Episode 5: Behind the Lens: 17 Years of Elopements and the Heart of the Work

Episode 5: Behind the Lens: 17 Years of Elopements and the Heart of the Work

Episode Summary In this episode of The Empowered Elopement Podcast, host Daniela Monzi sits down with seasoned elopement photographer Dawn Honsky to explore her 17-year journey behind the lens. Dawn shares how she transitioned from traditional weddings to elopements and what makes documenting intimate celebrations so deeply fulfilling. From pricing and planning to community and connection, this heartfelt conversation is packed with wisdom for both photographers and couples. Connect with Dawn on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dawnhonskyphotography/] & her website [https://www.dawnhonskyphotography.com/] What You’ll Learn * Why elopements offer a more meaningful, stress-free alternative to traditional weddings * How elopement photographers often step into the role of planner and guide * The importance of capturing genuine emotion in intimate settings * What makes pricing different for elopements * Why building a supportive photography community matters * How to create safe, inclusive spaces for couples * Tips for photographers entering the elopement space * Ways to personalize your elopement experience, even with guests Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – Introduction and Dawn’s Background 04:38 – Discovering Elopement Photography in Colorado 06:31 – The Emotional Power of Intimate Weddings 25:29 – Elopement Pricing and Planning Insights 27:57 – Comparing Elopements and Traditional Weddings 30:04 – Helping Couples Choose Meaningful Locations 32:20 – Shifting from Weddings to Elopements 36:39 – Fostering Community and Giving Back 46:29 – Creating Safe, Supportive Spaces for Couples Tags: elopement photography, wedding photography, intimate weddings, emotional storytelling, planning elopements, photography career, photography tips, photographer community, couples advice, alternative wedding planning

S1E4: Manifesting Love & Authenticity Beyond Weddings with Jessica Christie

In this episode of the Empowered Elopement Podcast, Daniela Monzi and Jessica Christie explore the transformative journey of love, photography, and self-discovery. Jessica shares her evolution from a traditional wedding photographer to embracing elopements and intimate celebrations, emphasizing the importance of self-love and personal empowerment. They discuss the societal pressures surrounding marriage and the significance of taking ownership of one's life choices. The conversation highlights the power of manifestation and the choice to cultivate love in everyday life, ultimately encouraging listeners to reconnect with their true selves and redefine their narratives around love and relationships.   Takeaways * Jessica Christie has been a photographer for over 14 years, primarily in the wedding industry. * She recently launched a new business called Roaring Love, focusing on intentional photography. * Jessica's love for photography stems from her deep belief in love itself. * The shift from traditional weddings to elopements reflects a growing desire for authenticity in celebrations. * Jessica experienced an identity crisis during the pandemic, prompting her to reevaluate her career and personal life. * Self-love is essential for creating meaningful connections with others. * Manifestation is a powerful tool, and individuals are always manifesting their beliefs into reality. * Taking ownership of one's life and choices is crucial for personal growth and empowerment. * Love is a choice that can be made every day, not just on special occasions. * The wedding industry often overlooks the deeper emotional connections that truly matter. Sound Bites * "You are powerful." * "You have to own it." * "You get to choose that."   Connect with Jess on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/roaringloveco/] & Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@roaring.love]!   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:51 The Journey of Becoming a Wedding Photographer 04:07 The Desire for Change and Intimacy 07:59 Shifting from Weddings to Elopements 10:11 The Importance of Slowing Down and Reflecting 15:27 Empowering Yourself and Making Intentional Choices 26:37 Navigating Marriage and Societal Expectations 30:40 Beliefs and Reality 32:33 Trusting and Loving Ourselves 34:28 The Ripple Effect of Self-Love 43:39 The Power of Taking Ownership 47:06 Love as a Choice

S1E3 When The Elopement Photographer Gets To Be The Bride with Connie Chen Part 1

Connie, of Connie Chen Photography, is a wedding photographer and bride-to-be. In this episode she shares her unique perspective on elopements. She discusses how she got into wedding photography and her love for capturing the interactions and emotions between people.   Connie and her partner decided to elope because they wanted a low-key, intimate wedding that reflected their personalities. They chose a location in Washington and hired a photographer who they had been following for years. Connie emphasizes that elopements don't have to be just the couple; family can be included too. She also discusses the importance of making decisions based on what feels right for the couple, rather than trying to please others. Connie and her partner plan to have a small at-home reception to celebrate with family and friends after their elopement.   The conversation explores the importance of setting boundaries and making intentional choices when planning a wedding. It discusses the pressure to conform to societal norms and the need to prioritize personal preferences and desires. Connie and I share our personal experiences and offer advice on how to create a wedding day that reflects the couple's unique personalities and values. We emphasize the significance of knowing oneself and being intentional about the who, what, where, why, and how of the wedding. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of weddings and the freedom to challenge traditional expectations.   You can find Connie at https://conniechenphotography.com/  [https://conniechenphotography.com/] Give her a follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/conniechenphotos/] & Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@conniechenphotos]! (She is posting TikToks on the cross-country drive out to WA for their elopement so definitely check it out).    Sound Bites "Elopements don't have to be just the couple; family can be included too." "Choosing a location and a photographer are important first steps in planning an elopement." "Making decisions based on what feels right for the couple is more important than trying to please others." "It's your wedding day. Like, why are you doing something that you don't want to do?" "Boundaries are so important. They just let everybody have a great time because then people's feelings don't get hurt and you have space to be yourselves." "When you are really selective about the people that you choose to spend your wedding day with, it's almost like they know that they made the A-list and it's like, they feel special too."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:04 The Decision to Elope and Choosing a Location 08:04 Selecting Your Photographer 15:09 Making Decisions Based on What Feels Right 25:04 Celebrating with a Small At-Home Reception 28:45 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Personal Preferences 36:03 Knowing Yourself: Reflecting Your Unique Personalities and Values 46:48 Creating a Fun and Stress-Free Wedding Day 51:01 Challenging Societal Norms and Evolving Weddings

