Orange County Elopement Photography

Skip the big wedding.

Keep the beautiful part.

Intimate elopement photography throughout Orange County — from Laguna Beach cliffs and quiet coves to courthouses, chapels and places that simply mean something to you. Yes, I’ll even go to In-N-Out with you!

Elopement coverage beginning at $1,000

20 YEARS PHOTOGRAPHING LOVE STORIES • ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPLANT • AWARD_WINNING & INSURED • RELAXED, TRUE-TO-YOU PHOTOGRAPHY

I didn’t grow up near the beach. I grew up in land-locked Missouri in a beach themed house. I could often be found photographing my sister and friends or cutting up a Coastal Living or a Sunset Magazine to make a giant beach collage on the wall. My obsession with palm trees grew. When the opportunity to move to California for college, I jumped at the chance to move to Riverside. To me, Riverside might has well been beach front. Today, I count it a complete joy to photograph bride, grooms and families on the beach with my toes in the sand! Photographing professionally for over 20 years is a miracle and blessing!

If your heart is set on ocean air, golden light, and coastal cliffs that glow at sunset, Orange County is one of the most romantic elopement destinations in California, maybe the US. As a Orange County-based elopement photographer, I help couples design and document intimate ceremonies that feel effortless, joyful, and utterly breathtaking. If you love splashing in waves and climbing over rocks, I’m the photographer for you! I LOVE IT TOO!

The Orange County Elopement

$1,000

Perfect for courthouse weddings, beach ceremonies, chapel weddings and intimate celebrations.

✓ Up to 2 hours of photography
✓ Planning guidance
✓ Orange County location recommendations
✓ Ceremony + portraits
✓ Professionally edited high-resolution images
✓ Online gallery
✓ Printing rights

Want more time? Build the day the way you want.

Additional photography available.

Want to elope to Catalina Island? Let’s go!

I believe in my future bride’s and groom’s seeing complete wedding collections prior to booking! Click HERE to see complete wedding and elopement collections. Select “WEDDING”

From Laguna Beach City Hall’s charming courtyard to sunset vows at Diver’s Cove, every corner of this coastal gem offers something unique. Imagine exchanging rings barefoot at Shaw’s Cove, wandering hand-in-hand through Treasure Island Park, or stealing a quiet moment together on the sand as the sun dips below the horizon. Whether it’s just the two of you or a handful of loved ones, Laguna Beach offers the perfect blend of serenity, artistry, and coastal magic.

Orange County also offers timeless elopement options from the Historic Santa Ana Courthouse, the classy Laguna Hills Civic Center, to the boutique, fairytale Chapel of Orange in Old Towne Orange.

One of my favorite locations is the magical locale of Catalina Island just off the Southern California coast. If you are looking to elope or have a vow renewal in Catalina, let’s chat!

With 20 years behind the lens, I guide couples through every detail — from timing and lighting to scenic locations and logistics. My approach blends fine-art composition with natural storytelling, creating images filled with movement, laughter, and heartfelt emotion.

Laguna Beach often requires photo permits for professional sessions, but don’t worry — I’m here to help you navigate the process so you can relax and focus on what matters most: your love story. I’ll contact the City of Laguna Beach and file for all necessary permits for you ahead of time. Permit fees up to $200 are included in my rates.

“We were so lucky to have Kristin capture our wedding! Not only are the photos absolutely stunning, but she was such a calm and kind presence throughout the entire day.”
- Joy S

COMPLETE GALLERIES

I firmly believe that potential brides and grooms should see complete galleries BEFORE booking a photographer. It’s not very hard to curate a few photos on Instagram, it’s must harder to remain consistent through an entire wedding or elopement. Below you will find the galleries as they were delivered to the client:

Caitlyne and Guy - Laguna Beach Courthouse
Maci and Jeff - Laguna Beach
Tyler and Amanda - Laguna Hills Civic Center
Vanessa and Jeremy - Catalina Island
Jeel and Rajvi - Chapel of Orange
Sadie and Harjot - Santa Ana Courthouse and Laguna Beach

PRICING

Elopement Packages start at $1,000 for weekdays and $1500 for weekends

Includes personalized planning assistance, a curated location list, and handcrafted images that feel timeless and true to your love story.

• Lead Photographer Kristin Smetona

• At least 2 hours of coverage

• 100+ edited images

• 48-hour sneak peek turnaround

• online gallery

• printing rights

• planning consultation
  
  Ready to book? Fill out the form below or contact me directly.
  

Contact Kristin at 949-648-3781 or info@smetonaphoto.com or fill out the form below.

Sunset season fills fast—reserve your date early

FAQS

• Do you travel within Orange County if we pick a nearby beach instead of Laguna? Yes, I’m happy to travel all over the Southern California region and internationally as well! I’ve traveled as far as New Zealand!

• Can we have a first look? Of course! It’s your day! Do whatever serves you best! Want a first dance on the beach? I’ll bring a Bluetooth speaker! Want dinner recommendations? I’m happy to oblige some ideas and suggestions.

• What’s your wedding philosophy? I truly believe that weddings are an incredibly wonderful occasion, whether big or small. They are a glorious picture of Jesus Christ and his bride (the Church). While I love all the flowers, details and dresses, this is not the most important part of a wedding. The heart of a wedding (the forming of a marriage and the joining of two lives) is invisible, I love to capture the outpouring of the marriage. Elopements allow me to really focus on this aspect! The people and candid emotions are my focus in any wedding I photograph and I promise to make it my priority at yours!