Nicole Weeks Photography

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Nicole Weeks Photography

Helping couples, who value quality time filled with adventure, remember their intimate wedding or elopement with bright & airy photos.

Nicole Weeks Photography is based in Albany, NY and specializes in wedding and elopement photography. I offer the perfect blend of posed portraits and candid moments from the best day of your life!

18/09/2025

It's time for the sixth reason why I believe elopements are better than weddings!

6. More Time Together (This Is The Main Reason Why Elopements Are Better Than Weddings)

One of the saddest truths about big weddings is how little time couples spend with each other. Between greeting guests, coordinating with vendors, group photos, getting ready separately, etc. it’s easy for the day to go by without spending much time with your partner.

An elopement shifts the focus back where it belongs: on the couple. Whether you’re hiking to a summit, kayaking on a quiet lake, or simply sitting together over coffee before your vows, you’ll spend your wedding day with WITH partner. That’s a gift no traditional wedding can guarantee!

15/09/2025

We're half way through of 10 reasons why elopements are better than weddings. coming in at number five we have....

5. A Unique and Personalized Experience

When you’re not tied to tradition, you get to make the rules! Want to exchange vows at sunrise and celebrate with a champagne picnic? Go for it. Prefer a cozy cabin ceremony with your closest family, followed by a hike and stargazing? Sounds great!

Intimate weddings allow you to create a day that feels 100% YOU! You don’t have to follow timelines, traditions, or expectations. Instead, your day becomes a reflection of your relationship and values. Celebrating your wedding this way allows your personalities to paint a beautiful picture of your relationship and what matters to you and your partner!

12/09/2025

Here's reason number four on why I think elopements are better than weddings...

4. Flexibility in Location

Large weddings often limit you to venues that can accommodate hundreds of people, but elopements open the door to endless possibilities. Want to say your vows on a mountaintop? On a dock overlooking Lake George? In a quiet forest clearing in Saratoga Springs? You can!!

One of the best parts about being an intimate wedding photographer in the Adirondacks is helping couples dream up locations that feel special and personal. Smaller guest counts mean more flexibility, and sometimes the most meaningful spots are places you couldn’t fit a large group anyway.

Since the possibilities are pretty much endless, where would you elope?!

09/09/2025

Ready for the third reason why elopements are better than weddings?! Here we go!

3. Cost-Effective Without Sacrificing Quality

Traditional weddings in the U.S. often cost upwards of $30,000, and that's on the less expensive side. That’s a huge investment for one day, and many couples end up spending on things they don’t really care about. Decor, signage, favors, cocktail hour food they never get to eat, venue costs, etc.

With elopements, couples get to reallocate their budget toward experiences and vendors that truly matter to them. Instead of paying for meals for 200 guests, you could book your dream photographer, hire a private chef for dinner, take a helicopter ride over the Adirondack High Peaks, etc. Intimate weddings prove you don’t need a huge budget to create a luxurious and unforgettable experience. This is one of many reasons why elopements are better than weddings (in my opnion)!

05/09/2025

In the last post I shared my first reason why elopements are better than weddings. Today, it's time for number two!

2. Less Stress, More Joy!

Ask any couple who’s planned a big wedding, and they’ll likely tell you about the stress: guest seating charts, family expectations, timelines that run behind. By the time the reception starts, couples are often too exhausted to enjoy it.

An intimate wedding or adventure elopement in the Adirondacks flips that script. Instead of rushing from one event to the next, you can relax, breathe, and savor the little moments. Whether it’s hiking to a secluded mountain overlook or sharing a quiet first dance under the stars, the day feels lighter and more joyful.

03/09/2025

After a decade of photographing traditional weddings at venues, I've seen and learned a lot. I've witnessed the stress and overwhelm my couples experience. Then before they know it, their day is over and they never got to eat dinner. It makes me so sad for them after all the time, energy and money they put into creating their perfect wedding day.

For these reasons and so many more I transitioned my business to only photograph intimate weddings and elopements because of how special, unique and stress-free they are for my couples!

