California Coast Elopement Inspiration at sunset

We love a good elopement, and when it occurs on a deserted coastline like this inspiration shoot does, we think it's the perfect intimate location to hold a ceremony. Seattle Wedding Photographer SARAH CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY captured and styled all this beauty with the help of GAVITA FLORA who created this stunning bouquet full of vibrant colour and tropical greenery.

Sarah tells us, "When my husband and I decided to take our 5th Anniversary trip to San Francisco, California this year, I knew that I wanted to create an inspiration shoot that captured the beauty of the Bay Area. I started looking at locations on google, and it wasn't long until I became completely obsessed with the natural bridges of the California Coast. I quickly began digging for colour and texture inspiration as well as a cohesive mood and soon after had based an entire elopement inspiration shoot on the feeling of freedom I get when I'm at the beach. There is a certain sense of weightlessness I feel staring across the vast, blue ocean, knowing that I could never swim as far as my eye can see.

This elopement inspiration shoot is the story of a couple who wants that freedom. The freedom and weightlessness of having an intimate ceremony under the beautiful natural bridges of the Pacific Coast. They have chosen to escape to the sea and have the brilliant California sun as their backdrop, naturally found clam shells in the sand as details and a paper suite that is so simply organic, that it pulls it's textures and colours from the sand and the rock. Kelsey Malie Calligraphy's suite did just that. Gavita flora accentuated the gorgeous sunset with a bouquet made of brightly coloured florals and tropical greenery, and the low back of the gown from Ivy and Aster added a modern feel. The lace on the gown brought in the textures of ocean rocks into the bride's look. Chelsey Cueva kept our model's hair and makeup simple enough with a soft, low pony tale and just enough drama with a fuchsia lip. Finally, I brought my own turquoise and pearl earrings and my Grandmother's turquoise ring to the shoot to add a colourful, vintage touch to the entire shoot."