Hii friends!! Pull up a chair because I'm about to share one of the most incredible weekends I've had capturing intimate travel weddings in the dreamy coastal town of Carmel. As someone who lives for exploring new places with my film camera in hand, capturing Lauren & John's La Playa Hotel wedding filled my photographer heart with so much fun!
Travel Weddings & Why I Love Them
Want to know what gets me super excited? When couples choose to ditch the traditional hometown wedding and create an experience somewhere totally meaningful to them! And let me tell you - Lauren and John absolutely nailed it with their choice of La Playa Hotel in Carmel! These intimate celebrations are just so perfect - especially when you're surrounded by the people who mean the most!
The Weekend Gameplan: How We Made Every Moment Count
When Lauren and John planned their celebration, they created this amazing intimate weekend experience that had me swooning! They kicked things off with a welcome dinner where everyone got to really connect before the big day. Having this extra time meant their closest people could settle in, get to know each other better, and fully immerse themselves in the celebration. As their photographer, being part of these intimate moments meant I could capture all those genuine reactions and sweet interactions that make small weddings so special.
Breaking Wedding Timeline "Rules" (And Why It Totally Worked!)
Here's a fun twist - Lauren and John totally flipped the script on their wedding day timeline, and I am here for how it turned out! They skipped the first look (I know, I know!) and instead, we used cocktail hour for all those must-have shots with the wedding party, family, and of course, their couple portraits. This wouldn't be your go-to if you're dreaming of mingling with your guests during cocktail hour, BUT if you want some seriously unrushed, intimate time with your person right after you say I do? This might be your jam! The beautiful California light and historic La Playa Hotel wedding venue gave us the perfect backdrop for those quiet, meaningful moments.
The Magic of Travel Celebrations
Okay, can we talk about what makes intimate travel weddings hit differently? When everyone packs their bags and heads somewhere amazing like Carmel, there's this electric energy that I absolutely live for! Nobody's ducking out early or checking their phone every five minutes - everyone's super excited about celebrating! I've photographed different stunning weddings (and loved them all!), but there's something extra special about capturing these celebrations where everyone's stepped away from regular life to be fully present.
La Playa Hotel's Historic Charm
I seriously couldn't get enough of capturing Lauren & John with my film camera against the hotel's incredible historic backdrop! La Playa Hotel is THAT stunning! We created the most beautiful portraits right in front of the venue and intimate indoor shots that showcase all that old-world charm. Every corner of this coastal gem had me reaching for my camera! These are the kinds of intimate travel weddings I absolutely love - where the venue's personality shines through just as much as the couple's! And trust me, Lauren & John's joyful energy paired perfectly with all those classic California vibes!
Top Tips for Your Intimate Travel Wedding:
Stay Where You Celebrate:
If you can swing staying at a venue like La Playa Hotel, absolutely do it! It makes everything so much more relaxed and creates this amazing community vibe with all your guests.
Choose a Meaningful Location:
Pick a place that resonates with you as a couple and reflects your love story. The connection you feel to the location shows up beautifully in your photos!
Plan Extra Time With Guests:
If you're having an intimate wedding, consider hosting a rehearsal dinner with all your guests. It's such a great way to soak up extra love and time with your people!
Bring Your Photographer Along:
Include your photographer in pre and post-wedding activities. This way, you don't have to worry about grabbing phone pics - you can just be completely present and enjoy!
Hire a Professional Planner:
Trust me on this one - passing off the planning process to a professional coordinator is an absolute game-changer. It allows you, your family, and your guests to fully enjoy and be present for every moment of the celebration.
Book Me as Your Travel Wedding Photographer
Whether you're vibing with a coastal California celebration like Lauren and John's La Playa Hotel wedding or dreaming up something completely different, I'm SO down to pack my bags and create some incredible memories with you. Because matching couples who value authentic moments with incredible locations? That's basically my love language! Get in touch now because I’m so stoked to hear all about your vision and help turn it into something you’ll treasure forever!
Check out my latest blog on intimate destination wedding in Thousand Palms for more destination wedding inspo!
Vendors
Coordinator/Planner - Addy Paramo
Venue - La Playa Hotel (Carmel, CA)
Videographer - David & Lety Gomar
Florist - Sea Scape Flowers
DJ - St Royal
