Charming Couple Elope in Acadia National Park

Jess & Barry’s Maine Elopement iN acadia

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / Maine & BEYOND

When Jess and Barry decided to elope in Acadia National Park in the late fall I knew that anything could happen with the weather. What we got was one of the nicest days in the whole season, which they managed to fill to the brim with joy, great views, and time with family. Their Acadia National Park wedding was one of the highlights of the season.

The day started early in the morning when we met for their first look at the beach. It was gorgeous and we were all shocked that it wasn’t completely freezing outside. They had their first look before the sun rose in the morning twilight before we walked up to an overlook to catch the sunrise. The sun put on a show and birds swooped low making the views truly something special.

From there we went over to one of the carriage roads. They had hiked this particular road together before, but what none of us knew if that we were in for a light ray show of the century. At one point I turned around to snap some photos of them and noticed light streaming through the trees. It was stunning and I couldn’t conceal my excitement. They held hands and ran back and forth and danced and kissed, and this is just one of those moments that you can’t replicate. It’s not a place or a view, it’s simply a moment in time when all the elements lined up exactly right and magic was the result- serendipity.

We finished our hike to the cobblestone bridge and made our way back. We met up later for the more formal part of the day which started with getting ready. Jess had accumulated a lot of sand and dirt in her dress from the morning adventure, but she had successfully cleaned it up for the formal ceremony- which was also set to be on a mountaintop, so more dirt was in store.

After getting ready and family portraits, Jess had a quick outfit change before we were on our way to the ceremony. The ceremony was on the side of a gorgeous mountain with an incredible view. The families all gathered in the spot before Jess’s dad walked her down the… rock “aisle”? The wind was whipping but everyone was all smiles as they said their vows. After a little celebration and some more photos where Jess finally lost her veil to the wind, and then we were headed back down the mountain and to the sunset spot.

There’s a magical little spot on the coast that is my favorite to catch the sunset in Acadia. It’s a quick jaunt from the car and there are 270-degree views so you can watch the moonrise and stars come out all from one spot. We rock-hopped our way down and were treated to the longest, most colorful sunset ever. It felt like the sunset didn’t want such a magical day to end so it bled into the starry night sky. A perfect end to one of the best elopement days ever.

Wintry Mountain Elopement in Stowe Vermont

Tori & Tom ELope in Other-Worldly Vermont

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / Vermont & BEYOND

When Tori and Tom first reached out to me and told me they wanted to elope in the mountains of Vermont in the middle of winter, I had just found out I was pregnant. Getting married in the winter is always a somewhat harrowing task, and if I chose to move forward, more so this time because I would be 7 months pregnant on their date.

We planned a little on the phone, and honestly, the day seemed like too much fun for me to not get to shoot it. So we began planning, and I am so grateful for their infinite trust not only in my ideas and vision but in my pregnant self’s physical ability to carry out the plan.

We started the day at sunrise with a little hike through the snow at a local state park. Upon reaching the top of the hill Tori and Tom pulled out sleds that they had stashed the day before and flew down the hill to their ceremony site with their parents. They said their vows under a big tree, threw snowballs at one another and reveled in the intimate beautiful spot they chose. As their parents hiked out, we took a few more photos and then headed to a frozen waterfall nearby. After we put on micro-spikes we hiked again. In order to get down the waterfall we had to slide and scoot over a very frozen and steep path. They were so sweet and more worried about me and my gear than they were about themselves, even though they were in formal wear! I have to say that was the first time in my entire photography career that clients have been more worried about my ability to complete the task than I was worried about their ability to do the maneuverers in formalwear. Normally, their job is a lot tougher than mine. We all made it and I’m so happy we did. The waterfall was peaceful and stunning, and I had been there many times in the summer and fall, but never in the winter.

After the waterfall, they were off to the mountain for a backcountry adventure. I have always wanted to do a specific backcountry ski/snowboard elopement at this one spot in Stowe, and they were game. The only problem was my doctor would not allow my 7 months pregnant self to ski while documenting their elopement. I had done it before, but not with a baby on board, so I hired an amazing assistant, Alex, to do that portion. She did an awesome job and although I know it was freezing cold, and a ton of work, Tori and Tom did a stellar job. Not to mention they have one of the most memorable elopement day experiences of all time.

