An Intimate Elopement in the Ruins of St Dunstan in the East

Some weddings need three hundred guests and a ballroom. This one needed exactly two people, a bombed-out church turned secret garden, and about an hour of golden light in London.

St Dunstan in the East isn’t a wedding venue in any traditional sense. It’s a church that took a direct hit during the Blitz, and instead of rebuilding it, the city let ivy take over the broken walls and turned the whole thing into a public garden tucked between office buildings in the City of London. Most people walking past have no idea it’s there. That’s one of the beautiful, yet hidden memories built into this venue.

Why an Elopement Like This Works

An elopement gives you something a big wedding almost never can, which is time. Time to actually look at each other instead of managing a room. Time to walk somewhere unexpected because nobody’s waiting on you. While we did have a slot at the ruins and there was a dinner reception, after the ceremony, we took our time taking adorable couples portraits and you could see the love shine through.

For an American couple crossing an ocean to do this, the location did a lot of the emotional work. There’s something about getting married somewhere that has survived being destroyed and grown into something more beautiful anyway. Nobody had to say that out loud for it to be felt in almost every frame.

What It’s Like to Photograph a Destination Elopement

Documenting a day like this is less about direction and more about staying out of the way at the right moments. My background covers fast-changing light and high-pressure, no-do-over moments, which is exactly what an elopement is. There’s no second ceremony if the light shifts or a moment passes. You’re either there for it or you’re not.

That’s the job on days like this one. Stay close, stay quiet, and make sure that when they look back at these photos in twenty years, they’re transported right back to that hour among the ruins, not looking at posed shots that could have been taken anywhere.

Additionally, it’s being ready for anything and being on top of anything that can go wrong. I‘m based in London part of the year, so when the forecast started to look rainy, I coordinated with the couple and we ordered clear umbrellas for everyone! It was not only a beautiful touch, but helped take stress off them on the day because I was able to guide them.

Thinking About an Elopement of Your Own?

If a day like this one is speaking to you, the best next step is a conversation, not a contract. Tell me where you’re picturing this, whether it’s a hidden garden in another country or somewhere closer to home, and let’s talk through what it could look like. I have a handful of dates open for elopements and weddings both in the US and abroad, and I’d genuinely love to hear your story before it’s even happened.

Inquire now to check your date, and let’s start planning something that feels entirely like you two.