Couple at elopement in Point Reyes standing on bridge overlooking Schooner Bay with winding canal and sunset in the background.

Athena & Vince’s Elopement in Point Reyes

Athena and Vince’s elopement in Point Reyes was the perfect mix of spontaneity and adventure with a good dose of stunning California coastline. As a photographer well-versed in both elopements and full-sized weddings, I helped them craft a relaxed day exploring the area’s most scenic spots — from windswept beaches to cypress-lined tunnels. With no strict timeline and plenty of laughter, their shoot captured exactly what makes elopements so special: freedom, connection, and natural beauty.

When Athena and Vince first reached out at the beginning of the year, they knew they wanted to elope, and they knew they wanted photos. Well, Athena knew she wanted photos. Vince wasn’t so sure. They didn’t have a date or location yet, just a shared love of the outdoors and a vision for something non-traditional. They also knew that they wanted to incorporate Vince’s vintage hotrod into the day. That was our starting point: no date, no location, no problem.

We spoke on the phone a couple of times, emailed a bunch, and somewhere between location scouting and logistics, I convinced Vince to buy a suit. We discussed possible spots, including San Francisco, the Marin Headlands, Sonoma County, Point Reyes, Big Sur, and a few others. I even let them know I could act as their witness if needed. Eventually, we landed on a tentative date a few months out. The plan was still pretty fluid.

As the elopement day got closer, we still hadn’t locked in a location. Athena and Vince were leaning toward Napa or Sonoma, but that left a lot of ground to cover. I made a strong case for Point Reyes. It has multiple stunning backdrops within a short drive of each other, but they weren’t fully convinced.

A couple of weeks before the big day, I sent them sample photos from Travis Marina, the Marin Headlands, and Muir Beach to help them decide. A week out, we still hadn’t figured out the location. Three days before our shoot, Athena emailed to say they wanted to do their elopement in Point Reyes. She also let me know that they had snuck off to the courthouse and officially tied the knot—so our session would just be a celebratory elopement shoot, no ceremony.

One of the best things about elopements is their flexibility. When it’s just the two or three people (and a photographer), you can change plans on a whim and still have a beautiful, relaxed day. Though it is nice to have things planned and settled well in advance of your elopement date, this goes to show that it is not necessary for a successful shoot.

After much back and forth, we settled on a plan that felt good. We met at North Beach in Point Reyes, stopped at the Cypress Tunnel, the Oyster Day Use Area at Drakes Estero, and finished at the bridge overlooking Schooner Bay and Drakes Estero. All these locations are within a five-mile radius. We shot for about an hour and a half near sunset, moving between locations to keep things light and fun. The day felt effortless, and the photos turned out beautifully for Athena and Vince’s little elopement in Point Reyes.