I am so grateful for their trust in me and the process. The unique and stunning images speak for themselves, as I’ve never seen another gallery so full of such freezing cold and wonderful adventure all on one winter day in February.

Memorable Franconia Notch New Hampshire Elopement

Lauren & Elliot ELope in New Hampshire with dogs

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / New Hamsphire & BEYOND

Lauren & Elliot began their stunning New Hampshire small outdoor wedding day with an adventure hike. It was before sunrise when we met in a parking lot and headed up the steep trail in front of us. They exclaimed while laughing that I could have told them that although it was a short hike it was straight up. But before we knew it we had arrived at the top and the stunning view silenced any protests from minutes before. Lauren quickly changed into her dress in the forest as I got Elliot into position for the first look as their two pups ran around having the time of their lives.

Just after the first look, the sun came up and we basked in its warm rays. After some more basking and checking out all the different views we hiked down and walked over to the lake that we had just viewed from above. The sun was streaming through the mountains there was fog dancing on the surface of the lake making for the perfect early fall/late summer vibes.

We hiked over to a more secluded spot and they read their private vows to one another while the dew burned off the trees and the no one around except for the mountains and their sweet dogs.

After a morning to remember we parted ways only to meet up again in the afternoon for the main event. As they were getting ready with family to help it was clear how much those who were there loved them. Lauren’s mom was helping her get ready while friends were setting up the table for the celebration. The officiant, another friend, was practicing his speech, and there was a buzz of joy in the air.

Lauren had a first look with her dad, which was the sweetest thing ever, and we took family formals before starting the ceremony. The ceremony began with their dogs zig-zagging the aisle, which was funny and kept things light. The ceremony was beautiful and joyful. And their recession was punctuated with orange bursts which made for an awesome photo.

The celebration was laid back and lovely. They had the meal catered, which allowed everyone to enjoy each moment. Lauren’s brother tended the bar, and there were teary-eyed speeches, followed by an array of desserts, including a doggy cake. The dogs (and the humans) enjoyed their day thoroughly, and in the end, that (along with being married) is mostly what Lauren and Elliot found most important.

“I’ve been speechless since getting our sneak peek photos and still having a hard time finding the words to express my happiness and gratitude.

Kat is a master at her craft! Our micro-wedding was our first time having a professional photographer photograph us, so we didn’t know what to expect and just rolled with the entire day.

When we decided to elope with 14 close family members and friends we looked for an adventure elopement photographer. That then snowballed into getting married in NH and choosing 2 locations for sunrise photos. Kat was a huge help in bringing our vision to life! She made a couple location suggestions in New England and we chose what best fit us.

She has the most calming way about her but still came off as my hype woman after she was clicking away taking our photos. I felt so beautiful and comfortable with her and actually teared up when we said our goodbyes at the end of the night. She’s quite special and 1000% worth it! She let us be ourselves and just captured those moments.

If you’ve made it this far, hire Kat. You’ll never regret it!”

— Lauren & Elliot

Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park | RI Wedding Photographer

Rachel & Ryan’s Stunning Intimate Wedding at RI State Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Rachel and Ryan’s small outdoor wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park in Rhode Island was the epitome of the perfect micro wedding. Not only did they have a stunningly beautiful and perfect day, but they chose the perfect time and place to celebrate their love as well. The leaves were still super green with hints of fall sneaking in, the weather was warm, and they shared a special and lovely sunset together. They did celebrate a DAY TWO portion of their wedding by hiking the highest peak in Vermont. But the Rhode Island section of their wedding was so lovely it deserved its own post.

