Emma Thurgood Weddings - Elopements & Micro-Weddings

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Emma Thurgood Weddings - Elopements & Micro-Weddings

Emma Thurgood Weddings - Elopements & Micro-Weddings Professional photographer and planner for elopements & micro-weddings in New England. I have a saying: No More Manufactured Weddings!

New England wedding photographer & planner for elopements and small weddings. But what does that mean, exactly? It's about having a bespoke wedding experience and not the prefab kind that large wedding venues copy-and-paste. It's about choosing meaning and memories over trivial wedding day formalities and customs that create stress. It's about deciding to spend your budget on experiencing your wed

ding day instead of spending it on the homogenous needs and wants of 100+ guests. It's about saying "yes" to yourself instead of the dozen or so people telling you what they think your wedding day should be.

01/03/2025

who says your elopement day can’t include your favorite little gremlin? 😻 when you elope near home, you get way more flexibility to bring your cat (or any pet!) into the day—whether that means they’re part of the ceremony, in your getting-ready photos, or just supervising from their throne (aka the couch).

ways to include your cat in your elopement:
🐾 have them hang out while you get ready (bonus points for a bow tie or flower collar)
📸 take some portraits with them before you head out
🏡 exchange vows in your backyard so they can be present for the whole thing
🐈 bring a framed photo of them to incorporate into the details
😹 let them “sign” your marriage license with a little paw print

eloping near home = less stress, more comfort, and full permission to include the furry love of your life. would your cat approve of your elopement plans? tell me below! 👇

26/02/2025

if you needed a sign to ditch the white dress, this is it.✨ dark green, deep red, celestial blue, gothic black—who says you have to wear white? your elopement should feel like you, and if that means rocking a bold, nontraditional dress color, then I say go for it.

what color would you wear for your elopement? tell me below! 👇

24/02/2025

Eloping? Forget the rules. Here are some unique ideas to make your day yours.

🏕️ Camp under the stars and say your vows at sunrise
🛶 Exchange rings in a canoe on a quiet lake
🍻 Hit up a brewery or coffee shop for your first toast
🎨 Incorporate something creative—paint, write, or make art together
🍽️ Ditch the big reception and have a picnic with just the two of you

Your elopement, your way. Tell me—what’s something unexpected you’d love to do on your day? 👇

22/02/2025

POV: You let go of the expectations, the guest list stress, and the pressure to perform. Instead, you:

→ Hike to a secluded spot & say your vows with no one watching
→ Have your first dance to your favorite song under the stars
→ End the night around a bonfire with s’mores & whiskey

The best elopement? The one that feels like you!!

19/02/2025

Your elopement should feel like you. Want to make it unforgettable?

🌙 Plan a private vow exchange before or after the ceremony.

🔥 Do something fun that reflects your relationship (hiking, a boat ride, a cozy bonfire).

📷 Choose a location that excites you—moody cliffs, golden dunes, deep forest trails.

🎶 Set the mood with music—yes, even if it’s just the two of you.

🍽️ Celebrate afterward—a picnic, private chef, or your favorite restaurant.

Your elopement should feel like an experience, not just an event. What’s one thing you must include in yours? Tell me below! 👇

17/02/2025

Eloping isn’t just about skipping the big wedding—it’s about making your day truly yours. But before you start planning, here are five things most people don’t tell you:

1️⃣ You don’t have to hike a mountain to elope. There are plenty of stunning, accessible locations.

2️⃣ You can still have guests. It doesn’t have to be “just us.”

3️⃣ Vendors still matter. A planner, photographer, and officiant can make your day stress-free.

4️⃣ Your timeline matters more than you think. Even elopements need some structure!

5️⃣ You can wear whatever the hell you want. Black dress? Jumpsuit? Cape? No rules—do you.

Thinking about eloping? Let’s build a day that feels exactly right for you.

13/02/2025

Who says your elopement has to follow a script? Not me. 🙅‍♀️

Rebecca and Baelyn threw out the rulebook and did their day their way—got ready together, snacked on charcuterie, fished by the lake, and hiked up to say their vows. No rigid timelines, no expectations, just an experience that felt right for them.

Eloping means you get to do whatever the hell you want.

