Are you newly engaged in the new year? Congratulations! We’ve got a real treat today if you’re considering an intimate destination wedding or elopement. International wedding photographer, Rochelle Cheever (who specializes in intimate weddings), has just announced her second book, an elopement guide book called The Elopement Experience. Available for pre-order now through January 9th on Amazon and then available worldwide, the book is an essential tool to help couples tie the knot, just for two (or two plus a few). With ideas on locations, how to make the day extra special, what should go in the day-of timeline and tips for the best photos imaginable, Rochelle shares all her trade secrets and decades of experience all in one guide for you! We’ve seen a sneak peek at the book and it’s beyond fabulous! A must-get for the newly engaged!
And, we’re excited to announce that our editor and founder, Harmony Walton, actually wrote the foreword of the book! That’s right! Harmony has been a big fan of Rochelle’s work for many, many years so it was an honor to participate in her second publishing and be included in a small way in the project. We’ve been watching it come together for a long time now so what a treat to see if finally land in print (and digital too)!
To share a little bit about the book and some of the great insights inside, we asked Rochelle to show us a few pages and share a few of her top tips for anyone considering an intimate wedding. Here’s what she had to say…
Jet Fete: How should couples go about finding their elopement location?
Rochelle: Look for a place that’s meaningful to you as a couple. To start your search, ask yourself a series of questions. You’ll find of a useful questionnaire in the first chapter of THE ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE. Some of the main blanks you’ll want to fill in are: When will you have time to take off for a journey? What do you like to do as couple in your free time? Are you beach people? City people?
Jet Fete: Besides the officiant and photographer, what should couples include or plan for?
Rochelle: Your elopement can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like it to be. You can even symbolically exchange vows between just the two of you without any officiant at all. But you won’t want to give up a magnificent backdrop. Alone on a windswept beach f in Southern California, or a an intimate yacht party off the Amalfi Coast with champagne and fireworks. The choice is up to you, but the destination is key.
Jet Fete: What are a few of your favorite ways to make an elopement extra special?
Rochelle: Once you’ve chosen your location, everything else blends with it: your color scheme, menu, gown, flowers. Find a team at the location of your choice, and make sure that you are all on the same page.
Jet Fete: What are your top picks for elopement locations?
Rochelle: Some of the most beautiful elopements I’ve photographed have been on the island of Santorini in Greece, and so many gorgeous locations on the Italian peninsula, Sicily and Capri, the Hawaiian Islands, especially Kauaʻi. I’m crazy about using Big Sur, California as a wedding backdrop. And because art and culture are important to me personally, I love using historic urban locations such as Rome, Paris or even glamorous historic residences such as the Dell in Coronado on the Pacific Coast. It’s exciting to find quaint. romantic villages such as Sayulita, Mexico or Orvieto, Umbria.
Jet Fete: Best day-of advice?
Rochelle: Plan ahead. Nobody wants to be surprised on their wedding day. If you can, visit the venue ahead of time. If you can’t, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, your vendors to discuss every detail and get to know them. Make sure the photographer you choose has already shot at least ten elopements, ideally at your location. Choose a photographer whom you like as a person as well as a professional After all, you’ll be sharing the most important day of your life with them. A lot of venues will offer a one-size-fits-all wedding package. Don’t do it! You’ll want to control and fine tune every detail to make your elopement as personal as possible.
Want more?? Pre-order your copy of The Elopement Experience by January 9, 2019 and Rochelle will send along free gifts with your purchase.
Don’t delay and she’ll help you plan your most special elopement day. Happy Planning!
