Blackrock Beach Elopement | Big Talbot Island State Park

This Blackrock Beach elopement was planned in a WHIRLWIND (just three weeks!) but oh, boy was it good!

When M & C reached out to me dreaming of eloping on a remote beach before C left on deployment I knew that Big Talbot Island State Park would be the perfect place for us to get a remote, almost otherworldly, and private beach. The day of the elopement huge, dark grey clouds formed and it actually stormed the entire first half of the day. We weren’t sure what was going to happen but we decided to just go with it and hope for the best.

I met up with the couple and their families at One Ocean in Atlantic Beach for getting ready photos before driving together out to Big Talbot for the ceremony. By the time we reached the parking area the clouds had completely cleared up leaving us with perfect skies and beautiful light!

M wanted to have a first look so C and his family arrived first and headed down to the beach while M hung back with her dad for a long daddy daughter walk on the wooded trail. At the entrance to the beach M’s dad gave her a kiss and then we prepped M & C for their first look. Once they were ready we joined their families down the beach to get ready for the ceremony.

Family stayed for the ceremony and some formal photos but afterwards they headed back to the hotel and left M & C alone for the remainder of our time together. This is an example of a perfect way to include family in an elopement while still having time for just the couple!

M & C laid out a picnic together, ate some of their favorite cupcakes, and had a private first dance on the beach. Then we took some time to run around and explore the rocks while the sun went down. I had such a blast planning and photographing this elopement!