Here’s the thing- so many couples ask me if it is possible to have the friends and family attend their wedding, but still have that special elopement experience that makes it feel like it’s all for them. And the answer is something along the lines of how Rachel & Ryan celebrated. They shared one special day with their friends and family and had a second day all to themselves for the purpose of sharing the adventure and creating new memories together. Their Rhode Island day was so freaking beautiful that I’m sure they would have been satisfied with that celebration, but the Vermont portion (where they planned their honeymoon) was their version of having their cake and eating it too. You can have everything you want for your day(s), sometimes it just takes a little creativity and vision.

Rachel got ready with her sisters and mom and then headed over to Lincoln Woods State Park to share a special and private first look with Ryan. We walked over to the ceremony site that they had picked out and set up earlier in the day. In fact, that’s what Ryan was doing while Rachel was getting ready. Friends and family arrived and the couple shared special vows, celebratory jigs, and lots of hugs. After the formal part of the ceremony was done we took portraits and then friends and family headed to the reception site while we caught the sunset at some of the most picturesque spots in the park. It was special to take some quiet moments after all the excitement of the day to sit and reflect with one another and just to enjoy the beauty of the place that surrounded them. We made one last stop at the iconic Lincoln Woods covered bridge before heading to the reception ourselves.

At the celebration, the couple enjoyed many toasts, a first dance, cake, and a lot more fun and celebration with family and friends in attendance. The perfect end to a perfect day of committing their lives to one another.

Tiverton Boathouse Small Outdoor Wedding | Rhode Island Wedding Packages

Maddie & Mike’s Tiverton, Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Maddie and Mike’s small outdoor wedding at The Boathouse in Tiverton, RI was nothing short of magical even though they got married during a literal hurricane. I was super fortunate to shoot their elopement exactly a year before on Block Island, where we saw seals, ran around the dunes, up and down a million stairs, and ate cake under the stars.

This time was a little different. They had invited 25 of their closest friends and family to celebrate with them and planned their ceremony on the dock. But the weather had other plans, so last minute the ceremony was moved to the reception area. They still walked out on the dock in the pouring rain, and later in the night they even danced under an umbrella for a little bit.

The thing that made their wedding day so incredibly special is that not for a single second did they let the rain or the weather put a damper on their enthusiasm. Everyone in attendance had an unbelievable time and their love and joy radiated enough to warm everyone up.

The spot Maddie chose to get ready at with her mom and bridesmaids was adorable and right on the water. The ladies enjoyed their time with leisure and Mike’s day started with feeding and playing with their adorable bunnies, and then smoking a joint with his brother and dad. He came over to the spot Maddie was getting ready at a little bit later for the first look. From there we made our way to the ceremony site to assess what would be possible in the weather. Luckily, the staff at The Boathouse was extremely helpful and organized and already had both ceremony locations set up so the couple could easily choose either. It literally rained the entire day, non-stop. So while Maddie and Mike felt comfortable venturing into the rain for photos, they didn’t want to make their guests sit on soaking wet chairs under umbrellas for the ceremony.

Having been fortunate to experience both sets of vows I can say that the second was as sweet as the first, although this time Maddie cried more, and during their elopement, Mike had a harder time keeping it together. It was so sweet to see them support each other. I mean it when I say these two really are some of the most laid-back and happy, joyful people ever. Both of them have a smile perpetually glued to their faces and love having a good time. It was my privilege and honor to be chosen not once, but twice to tell the visual story of their day!

From the couple…

“We absolutely love the pictures!! Thank you for capturing our special day for us for the second time! We really could not be happier with how they came out. Thank you again, you made both days so enjoyable and stress-free for us!”

— Maddie & Mike

Colorful Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Beavertail State Park | RI Small Wedding Packages

Claire & Zack’s Beautiful Small Wedding at a RI State Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Claire and Zack’s small outdoor wedding at Beavertail State Park on the cliffy coast of Rhode Island was the stuff dreams are made of. Claire happens to be one of my good friends and when she reached out I knew her incredible boho style would shine in a gorgeous small wedding. She and Zack are also surfers who my husband and I have surfed with many times, so of course, they had to paddle out in their wedding gear!

