Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Raley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Elope to Savannah has been around for many years. In 2010, I met the former owner and creator, Chad Baker and became his primary photographer. He helped me learn all aspects of the wedding industry – from planning, to being your own florist, to working with vendors, and ALL kinds of interesting and wonderful clients at a fast pace.
He was running this awesome business in addition to his full wedding planning service, where people could run off to Savannah and get married! And do it inexpensively and I quickly saw that it was so much more to my liking than big weddings. The ceremony and photos and everything was all about the couple. No showing off for the family or friends or pleasing them. In 2013, he moved out of state and left me the gift of this wonderful business. I took it and ran and made it better and more awesome for not only the clients, but I was able to partner with a new person who would help me run things and officiate the ceremonies, Doug Morse. Since I started doing elopements, I’ve photographed thousands. And Doug has officiated more than 700 in his time working with me.
I’ve been a photographer for 16 years and this is the best. I get to do the best part of a wedding with no stress and also focus on portraiture, which is something that I’ve always loved. Now we are doing around 400 weddings a year and it is great! Most of our clients come from the Atlanta Metro area and northern Georgia. We love meeting new people all the time!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everything has gone surprisingly smooth. At first, I didn’t have any regular help and it got to a point where I needed to hire people to help with things. My business turned into a tiny thing to a full-time thing and that is great. Learning that it is okay to ask for help was a big step. And that it is okay to need a vacation.
It’s really been a learning experience along the way to find out how best to handle all kinds of people. Fortunately, the road has been fairly easy…even with a few slumps here and there.
Elope to Savannah – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in small, intimate, all-inclusive elopement packages that are designed for a couple wishing to get married or renew their vows. The packages are designed primarily for the couple alone, but sometimes they will bring along a few (ideally less than 5 – but up to 10) guests and have their ceremony in one of Savannah’s downtown squares or Forsyth Park, one of our amazing cemeteries, at Wormsloe Historic Site, or on Tybee Island on the beach.
Our motto is “just show up, we take care of the rest!” which is true. Our goal is to take all of the terrible stressful things out of a wedding – high costs, bickering family, showboating for friends and family, depersonalization of the wedding because it becomes more about the invitations and centerpieces than the love the couple has for one another. Basically, our clients find us and select their time, location, date, and get a Georgia marriage license and they just have to show up. We will marry them in one of these gorgeous locations and their wedding is all about them. It is so much more intimate and romantic since they aren’t performing for anyone else. It’s all about them. We love that!
Our packages include flowers for the couple, the ceremony, and professional photography provided by me or one of my associates for either 30 minutes or an hour. All of our packages are under $800. Average is about $500.
What sets us apart? We are the longest running and only photographer owned elopement service in Savannah. Yes, there are others, but no one else can make that claim. Because I am a photographer, photos are the most important thing. That’s the take away from the package as well. You have your photos to remember your day forever.
I am most proud of the fact that we make so many people happy and can be part of such a special day. It is an honor and pleasure.
Most of our clients are from the Atlanta area and also other states and countries. This is a destination wedding for most.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
After struggling as a photographer for 16 years, the proudest moment was when I realized I had a solid business that I was running and had a full-time employee and was supporting myself completely without any side jobs. I know that’s all about money and business success, but it really was the defining moment. I was using my major (photography) to earn a living.
Pricing:
- All of our packages are under $800
- Our average client is spending about $525 for their wedding.
Contact Info:
- Address: Savannah, GA
- Website: www.elopetosavannah.com
- Phone: (912) 217-4570
- Email: elopetosavannah@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elopetosavannah
- Facebook: www.instagram.com/elopetosavannah
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/elopetosavannah
- Other: https://kit.com/ehro79/elope-to-savannah
Image Credit:
McKenzie Buzard
Elizabeth Raley
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
