HELPING ADVENTUROUS, LAID-BACK SOULS BE PRESENT ON THEIR WEDDING DAY WITH CANDID MOMENTS AND REAL EMOTION
THE CHAFFINS PHOTOGRAPHY
the experience
The "Unhurried Adventure" Experience
For many couples, the first moment they get to slow down and be present together on their wedding day is when they get in the car and drive away.
You deserve to have a wedding that’s authentic to who you are as a couple, not traditions and venues that aren’t meaningful to you.
To not have just a few rushed opportunities to soak it all in, but to have your entire wedding experience be intentional and unhurried from start to finish.
To have photos that are more than fabricated poses, but instead, authentic and candid images that showcase your personalities and paint a picture of the incredible adventure you shared to start your new life together.
WE WANT MORE FOR YOU.
You deserve to experience, savor, and remember the day you get married.
And it should feel like the best date ever.
The
"Unhurried Adventure" Experience
We’ll be your support and encouragement as we work together to create your ideal adventure elopement, providing our assistance with planning - so you can be yourself on your wedding day, be truly present in every moment, and start off your marriage with your greatest adventure yet!
WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE WEDDING EXPERIENCE YOU DESERVE... ONE THAT IS DEEPLY AND HOLISTICALLY YOU.
You can keep the traditions you love and let go of the ones you don’t. You shouldn’t have to feel pressured by others, burdened by expectations, or dragged down by things you “have” to do for your wedding. You should be able to craft an entire day doing exactly what you want, where you want, with who you want.
That’s where we come in.
“When we were in front of the cameras, we were able to really slow down and be present. Not only were our photos gorgeous, but they were truly a reflection of who we are and how we felt on that special day… I think you won't find anyone else who will be able to make you feel comfortable by just being yourself on the other side of a camera like Sammie and Micah."
"We were able to really slow down and be present"
- Alejandra + Elijah
The world is at your fingertips - let your imagination run wild!
If you could do anything, how would you want to start the rest of your life with your new spouse?
WE’RE MORE THAN YOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS.
WE’RE YOUR ELOPEMENT EXPERTS, here to guide you through the process.
How do I make sure I’m legally married when I elope?
How do I choose an elopement location? How many locations should I choose?
How do I get a permit for my elopement location?
What do I wear to my elopement?
Where do I even start with all of this!?
When you choose to forge your own path for your wedding, you may have a lot of questions.
We’re more than your elopement photographers, we’re your elopement experts.
So take a deep breath...
You do not have to have it all figured out.
You’ll receive our support and guidance through every step of the process. Whether that’s choosing your locations, planning activities, crafting a custom timeline, figuring out all the right permits, or anything else. We are here for you.
Luckily, that’s where we come in.
Our unique
"Invitations" approach
When we photograph your wedding, we’re your own personal documentary crew. Capturing the raw moments of joy and excitement as you experience them, so when you look back on your photos, you remember not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
Our Approach:
Our time together will feel more like a date day: a sentimental, romantic, adventurous, sweet, slow, fun - date. A date that we help direct and invite space for your connection, and then we document how you truly and authentically laugh and smile and hold each other. Nothing fake here. You’ll look back at your photos and think “that’s so us.”
This will be you and the love of your life enjoying an adventure that you’ve hand-crafted to be a reflection of what you love. And we'll be there to document your memories and enhance your experience.
Our time together won’t feel like an all-day “photoshoot”; we won’t move your arm and tilt your head and tell you to kiss and fake laugh. We’re not here to primp and pose you perfectly till there’s not a single hair out of place.
That’s not what we’re about. We’re about the real stuff.
We’re here to capture how you REALLY laugh, stand, run, twirl, dance. How you and your love naturally hold each other. How you speak to each other, the looks you give each other, those inside jokes. We’re all about the candid, the unposed, the beautifully imperfect moments.
Our time together will feel less like an all-day "photoshoot" and more like a date day with your love.
We'll help you create an
experience to remember.
Then we’ll help you remember it.
- You won’t be posed; we’ll help you move however you’re most comfortable (because you’re the most beautiful when you are yourself).
- You won’t be told to laugh; you’ll end up making each other laugh like you’ve done a thousand times.
- You won’t have to fabricate emotion; we’ll create space for you to be still and tune-in to how you feel in the moment.
Our approach to photos is a bit different from most.
We don’t use “poses” - instead, we use what we call “Invitations.”
Let’s create a truly sentimental experience. So that every moment of your wedding day is as meaningful as your marriage.
The
"Unhurried Adventure" Experience
Don’t let your wedding day fly by.
We’ll help you usher peace into your day, so you can savor every moment.
Free not only from expectations, but free from a relentless schedule that demands you rush from one thing to another. Free to stop and breathe in the mountain air, to listen to the breaking waves, to wander down whatever side street calls your name - and most of all, free to be present in your love’s embrace.
Your wedding can be an experience that’s authentic to you,
at a pace that’s authentic to you.
