Cape Cod National Seashore Elopement with Kids | Cape Cod Elopement Packages

Denise & George’s Magical Cape Cod Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

Denise and George’s Cape Cod elopement, which included their two kids, was such a heartfelt and adventurous day. When Denise first called and mentioned they’d love to adventure on the Cape, my first thought was this remote and secluded lighthouse that was only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle and a permit. They were completely game and even went a couple of days early to make sure they could secure the permit and test drive the route to see if their vehicle could make it! Needless to say, they accomplished it, and what followed was an incredibly beautiful and adventurous day with their two kids along for the ride.

At this point in their relationship, Denise and George had been together for over a decade and had known one another even longer. They wanted a day to truly celebrate their “little love pack” and include parts of the adventure that everyone would enjoy while keeping the focus on their union with one another. They visit the Cape every year, so this year they thought they would go one extra time and include a special day for celebrating their love.

The kids were totally game to enjoy the day with them and had an absolute blast the entire time. From running around in the sand to seeing a seal to eating lobster rolls it was their idea of a great day too. The fog rolled in during the evening ceremony, and although we didn’t get a dreamy sunset we did get a really cool misty aura that surrounded us. I like to tell my couples that every type of weather is truly special and memorable if you go into it with the right attitude. In fact, it’s some of the “bad weather” days that make for the best days in my opinion, and some of the perfectly sunny days that make for the toughest lighting conditions as a photographer. They had a great attitude and even managed to sneak in an outfit change in the middle of the day.

The drive out on the 4x4 road wasn’t too bad, just a little soft and deep in a few places. But George kept his speed through those spots and managed it perfectly. We found a little spot on the dunes with both views of the lighthouse and the ocean for the ceremony spot. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows and the kids looked away when their parents shared their first kiss as married people. Everyone ran down the dune after, ready for some celebration dinner, and spotted several seals bobbing in the water checking out what was going on. There was only one other car way down the beach and almost out of sight. It truly felt like they had a private beach completely to themselves for their day.

We laid out a picnic blanket and watched it get dark while enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the food. Then we started the drive back, making a stop at the lighthouse for some photos, before doing the rest of the 4x4 drive. Luckily, we didn’t get stuck, as digging out in formalwear would have been a unique challenge. All in all Denise and George created a day that they will remember for a lifetime, and their kids will as well, no doubt.

Spectacular Martha's Vineyard Elopement off the Coast of Cape Cod

Selina & Rob’s Cape Cod Elopement Was Made for Magazines

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

How do I count the ways in which Selina and Rob’s Martha’s Vineyard elopement was one of the most incredible weddings I have shot…ever? I had an absolute blast exploring Martha’s Vineyard with them, I teared up during their ceremony, and I laughed with and celebrated with their friends. By the end of their unreal two-day wedding experience, I walked away feeling like a close friend of theirs. I love all the couples I work with for such a wide variety of reasons, but I never expect them to make me feel like I’ve known them for years. For these two, it was effortless, and I know this isn’t about me, but I can’t tell you how special and lucky it made me feel to be the one chosen to tell the visual story of their day. So to Selina and Rob, THANK YOU! You deserve all the happiness in the world.

Their two-day adventure started with alpacas! Rob organized a special surprise for Selina, who loves animals. They enjoyed their own private alpaca walk and we pet and enjoyed these incredible animals. Such a fun and light-hearted way to start off the day. After the alpacas, we made our way to the famous “Jaws” bridge for some more goofing around, before heading to Edgartown Lighthouse Beach, one of the most scenic lighthouse spots I’ve seen. The flowers were in bloom and everything smelled like roses. It was so fun to explore this area with these two. After a quick game of “who can skip the rock the farthest” (Spoiler: Selina) we started our hike back so we could stop in and check out the ceremony site for the next day- Lambert’s Cove Beach. A little exploration and planning where the ceremony would be the next day and we made our way to our final spot for the day, the incredible Aquinnah Beach and Cliffs. They were up for a looooong walk and the tide was right so we walked on the beach all the way to the lighthouse. The further you get from the trail down to the beach here the more seclusion you find. Just be careful because there are a couple of spots that if the tide comes in while you are walking can trap you there until the tide goes back out as the water reaches the cliffs. There is seriously every color of cliff you could imagine here- from gold, orange, red, yellow, purple, place, white, and light blue. Aquinnah is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and natural serenity, as well as its historical importance to the native Wampanoag people. They danced and romped and even galavanted through the water and along the beach. We watched the sunset from above the cliffs and had a beautiful view of Gay Head Light and wrapped up our first evening together. They were covered in sand and couldn’t be happier as we ate lobster rolls and watched all the light fade from the sky.

