BrownBecky

Meet Becky Brown of Elope to Chicago

Elope to Chicago is a company started by local photographer Becky Brown that specializes in elopements and intimate weddings. It is made up of a team of awesome local vendors who want to bring couples the best services no matter the size of the wedding!

Tell us about you and your story.

What is your background and how did you find your way to the wedding industry?

I have been doing weddings for 11 years. In 2012 my friends asked me to join them at city hall for their ceremony on a Monday. A Monday?! What?! I've never shot a wedding on a Monday before. It changed everything for me. I was their only witness/guest as they said I do and then we roamed around town taking photos at some favorite places, stopping for coffee and ultimately meeting up later with a small group for pizza and beers. It was perfect. I wanted to do it over and over again. So I decided to make it happen. It took a lot of planning and finding the right team members, but in 2014 I launched Elope to Chicago. We've currently done 160ish elopements and weekday weddings!

Share a little bit about Elope to Chicago's history.

When did Elope to Chicago launch? What are you known for?

We launched in the spring of 2014. Since I am a photographer, photography is the primary service all couples get. But I also wanted to offer them more without having to search for hours to find the best people. So we have a florist, hair & Makeup artist, two officiants, and videographer on our team. Couples can pick and choose services to create a custom package.

What sets you and Elope to Chicago apart?

What's your secret sauce? What makes you different from everyone else?

I basically wanted to break out the "traditional" wedding industry when I started this company. I wanted the couples that didn't want a sit down dinner with 200 people. I wanted couples that weren't afraid to do what they wanted to do on their wedding day. We provide a unique option for couples because they can still get everything they may want to need, just in smaller doses without giant minimums to book. We are different simply because of that. So many companies or venues require huge fees or minimum hours required to book. Our couples don't need that amount so we get creative with options for ceremonies and dinners/brunches/small receptions.

Tell us about your ideal couple.

Tell us about the type of couple that really clicks with you and your company.

Our ideal client is hard to define, because we attract such a big range of couples. We aren't traditional. We want couples that break the mold and I love that we get to work with so many different couples because of that. Basically if you want something different and out of the box we are here to help!

What is the best advice you have for couples currently planning their weddings?

You've seen so many couples go through the planning process. Share your best pearl of wisdom for those just starting out with their planning.

Just elope! haha. But seriously many of our couples choose to elope because they don't want the big traditional wedding. Eloping isn't running off in the middle of the night to get married any more. Couples are deciding together that it is the best option for them. Sometimes they bring immediately family as well. The best advice I have is to do what you want to do for your wedding day and you will never have any regrets!

What's the ONE thing that couples shouldn't forget to ask potential wedding vendors?

Spill! What's the single most important question that couples should ask before booking a vendor for their wedding?

It's important to get to know your vendors and trust them. I handpicked my team so I know they are amazing. For couples looking to elope in Chicago I think it's also important for your vendors to understand what you want and to know the city. Many of our couples come from out of town and we end up guiding them, helping them plan, pick hotels, give dinner suggestions and everything in between! So it's even more important to trust them when you can't meet with them in person ahead of time.

Thanks for stopping by Lakeshore in Love, Becky!

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Gallery images by Becky Brown Photography | Photo of Becky courtesy of Carrie Holbo Photography