If y’all would’ve told me I’d be spending my NYE in Indianapolis, Indiana, I absolutely would not have believed you. Yet there I was, ringing in 2026 in the Circle City with The Kinfolk Creatives, Cilla and Zach, documenting their intimate city elopement at the stunning Bottleworks Hotel.
I can’t think of a better way to start the year.
At one point during the day, I turned to my lil sis (who was there capturing content alongside me – more about her wedding content creation here) and said, “I freaking love days like this.” Just the couple. No chaos, production, or pressure. Just two people choosing each other.
And that’s exactly why I want to talk about something important which is how to make your elopement day special in a way that actually feels like a wedding, not a watered-down version of one.
Something I see all the time is how excited couples get about eloping…and then they start to hesitate.
They start wondering…
- Is this enough?
- Will it still feel like a real wedding?
- Are we going to regret not doing something bigger?
Just because it’s an elopement doesn’t mean it’s any less of your wedding day. It’s not the “small version.” It’s not a backup plan. And it’s certainly not something you settle for. It is your wedding day and if you want to elope, then dammit, you’re eloping and it’s going to be incredible.
And if you’re still deciding? This blog will help you out!
You Can Do Whatever the Hell You Want (Including Eloping in Indy)
When Cilla & Zach’s inquiry landed in my inbox, my immediate thought was: “Out of all the photographers they know…they thought of me?”
Hell yes. Let’s elope in Indy.
Not Iceland.
Not a mountaintop in Acadia.
And not somewhere requiring hiking boots and a permit.
Just the two of them. In a place that meant something. At the beautiful Bottleworks Hotel. And goodness gracious it was perfect.
The Perks Of A “Just Us” Elopement: The Ceremony
My favorite part of their day was the ceremony.
We took a short drive over to the Indiana Statehouse, got checked in with security and had the whole place to ourselves. We weren’t rushed. There was no pressure of needing to please anyone. Just the excitement of where we wanted to do the ceremony (The options were limitless).
It was just the two of them, standing there, saying their vows. The cute ones. The emotional ones. The ones that felt like inside jokes wrapped in promises.
They were locked in. Completely focused on each other.
And when it was over, Cilla & Zach turned around and looked at Alex and me like, “We’re married!”—that was it. That was the moment.
Pure joy.
If that’s not a wedding day, I don’t know what is.
What An Elopement Truly Means
If you’ve been Googling the best way to elope or searching for city elopement ideas for couples, there isn’t one right way. There’s only your way.
Here’s my perspective as someone who photographs both weddings and elopements: A wedding isn’t defined by the guest count, how far you travel or how epic the backdrop looks on Instagram.
It’s defined by intention. By choosing each other. And by making space to actually feel it. And sometimes that space is easier to find when it’s just the two of you.
Cilla & Zach’s NYE Elopement at The Bottleworks Hotel
What I loved about Cilla & Zach’s Bottleworks elopement is that it was local. Familiar. Meaningful. A place they had been dreaming about visiting since it was built just a few years ago.
Cilla & Zach’s elopement is a sweet reminder that you don’t have to fly across the world to make it special.
- You can get ready in a boutique hotel in your own city.
- You can write vows that make you laugh.
- You can incorporate little details that feel like you.
- You can celebrate quietly. Or loudly. Or somewhere in between.
You can do literally whatever the hell you want.
That’s the whole point.
And here’s the part I care about most:
When couples give themselves permission to do it their way, they’re more present.
- They’re not thinking about 150 people watching them.
- They’re not worrying about whether they greeted every guest.
- And they’re not rushing through vows because dinner is waiting and they still need to get portraits during cocktail hour.
They’re in it. That’s what makes the photos ache in the best way.
Not the size of the day.
If you’re sitting there wondering whether eloping means you’re “missing out” then I want you to hear this from someone who’s seen both sides:
You’re not missing out. You’re choosing differently. And different doesn’t mean less.
- It can mean slower.
- More intentional.
- More you.