Over the next 10 posts I'm sharing why I believe elopements are better than traditional weddings! Ready for number one?!

1. Focus on What Truly Matters

A wedding day should be about the couple, their story, their love, and the promises they’re making to each other. With a traditional wedding, couples often spend most of the day worrying about whether guests are happy, if dinner is served on time, or if the DJ plays the right songs.

With an intimate wedding or elopement, those distractions fade away. Imagine standing on the shores of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, holding hands as the sun rises over the Adirondacks. No noise, no schedule to keep. Just you and your partner soaking in the moment. Smaller celebrations let you focus on each other without the chaos of a huge production.

Check back for reason number two of why I think elopements are better than weddings!

26/08/2025

There's nothing more blissful that just married feeling!! Especially when you're surrounded by waterfalls, mountains and serene lakes in the ADK!

22/08/2025

When shopping for an elopement dress, whether it be at a bridal shop or online, consider getting a gown that has some movement to it! What do I mean by that you may ask?! Look for a dress that has some flowy features such as an A-line gown, a dress with a longer train, a form fitting number with a cathedral vail or you can even add a cape to your dress for a little drama!

Having some extra fabric to play with on your wedding dress that flows in the wind adds a fun flair to your wedding photos and looks incredible!

Although I do my best to keep your dress as clean as possible throughout your elopement, don't be afraid of a little dirt! I know, easier said than done. But if you're out in the great outdoors some dirt on your wedding dress is inevitable. Embrace the smudges on your gown and think of each one as a fun memory made!

19/08/2025

Did you know that you get to be as formal or as informal during your elopement as your want?! If you and your partner want to go all out with attire and flowers, go for it! Maybe you want to be a little more relaxed and opt for a suit rather than a tux or maybe even forgo a tie and let your neck breath. You can even wear a colorful dress, skip flowers and wear hiking boots. The beauty of eloping is that you get to do pretty much anything you want!

15/08/2025

One of my favorite suggestions that I give my couples is to consider hiring a private chef for their elopement! It's a fun experience with freshly cooked food from a menu that you and a chef have designed together. They add a fun touch to your wedding day and nothing tastes better than food you didn't have to make yourself! After all, it is your wedding day so go ahead and treat yourself to a private chef so they can spoil your tastebuds! Oh and don't forget about dessert!!

If you're considering a private chef for your ADK elopement, you MUST check out Take Home Cheffy! They're food is phenomenal, the staff is amazing and they are fabulous to work with!

14/08/2025

If you are planning on bringing your fur baby along for your elopement adventure, here are some things to think about when planning out your day.

1. Choose the Right Trail
Pick a hike that matches your dog’s ability level. Puppies and seniors may not handle long hikes well, so easy trails like Heaven Hill are a great choice!

2. Pack for Your Pup
Bring water, a collapsible bowl, treats, a backup leash, and doggy waste bags. You can even get a cute floral collar or tuxedo bandana for your ceremony!

3. Assign a Dog Handler
Ask a guest (or hire a pet attendant service) to help with your dog during parts of the day when you need to focus on your vows, photos, or a private moment.

4. Practice Ahead of Time
Practice posing with your dog and walking on trails before your big day. This helps your pup get used to the leash, ceremony setup, and lots of excitement!

5. Keep it Low Stress
If your dog doesn’t love big crowds or new places, plan for a private ceremony with just you three. The Adirondacks are full of hidden spots that are perfect for this!

There are plenty of trails and locations around the ADK that allow dogs but many of them require them to be on a leash. Keep that in mind when planning out where you want to go throughout the day and always make sure to check if dogs are allowed!

08/08/2025

In the midst of photographing elopements, celebrating our own wedding weekend, and then taking a much needed break from social media for a few weeks, I have A LOT to share! So many beautiful couples celebrating their love in the Adirondacks and Catskills, in a beautiful intimate way without any stress in the world and a ton more coming up!! Get ready for lots of adventure elopements!!

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Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00

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http://www.nicoleweeksphotography.com/

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