California Elopement + Micro Wedding Photographer

Film photography for couples who want their day to feel real — not rushed, not posed, not like everyone else's

Trusted by couples from California, the UK, Australia, and across the U.S.

Start Your Inquiry
Close-up of a woman with long, wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and tattoos on her shoulder and arm, wearing a light-colored off-the-shoulder dress with floral embroidery, inside a room with a painting of a tree on the wall.
A bride and groom walking outdoors in front of a historic building with large windows and a sign that says 'Crawford Hotel.' The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers, and there are people walking and sitting under umbrellas, with some taking photos.
A man and a woman dressed in formal attire, standing on rocks in a desert landscape with large boulders and sparse vegetation, during sunset.
Two women dancing closely at a wedding or formal event, wearing white dresses, with blurred audience and string lights in the background.
A woman in a white wedding dress with blonde hair resting her head on the shoulder of a man in a brown suit, both outdoors near trees, during sunset.

Who is this for

I photograph elopements and micro weddings for couples who have a clear vision of what they want — and a low tolerance for anything that feels generic.

If you've looked at traditional wedding photography and thought that's not us, you're in the right place.

My couples tend to be specific. They want the desert at golden hour, or a coastal overlook at dawn, or a backyard dinner with their thirty closest people and no formal receiving line. They want photos that feel like a memory, not a product. And they want a photographer who's fully present — not checking a shot list.

That's what I do.

A couple dressed in wedding attire walking away in a desert landscape with Joshua trees and large rock formations under a clear sky, smiling at each other.

Four Things Worth Knowing

Film is woven into almost everything. I shoot on 35mm and medium format film alongside digital. Not as an add-on — as a core part of how I document your day. The warmth, the grain, the tones that don't come from a preset. It changes everything about how your photos feel.

Your timeline works around the light — not the other way. I build your timeline with intention. Golden hour is not an afterthought. I'll tell you exactly where to be and when, so you're in the right place at the right moment without spending your day watching the clock.

I handle the logistics you can't manage from a distance. Location scouting, permit navigation, vendor referrals — it's all covered. If you're planning from another state or another country, your job is to show up. Everything else is handled.

Elopements are available Sunday through Thursday. I keep Fridays and Saturdays for full weddings. Elopements and micro weddings are Sunday–Thursday — which means quieter parks, more privacy, and often better light.

120mm film wedding portrait elopement Palm Springs

What's Included

A newlywed couple sits on rocks in a desert landscape with rocky formations in the background, embracing each other

Elopements — from $1,500 Two hours, digital + 35mm film, online gallery with full print release. Perfect for just the two of you — a ceremony, a location, and two hours of unhurried coverage.

Micro Weddings — from $4,500, film woven throughout, video highlight with vows, timeline planning from start to finish. For couples who want more time and a handful of their people.

Want something bigger? The Two-Day Experience starts at $10,500 — 14 hours across two days, all U.S. travel included, medium format film throughout, videography, Polaroids, and prints. No countdown clock, no compromises.

I have trusted officiant and florist recommendations for every region I photograph — just ask when you reach out.


→ Download the full pricing guide

A bride and groom stand hand in hand on a grassy coastal area, with the ocean and rocky shoreline behind them, as seagulls fly overhead on a misty, overcast day.

TESTIMONIAL

  • ~ MICHELLE + ALEX ~

    Mariela captured our day so beautifully. We loved her enthusiasm, support, and helpfulness. She went over and beyond our expectations. She made us feel completely at ease from the very first email — like we were working with a friend. The photos feel like us. We've looked at them every single day since."

WHERE I PHOTOGRAPH

I'm based in Riverside, California — which makes Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, the Eastern Sierra, Yosemite, and Sequoia natural starting points. But I photograph elopements across all 50 states, and I've worked with destination couples from the UK, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Wherever you're imagining it — If I haven’t been there, I'm ready to go.

Day-trip locations (no travel fee): Riverside · Palm Springs · Joshua Tree · Temecula · Los Angeles

Overnight destinations (travel included in package): Eastern Sierra · Yosemite · Kings Canyon + Sequoia · Lake Tahoe · Big Sur · Pacific Northwest · and beyond

A bride and groom walking hand in hand towards a barn-style building on a grassy field during sunset, with scattered trees and a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Elegant dining table decorated with white and blush flowers, tall candles, and place settings including crystal glasses and white plates with a printed menu card.
A couple in wedding attire is dancing outdoors in a desert landscape with large rocks, desert shrubs, and mountains in the background.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing red glasses and a patterned dress, smiling outdoors in sunlight with trees and greenery in the background.

Hi I’m Mariela and it will always be me responding to your emails and calls :) I look forward to connecting!

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DAY

Tell me your date, your dream location, and a little about what you're envisioning. I respond within 24 hours with availability, location ideas, and everything you need to start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sunday through Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for full weddings.

  • Yes — I photograph elopements across California and nationwide. Day trips from Riverside have no travel fee. Destination elopements requiring overnight travel are available 1–2 times per month and travel is built into package pricing.

  • For most national parks, yes — a Special Use Permit is required for ceremonies. I'll walk you through exactly what you need and help you navigate the process.

  • Absolutely. California has no residency or citizenship requirement for a marriage license. All you need is a valid photo ID, your partner, and a visit to any county clerk's office. No waiting period.

  • Yes — I have trusted recommendations for both in every region I photograph. Just ask when you inquire and I'll connect you.

  • A 30% retainer and signed contract secure your date. A midway payment follows, with the final balance due two weeks before your day.