California Elopement Packages Compared: What's Actually Included (Southern AND Northern California)
Quick note before we start: while a lot of my inquiries come from Southern California, I photograph elopements across the entire state — San Diego to Los Angeles, the Bay Area to Sacramento, and everywhere between. Whether you're eloping in the desert, the redwoods, or somewhere in between, the packages below cover both regions with the same transparent, no-surprises pricing.
Once you know what an elopement photographer costs, the next question is usually harder: which package do we actually need, and does it change depending on where in California we're getting married? This is the honest, no-sales-pitch breakdown — the same one I'd give you on our planning call, for couples eloping anywhere in the state.
Southern California Packages
Package
The Love Letter
The Long Way Home
All-Inclusive Add-On
Coverage
2 hours
3 hours
Adds to either package above
Price
$1,600
$2,400
+$1,800
What’s Included
Photography + travel anywhere in SoCal, pre-wedding planning call, sneak peek in 5 days, full gallery in 8–10 weeks, film + digital hybrid, mini Polaroids
Same inclusions as above, with an extra hour to slow down and add a second location or moment
Officiant for your personal vows, day-of coordination, and a fresh bouquet + boutonniere
Covers San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Riverside, and Joshua Tree — no travel fee anywhere in the region.
Northern California Packages
Package
The Love Letter
The Long way Home
Coverage
3 hours
4 hours
Pricing
$3,500
$4,500
What’s Included
Photography + travel anywhere in NorCal, pre-wedding planning call, sneak peek in 5 days, full gallery in 8–10 weeks, film (35mm), mini Polaroids
Same inclusions as above, plus 120mm medium format film and an extra hour
Covers the Bay Area, Sacramento, and surrounding NorCal regions — also with no travel fee built into the price.
Why NorCal Packages Start at More Hours (and a Higher Price)
This is the question I get most from couples comparing the two regions side by side, so here's the honest answer: it isn't a different service tier — it's market rates and travel logistics. NorCal packages start at 3 hours instead of 2, which is part of why the base price is higher; you're getting more coverage time, not just a regional markup. If you want an apples-to-apples comparison, it helps to think in cost-per-hour rather than the sticker price alone.
The All-Inclusive Add-On ($1,800): Same in Both Regions
Whether you're eloping in Joshua Tree or Yosemite, the All-Inclusive add-on layers the same three things on top of any package above:
An officiant for your personal vows
Day-of coordination, so someone besides you is tracking the timeline
A fresh bouquet and boutonniere
Who it's for: couples who want one point of contact and zero logistics to manage — you show up, everything else is handled. It's also often the better financial move: booking an officiant ($300–$800) and a florist ($150–$350+) separately can land close to the add-on price anyway, without the coordination piece included.
Who can skip it: couples who already have an officiant in mind (a friend, a family member, or a specific vendor they love) or who want to DIY their own flowers or skip them entirely. Skip the add-on and I'll simply coordinate around whoever you bring — at no extra cost. Note: this add-on is priced for local elopements; for true destinations (Yosemite, Sequoia, Tahoe, etc.) officiants and florists are quoted individually based on the region.
What's Included in Every Package, No Matter the Region
Professional photography coverage for your full booked time
Location research and permit guidance, so you're not the one calling park offices
Your full edited gallery delivered in 8–10 weeks
A sneak peek gallery within 5 days
Film + digital hybrid coverage
A $1,000 or 50% retainer (whichever is less) to book, with two easy installments after
Guidance on CA marriage licenses for international and out-of-state couples
What About Destinations Outside SoCal and NorCal?
If your heart is set on Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara & Solvang, Redwoods, Mendocino Coast or somewhere further out of state, those fall under destination pricing — travel-inclusive packages starting at $2,100, varying by exact location. Want two full days with zero clock-watching, anywhere in the country? The Two-Day Experience starts at $10,500. Exact numbers by destination are on the destination pricing page.
Real Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Simplest SoCal version
2-hour Love Letter package, self-officiated or a friend ordained online, no florals. Total: $1,600 plus a marriage license (~$85–$120).
Scenario 2: Simplest NorCal version
3-hour Love Letter package, couple books their own officiant separately (~$300), skips florals. Total: ~$3,800 plus license.
Scenario 3: Fully handled, either region
Base package + All-Inclusive add-on. SoCal total: $3,400 (Love Letter) or NorCal total: $5,300 (Love Letter) — every logistical piece, vows, coordination, and flowers done for you.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Book Any Elopement Photographer
Do your packages cover my specific region, or is it treated as a destination? Is travel included, or will it be quoted separately once you know my location? Is film included, or is that an upgrade? What exactly is inside your "all-inclusive" package — can you list it? What happens if I already have an officiant or florist booked? If a photographer can't answer these clearly and quickly, that's useful information too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you photograph elopements in Northern California, or just SoCal? Both. Northern California packages start at $3,500 for 3 hours, covering the Bay Area, Sacramento, and surrounding NorCal regions with no travel fee — alongside SoCal packages starting at $1,600 for 2 hours.
Why do NorCal packages cost more than SoCal packages? NorCal packages include more base coverage time (3–4 hours vs. 2–3 hours), which accounts for most of the price difference, along with regional travel logistics and market rates.
Is the All-Inclusive elopement package worth it? For most couples, yes — in either region, it usually costs about the same as booking an officiant and florist separately, but adds day-of coordination and removes the need to manage multiple vendors yourself.
Can I bring my own officiant instead of using the add-on? Yes, in both regions. Skip the All-Inclusive add-on and book your own officiant — I'll coordinate around them at no extra cost.
Are florals included in the base package? No — florals are only included as part of the All-Inclusive add-on, since they're a real third-party cost that varies by season, florist, and region.
Ready to Pick Your Package?
Full, real pricing for every package — Southern California, Northern California, and the All-Inclusive add-on — is posted on the Elopement Pricing page, If you'd rather talk it through first, reach out here and I'll reply within 24 hours. or you can contact me via my contact form.
