frequently asked questions
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elopement collections
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galleries
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Meet your elopement guide, Lena
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The Most Popular Spots for Wedding Photos
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how to elope in boston
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You’ve found Boston’s elopement expert. For over a decade, I’ve perfected the art of intimate celebrations, offering thoughtful planning, trusted local connections, and a storytelling approach that feels true to you. From City Hall “I do’s” to vows under the willow trees of the Public Garden, I’ll craft a seamless experience for you every step of the way and create art that feels as genuine and enduring as your love.
+ City Hall Weddings
Boston Elopements
ake a quick trip to your local City Hall to complete a Marriage Intention form. You can do this in any Massachusetts town - it doesn’t need to be where your ceremony takes place. After a three-day waiting period, your license will be ready for pickup and remains valid for 60 days. On your wedding day, just bring the license with you, and your officiant will handle the official filing so you can stay fully present.
GETTING YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
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photograph ceremonies Monday through Thursday, typically a few hours before sunset, so we can capture Boston in its most romantic light. I’ll personally guide your timing so you don’t have to stress about logistics - all you need to do is show up and enjoy. If you’re planning a City Hall ceremony, you can book your appointment by phone or online. You can apply for a coveted ceremony at the Boston Public Library, which offers a limited number of Monday ceremonies.
SCHEDULING YOUR APPOINTMENT
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our vendor team can make all the difference in your elopement experience. For a meaningful ceremony, Justice of the Peace Priscilla Geaney is unmatched in warmth and professionalism - she’ll officiate beautifully and manage all of your official documents. Pair your day with a bouquet designed by Jackie from Central Square Florist, and enjoy a luxurious hair and makeup experience with Zena Rose in Beacon Hill. Should you need additional guidance, I’ll connect you with the most trusted professionals in Boston.
securing your vendor dream team
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ince there’s no dedicated parking at Boston or Cambridge City Hall, the easiest options are booking a nearby garage through SpotHero or using Uber. If your plans include additional portrait locations, we’ll travel together by car, rideshare, or the T after your ceremony. I always suggest adding some buffer time into your schedule so the day feels relaxed and enjoyable, without any rush.
GETTING TO YOUR CEREMONY
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n your wedding day, head to the City Clerk’s office at least 15 minutes before your ceremony to finalize paperwork and payment. You can choose to read your own vows or recite the standard ones provided. If you’re eloping, I’ll meet you early so we have time to park, settle in, and I can escort you and your guests to the ceremony spot. Then it’s vows, rings, a champagne toast - and just like that, you’re married!
IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING!
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ll you truly need for your elopement is each other - everything else is a bonus. To celebrate in style, I recommend bringing along a bottle of your favorite champagne and two glasses so we can capture that joyful post-ceremony pop. Prefer something different? A stop at your favorite bar for an espresso martini or enjoy a sparkling cider, cannoli, or cupcake. The key is choosing a celebration that feels authentic to you.
CHAMPAGNE & CELEBRATIONS
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Elope in Boston
How To
For couples who love historic architecture and atmosphere, the South End delivers. Its iconic brownstones, tree-lined streets, and hidden parks feel both timeless and stylish, offering a sophisticated canvas for your wedding photos. Wrap up your session with cocktails at one of the neighborhood’s renowned restaurants for the perfect city celebration.
THE SOUTH END
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For one of the most breathtaking skyline views in Boston, Piers Park in Eastie is unbeatable. The park is a mix of tree-lined paths, open green space, and docks overlooking the harbor, with the city skyline rising in the background. It’s romantic with just the right touch of industrial charm. Free parking makes it stress-free, and for an unforgettable twist, you can take a water taxi from Seaport or Long Wharf to East Boston for photos on both sides of the harbor.