Want to sleep in and start your day slow? Go for it.

Want to exchange vows after a sunrise hike? Let’s go.

Want to spend the afternoon in a rowboat, chasing waterfalls, or grabbing post-ceremony tacos? Say less.

This is your day. Do it your way. 🖤✨

04/01/2025

The best things about eloping:⁠
👉️ Choosing a location that's special to you that would be impractical for a larger wedding⁠
👉️ Getting to incorporate your favorite shared activities (like drinking coffee with a view)⁠
👉️ Having a totally stress-free experience for your day⁠
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Thanks for coming to my ted talk. ⁠
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01/01/2025

Getting married in the rain will always be something I think is incredibly romantic, and I will always be down for this adventure with my couples. This year was filled with lots of rain for my clients, but I can honestly say that it was excellent every single time. So my best advice for eloping couples: lean into whatever mother nature has in store for you. ⁠
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30/12/2024

This year was the year of early morning elopements, and I can honestly say that I'm excited for more of them. I love the peaceful tranquility of having a location essentially to ourselves, hearing the birds singing their morning songs, and feeling the anticipation of the moment as the day gets progressively more light outside. It's all magic. ✨️⁠
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29/12/2024

Congratulations to Lauren and Chris! Yesterday morning, in freezing rain at the crack of the non-dawn, these two got married at a location that is near and dear to their heart. So this is me, simply gushing over the ethereal quality the fog, rain and location gave their day. 😍

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18/12/2024

Possibly my favorite moment from A+R's elopement was when we got to experience this little sun flurry after the ceremony. It flurried on and off all the way back down the trail, but this moment in a grove of evergreen trees with the sun shining and the tiny flakes being lit up was pure magic. 🤩⁠
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16/12/2024

Sharing some magic from the top of the trail of A+R's elopement. The golden rays of the sun, the ice covered pond, the plants that remain green even in winter... perfect seems like an inadequate word to describe how being here in this moment with them felt. ⁠
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14/12/2024

During A+R's elopement yesterday, we saw so many adorable little deer tracks in the snow, so of course when I found a really perfect one I had to use it to capture the delicate beauty of their rings. 😍⁠
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13/12/2024

Yesterday's elopement for Amber and Rob was simply delightful! We were so excited for the snow on the ground in southern New Hampshire, and we had this location entirely to ourselves! Plus, Mother Nature was giving us a full array of her winter talents with some dramatic sun and sky moments. congratulations to these two lovebirds! Stay tuned for more in the coming days!

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23/10/2024

One last magical moment from S+R's elopement day. To me, this photo represents one of my most rules about designing an elopement day - timing is everything! When I'm building out a timeline I'm not only considering when might be convenient for my couple and any guests they may have, but also how the sun will move through the location at any given time, and how different times of the day might impact visitor density. Considering all the facets the time of day will have on any portion of an elopement day is crucial to helping my couples have the best possible experience. ⁠
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21/10/2024

I will never not love nighttime photos of my couples with the moon and stars. 😍🤩⁠
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20/10/2024

The wind understood the assignment! It was on and off gusty throughout S+R's chilly elopement day in Salem, but when we got to for some celebratory drinks and tacos, the wind was like "Oh, you're looking for some drama with this mural? I gotchu!" ⁠
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2024 was filled with so many amazing moments for me and I am so grateful to each and every client for choosing to put their trust in me to help plan and document their day. Here are a few fun stats about my work this year: 📊 12 elopements and small weddings in 4 states (my goal each year is 10) ✈️ 42% of couples chose to travel out of sate for their elopement 🍂 October was the most popular month to elope (duh, lol) 💖 30% of couples chose to get married at location that was significant in their relationship ☑️ I got to photograph elopements at 3 locations on my bucket list I still have openings for 2025, so if you're newly engaged this holiday season, visit emmathurgood.com to learn how I can help you have the best day ever! #nomoremanufacturedweddings #connecticutelopementphotographer⁠ #CTelopementphotographer #VTelopementphotographer #vermontelopementphotographer #MAelopementphotographer #massachusettselopementphotographer #NHelopementphotographer #newhampshireelopementphotographer #Maineelopementphotographer #NewEnglandElopementPhotographer #ElopementPhotographerNE #NewEnglandElopementPlanner #ElopementPhotographyNewEngland #NEElopementPhotography #NewEnglandElopementPlanning #ElopementPhotographerNewEngland #NEElopementPlanner #NewEnglandElopements #ElopeInNewEngland

