Elopements
You don’t need 200 guests to have a real wedding. You just need the right photographer.
Elopement vs. Microwedding
What’s the Difference?
The terms get used interchangeably, but they describe slightly different choices.
An elopement is typically just the two of you — ceremony, portraits, and maybe a witness or officiant. The focus is entirely on the couple. The day is intimate by design, often spontaneous in feel even when carefully planned, and usually runs two to four hours from start to finish.
A microwedding includes a small guest list — typically under twenty people — with a more structured ceremony and sometimes a modest reception. It has the intentionality of an elopement with just enough community to feel like a celebration rather than a secret.
Both deserve the same quality of photography. Both get it here.
What an elopement commission includes:
Milestone-first coverage built around your | Signature image enhancement for |
Fast gallery delivery within days |
“This was the best investment we could’ve made. Matthew is incredible”
— Anissa
Where can you elope?
Anywhere. Matthew is based in Metro St. Louis and Southern Illinois and available for travel worldwide. Popular local options include Forest Park, the St. Louis Botanical Garden, the Mississippi riverfront, and dozens of Southern Illinois outdoor locations. Destination elopements are always welcome — just ask.
Popular St. Louis & Southern Illinois Elopement Locations
The St. Louis area offers genuinely beautiful options for couples who want something beyond a courthouse hallway.
Forest Park is the most versatile — the Grand Basin, the Art Museum steps, and the wooded paths near the Boathouse all photograph beautifully across seasons. The Missouri Botanical Garden offers permits for small ceremonies and provides a lush, structured backdrop unlike anything else in the region. The Mississippi riverfront, particularly around Laclede’s Landing and the Arch grounds, gives you that unmistakably St. Louis skyline.
On the Illinois side, the Shawnee National Forest offers dramatic bluff overlooks and forested trails. Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton sits where the Illinois and Mississippi rivers meet — exceptional at golden hour. For something more architectural, downtown Belleville and Lebanon’s historic district both offer quiet, unhurried settings within twenty minutes of the studio.
Permits, timing, and seasonal considerations vary by location. We’ll work through the logistics together during your planning consultation.
What to Expect on Your Elopement Day
Most elopement commissions follow a simple arc: arrive, get settled, ceremony, portraits, done. The pace is yours — there’s no timeline dictated by a venue or a caterer.
A typical two to three hour elopement session includes time for pre-ceremony portraits if you’d like them, coverage of the ceremony itself, and a dedicated portrait session immediately after. If you want to build in a location change or a celebratory meal, we can structure the day around that.
Gallery delivery follows the same fast turnaround as every MDKauffmann commission — you won’t wait weeks to see your images.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an elopement and a microwedding? An elopement is typically just the two of you — ceremony and portraits with minimal or no guests. A microwedding includes a small guest list, usually under twenty people, with a more structured ceremony. Both are photographed with the same standard and care.
Where can we elope in St. Louis or Southern Illinois? Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Arch grounds, and the Mississippi riverfront are popular St. Louis options. On the Illinois side, Pere Marquette State Park, the Shawnee National Forest bluffs, and historic downtown Belleville are all worth considering. We’ll work through permit requirements and logistics together.
How long does an elopement session take? Most elopement commissions run two to four hours depending on scope. That includes ceremony coverage and a dedicated portrait session. If you want multiple locations or a longer timeline, we can build that in.
Do you travel for destination elopements? Yes. Matthew is based in Metro St. Louis and available for travel. Destination commissions are welcome — reach out and we’ll talk through the specifics.
What does an elopement commission cost? Elopement commissions start at $1,500 for intimate coverage. Investment scales based on coverage length, location, and whether heirloom products are included. The consultation is the right place to talk through what makes sense for your day.
Can we still get an album or wall art from an elopement? Absolutely. Heirloom artwork options — albums, wall art, keepsake books — are available for every commission regardless of size. Some of the most compelling wall art in existence came from a twenty-minute elopement.
What does it cost?
Elopement commissions start at $1,500. Because the Timeless standard doesn’t change based on guest count — only the scope of coverage does.
Today an Event. Tomorrow a Memory. Forever an Heirloom.
Still thinking? That's what the consultation is for.
Every MDKauffmann commission starts with a conversation — not a sales pitch. We talk about your day, your priorities, and what "forever" looks like for your family. If we're the right fit, you'll know. If we're not, I'll tell you honestly.
Start the Conversation →Dates book fast — especially May through October.