Their day began with getting ready and the first look at Beavertail State Park. It’s the perfect spot to have an intimate, yet easily accessible outdoor wedding with unreal views. Seriously, this place has 5-star views for days and is one of the most serene spots in the Ocean State. They practiced their wedding song as the waves crashed nearby, and for the pair of surfers smelling the salty ocean air was exactly what they wanted on their day.

Soon friends and family began to arrive and the ceremony went by in a whirlwind. Speaking of wind, coastal RI is known for its breezy shores, so be prepared for a windblown look if you choose this spot for your special day! After the ceremony, we walked around the park to a couple of my other favorite spots and then we headed back to Claire’s mom and stepdad’s house for the celebration. They have an unbelievably beautiful back and side yard that was decorated to absolute perfection. Little details from Zack and Claire’s relationship were all over, and Claire’s mom is an expert gardener, so the whole thing had secret garden vibes. It could not have been more beautiful.

Toasts were made and tears shed. The couple shared a very special first dance as Claire’s stepdad sang to them. to me, their wedding was the perfect combination of friends and family putting unique and meaningful touches on the day while still maintaining an overall feel of beautiful and unique luxury that looks like it was completely professionally done.

The next day we hit the beach and they paddled out in their formalwear. The waves weren’t exactly cooperating and it was mostly windy and flat, but the images still turned out pretty cool and they had a great time. I love to recommend that even if you are having a small outdoor wedding with friends and family they either keep a part of the day or they schedule part of the day before or day after for adventurous photos with just the two of them. It’s important to include things that you love doing together on your wedding day(s), so carve out a time to make memories that are entirely your own and for just the two of you.

Epic New Hampshire Elopement on Mt. Washington

Julia & Jeff’s Incredible Two-Day New Hampshire Mountain Wedding

Swell & Stone / Adventure Wedding Photographer / New Hampshire & Beyond

Julia and Jeff had an epic two-day New Hampshire elopement on Mt. Washington and in Jeff’s parents’ backyard. From endless mountain views to lush waterfalls, and private forests, their elopement day had everything. The two-day experience started in the beautiful and forested backyard of the groom’s parents’ place. Jeff, an engineer by trade, but also a very talented woodworker created an arbor for the backyard and it was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements. The setting was quiet and idyllic and absolutely the perfect place to hold a ceremony that both of their families and some close friends could attend. I couldn’t get over how tall the trees in the backyard were and how perfectly they created privacy barriers around the perimeter of the yard. It was also summer, so the flowers were in full bloom, making the perfect backdrop for formal photos.

After the ceremony toasts were in order and then dinner and the couple’s first dance soon followed. A tent was set up and it was a very warm but comfortable evening. Having the entire ceremony and celebration portion all in one place made it easy on everyone and grandparents did not have to walk far to enjoy every aspect of the celebration. Julia and Jeff’s vows were beautiful and heartfelt, tears were shed, and during the best man and maid of honor speeches many laughs were shared.

Julia said, “If I had to describe Jeff in one word, it's caring. No matter if I'm having a good day or a bad day, Jeff is always there to listen and ask if I need anything or if there's something he could do to help. The love he shows me in constantly trying to improve our relationship, be a better person for our family, and in raising our dog is really indescribable.

Jeff followed with, “How do I pick one (word)? I love how she's always looking out for me, how she's a five star chef, how good of a mother she is to our four-legged child, and the way she giggles to herself when she makes herself laugh.”

For day two of their celebration Julia and Jeff choose adventure. Originally, Julia wanted to just elope in the mountains with just the two of them in a very private way as neither like being the center of attention. But eventually they decided they wanted family to be there for the actual ceremony and they opted to say different private vows in the mountains the next day. It was the best of both worlds, and the weather made for an enjoyable experience, well… as enjoyable as can be expected on top of the tallest mountain in New Hampshire and the a peak with some of the most extreme weather conditions in the world. You see, it is ALWAYS windy on top of Mt. Washington, and their day was no exception. But temps on the summit were unusually warm for June, reaching almost 70 degrees.

