I wonder if 2021 will be the beginning of a surge in elopements… a year when couples put being married before all the frills of a wedding, and tie the knot, just the two of them, in the most romantic and dreamiest of ways. Perhaps this beautiful feature will inspire a few of you lovelies to consider an elopement. (And remember, the big party can always come later!)

A beautifully shot, romantic elopement in Lefkada – beautiful bride Shelby and new hubby Daniel headed away from it all for a dream wedding, and their images by lovely Maxeen Kim are EVERYTHING. It’s been the toughest of years for so many, but I take my hat off to this gorgeous pair for eloping – for focusing on being married, and for staying strong through all the uncertainty of 2020. Shelby is stunning in a Wed2B dress; Daniel’s summer wedding look is from Next. The florals are exquisite – and planner Claire from Lefkas Weddings gets a glowing review from our happy couple!

It’s not often I cry at a wedding on my screen – but today, Stephen and Colin got me. Their love story is so romantic, and to hear how their little family has grown since their first (big) wedding and their 10 year vow renewal… well, I cried!! Perhaps it was ‘Big Dad’ and ‘Short Dad’ – perhaps the rescue dog tale… perhaps the overwhelming romance of the setting and how beautiful their vow renewal was.

If 15% of couples consider eloping most years, then I bet 2020 had ten times that figure… the tears and postponements and new rules have had us all tearing our hair out in frustration. But come 2021, I imagine more of us will be calmly planning to elope – and trust me, it’s a wonderful thing to do. If you read our ‘Married Now, Party Later Revolution‘ feature you’ll get what I mean. And if you read about Laura and Daniel’s STUNNING elopement to New York (in safer times!) I think you’ll be sold on the idea. NYC is a dream elopement location, but you can tie the knot pretty much anywhere these days. These gorgeous guys went big, hit the city and got amazing shots from English Wedding member Artisan X Photography.“english

This stunning wedding inspiration comes from luxury wedding planner and English Wedding member Elegante by Michelle J. Michelle’s eye for beautiful styling is second to none: the blues in this seaside wedding location are perfect. The atmosphere is romantic as can be… just look at the views as the sun sets…

Osea Island Styled Wedding Shoot, image credit Stuart Wood Photography (9)

I’d love to feature more Jewish weddings and inspiration features. I love reading Smashing the Glass, where this styled shoot was first shown last month. (If you’re a wedding photographer and you have a real wedding we could feature, please get in touch!) The contemporary Judaica is elegant and perfectly matched to the dreamy blue colour palette. The blue accents everywhere are perfect – the ketubah (marriage contract) is absolutely glorious and the chuppah (canopy) as delicately blue as the summer skies. Oh, and it’s positively loaded with the most breathtaking hydrangeas…