Icelandic Inspired Beach Elopement | Somerset, UK

It’s no surprise that repeated lockdowns over the last two years have had a huge impact on weddings.  Postponements, cancellations and social distancing all round.  But one of the good things to come out of the chaos was the rise in uber intimate elopements.  Many couples chose to just go and tie the knot and celebrate their love just the two of them, after all, that’s what it’s all about, each other being joined together.

With this in mind, I set out to create an epic elopement shoot with an Icelandic noir feel.  However, rather than travelling all the way to Iceland, it turns out that Kilve Beach in Somerset has some of the most amazing cliffs and rock formations, giving us an spectacular setting without the tricky travel restrictions.

So off we trekked in April 2021, just after the second lockdown, my models and my wonderful team, to seek out the perfect spot on the Somerset coast.  It was cold, windy and treacherous, with a steep walk to the beach and waterfall, but I can safely say (and hope you agree), it was bloody worth it!  Who knew the South West coast could look so much like the volcanic landscapes of a country much further north?!

In keeping with the intimate nature of elopements, we took a minimal setup, just a light picnic, our little table setting and of course, some champagne for the occasion!  Our bride for the day even carried her flowers across the beach in her backpack!

It was important for us to show that couples don’t need something big and perfect to celebrate their love for each other and that small weddings could be just as memorable and epic.  I also wanted to show that it doesn’t matter if your dress gets muddy and sandy, it tells the story of your day when marked with the dirt of the places you’ve been.

Hopefully this might inspire other couples to take the plunge on a laidback elopement full of hiking and dirty dresses!

Team:

Concept & Photography @charliebritzphotography

Assistant Photographer @hannahsharpephotog

Videography & Drone @william_lane_photography

Props & Styling @rusticrentalsuk

Flowers @wrenandmayflowers

MUA @georginastallardmua

Stationary @white_orchid_print_and_design

Couple: Louise & Tom