We drove to the summit and began the hike down to Lake of the Clouds in order to get away from some of the crowds. If you’ve ever hiked any of the trails in this area you know how rocky they are. Julia did an amazing job of navigating the wind and the rocks all in her beautiful gown. There’s one thing I’ve learned about most wedding dresses- the bustle is never strong enough to handle what we put them through! Julia’s loops started ripping out one by one and one the hike back up she was just holding her train in her hands. We were sweating getting back to the top as the hike is only a couple miles but gains over 1200 feet in elevation in that time. Certainly not for the everyone, but these two are incredibly athletic and capable of anything.

After driving back down the mountain we headed to a nearby waterfall and then we did even more hiking up to a steep viewpoint where we caught the sunset over the mountains. At the end of the day, sitting and taking in the view, they were able to reminisce about the past two days and all the amazing time they spent with family and each other. After sunset we headed down and had one last stop at the very bottom of the hike for night sky photos before calling it a night. Julia mentioned that she would be sore the next day and couldn’t wait to find a swimming hole or waterfall to jump into! It was the perfect ending to a stunning and memorable two days.

From the Couple…

“Kat is AMAZING, period. From the beginning, she was so responsiveness and incredibly timely. For me and my husband, we wanted to make a point about making the wedding planning process and the wedding day itself not stressful and fun. So we opted for a small wedding with 13 guests on one day and an adventure day on Mount Washington to exchange personal vows the following Monday.

Kat helped us with every detail along the way and made it easy on us to make choices. She scouted locations based on what our idea of an ideal wedding day was, she gave us list of local vendors, and she finalized a schedule for us. She was basically like our wedding planner and we found that so valuable since we didn’t know what we were doing or exactly what we wanted! If we had a lot of questions, she was very willing to schedule a call to go over them with us. I’ve had friends tell me about their horror stories with photographers not responding to them or never getting their photos back, but I 100% never had to worry about that with Kat. She even got our photos back earlier than promised. She was truly so fun to be around that it made the days that much more enjoyable.

I also wanted to compliment the website our gallery was posted through. It’s super intuitive to use and I love that it’s categorized, that I can favorite photos, and that I can see which photos my husband has favorited on his own account. I can also send out links to our guests and they can send me back links of their favorites, it’s super cool and convenient.

Kat also gave us some polaroid photos and some GIFS she curated, which I did not expect and absolutely loved. I knew the photos were going to be great from looking at her portfolio but they were better than I could imagine. I was also super stoked about a starry night photo and she made that happen. So if you couldn’t tell from my review, Kat goes above and beyond and you will absolutely not regret working with her!”

— Julia & Jeff

The Best Small Wedding Venues in RI in 2023

Top Small Wedding Venues in Rhode Island

SWELL & STONE /Elopement Photographer / New England & Beyond

Rhode Island is one of the best places in New England and in the U.S. to hold a small outdoor wedding. If you love coastline, wildlife, insane sunrise and sunset views, and a variety of great small wedding venues then Rhode Island should be on the top of your wedding list. There are a ton of spots with epic views, and the great thing about this tiny state is that it has over 400 miles of coastline that faces north, east, west, and south. So unlike other east coast locations, there are a variety of sunset view locations, of course, many sunrise spots as well, but also many scenic spots to watch the stars come out and the milky way rise over the ocean. So if you’re a beach bum, forest fanatic, or a fan of lakes, ponds, and rivers, Rhode Island has some of the best scenery you can imagine.

If you only have around 10-15 people or fewer in your group and you’re looking for places to elope on public lands with just the two of you or a very small group, check out my recommendations for the Best Places to Elope in Rhode Island. If you’d like to spread your search a little wider here’s my New England elopement guide. Check out these articles if you’re looking for Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, or Upstate NY.

When your group is larger than 15 people, but you still want those gorgeous outdoor adventure wedding vibes, it makes sense to rent a private space that has that feel, but can accommodate your guests with comfortable chairs, facilities, and a gorgeous spot to celebrate after the ceremony. That doesn’t mean we can’t sneak away for an hour and shoot couple’s portraits at a lighthouse, but it makes things logistically easier with a larger crowd. Here are a few of my favorite small wedding venues in Rhode Island.