Here’s a peek at how I help make your elopement day exactly what you’re dreaming of:⁠ ⁠ First, we chat about the vibe. Whether you’re imagining a mountaintop adventure, a quiet oceanfront ceremony, or something totally unexpected, that vibe helps shape every other detail.⁠ ⁠ Next, I suggest locations to match. We’ll find spots that make your day feel truly yours – somewhere scenic and remote, or maybe closer to home, with just the right touch of magic.⁠ ⁠ Then, we create a timeline that flows. I want you to be fully present, not feeling rushed from one moment to the next. We’ll plan every part to fit your style and leave space for the moments that matter most.⁠ ⁠ In the end, your elopement should feel like your day. I’m just here to help make it happen, one awesome detail at a time. 💍✨⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #nomoremanufacturedweddings #whatifweelope #wanderingweddings⁠ #elopementcollective #helloelopement #letselope #elopementplanner #elopeinnewengland #newenglandelopement #CTelopementphotographer #connecticutelopementphotographer⁠ #VTelopementphotographer #vermontelopementphotographer #MAelopementphotographer #massachusettselopementphotographer #NHelopementphotographer #newhampshireelopementphotographer #Maineelopementphotographer #newenglandelopementphotographer

Elopement Client Testimonial - Jasmine & Joe

Real words from real clients. <3

Wondering if you should have me plan & photograph your New England wedding? Don't take my word for it, listen to what Chelsea & Byron had to say. 👇👇 #weddingplanning #weddingphotography #newenglandwedding #smallwedding #intimatewedding

I was so excited about finishing Amanda & Josh's gallery that I completely forgot about sharing their highlight slideshow. Whoops! Please enjoy some of my favorite moments and photos from their amazing wedding day! #penninopart2 Venue & Catering: @heritagesouthbury Glam Squad: @Rachelmorrabeauty Flowers: @floraldesignsbyjustine Dress: @casablancabridal from @tinasbridalnj Bridesmaids Dresses: @azazieofficial Suits: @menswearhouse Rocking Tunes, Photobooth and Lighting: @vividevent Videography: @acinematicwedding Cake: @alittlecake_ Stationery: @minted Rings: @hanikenjewelers_nyc

HOORAY! I am officially 1 month ahead of my editing schedule! It felt so good to deliver Brianna & Tom's elopement gallery today and have the relief of getting more galleries off my plate before the next boom in the 2021 wedding season.

Revisiting the gorgeous beauty and drama of Mari & Anthony's intimate wedding day at the Carriage House At Barney Estates!

So.... I'm FINALLY getting to the completing some of my editing mountains after a VERY busy May/June wedding season. 😅 Things that are cool? I can now create these slideshows for my clients in their galleries. So please enjoy a recap of Sam & Mike's beautiful wedding at Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate. #wadsworthwedding #wedatwadsworth Catering & Cake: David Alan Hospitality Group Rocking Tunes: Audio Media Solutions Glam Squad: The Colour Boutique & @Laurasmightyroar Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms Samantha's Gown: The Persnickety Bride Bridesmaids: David's Bridal & Baltic Born Suits: Men's Wearhouse custom The Rings: OZGoShop & BryonHShop on Etsy

Finding that one person means having someone to help you find solace in the craziness of life. ❤

Reasons I love Basic Invite and you should totally use them for all your holiday and wedding invitation needs. 😁

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Artful | Authentic

I love a good story; it’s one of the main reasons I pursued being an artist. I wanted to tell meaningful stories about the human experience in a visual way. As a wedding photographer, I get to visually tell one of the most important stories about life: the love between two people and the unique expression of their bond as they commit themselves to each other through marriage. My goal as your wedding photographer is to capture your day in a way that authentically represents who you are as people and the emotions and events of the day. I’ll be there to capture the moments and details that make your day special, and through the images I’ll tell the love story that exists between you and your partner.