So often our day-to-day life simply blurs together because we’ve crammed our schedule from sun-up to sun-down. Your wedding doesn’t have to be another day that flies by because you’re so busy “doing” you don’t have the chance to simply “be”.
Of all the days in your life, your elopement is the last day where you should feel rushed and stressed about your schedule.
instead, you should feel free.
Now when we say “unhurried”, it doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of action, passion, or excitement during your elopement.
We’re ALL about that.
It simply means we set a pace for the day that gives you space to actually have experiences like that.
When you’re so focused on what's coming next, you aren’t able to dwell in each and every moment. Which is why all we do is pointed toward helping you be present throughout your entire adventure.
To feel the ocean breeze and your love’s embrace.
To smell their cologne mixed with the evergreens.
To notice every fleck of color in their eyes as you watch the sun setting over an ancient city.
You won’t notice any of it if you’re rushing along to the next scheduled event.
An unhurried elopement means you never have to question if you have time to slow down.
You do.
So please, breathe it in.
Give yourself the space to be present with our “Unhurried Adventure” experience.
Free not only from expectations, but free from a relentless schedule that demands you rush from one thing to another. Free to stop and breathe in the mountain air, to listen to the breaking waves, to wander down whatever side street calls your name - and most of all, free to be present in your love’s embrace.
Your wedding can be an experience that’s authentic to you, at a pace that’s authentic to you.
This is the “Unhurried Adventure” experience
of a Chaffins Elopement.
Now when we say “unhurried”, it doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of action, passion, or excitement during your elopement.
We’re ALL about that.
It simply means we set a pace for the day that gives you space to actually have experiences like that.
When you’re so focused on what's coming next, you aren’t able to dwell in each and every moment. Which is why all we do is pointed toward helping you be present throughout your entire adventure.
To feel the ocean breeze and your love’s embrace.
To smell their cologne mixed with the evergreens.
To notice every fleck of color in their eyes as you watch the sun setting over an ancient city.
You won’t notice any of it if you’re rushing along to the next scheduled event.
The prompts helped bring out mine and my husband's connection in the photos. One thing that will always stand out to me was Sammie reminding us to take in a deep breath, look around and remember the exact feelings we had during our engagement shoot. This was so special and really helped build memories while capturing them at the same time. My husband and I felt so comfortable and completely trusted Sammie and Micah. They really made us feel at ease leading up to our big day. I will always cherish the memories they captured!”
"The prompts helped bring out our connection and build memories"
- matty + bryce
The reason we care deeply about your wedding reflecting who you are, is because we care about who you are. We became elopement photographers not because we love photography, but because we love people.
Our mission is to do everything we can to help you have the elopement of your dreams, one that truly reflects the wonderful and unrepeatable people that you are.
We’re not just here to serve the wedding.
We’re here to serve the marriage.
Marriage itself is a grand adventure of love.
All other aspects of your elopement serve this focus.
No one single aspect of the planning, adventure, or photos is more important than the whole. All of these pieces need to fall together in a way that best serves you and your commitment to walk through this life together hand in hand.
We truly believe marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Marriage blesses us and grows us. It’s an incredible journey, to commit yourself wholly to your spouse and them to you, for the rest of your life. To strive to love and serve each other every day, in small ways and in great ways. To know you have your best friend by your side through highs and lows, working together to overcome every challenge and cherish every blessing that life brings your way.
With all this said, in everything we do, we have an even greater focus still.
Above the location, above the photos, even above the adventure itself.
Our ultimate focus
is your marriage.
Our ultimate focus is your marriage.
Because you deserve a wedding you will remember.
Because what is this all about?
Your marriage.
We keep your love at the forefront, tuned into how you’re feeling, and in awe of the marriage you have just entered. We value creating space for meaningful moments of real connection between the two of you.
Your wedding should feel like the best date ever.
CONNECTION
How do you have a wedding experience that’s truly unforgettable?
We’ve found this is fulfilled through our 3 CORE VALUES:
We craft each elopement timeline intentionally with our “Unhurried Adventure” experience - unhurried and intentional timelines that allow for spontaneity and freedom.
You do not serve the timeline, rather the timeline serves you. So you can have a relaxed pace, have the freedom to explore and go with the flow, and truly be where your feet are.
A day that allows you to fully soak it in, so your wedding won’t fly by in a blur.
Timeless photographs that contain the meaningful memories created during your wedding experience.
Your story preserved in your photographs and wedding album, a legacy that you leave behind. So 50 years later, you and your grandchildren can look through your photos and be transported back to that one-of-a-kind day.
REMEMBER
To prioritize
PRESENT
To be
To
READY TO START YOUR unforgettable adventure?
"Choosing an elopement style wedding allowed us to play and laugh and enjoy an entire day of being husband and wife.
Sammie and Micah as a team of photographers are patient and extremely skilled in the way that they can gently encourage you to play and be joyful and forget everything else in the world, like it is just the two of you. Their skill with capturing beautiful and sweet moments that will last forever is truly unparalleled.”
once in a lifetime experience."
