Uptown Charlotte Edgy Elopement
A Chic, Retro-Inspired Uptown Charlotte Elopement
Ever since I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2020, I knew I wanted to create an elopement shoot that captured the effortless romance and modern elegance of this city. From the very first time I wandered through Uptown, I could envision the energy and charm of an intimate wedding set against its stunning urban backdrop. There’s something about the mix of grand architecture, moody city lights, and tucked-away corners that makes it the perfect place for a stylish, modern elopement.
Like all great ideas, this one took time to come to life. I had the vision in mind for years, but between a packed wedding schedule and life in general, I hadn’t carved out the space to bring it together—until now. When the timing finally felt right, I knew I wanted a couple whose chemistry felt authentic, whose love story was already deeply rooted in this city. That’s when I reached out to Nick & Katie. They were one of my incredible couples from 2021, and since they also live in Charlotte, I knew they’d be the perfect fit for this shoot.
To bring the vision to life, I needed the right details. I found an amazing local florist, Meraki Blommor, who worked absolute magic in creating the most stunning bouquet—bold yet refined, with just the right balance of modern sophistication and organic beauty. For the dress, I turned to Reviveyosoul, a dress rental company I discovered on Instagram. It was effortless, chic, and fit the editorial yet organic aesthetic I was after. To complete the look, I added a long, flowing veil and white sunglasses (both Amazon finds) to bring a touch of that retro, effortlessly cool vibe.
A Few Unexpected Twists
Of course, no great shoot comes together without a few hiccups along the way! The night before the session, things started to unravel. Nick had planned to wear his actual wedding suit, which felt like the perfect sentimental touch—until we discovered that, at some point during their wedding day, he had unknowingly ripped his pants. None of us remembered this happening, but there we were, scrambling at 10:30 PM, trying to figure out a solution.
As if that wasn’t enough, we also had a last-minute COVID scare when Nick was exposed at work. With a limited window to use the dress rental and an already-tight schedule, it felt like everything was about to fall apart. But we rallied. Nick’s dad, thankfully, had the same pants and saved the day. A quick negative test gave us the all-clear, and just like that, we were back on track.
Golden Hour to City Lights: A Dreamy Uptown Elopement
For this shoot, I wanted to embrace a mix of natural light and flash photography, capturing both the warmth of golden hour and the vibrant energy of the city at night.
We met up just before sunset, taking time to wander and explore. One of my favorite things about shooting in the city is the spontaneity it allows. You can plan locations, but there’s always something unexpected—a unique doorway, an interesting shadow, a pocket of light that adds an extra layer of magic to the images. Uptown Charlotte is full of these moments, and I wanted this session to feel organic and unposed, allowing Nick & Katie to move naturally through the space, just as they would if this were their real elopement day.
As the sun dipped lower, the city began to transform. The soft glow of golden hour faded into the rich, dynamic lights of Charlotte at night. This was the moment I had been most excited about—playing with artificial light to create something cinematic, moody, and full of life.
Retro Payphones & A Flash Photography Dream
One of the spots I had been eyeing for this shoot was a wall of an old payphones tucked away in the city. Every time I passed by, I thought, This is such a vibe. There was something about it that felt nostalgic yet modern, and I knew I wanted to incorporate it into the session.
When we finally arrived, it was everything I had hoped for. Using flash, we created images that felt effortlessly editorial—Nick & Katie leaning into each other, the metallic sheen of the payphones reflecting light, the city in the background humming with energy. There was an undeniable retro-cool element, yet the emotions were completely raw and real.
What This Shoot Meant to Me
This session was more than just a styled shoot—it was the culmination of a vision I had held onto for years, a reminder that sometimes the best things take time to come together. More than that, it reinforced something I always tell my couples: your wedding, your engagement session, your elopement—these moments should feel like YOU.
Too often, couples feel pressure to follow traditions or play it safe with their photos. But the most memorable, impactful images come when you embrace your unique love story and lean into what feels right for you. Whether that means running through city streets in a long veil and sunglasses, popping champagne on a rooftop, or sneaking away for intimate portraits in an unexpected location—make it yours.
Planning Your Own Uptown Charlotte Elopement? Let’s Make It Happen.
If you’ve been dreaming of an elopement that feels fresh, modern, and uniquely you—whether that’s a city-chic celebration or something completely unexpected—I would love to help bring your vision to life. Uptown Charlotte offers the perfect mix of sophistication and spontaneity, urban charm and timeless elegance.
Reach out, and let’s start planning something unforgettable.
Florals: Meraki Blommer
Dress: Reviveyosoul
