How to Elope in Austin, Texas: Locations, Timeline & Photography
You don't need 100 guests, a ballroom, or a 10-hour wedding timeline to have an incredible wedding day.
Sometimes all you need is your person, a ceremony location you love, and a couple of hours to make it official and document the whole thing.
Whether you're dreaming about an Austin courthouse wedding, an intimate outdoor ceremony, private vows somewhere in the Hill Country, or hopping on a plane to say "I do" somewhere completely different, an elopement gives you the freedom to make your wedding feel like you.
Here's what you need to know about planning and photographing an elopement in Austin.
What Do I Consider an Elopement?
I consider an elopement an intentionally small wedding with just the two of you or a small handful of your closest family and friends.
Photography coverage is typically two hours or less.
That makes elopement photography perfect for:
Courthouse weddings
Private vow exchanges
Intimate ceremonies
Small chapel ceremonies
Outdoor ceremonies
Just-married portraits around Austin
Couples who simply don't want a traditional wedding
If you're inviting around 10–40 guests and planning getting ready, a ceremony, family photos, dinner, and a reception, I'd consider that a micro wedding rather than an elopement.
How Long Do We Need an Elopement Photographer?
Two hours is actually plenty of time for many elopements - especially courthouse weddings.
The trick is not trying to turn two hours into a miniature version of an eight-hour wedding.
Instead, we build your coverage around the things that matter most.
Example: Two-Hour Austin Courthouse Elopement Timeline
Here's an example of how I might photograph a two-hour courthouse wedding:
Photographer Arrives at the Courthouse
30 Minutes
Pre-ceremony portraits outside the courthouse + checking in
15–30 Minutes
Ceremony
30 Minutes
Just-married portraits outside the courthouse
7–10 Minutes
Walk to the Texas Capitol grounds or travel to a nearby second location
15–30 Minutes
Newlywed portraits at the Capitol or your second location
And that's it.
In two hours, you've gotten married AND created a gallery that tells the story of the experience without spending your entire wedding day taking pictures.
Can Our Family and Friends Come?
Absolutely.
An elopement doesn't have to mean secretly running away and telling everyone afterward.
Some couples want the day to be completely private. Others couldn't imagine getting married without their parents, siblings, children, or closest friends there.
That's why I offer two different two-hour elopement collections.
What Packages Do Photos by Mkay Offer for Elopements?
“Just Us” - $750
This is exactly what it sounds like: the two of you and nobody else.
It's perfect for courthouse weddings, private ceremonies, vow exchanges, or couples who want to spend their time taking portraits together instead of organizing group photographs.
“Family Included” - $1,050
If your favorite people are coming along, this collection gives us room for family and friend group photographs in addition to documenting your ceremony and the two of you.
Both collections include two hours of photography, one photographer, professionally edited images, your online gallery, and print release.
Where Can You Elope in Austin?
One of the best things about eloping is flexibility.
You don't necessarily need a traditional wedding venue, which opens up some beautiful possibilities around Austin and Central Texas.
Depending on the kind of experience you want, consider:
The Courthouse
Simple, meaningful, and incredibly easy to turn into an afternoon around downtown Austin.
After your ceremony, we can use the surrounding architecture for portraits before heading to another nearby location.
Texas Capitol Grounds
The Capitol gives you classic Austin architecture, beautiful grounds, trees, pathways, and plenty of variety without needing to travel far from downtown.
It's especially convenient as a portrait location following a courthouse ceremony.
Chapel Ceremonies
An intimate chapel gives you the feeling of a traditional ceremony without requiring a large wedding venue.
This can be a great middle ground for couples who want something small but still want that walking-down-the-aisle moment.
Austin Parks & Gardens
If you'd rather exchange vows outside, Austin has parks, gardens, trails, and natural spaces that can make an intimate ceremony feel incredibly personal.
Just remember that some public locations may require reservations or permits for ceremonies or professional photography.
Texas Hill Country
Drive outside of Austin and you have an entirely different landscape available to you.
Hill Country overlooks, private properties, chapels, and natural spaces are perfect if you want your elopement to feel a little more removed from the city.
(Permits may be required for some locations — I’m always happy to help guide couples through that process.)
You can View My Wedding Venue Recommendations Here!
Can We Use Two Locations?
Yes!
My “Just Us” Collection includes the option for an outfit change or second location.
For example, you could get married at the courthouse, take photographs downtown, and then walk or drive somewhere nearby for a completely different look.
When we're planning your timeline, I'll help make sure the locations actually make sense within your photography coverage so we don't spend half of your two hours sitting in Austin traffic.
What If We Want to Elope Outside of Texas?
You don't have to stay in Austin.
I also offer a Destination Elopement Collection for couples who want to turn their wedding into a bigger adventure.
The Destination Elopement - $3,850
Six hours. Just the two of you. Anywhere in the U.S.
The collection includes photographer travel within the United States along with six hours of photography coverage.
Whether you're thinking mountains, desert, coastline, forest, or somewhere you've always wanted to visit together, your wedding and your trip can become one experience.
EXPLORE DESTINATION ELOPEMENT COVERAGE
Austin Elopement FAQs:
Is two hours enough for an Austin elopement?
For most courthouse weddings and simple elopements, yes. Two hours gives us time to photograph your ceremony, portraits together, and usually a nearby second location without turning your wedding into an all-day photoshoot.
Can our parents or friends attend our elopement?
Of course. If you're bringing a handful of guests and want group photographs with them, my “Family Included” Collection is designed specifically for that.
Can we take photos somewhere besides where we get married?
Yes. Depending on your collection and timeline, we can incorporate a second nearby location for additional portraits.
How do we book our elopement photographer?
Once we've confirmed your date and coverage, a signed photography agreement and 50% non-refundable retainer toreserve your date and photography timeframe. The remaining balance is due before your wedding.
Ready to Elope in Austin?
Whether it's just the two of you at the courthouse, your parents watching you exchange vows in a tiny chapel, or the two of you heading somewhere completely new together, your wedding doesn't need a huge guest list to deserve photographs that tell the whole story.
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