ELOPEMENT GIVEAWAY 2016

WORLDWIDE ELOPEMENT PHOTO + FILM GIVEAWAY! You heard us correctly. We're giving away photo + video coverage to one lovely couple planning to elope in 2016. Anywhere in the world. Any time of year. If we're available for your date, we'll make it happen, cap'n.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE OFFERING?: Up to eight hours of photo + video coverage, all edited photos, one elopement video, an online gallery, and print rights are all included.

HOW DO YOU ENTER?: We're really glad you asked. There are two parts to each entry, and we made sure they were both simple.

1) Send us your story and all of your elopement details to rachelgulottaphoto@gmail.com with "ELOPEMENT GIVEAWAY 2016" in the subject line. Include your full names, elopement date, and elopement location. As always, we're looking for the best love in the prettiest places, so don't skimp! Tell us all about yourselves and what you love about each other. Tell us why you've chosen your location. You know. All the good stuff. Finally, attach a swoon-worthy photo of the two of you together.

2) Share the above "elopement photo + film giveaway" photo on your Instagram feed and tag @rachelgulotta and @danielinskeep so that we can see 'em. 

WHAT'S THE FINE PRINT?: The giveaway is open from January 17, 2016 to February 17, 2016. The winning couple will be announced February 19, 2016. The giveaway is open to new inquiries only. If you've already inquired about wedding or elopement coverage for 2016, you're ineligible to win this one this time. The elopement location can be anywhere in the world. We must be available for your date. Travel costs for two videographers and one photographer must be covered by the couple if the elopement location is 30 miles outside of Los Angeles, CA. Music licensing for the elopement film must be covered by the couple (up to $150). Elopement must take place in the 2016 calendar year. Couple must be madly, madly in love.

Christopher + Abi >> Married

When Abi first reached out to me I was floored. She was an English Major turned Wedding Photographer. He had a recording studio. It felt like I was reading about the way cooler version of Daniel and me. They were planning a backyard wedding surrounded by mountains, the people they love, and things that mean most to them (and I was officially feeling like I was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time doing exactly what I should be doing). 

She poured herself into her inquiry in a way that read more like catching up with an old friend. I wasn't even a paragraph into her story before I was grasping for Daniel's hand to pull him into the dreaminess of it all.

A few months later I got the news. Christopher's father had unexpectedly passed. It was hard to read and imagine the monumental tragedy that was pressing against a young couple and their families in what was supposed to be an electrifying time in their lives. Gut-wrenching.

They could have been bitter. They weren't. They chose to use their wedding as an opportunity to honor Christopher's dad. They quickly changed plans. They'd have an elopement in the mountains in their backyard. Christopher's best friend would officiate. Abi's parents and son would stand next to her. Christopher's mom and uncle would stand next to him. Christopher would scatter his dad's ashes in the place where his dad would've stood. 

And they did exactly that.

The morning started with Abi picking her bouquet from their local Farmer's market. (Awesome.) She got ready with her mom, sisters, and closest friends and surprised them by switching her dress (last minute) to the stunner you'll see posted below. Christopher got ready with his best friend/Officiant and adorable son-to-be before meeting his bride on the mountain where they were to get married. After their sentimental and intimate ceremony, they headed back down the mountain where their families and closest friends met them with confetti and champagne. Their day ended at a gold and black decked out bar where Christopher often DJs. After their wedding video played for their friends and family, the newlyweds ran into their reception and danced their first dance. Fleetwood Mac could barely finish "Everywhere" before their guests rushed the floor with hugs and well wishes. 

It was perfect.