Ari and Matt’s Hartford City Hall elopement brought me so much JOY.

When I got an email from Ari about her Hartford City Hall elopement to her fiancé Matt, I squealed with such delight. Before Covid hit I had been really wanting to focus a bigger part of my photography business on more intimate weddings and events. After photographing weddings and events for over 18 years (at this point, now I am 25+ years in!)and traveling the world over, I was looking forward to focusing more on celebrating Hartford more with smaller events. I was born and raised in Hartford, and just love this city so much. The added bonus of really getting to know my clients and their guests even more intimately because of how small the event was, is really where my heart lies.
Many people may think that planning a smaller wedding or elopement is easier and that they can just do it themselves or wing it. While that may be true there are still many details to figure out and having some help is always a welcome prospect. Ari and Matt LOVE Hartford. Despite eloping and having a super intimate wedding they still wanted to celebrate Hartford with their portraits.
 ***INSERT OBNOXIOUS JACKPOT NOISE HERE FROM THE SLOT MACHINES!!!!****

Enter me, dramatically entering stage left: Here I was their Hartford go-to gal, ready to set them up with some amazing spots to be photographed in our beloved city of Hartford!

My first suggestion; get ready at the best hotel in Hartford -The Goodwin Hotel located smack dab in the middle of downtown Hartford CT. Each room is a visual treat, with such gorgeous light. Not to mention I know some of the nooks and crannies around the hotel and can navigate portraits inside if we need to due to the weather. Having the Goodwin Hotel as a back up plan was pretty great, if you ask me!

Other notable locations: The Mark Twain House, The Colt Firearms Armory, The Hartford Stage, Hartford Prints! and The Society Room of Hartford both on Pratt Street,  Republic at The Linden (RIP, that epic location is sadly closed) and the colorful garages are painted over, sadly.