1. The Preserve RI, Richmond

   Although this is a non-waterfront location it’s one of my favorites because this spot has magical forest and rolling hill vibes instead. So if you’re into a more remote feeling small wedding, this might be what you’re looking for. I particularly recommend this location in the spring when the flowers are in bloom. I mean how incredible would it be to have your getting ready photos done at their amazing treehouse retreat. Are you a fan of Lord of the Rings? How about hosting your cocktail hour at the incredible Maker’s Mark Hobbit House? Plus they have so many things for you and your guests to do from canoeing and kayaking to ziplining and rock climbing. Fill your weekend with adventure, fun, and beautiful experiences!

2. Castle Hill, Newport

   When I think of Castle Hill, I think of one of the most iconic and picturesque lighthouses in the whole state of Rhode Island. Their grounds are stunning, the sunset views are amazing, and you can choose from lantern-lit gardens and white sandy beaches, ideal for warm-weather Newport, RI weddings. They have this whole getting married thing down and they can assist you with the catering, flowers, and other details you might need help with. That’s right they have their own personal in-house wedding planners to make all your dreams come true for your intimate seaside sunset wedding.

3. Lavender Waves Farm, South Kingstown

   Imagine your stunning day surrounded by intensely purple lavender with the incredible smell wafting through the air. Lavender Waves Farm is a private farm you can rent for your small outdoor wedding. Located in South Kingstown it’s close to a number of other incredible spots that are great for couple’s portraits, like Point Judith and East Beach. Bonus- there’s no need for a florist when you hold your wedding at a lavender farm!

4. Various Venues, Block Island

   Block Island is a stunning wedding site with out-of-this-world ocean views, lighthouses, dunes, shockingly gorgeous beaches, and lots of beautiful pockets to explore. There are a lot of great venues and vendors on the island. So take the ferry over from the mainland, rent some scooters, explore the island for photos, and genuinely enjoy the hell out of your magical wedding day.

5. Private VRBO’s that Allow Events

   This is one of my favorite suggestions because you can come up with places you never dreamed you could hold your wedding at, and you have a place to stay as well! When searching for a place to hold your small outdoor wedding, make sure you go into their filters and check “Event’s Allowed” to filter to only the locations that allow events. You can also add other filters like “Pets Allowed” or “Waterfront” to really customize your amazing experience. I’ve found incredible treehouses, stunning beachfront property with private beach access, so if you want to include a clambake reception, make sure you check this out as an option. Check out this gallery.

6. Cove Cabin, Mount Hope Farm, Bristol

   This site is one of my favorites because it has a truly “in the middle of nature” vibe. Your entire guest list can stay here with you, giving it the summer camp wedding feeling. Cove Cabin sits on the water’s edge of Mount Hope Bay, with unreal views of Seal Island, the Mount Hope Bridge, and Narragansett Bay. It was built in the 1940s as an Adirondack-style family retreat, the area and its adjacent lawn offer breathtaking views of the Bays. The Cabin can host up to 60 guests. Sunsets are spectacular and on a clear day, the Mount Hope Bridge frames the Newport Bridge at the opposite end of Narragansett Bay. Plus there are lush forests and lots of greenery on the property giving a truly unique aesthetic.

7. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

   Naturally, an iconic Rhode Island view is the Newport Bridge. So you may as well host your small wedding here. They have a ton of ceremony spots to choose from, parking is easy, and sunsets are incredible from this spot. They help orchestrate your day and have a variety of vetted vendors to choose from. This is a quintessential RI experience, so if you’re looking for iconic Rhode Island views, this might be your spot. Check out a gallery from this spot HERE.

8. Harbor Lights, Warwick

   They have incredibly gorgeous setups that can include a harborview ceremony overlooking the Narragansett Bay. Want to add more adventure to your day? They have the option to do a sunset cruise on the water. And they face west so the sunsets at this spot are unreal. They can help you figure out the catering, decor, and all the little details that will make your micro-wedding your dream day.

