated and planned. Elopements tend to be the exact opposite. They’re designed to be simple, but simple doesn’t mean zero logistical work.
Couples still need to find an amazing location, research the permitting requirements and limits for that location, create a timeline for the elopement day, and handle some legal matters so nothing feels confusing on the big day. All of these things can be pretty overwhelming if a couple is doing this for the first time on their own.
Having your photographer assist with those things takes a lot of pressure and stress off your shoulders. It means one less person you need to discuss your vision with, and one less person to budget for. You’ll be working with a single person who understands your vision and is also the one telling the story of your day.
Questions to Ask Your Photographer to Know If They Can Offer the Support You Need
Because not all photographers who say “I help with planning” always mean the same thing, here are a few questions you might want to ask before booking:
- What does “I help with planning” actually involve?
- Does your planning support include scouting locations, or do you simply show up for the day?
- Can you suggest vendors and point me toward permit or legal details?
- Is planning support included in your packages, or is that an extra cost?
Asking these questions will help you clearly understand whether your photographer can provide enough support to make your elopement day the best day ever!
Every one of my elopement packages includes planning support at all times! There’s never any up-selling, and it isn’t something you have to ask about separately. Helping my couples plan is part of connecting with them so I can get to know them and better understand exactly what they want, which in turn helps me tell the story of their elopement day so much better.
What If You Actually Want a Full Dedicated Planner?
Some days really do call for a full dedicated planner, and that is totally fine. If your elopement turns into something bigger (additional guests, multiple vendors, and lots of moving parts), a dedicated elopement planner in Chattanooga may end up being the better fit. I will always tell you honestly if I think that’s true for your day.
Elopement Planner vs. Elopement Photographer FAQs
Will all elopement photographers help with planning my day?
Absolutely not. Not all elopement photographers include planning services in their elopement packages. Some just show up for the ceremony and take the photos. Other photographers (like me) include planning in their packages.
Is planning support extra, or included in your packages?
This is going to be different for every photographer. With my elopement packages, planning support is included. For some photographers, that may be different. Always talk thoroughly about this before booking!
What’s the difference between an elopement planner and a photographer who helps plan?
An elopement planner manages every aspect of the day: vendor booking, contracts, permits, and day-of coordination. An elopement photographer offering planning support helps with lighter planning tasks, like selecting locations, building timelines, permits, and vendors. Most couples find that the amount of support offered by a photographer assisting with planning is more than enough.
So, Do You Need One?
Nope, not necessarily, not when your photographer already does this! You likely don’t need a separate elopement planner in Chattanooga if you’re already working with someone who offers that support. If you’re looking at a huge list of decisions and wondering where to even begin, that’s exactly the kind of thing I absolutely love helping couples work through.
I’m based in Chattanooga, and I serve couples throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. Reach out, and let’s figure out your day together! 🙌
