Here’s a little known fact: I love to help plan elopements. I’ve had a hand in helping with a few now. Something about their last-minute nature and the clandestine plans feels like being in on the best secret. When couples hire me for their courthouse wedding, it’s often because they want someone who understands that small doesn’t mean simple. It means intentional.

When Camela and Ryan got in touch with me, they had a few touchstones in mind. They would marry at the Hunterdon County Clerk’s Office, invite only immediate family, and have an upscale celebration dinner afterward. Plenty of time for wedding photos was a must, and they were hoping to include photos with their dog, Brunson, too. Their plan meant an intimate courthouse wedding without all the performance or production they wanted to avoid.

A plan is hatched

One thing I always tell couples planning courthouse weddings: hiring the photographer first makes everything easier. Why? Because then you’re planning your timeline around the photos you actually want, not squeezing photos in around everything else. I don’t just show up for the ceremony. I help think through the day so we capture it authentically while the day unfolds.

With Camela and Ryan’s priorities established, I got to work sharing my favorite local vendors and venues with them, and put together a timeline to ensure we could make it all happen. We even mapped out a special side quest to visit Brunson the dog and capture special portraits at their new home.

Putting the pieces together

The ceremony was all set for the Hunterdon County Clerk’s office so the next important piece of business was finding an elevated restaurant worthy of the occasion. Among the places I recommended, Camela and Ryan fell in love with the Stockton Inn. The charming and historic Inn dates back 300 years and has been a local landmark and upscale destination for decades. Its recent renovations lovingly restored it to new luxurious heights, so it has the perfect vibe for a special, private dinner.

With marriage and reception venues nailed down, Camela and I crafted the perfect timeline to make sure the day felt relaxed, while hitting all the highlight moments. Though I love to let a day unfold without a timeline, having one ensures we have a realistic plan for moving from place to place on time, with less stress.

The day of

One of my favorite things about the Courthouse is that couples have their choice of indoor ceremony in the Hall of Records, or outdoor ceremony in a gazebo inside the pocket park behind the courthouse. Both are charming. Since Camela & Ryan opted for the gazebo, I knew we’d be able to grab some sweet couple and family portraits immediately afterward in the leafy park.

I moved between film and digital photography throughout the day, choosing each medium for what it does best. Film for intimate and unguarded moments, and digital for the faster paced walking and transition moments where I knew I needed speed. I suggested the couple sneak away to the front of the landmark Old Courthouse steps, then make a quick detour to visit their dog and best boy, Brunson. It was a wonderful opportunity for Camela and Ryan to grab a moment to themselves after their ceremony to really soak it all in. Then it was off to the Stockton Inn for cocktails on the Terrace followed by dinner in the private dining room. 

Finding the balance

Even the small weddings have a surprising amount of planning to make them feel effortless on the day of. I was honored that Camela & Ryan trusted me to help them make their elopement come to life. 

Ready to plan your courthouse wedding? Explore micro wedding photography pricing. For more small wedding magic, check out Brian & Yu’s Courthouse wedding and a secret elopement I helped plan during COVID.

Venue: Stockton Inn Cake: Stockton Market Ceremony: Hunterdon County Clerk’s Office