And if you turn around at the end of it all and say, “We’re married!” with that same holy-sh*t grin?
Then trust me, it was exactly what it was supposed to be. Nothing but joy.
How to Make Your Elopement Day Special (Hint: Make It Yours)
If you’re wondering how to make your elopement day special without making it bigger…start here: Intentional details > performative traditions. That’s the foundation of a personalized elopement experience.
Cilla and Zach didn’t do things for the sake of photos. They did things because they meant something.
And that’s the difference.
They Got Ready Together (And Skipped the First Look)
No dramatic hallway reveal.
No staged “turn around slowly” moment.
They chose to get ready together.
Which meant Cilla got to tie Zach’s tie because, bless his heart, he doesn’t know how to. And honestly? He’s okay with that. Because now he has her.
That small, quiet moment said more than any first look ever could.
It wasn’t about creating a reaction shot. It was about starting the day side by side.
They Built Their Day Around Shared Inside Jokes & Personal Interests
The Coca-Cola chocolate cake?
Not random.
They love trying every new soda flavor when it drops. It’s their thing. And having a Coca-Cola cake was both a nod to that and a subtle homage to the Bottleworks District, a place that’s held more dates for them than they can count.
Then instead of a champagne tower (because neither of them drink and they didn’t want a “just for the photos” moment), they did a Coca-Cola champagne fountain.
Same vibe. Actually meaningful.
Paired perfectly with chocolate cake and zero pressure to perform.
They Honored Where They Came From
There was a map of the Appalachian Mountains woven into their details.
Because they grew up on the same mountain.
Opposite sides.
And it only took 21 years for them to find each other.
You cannot tell me that isn’t more romantic than a generic “Mr. & Mrs.” sign.
They Made Comfort Part of the Celebration
Stranger Things played in the background all morning.
Yes, because Indiana.
But really? Because it’s their comfort show. They were literally anticipating the season finale the next day and tickets already purchased for the theater viewing as a married couple.
That’s what makes an elopement feel real.
It feels like your actual life.
They Chose Color (Even in Winter)
Zach’s green tux.
Cilla’s green heels.
Her green vow book.
The iconic bouquet.
Because green is her favorite color and she doesn’t have to default to white just because it’s a wedding.
The colorful bouquet? Imported from Mexico.
Because Cilla wanted color and the season wasn’t going to dictate her joy.
This is what I mean when I say you can do whatever the hell you want.
They Didn’t Leave Their People Out
Eloping doesn’t mean you don’t love your people.
During their igloo celebration dinner, they opened letters from loved ones.
Quiet. Intentional. Emotional.
And they had a custom trunk to hold all of their keepsakes because they’re the kind of couple who values collecting memories and actually displaying them in their home.
Their elopement wasn’t separate from their life.
It was woven into it.
They Created Traditions That Actually Fit Them
They chose New Year’s Eve not because it was trendy.
But because they wanted a reason to celebrate that night for the rest of their lives.
Drinking and partying? Not their thing.
But redefining the night into something deeply meaningful? Absolutely.
They even ended the night at Monument Circle because going to see the tree lit up is already their tradition every year.
Now it carries even more weight. This is what a unique elopement actually looks like
Need more ideas for how to make your elopement unique for your celebration? I share 11 non-traditional ideas for elopements in this blog.
The Point Of How To Make Your Elopement Special
If you’re wondering how to make your elopement day special, here’s my real answer: Make decisions based on meaning, not expectation.
- Skip traditions that don’t fit.
- Keep the ones that do.
- Create new ones if you want to.
- Choose details that reflect your actual relationship.
That’s what makes it feel like a wedding.
Destination Elopement Photographer | Erica Warren Photography
Hey there! I’m Erica and if you’re reading this and dreaming of your own elopement day that feels like you then I would love to talk. I’d love to help you capture your day in a way that brings all those feelings flooding back, every time you look at your photos! Make the first move, here.
P.S. If you loved this blog, you’ll definitely want to check out these elopement stories next:
