Excited to have traveled back to Catalina Island recently, and captured this magical elopement! Kate + Austin, flew in from the east coast, to elope and exchange vows on this magical little island. We found the perfect location overlooking the harbor and captured their vows. Congrats!
Notes from Kate (bride)…
What was your favorite moment of your elopement and/or trip? We loved getting to ride in the golf cart around Catalina Island. It may sound silly, but we thought that part was so cool because it helped us to slow down and take a closer look of the sites and attractions the island had to offer.
Most memorable/favorite moment of day? Aside from saying “I do” (because that’s the obvious favorite) – getting to do our first dance in such a beautiful spot and hanging out with Martina & Rich in the process of our photos being taken. Oh, and because we had our wedding during “COVID times” and restaurants were not open, we had our post-wedding dinner of steak and chicken alfredo sitting on a bench in the middle of the main strip in Catalina. In true 2020 fashion, it was a funny memory to say the least!
What were you most nervous or excited about? I was nervous how it would all come together. Obviously, we were not from the area so my venue was “site unseen” (except for what I had seen in pictures online. So it was a little hard to envision how it would look the “day of” … but fortunately it was even more awesome than what we anticipated.
Did you DIY or add any personal touches to your elopement? Other than doing my own hair and make-up… No 😊
What made you choose Catalina Island as an elopement location? Honestly, all we knew was that we wanted to elope. Beside the fact that I am admittedly not the best “planner,” we wanted our day to be about our love rather than it be about pleasing guests. When we got the idea, I mentioned that since we were getting married late November, we might want to pick some place semi-warm for the time of year. That led me to Googling California elopements. Martina’s Instagram post of a previous Catalina Island elopement sold me immediately. In that moment, I thought… “THAT is our venue and SHE is our photographer!” We loved that Catalina combined beach and desert vibes.
Any tips/advice for future brides thinking about eloping?
DO IT. Do not think about it too much or allow your decision to be swayed by others. Go with your gut & do not feel “selfish” or worry that your vision is “too small” for such a BIG day.
If you choose Martina as your photographer, even the smallest vision can look like something straight from Pinterest. Sometimes, less is more. Let the scenery do the talking and do not stress yourself out over the details… it will all come together perfectly.
At the end of the day, when the elopement is over… you will look back and remember how much fun you had and how close you felt with your spouse on YOUR day rather than sweating over the details that meant nothing to you that you stressed over for months simply for the sake of satisfying friends and family members. Do what best fits your love story!
Thinking of eloping?! I would love to photograph and help plan your story, let’s chat here. For more recent elopements, click here.