The next day was their actual ceremony day and friends and family came in from the mainland in order to celebrate their union. They got ready at the same location their celebration would later take place. A gorgeous rented house with a stunning backyard surrounded by trees and fields. After the “first look” we headed out Lambert’s Cove. Family and friends enjoyed about a half-mile stroll through the sand to get to their ceremony spot. It was a warm day, but the breeze coming off the water felt nice and comfortable. One of my favorite moments of the ceremony aside from their vows was after Selina walked down the sand “aisle” and took her place beside Rob. Their pup, Brembo, saw his parents and took his rightful place directly on Selina’s train. This garnered laughs and applause from all attendees and he stayed there for the remainder of the ceremony until Selina had to walk back down the “aisle” and officiant/best friend Kate had to urge him off of her gown.

We all headed back to the house for formal photos, cocktails, and appetizers while the catering team got to work on the main courses. Lawn games and sparklers kept the kids entertained and the atmosphere was joyful and relaxed. As the sun sank low in the sky toasts were made, more joy shared, and more love felt by everyone in attendance. We ended the evening with the cake cutting and the stars coming out. It was the perfect end to a perfect summer day and the most beautiful wedding on Martha’s Vineyard.

From the couple…

“My now husband and I used Kat from Swell and Stone as our photographer for our small wedding. What an amazing experience we had with her. We can’t recommend her enough. You don’t realize how important it is to be comfortable with your photographer because it shows in your photos!!!

If I could give people any advice from our experience it would be to consider taking photos over two days or more. The reason why is because the whole actual wedding day can be very stiff and more traditional. We spent the first day exploring Martha’s Vineyard island. We took photos all over the island which is what my husband and I are more about. We are the outdoors and adventurer type. This also allowed us to get more comfortable with having photos taken and act like ourselves in front of the camera.

We planned our second day (wedding ceremony) to be more traditional. We had family and friends join us for the ceremony. By day two I was used to Kat being around but I also knew how to pose and move better for the camera. On your wedding day you want a really easy breezy experience. That is what Kat gave us.

In the end my photos are amazing - Better than I could have ever envisioned. Kat is a gem in the wedding photographer world.”

— Selina & Rob

Emotional, Unique Micro Wedding on Cape Cod

Ally & Michael’s Small Outdoor Wedding in Brewster, MA

Swell & Stone / Adventure Elopement Photographer / Massachusetts & Beyond

Ally and Michael’s Cape Cod micro wedding was unique, emotional, and fully and truly them. They had originally planned the ceremony to take place on the Brewster Flats, a phenomenon created by the ebb and flow of the daily tides when the waters recede out of Cape Cod Bay over 1 mile to reveal sandbars, clam beds, and tidal pools teeming with sea life. It’s a place that’s super special to them, but on the day of their wedding the winds exceeded 50 mph, and the low tide was unusually high. We walked down to check out the area and were nearly blown away. Add that to the mid-30’s temps of the day, and it was a recipe to be windblown and freezing.

But alas, outdoor weddings do not always go as planned, especially in November. But the most important thing to both of them, at the end of the day, was that they were married, and they had their closest family around with them when they said their vows. So they pivoted to a beautiful little patch of forest nearby called the Brewster Conservation Trust. The winds were completely subdued in the forest, and the sun shone through the trees, making it significantly warmer.

Ally’s sister Sarah, who also served as the officiant for the ceremony, was wheeled out on a beach wheelchair, which made going over all the roots and rocks easier. And the rest of the family followed soon after. Everyone had a comfortable seat in solidarity with Sarah would is undergoing chemo.

Michael loves Crocs, and Ally has fully embraced them, so they both wore white Crocs, Ally’s were bedazzled with a variety of meaningful emblems. Ally wore a super chic, non-white dress white a nice warm layer over the top. Everything about their day was uniquely them, and they prioritized the things that meant something to them, and let go of the things that weren’t important.

During the ceremony, family members read pieces that were important to them, and Sarah led a beautiful ceremony that included personalized stones. After the ceremony, the group packed up and hiked out. Back at home they were picked up by a gorgeous white trolley and brought to The Pheasant, where the staff there had prepared an incredible gastronomical tour! Kate from Flora Chella Design had turned the already beautiful space into a stunning display. Ally, Michael, and their families were ready to begin the celebrations, and they were treated to wine tasting and a wide array of delectable food. As the sun sank low on the horizon, we went outside one more time to enjoy the final moments of daylight. The speeches of the evening were as heartfelt and emotional as the ceremony itself, and at the end of the night, the newly married couple seemed very content.

“Extremely grateful to have had Kat photograph our elopement! She’s an expert in her niche, exudes warmness, and made everything about the day easy and lovely. Just received the photographs and they perfectly capture the feelings of the day. If you’re considering working with her, do it! She’s your gal :)”

— Ally & Michael