EAST BOSTON
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Just a five-minute walk from City Hall, the North End is Boston’s most historic (and tastiest) neighborhood. Hanover Street is lined with pastry shops and old-world charm, where you can sample cannolis and lobster tails at Mike’s, Modern, or Bova’s before raising a glass of limoncello at Caffe Vittoria. For portraits, Columbus Park is right around the corner, with its ivy-covered trellis and iconic waterfront views.
The north end
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For couples dreaming of skyline portraits, the Seaport is unmatched. A short drive from City Hall, this waterfront district blends old-world cobblestone charm with sleek modern architecture like the ICA. With endless photo opportunities along Seaport Boulevard, you can wrap up your elopement at a brewery or rooftop bar with a glass of champagne or craft beer overlooking the city.
Seaport
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Copley Square in Back Bay is just a quick ride from City Hall, and it’s brimming with iconic Boston charm. The grand facade of the Boston Public Library sets the stage for timeless portraits, while the Commonwealth Avenue Mall offers tree-lined paths and charming historic brownstones. End your stroll on Newbury Street with cupcakes or a champagne toast at the Fairmont Copley - the perfect way to celebrate your new marriage.
Back Bay
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For couples who love old-world grandeur, the Massachusetts State House is a hidden gem in the heart of Boston. Its regal architecture, Roman arches, and marble staircases create an elegant, European feel without leaving the city. With access until 5pm, it’s the perfect setting for timeless, sophisticated portraits.
THE STATE HOUSE
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Right across from the Public Garden, Beacon Hill offers old-world charm at every turn, from colorful doors and cobblestone streets to winding hills and historic character. We’ll stroll through favorites like Acorn Street and Rouvalis Flower Shop for portraits that feel timeless and authentically Boston. Just don’t forget comfortable shoes - it’s called Beacon Hill for a reason!
BEACON HILL
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The Public Garden captures that quintessential Boston romance - the soft willow trees, the powder-blue bridge, the blooming flowers, and even the cutest residents of the pond, two swans named Romeo and Juliet. It’s a scene straight out of a love story, and we’ll make yours feel just as timeless.
BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN
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for boston wedding photos
The Most popular spots
eing a Boston resident for 12 years and counting means I know this city inside and out, from hidden photo gems and traffic light timing to where to celebrate with champagne or cannolis afterward. I create a custom timeline and family photo list tailored for your day to ensure everything runs smoothly. My couples never have to worry about logistics, because I ensure the day feels seamless and full of ease.
I bring more than just a camera to your wedding. I bring over 15 years of experience anticipating needs, calming nerves, and making couples feel confident, radiant, and completely present. As my bride Anna shared, “Lena is a pro at pinning on boutonnieres, wrangling large groups for portraits, and getting real smiles out of everyone.”
Even when the unexpected happens (like a wedding day downpour) I arrive prepared with umbrellas, backup plans, and creative ideas to make magic in any weather. My role is equal parts artist, director, and problem-solver, ensuring you can focus fully on each other.
Every image deserves to feel as elevated as the day itself. That’s why I personally retouch each photograph with care, removing distractions like blemishes, stains, or city clutter so the focus stays on you. Apple Watch tans, gum spots on pavement, rogue tourists in the background... call me Boston’s unofficial street cleaner, one click at a time! I make sure your photographs are timeless, polished pieces of art that you will cherish for decades to come.
With over 200 elopements photographed, I know exactly how to make your Boston elopement unforgettable from beginning to end. Think of me as your photographer and your honorary planner - connecting you with trusted vendors, designing a seamless timeline, and handling the logistics so you can be present and focus on each other. After 15 years in the wedding world, I’m prepared for anything and committed to making your best day ever feel effortless.
Hi! I'm Lena: Boston native, social butterfly, professional hype woman, City Hall regular, and your elopement expert!
Lena
Meet Your Elopement Guide,
I mean, take it from these folks...
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE A BOATLOAD OF FUN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, WE PROBABLY SHOULDN’T WORK TOGETHER!
Check out these start-to-finish love stories on the blog below - and take notes from the latest elopement inspiration!
