Jake and Natalie reached out to me from the other side of the world—Hong Kong, to be exact. They were planning a deeply personal elopement in Dartmoor National Park, and I was thrilled when they found me through Instagram. Their story started a decade earlier in South Devon, so coming back to where it all began felt like the perfect way to celebrate their lifelong commitment.

The day began at the luxurious Bovey Castle. one of Devon’s most impressive hotels and wedding venues. Hair and makeup were handled by the experienced Melanie MUA. Even though the skies were grey and the rain persistent, the couple embraced the elements. The wild, moody weather felt so true to the UK, and added a cinematic atmosphere that I love as a Devon wedding photographer.

We took some time exploring the castle grounds, letting Jake and Natalie ease into the experience of being photographed. I kept things relaxed and documentary-style, capturing the quiet moments between them as they wandered through the gardens and soaked in the day.

Once we were happy with the castle portraits, we set off in search of Dartmoor’s iconic open landscapes. True to form, Dartmoor delivered moody skies, misty hills—and plenty of mud. Thankfully, Natalie had planned ahead and was secretly wearing wellies under her dress!

As we arrived, the rain finally cleared. With the fog lifting and the colours of the moor shining through, we were able to get some beautiful, natural wedding photography out on the open landscape. I wanted the photos to feel adventurous but also honest—a blend of candid moments and cinematic portraits.

To finish the shoot, I pulled out a bottle of Prosecco and handed it to the couple to spray in celebration. (Yes, it covered me and my camera, and it was totally worth it.) That spontaneous joy, messy and real, was the perfect ending to an emotional and personal elopement.

Planning an Elopement in Dartmoor?

Whether you’re coming from across the globe or just down the road, Dartmoor offers the perfect setting for an adventurous, intimate elopement. As a Devon wedding photographer who specialises in nature-inspired, documentary style wedding photography, I capture real moments with a natural, artistic touch.

If you’re looking for someone to document your day with honesty and creativity, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch here.