Since I moved to Richmond, Virginia in the Fall of 2019 I’ve had the honor of documenting some beautiful and intimate elopements and micro-weddings. I’ve learned a lot about planning these smaller events in and around the city and want to share my experience for those who may be pivoting their already planned wedding, or are in the beginning phases of planning their celebration!
Micro-weddings and elopements are a unique way to commemorate your love (covid or not!) and I’m here to help you make it happen! These smaller events hold a special place in my heart because I can really see the amount of thought, detail, and attention that goes into planning such an intentional day. Selfishly, I also love them because I get to spend more time planning those details with my couples and to spend the entire wedding day with them, by their side documenting every moment.
Richmond is really the perfect place to elope because there are so many outdoor/scenic spots and there’s such a wonderful variety of restaurants, cafes, and breweries to choose from. These are some important things do consider when planning your wedding day, and I’ll go into detail on each!
Location
Florals
Officiant
LOCATION
Without having to worry about venue capacity, hosting a micro-wedding or deciding to elope allows you to put the focus back on your relationship. What locations hold meaning to you and your partner? Is a sweeping view of the city or a cozy cafe where you both feel most at home? Really being able to be thoughtful and intentional about your day together is a quiet benefit of having a smaller celebration, and there are a few locations in Richmond that are well-suited to the uniqueness of an intimate affair.
RVA Parks: The City of Richmond boasts a number of outdoor parks that are perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Afterwards, you can hop over to your favorite cafe, brewery, or restaurant with outdoor seating for a small reception! Some parks do require permits, so it’s wise to take a look at the RVA city webpage when considering your location. I photographed an intimate elopement at a Richmond park and nearby cafe in May 2020 and it was a testament to how meaningful a small celebration can be.
City Casual: There are some awesome restaurants throughout the city who offer their space as private event venues, and two of my favorite spots in Scott’s Addition are Blue Bee Cider and The Hof Garden. Both locations offer a more “city casual” feel and have indoor/outdoor access with built-in privacy and menu options tailored to micro-weddings.
Bucolic Gardens: Richmond isn’t short on gorgeous gardens, and thankfully there are some historic private event venues who have pivoted their facility offerings for micro-weddings and elopements. The Branch Museum is right on Monument Ave and has a walled garden in the back of the property. The foliage is beautiful Spring through Fall, and is the perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony and tented reception. Another favorite are the gorgeous grounds at Maymont, which has a number of outdoor ceremony locations including their rose-filled Italian Garden. Just outside of the city limits, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s grounds make you feel like you’re in an oasis year-round.
Modern & Sophisticated: For a more up-scale small-scale affair, there are some beautiful museums and hotel terraces that host private events. Two of my favorites are the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), with its glass walls and views of the sculpture garden, and the Quirk Hotel, which has a gorgeous open atrium and a rooftop with unforgettable views of the city.
FLORALS
An artful way to add some color and beauty to your wedding day is choosing a florist who can translate your vision into floral masterpieces. I’ve had the pleasure of working with these talented Richmond florists in the past year, who went above and beyond to create representations of my clients’ love in floral form.
I’ve also worked with Vessel + Stem on some personal projects, and I’m always in awe of her ethereal and whimsical designs.
OFFICIANT
In some cities couples are able to get married right at the local courthouse, but unfortunately Richmond is not one of them. Before jumping into any major planning I highly recommend reading through the Richmond Circuit Court marriage guidelines. They are a little tricky to navigate, but essentially you have two options:
Be married by a minister or licensed civil celebrant
Have a friend or family member officiate with approval from the circuit court
For Option 1, I have absolutely loved working with Elope RVA for intimate elopements and weddings in Richmond over the last couple of years. Chantal is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and also can provide floral and setup assistance for smaller celebrations!
For option 2, it’s definitely possible but just requires a few more steps and I found this helpful article to help guide you through!
Your photographer is also a great resource when planning your intimate wedding or elopement. The planning should be a fun and memorable experience, so I’ve created planning guides, questionnaires, and templates to serve as a foundation for creating the perfect day. The rest of the details (wardrobe and styling, decor, stationery, etc.) are totally and completely up to you, and a chance to get creative! I’m looking forward to so many more of your beautiful and unique weddings this year, and I can’t wait to share these moments with you!