9. Ocean House, Westerly

   Another stunning waterfront location where the possibilities are endless. You can set up your intimate reception table on the private beach or hold your ceremony on the lawn. They have tents if the weather turns, and can generally match whatever feel you’d like to bring to your day from casual and laid back to high-end and elegant.

10. The Boathouse, Tiverton

    The Boathouse hosts small weddings with up to 48 people total on their stunning property on Sakonnet River with brilliant panoramic views. You can get married on the private dock, so literally over the water, or on the lawn, and they also cater the celebration after. It’s a great option for couples who want a gorgeous one-stop option that is also incredibly beautiful. Check out a gallery from this spot HERE.

11. Shepherd’s Run, South Kingstown

    Shepherd’s run is a new event venue and winery. It is full-service, so if you want to not worry about any of your wedding day decisions, let them take care of that for you. Wedding ceremonies can be held in the Beatrix Farrand designed walled garden, and there are 36 acres total to choose from.

12. Blueberry Cove Inn, Narragansett

    The adorable bed and breakfast helps you with all the little details. The innkeeper also serves as an officiant, and they take care of the flowers, cake, and champagne toasts as well. They have a beautiful lawn and they are very close to a lot of scenic spots for great couples portraits on the coast.

13. South County Museum, Narragansett

    The Museum is a seven-acre campus located on the 174-acre Canonchet Farm Park, two miles off US 1 in Narragansett. It’s just a five-minute walk from Narragansett Town Beach. They only host weddings are hosted from May through October and you can choose from the lawn or in the ivy-covered stable ruins. It is a more DIY setup and you arrange for tents & rental equipment. There is plenty of parking, but no heating or air conditioning.

Okay, that was a lot of info, but there are a ton of great spots in Rhode Island for an outdoor adventurous small wedding. Remember, it’s your day, so you can go canoeing, and then get married later in the day. Your wedding day should include exactly what you want it to include and nothing that you don’t. If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your unique and adventurous small outdoor wedding, that’s where I come in! I’ve been doing this for a long time, and can’t help guide you through the process. Get in touch using the button below, and start planning the small outdoor wedding of your dreams.

Elegant Small Wedding in the Adirondacks, Upstate New York | Upstate NY Wedding Photographer

Esti & Derek’s 2-Day Adventure Wedding in the Adirondacks

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / NEW YORK & BEYOND

Welcome to Day Two of Esti & Derek’s epic micro-wedding in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Go HERE TO SEE DAY ONE of their incredible and colorful fall elopement. I’m beyond ecstatic that they chose me to be their Upstate NY small wedding photographer.

For Day Two Derek and Esti celebrated with family on an incredibly private beautiful lake with two cabins and private land bordering Adirondack Park near Lake George. The cabins were stunning and there were a variety of boats for the enjoyment of everyone attending to use. Day Two was a much warmer day than their elopement day, which worked out perfectly because it was super comfortable to hang outside for most of the day. However, a thunderstorm was threatening to strike, but ultimately never materialized, which left us with great temps and happy and dry wedding guests!

Esti had the help of her sisters and mother to get ready, and it was so fun to see two different sides of her incredible style play out. The happy couple shared another first look, and then we moved into family portraits. The backdrop at this location was really striking, so it was fun to take photos on the hill above the lake and the dock. After all family portraits were complete, Esti and Derek decided they needed to paddle a canoe on both days, so they headed out in the canoe to the private island in the middle of the lake. The fall colors were a little less bright than the location that we were at the day before, but it made for a beautiful early fall scene. Derek’s dad was a little concerned when Esti jumped out of the boat with bare feet to pull the canoe up for Derek, but of course she had done the same thing the day before!

They began the ceremony in the early afternoon, which was stunning and sweet, and seeing their families smiles made me think that you can have it all- an epic adventure elopement with just the two of you, and a celebration with those closest to you.

After the ceremony came the cocktail hour. As the sun sank low over the lake Esti’s dad made a toast and the families celebrated into the evening.

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