WANT TO SEE MORE BOSTON ELOPEMENTS, BACKYARD WEDDINGS, CITY HALL WEDDINGS, MINIMONIES, AND MICRO-WEDDINGS?
Not sure what collection you’ll need? That’s what I’m here for! Tell me all about your dream day in the contact form below and I’ll match you with the right fit.
$2950
1 hour of coverage on Monday - Thursday
Ceremony & portraits in one location
Best for couple only, no guests
75+ edited photos
Downloadable online gallery and full printing rights
COLLECTION III
$3950
2 hours of coverage on Monday - Thursday
Ceremony & portraits in one neighborhood area
Best for 0 - 15 guests
125+ edited photos
Downloadable online gallery and full printing rights
COLLECTION II
$4950
3 hours of coverage on Monday - Thursday
Getting ready, ceremony, & portrait coverage in multiple locations
Best for all guest counts
200+ edited photos
Downloadable online gallery and full printing rights
COLLECTION I
Collections
Elopement
Fill out the contact form! I want to hear all about the epic plans for your wedding day. Make sure to include your date and the potential location of your elopement. If you’re flexible about the date, send me the month(s) you're interested in and I’ll send you my open dates!
WHERE DO WE EVEN START?
You can expect between 75 - 200+ photos depending on your collection in 4-6 weeks. You'll receive a handful of sneak peeks in the first week, so you'll never be without your gorgeous wedding photos.
HOW MANY PICTURES DO we receieve, AND HOW LONG WILL we WAIT FOR THEM?
All photos are hand edited in my bright, joyful, colorful signature style. I am a seasoned retoucher too, so if you wake up on your wedding day with a blemish, it's windy and your hair is flying around, a stain appears on your clothing... it’s all taken care of - NO WORRIES! I even edit out trash on the ground, distracting background elements, cracks in the pavement, all sorts of fun stuff (see my pinned Instagram before and afters for a peek!) You're going to look at these photos for the rest of your life, so I want you to look and feel your absolute BEST.
ARE THE PHOTOS EDITED?
They're YOUR wedding photos - of course you can! You can purchase prints and products through your gallery straight from my professional lab to your doorstep, but you also have the freedom to make your own albums, prints, thank you cards, and even have your mom put your faces on a coffee mug. Family and friends more than welcome to download and share in the love, too!
CAN I PRINT or POST OUR PHOTOS?
Of course! If you're eloping outside City Hall, you can have up to twenty guests join you. If you're getting married at City Hall, you can have four guests plus me.
CAN I BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Of course you can! First looks aren't just for "big" weddings - they're easily coordinated during LM elopements, too. If you're looking for that big reveal in front of your almost-spouse, just ask and I'll plan it for you!
CAN WE DO A FIRST LOOK?
I want your wedding photography to feel like less of an obligation and instead, all about being present on the most joyful, fun, and fulfilling day of your life and leaving the capturing to me. Most of my couples describe themselves as "awkward" in front of the camera, so I wave my magic wand, turn the energy and excitement up, and within a few minutes, I can guarantee that any awkwardness will melt like an ice cream cone in the summer. Making couples feel comfortable and confident is my speciality!
WE'RE KIND OF AWKWARD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA...
Nope! Most of my couples prefer to be married in a location of their choosing by a Justice of the Peace or a friend for both flexibility and aesthetic reasons. I've worked with Priscilla Geaney for over years now and she's the best officiant out there! You can get married in the Public Garden, your backyard, in nature... the possibilities are endless!
DO I HAVE TO GET MARRIED AT CITY HALL?
Elopements are available to book Mondays through Thursdays only.
CAN I BOOK YOU FOR MY WEEKEND ELOPEMENT?
Click here to learn what we do if the forecast shows rain on your big day!
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
Head over to The Knot or WeddingWire to see what LM Elopement couples have said about their experiences.