S1E2 If I Got Engaged Today, These Are The Things I Would Discuss With My Partner

Monica Welch, owner of Vaux Studio in Philadelphia, shares her journey of starting a small wedding venue and the evolution of the small wedding industry. She explains how she was inspired to create a space for smaller weddings after struggling to find a venue for her own intimate wedding. Monica discusses the societal pressure to have a big wedding and the financial consequences that come with it. She emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and your partner when planning a wedding and the significance of being present on your special day. When deciding what type of wedding is best for a recently engaged couple, it is important to have open and honest conversations about wants, needs, and financial feasibility. Couples should prioritize their own desires and not feel pressured by others' expectations. Smaller, more intimate weddings allow for more personalization and the ability to invest in what truly matters to the couple. Celebrating the wedding over a longer period of time, such as with a reception or anniversary party, can spread out the festivities and make the experience more enjoyable. It is also important to remember that there are no longer strict rules or stigmas surrounding weddings, and couples have the freedom to create a day that is unique and meaningful to them.   Check out Vaux Studio's Website [https://vauxstudio.com/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vauxstudio/].  Check out the book Vaux Studio's couple Herbie & Chris were featured in, here [https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/your-wedding-your-way-hc].    00:00 Introduction and Background of Vaux Studio 02:50 The Evolution of the Small Wedding Industry 09:12 Navigating Societal Pressure and Financial Consequences 15:07 The Importance of Being Present on Your Wedding Day 27:12 Deciding on the Best Type of Wedding 28:55 Prioritizing Your Desires and Needs 31:42 The Benefits of Smaller, Intimate Weddings 32:42 Spreading Out the Wedding Celebrations 43:09 Breaking Free from Traditional Wedding Expectations

S1E1 How Nervous System Regulation Plays A Part In The Biggest Day of Your Life: Navigating The Whirlwind of Getting Married

Amber Gordon, a trained marriage and family therapist turned leadership and lifestyle coach, shares her whirlwind wedding experience and the challenges she faced in staying present and relaxed on her big day. Despite having support from staff and a bridal party, Amber felt overwhelmed and in hostess mode throughout the wedding. She reflects on the pressure to make everything perfect and the performative nature of weddings. Amber and Daniela question whether wedding vendors prey on couples' vulnerability by promising to capture every moment, knowing that couples may struggle to remember the day. She also discusses the importance of setting boundaries and creating a more intentional and relaxed wedding experience. In this conversation, Amber and Daniela discuss the importance of prioritizing self-care and emotional well-being during the wedding planning process. They emphasize the need for couples to have permission to make choices that align with their own desires and values, rather than feeling pressured to meet others' expectations. They also highlight the significance of slowing down and being present with each other on the wedding day, as well as creating buffer time in the timeline to allow for relaxation and connection. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the couple's experience and emotional regulation throughout the wedding journey.   Takeaways * Weddings can be overwhelming and lead to a lack of presence and relaxation for the couple. * The pressure to make everything perfect and ensure guests have a good time can take away from the couple's experience. * Wedding vendors may capitalize on couples' vulnerability by promising to capture every moment, knowing that couples may struggle to remember the day. * Setting boundaries and creating a more intentional and relaxed wedding experience can help couples be more present and enjoy their special day. Couples should have permission to make choices that align with their own desires and values, rather than feeling pressured to meet others' expectations. * Slowing down and being present with each other on the wedding day is crucial for a meaningful and enjoyable experience. * Creating buffer time in the timeline allows for relaxation, connection, and emotional regulation throughout the wedding journey.   00:00 Introduction and Background 09:14 The Performance of Traditional Weddings 23:25 The Role of Gender Expectations 28:43 Are wedding vendors preying on couples' vulnerability? 38:31 Nervous system regulation for wedding vendors and couples 45:55 Step one: Timeline regulation 54:12 Slowing down and being present with your partner   You can find Amber's podcast, The Sacred Leadership Podcast, here [https://open.spotify.com/show/7AcVUItGlPkaYI3gfWXZeE?si=b93222c2fc6d4d49]. You can follow Amber on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/ambergordon.official/].    For questions or if you'd like to be on the podcast, please reach out to empoweredelopementpodcast@gmail.com [empoweredelopementpodcast@gmail.com]    Thanks for listening :)