"This was truly a
Brooke + Aaron
A California Coast Wedding
A. Once you fill out our contact form, we’ll send over our detailed Elopement Packages and Pricing information so you can make the best choice for your adventure.
B. We’ll schedule a free consultation call so we can connect personally with you to answer questions, get to know you, and help you decide which Photo Package and which Album Package is best for you.
C. Then once you sign the contract and pay the retainer, you’ll be officially booked! It’s as easy as that.
Inquire and Book
The Process
1
Planning Your Adventure
2
Engagement Adventure Session
3
Your Incredible Elopement Experience!
4
Your Photos - Leave a Legacy
5
It doesn’t matter if you have no idea where to start with planning your adventure wedding, or if you've got all the details figured out - we’re here for you either way.
Here's what our process together will look like from start to finish in 5 simple steps:
1
Inquire and Book
Once you’re officially booked, you’ll gain access to our “Ultimate Elopement + Adventure Wedding Guide”, 70+ pages packed with valuable information to help you craft your dream elopement, exclusive to The Chaffins’ Couples. We'll be by your side helping you brainstorm, narrow down, and finalize your location(s), time of year, vendors, timeline, and activities!
We’ll be as involved as you want us to be, and we’ll never steer you toward something we don’t think is the best choice for you and your marriage. Our goal is always to empower you to make the choice that feels right to you.
2
Planning Your Adventure
Most of our couples choose to add an engagement session to their elopement package. Not only is this a way to have an adventure with your partner even sooner (and have some beautiful photos in non-wedding attire), but it’s a helpful opportunity for us to get to know each other better. This helps you get familiar and comfortable with our process and with being in front of the camera.
This also helps us get to know your story - and the more we know your story, the better we can tell your story through your wedding photos.
We always recommend this because it’s proven time and time again to be an invaluable experience for connection.
3
Engagement Adventure Session
Then comes that wonderful morning.
The one where you wake up and get ready to have the adventure of a lifetime with your best friend.
Whether it's one or multiple days, whether it’s a city, forest, or coast, whether it's with 20 of your loved ones or just the two of you.
This will be an experience of a lifetime from start to finish.
4
Your Incredible Elopement Experience!
Soon after your adventure of a lifetime, you’ll receive your last (and maybe most important) wedding present: your entire edited photo gallery!
Grab your favorite drink and some tissues, snuggle up on the couch, and be transported back to those most incredible of days: your elopement.
Along with your gallery, we’ll also send you a curated design for your fine-art album. Made with museum quality materials and designed to last, this album is the start of the beautiful legacy you will leave. You can add/change what you like, and then soon after you order your album, you’ll be holding your very first family heirloom.
5
Your Memories and Legacy
We’re ready to be on your team and create an unforgettable elopement.
Let’s start off your marriage with your best adventure yet.
Your marriage is worth it.
Once you’re officially booked, you’ll gain access to our “Ultimate Elopement + Adventure Wedding Guide”, 70+ pages packed with valuable information to help you craft your dream elopement, exclusive to The Chaffins’ Couples. We'll be by your side helping you brainstorm, narrow down, and finalize your location(s), time of year, vendors, timeline, and activities!
We’ll be as involved as you want us to be, and we’ll never steer you toward something we don’t think is the best choice for you and your marriage. Our goal is always to empower you to make the choice that feels right to you.
2
planning your adventure
Most of our couples choose to add an engagement session to their elopement package. Not only is this a way to have an adventure with your partner even sooner (and have some beautiful photos in non-wedding attire), but it’s a helpful opportunity for us to get to know each other better. This helps you get familiar and comfortable with our process and with being in front of the camera.
This also helps us get to know your story - and the more we know your story, the better we can tell your story through your wedding photos.
We always recommend this because it’s proven time and time again to be an invaluable experience for connection.
3
ENGAGEMENT ADVENTURE SESSION
Then comes that wonderful morning.
The one where you wake up and get ready to have the adventure of a lifetime with your best friend.
Whether it's one or multiple days, whether it’s a city, forest, or coast, whether it's with 20 of your loved ones or just the two of you.
This will be an experience of a lifetime from start to finish.
4
YOUR INCREDIBLE ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE!
Soon after your adventure of a lifetime, you’ll receive your last (and maybe most important) wedding present: your entire edited photo gallery!
Grab your favorite drink and some tissues, snuggle up on the couch, and be transported back to those most incredible of days: your elopement.
Along with your gallery, we’ll also send you a curated design for your fine-art album. Made with museum quality materials and designed to last, this album is the start of the beautiful legacy you will leave. You can add/change what you like, and then soon after you order your album, you’ll be holding your very first family heirloom.
5
YOUR MEMORIES AND LEGACY
We’re ready to be on your team and create an unforgettable elopement.
Let’s start off your marriage with your best adventure yet.