CAN I HEAR WHAT YOUR PAST ELOPEMENT COUPLES SAY ABOUT YOU?
Big yes! I'm fully insured and bring backup gear - multiple lenses, camera bodies, flashes, batteries, memory cards, you name it. Also, band-aids, bobby pins, chapstick, umbrellas... the list goes on! I shoot on two memory cards at once, so I leave a wedding with a backup of your wedding, then upload the photos to multiple hard drives + the cloud. I’m a lightning fast boutonniere pinner and I can sew on a button in a snap. 13 years in business means I’ve got a game plan for whatever situation a wedding day throws at me. Sit back and enjoy your big day - I've got everything covered.
ARE YOU LEGIT?
I’m chock full of backup plans! If something serious happened (injury, emergency, hospitalization, Covid, etc), I have a network of incredibly talented wedding photographers who would step in for me. Most have worked alongside me before, so they know my shooting style, personality, and how I approach a wedding day. Then, all editing would be completed by me in the style you hired me for! I know elopements can be more flexible though, so if something happens to me and you'd rather wait until I can personally be there for your wedding, we can postpone instead!
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU?
First, I send over your contract to sign online and pay the 30% retainer that reserves me for your day. Then, we celebrate! Four weeks prior to the big day, I’ll check in about the weather forecast, craft your family photo groupings from your guest list, craft our timeline, and get connected with any other vendors. Let the good times roll!
WE DEFINITELY WANT YOU TO CAPTURE OUR DAY. HOW DO WE BOOk?
Asked questions
Frequently
-ANNA & MATT
y husband and I hate being the center of attention, but working with Lena made walking through Boston in a wedding dress on a Monday afternoon seem like a totally normal, everyday occurrence. We’re pretty awkward in front of a camera, but Lena’s energy is so infectious and enthusiastic you can’t help but relax, have fun, and laugh. If we had to do this all over again, we’d pick Lena to photograph our day every time."
-Rachel & Alex
espite only meeting in person on our wedding day, it was like we've known Lena our whole lives and the energy she brought to the day instantly made us feel comfortable. I was impressed with how Lena handled our families that were with us (12 people) and made sure we got every single combination for formal pics and amazing candids as well. I have loved every second of working with Lena starting from the first time I clicked on her website!”
-Dori & Liz
y wife and I are both awkward when it comes to photos, but Lena brought such energy and enthusiasm to our photo shoot that we felt totally natural and in our element the entire time! We are beyond thrilled with the photos she took - several family members/friends commented that our photos looked like they came straight from a magazine, and we agree! Not only is she an incredibly skilled photographer, but her website was beyond helpful."
-Aimee & Bruce
fter researching a number of elopement photographers in the Boston area, I knew Lena was our lady the minute I saw her photos! She had a positive attitude, lugged my accessories around town, and captured all of the important details. As an international couple, it was important for us to photograph this day for our family on the other side of the world, and Lena managed to do so with such ease."
-Nicole & Johnny
ena made our little City Hall elopment in Boston look and feel so perfect - It was truly like having a photographer, wedding planner, and bridesmaid all-in-one! Despite the cold, heavy winds, and freezing rain, she kept up high energy and made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. But more importantly, the comfort of knowing Lena had timing / angles / locations covered and allowed us to be the most present."
-Caroline & Austin
ot only are your pictures going to look so good that everyone is going to message you and ask who your photographer was, but you get a super supportive, extremely sweet, hype woman/best friend for the day. Lena makes sure that everything goes great, you get all the shots you want, AND she makes walking around Boston in full wedding gear seem normal!”
-ELAINE & CONOR
organized our wedding from abroad and didn’t quite know where to start. From the moment we discovered Lena’s website and Instagram, we were sold. When we met her on the day itself, it felt like we were meeting a friend we had known for a long time! Our wedding day was such a joy, and was made even more so by our experience of having Lena share the day with us and capture all the laughs and all the serious moments.