When Anna reached out about photographing her elopement session in Boston, I knew it would be something special. She was planning an intimate ceremony at Dedham Town Hall with just close family, and wanted to capture some gorgeous portraits around the city beforehand. We picked two iconic spots that show off the best of Boston: the Public Garden and the Seaport.

Why Boston Makes Such a Beautiful Elopement Destination

Boston has this perfect mix of historic charm and modern style. You get classic New England architecture, beautiful parks, and waterfront views all in one city. For couples eloping, it offers so many different backdrops without having to travel far between locations.

The Public Garden sits right in the heart of the city. Those tree-lined paths, the famous swan boats, and that iconic bridge make it one of the most photographed spots in New England for good reason. Then you have the Seaport district, which feels completely different with its sleek buildings and harbor views. Getting both looks in one session? That’s what I call making the most of your elopement photography.

Meeting Anna & Dan

Anna and Dan’s love story started three years ago on Hinge. Anna had moved to Boston from Russia for grad school, and Dan was already living in the area. They connected online and the rest is history. After three years together, they decided to keep their wedding day simple and intimate.

Their approach was so refreshing. No big fuss, no months of planning a huge event. Just them, their love, and the commitment they wanted to make to each other. They scheduled their civil ceremony at Dedham Town Hall for July 25th with a nice dinner afterward. But first, they wanted beautiful photos to remember this chapter of their lives.

The Day Before the Elopement

We met up on a very hot July 24th for their portrait session. Anna’s parents came along to help carry things, which was really sweet. They were so excited and supportive throughout the whole session. You could tell how happy they were for their daughter.

Anna looked absolutely stunning. Her hair and makeup were professionally done, and everything was flawless. Her dress was high fashion and fit her like a dream. Dan cleaned up pretty sharp too, wearing a suit that matched the elegant vibe perfectly.

Her bouquet came from Winston Flowers, and it was gorgeous. The white blooms and style fit her look perfectly. Everything about how she put herself together showed such great taste and attention to detail.

Starting at the Boston Public Garden

We began our session at the Public Garden around golden hour. The light was soft and warm, filtering through all those big trees. This is one of my favorite times to shoot because the natural light is so flattering and creates that bright, airy look I’m known for.

The Public Garden never disappoints. Those winding pathways, the lush greenery, and all the different spots to explore make it perfect for elopement photography. We walked around finding little pockets of beautiful light and interesting backgrounds.

Anna and Dan were naturals in front of the camera (even though they said they wouldn’t be). Some couples feel stiff at first, but these two just clicked. They were laughing, holding hands, and genuinely enjoying the moment. That’s what makes photos come alive. When couples are relaxed and happy, it shows in every single image.

The Iconic Bridge Moment

One of the must-have shots at the Public Garden is the bridge. You know the one. It’s in basically every Boston postcard and Instagram post for a reason. The curved design, the view of the water, and the way it frames couples makes it perfect for portraits.

We set up some romantic shots on the bridge with Anna and Dan. I was focusing on getting different angles and making sure the light was hitting them just right. That’s when I noticed this woman standing nearby with a giant strange looking camera also taking photos of Anna and Dan.

I started to feel a little weird about it. Was this making them uncomfortable? Should I say something?

The Sweetest Surprise

The mystery woman walked away toward a small cart set up on the bridge. I kept shooting but was definitely curious about what just happened. A few minutes later, she came back over to us with the biggest smile.

She handed Anna and Dan a printed photo. But it wasn’t just any print. She had designed it to look like a little Boston newspaper announcing their marriage. The whole thing was styled like a vintage news article with their photo right in the middle. It said something about their wedding and had cute little Boston-themed details all over it.

Turns out she runs this little side business making these custom newspaper-style prints for tourists. She prints them right there on the spot from her cart. How fun is that? It became one of the highlights of the whole session. Anna and Dan have this unique souvenir from their elopement day that they never expected.

Capturing Natural Moments as a Boston Wedding Photographer

This is what I love about elopement photography. You never know what might happen. There’s room for spontaneity and surprise. Big weddings are wonderful, but they’re usually scheduled down to the minute. Elopements have this relaxed, go-with-the-flow vibe that allows for unexpected moments like this.

Moving to the Boston Seaport

After we finished at the Public Garden, we all piled into Dan’s car and headed over to the Seaport. The Seaport gives you such a different look compared to the garden. Clean lines, glass buildings, and water views. It feels modern and fresh while still having that Boston character. The light bounces off the harbor in the most beautiful way during sunset.

Anna’s dress looked amazing against the urban backdrop. That contrast between her elegant, classic style and the modern surroundings created really striking images.

The Final Result

By the end of our session, we had created a beautiful collection of images for Anna and Dan. Photos that showed off their style and personality. Photos that captured the love between them. Photos that documented this exciting time in their lives.

They had images from two completely different Boston locations, giving them variety in their gallery. Classic romantic shots on the bridge. Natural, candid moments walking through the garden. Modern portraits with the Seaport skyline. And that adorable newspaper print from the surprise street artist.

The next day they got married at Dedham Town Hall with their families there to witness. They had their dinner celebration. And they had these gorgeous photos to remember it all.