Some weddings don’t need an audience – just two people, deeply in love, and a city that quietly wraps them in its timeless charm.

This intimate Budapest elopement was one of those days where everything felt effortless and yet completely unforgettable. She came from Russia, he from Hungary, and together they chose to celebrate their love with simplicity, style, and meaning – right in the heart of the city.

Modern, intimate, and effortlessly elegant

There was no big reception, no long guest list – just the two of them, wrapped in quiet emotion in a way that felt entirely their own. Their elopement was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, stripping away the noise lets the love speak even louder.

It was modern. It was chic. It was full of soul.

A city walk turned into a love story

After the ceremony, we wandered together through some of Budapest’s most iconic locations – near the majestic Parliament building, strolling through quiet city corners, and finding light spilling perfectly over the Opera House.

The city became part of their story. The contrast between the bride’s minimalist, modern outfit and the historical elegance of the city around them created magic in every frame. Her sleek white dress, a bouquet of soft pastels, his classic-yet-casual style… it all just worked. It wasn’t overthought, it wasn’t posed. It was real.

Why I adore city elopements like this

There’s something so honest about photographing elopements like this one. It’s all about connection – the way their hands found each other, the quiet moments between kisses, the laughter in between the serious bits.

A city elopement is romantic, stylish, and full of energy – but it also allows space for intimacy. Budapest is perfect for this: it’s elegant without being stiff, rich with history, and yet incredibly contemporary in feel. Every corner tells a story – and when you’re in love, the city almost seems to lean in and listen.

📍 Favourite city elopement spots in Budapest:

• The Parliament & Kossuth Square

• Andrássy Avenue & the Opera House – timeless elegance

• Gresham Palace & Chain Bridge – classic meets modern

• Fisherman’s Bastion – early morning magic

• Szabadság Square – soft light, clean lines, romantic corners

If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that’s more about you, your story, and what matters most – an elopement in Budapest might just be the perfect thing. A little city breeze, a lot of love, and photographs that don’t just show what it looked like, but what it felt like.

Let’s make it unforgettable.
With love,

Dóri

Are you planning your wedding and struggling to fit in the couple portrait session? You might already have a vision of what kind of photos you’d love to have, but you just can’t see where they would fit in your wedding day timeline. This is exactly why I often recommend a separate day wedding photoshoot – and why many couples are so glad they chose to do it.

More time for family and friends on your wedding day

One of the most common reasons couples choose a separate shoot is that it allows them to spend more time with their guests. Especially if your loved ones are traveling from far away or if you rarely get to see them – your wedding might be the one occasion where everyone is together. Why miss an hour of that to rush through a portrait session?

This day isn’t just special for the two of you. It’s also deeply meaningful for those who came to celebrate you. A separate shoot gives you more time to be fully present with your people – and that’s something you’ll never regret.

A calmer, more creative experience

Weddings are emotional, fast-paced, and full of beautiful chaos. And that’s wonderful – but it also means you’re often tired, a bit stressed, or simply overwhelmed. It’s hard to fully relax into a creative, intimate portrait session when your mind is already halfway to the next moment on the timeline.

A separate shoot allows us to create at your pace, with space for touch-ups, veil fixes, outfit adjustments, and most importantly: connection. We can slow down, explore, play, and take the time to create portraits that truly feel like you.

Freedom to choose your dream location

On the wedding day, logistics matter – and often limit what’s possible. You might not want to drive 45 minutes for a scenic location, even if it’s perfect. But on another day? You’re free to dream.

Want a dramatic cliffside at sunset? A cozy picnic in the forest where you had your first date? The ruin pub where you first met? Or maybe a Parisian-style shoot on your honeymoon? You name it. With no strict timeline to follow, the possibilities are endless.

Golden hour magic – at just the right time

As photographers, we talk a lot about light – and for good reason. The time of day dramatically influences the mood and beauty of your images. On your wedding day, you might only have time for portraits in the early afternoon – which often means harsh sunlight and unflattering shadows.

A separate day session lets us plan your shoot for golden hour, when the light is soft, warm, and magical. This makes a real difference in the mood and elegance of your photos.

Less pressure, more connection

Your wedding day is full of energy, excitement – and let’s be honest – sometimes stress. You might be worrying about the next item on the schedule, managing your nerves before the first dance, or simply feeling a little out of your comfort zone in front of the camera.

During a separate shoot, there’s none of that. You’re both more rested, more grounded, and more emotionally present. There’s no rush, no crowd, no pressure – just the two of you, enjoying the moment. That intimacy, that calm joy – it shows in every image.

A built-in backup plan

No one wants to think about what could go wrong – but let’s be real: weddings don’t always go according to plan. Maybe the timeline slips, maybe a sudden storm rolls in, or maybe you simply feel too emotionally drained on the day.

Having a separate shoot scheduled gives you peace of mind. You know that even if things don’t work out for portraits on the wedding day, you’ll still have beautiful, thoughtful images of just the two of you – without stress, without compromise.

Still, take a few photos on your actual wedding day

All of this said, I still wholeheartedly recommend setting aside just 15 minutes on your wedding day for a few couple portraits. The emotions you feel in those moments – the nerves, the butterflies, the absolute joy – are impossible to recreate later.

Even if it’s just a short escape with your photographer after the ceremony, let yourselves be in that magic, and let someone capture it. Those images will hold the feeling of your wedding in a way that no other photo can.

Practical Tips for Planning a Separate Day Photoshoot

• Outfits: Most couples wear their wedding outfits again – and yes, it’s absolutely worth it. 

• Timing: The best light happens in the hour before sunset, so plan accordingly. And if you want to avoid crowds, consider an early morning session!

• Location: Think personal. A place that means something to you as a couple will always make your photos feel more “you”.

• Hair & makeup: Rebook your wedding stylist if you can, or go for a more natural, relaxed version of your look

FAQs – You Might Be Wondering…

Do we need to wear the same outfits again?
Not necessarily. Many couples love the idea of getting back into their wedding clothes, but others go for a more relaxed or editorial look.

How far after the wedding can we do this?
There are no rules! Some couples do it the next day, others wait until after the honeymoon – or even a month later.

Is this more expensive?
Usually, photographers offer separate day sessions at a special rate if you book them along with your wedding coverage. Ask your photographer what’s possible!

What if it rains again on the second day?
We’ll reschedule. One of the biggest perks of a separate session is flexibility – no stress if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

One of the most common questions I get is: How should we approach the timeline of our wedding day?
Maybe you’ve been to a few weddings before and already know what you like (and what you don’t). Or maybe you’re working with an amazing wedding planner who takes that load off your shoulders. Either way, there are some things—mostly from a photography (and videography) perspective—that I think are worth considering when planning your timeline.

What type of images inspire you?

understanding your wedding day priorities

The very first question I always ask: what kind of images inspire you the most?
If you send me golden hour photos with just the two of you, soaked in dreamy warm light—then my job is to help you time the creative portrait session so we don’t miss that magical light. Sunset changes quickly and is only beautiful for a short time, so if these are the photos you dream of, we’ll need to build that into the schedule.
On the other hand, if you’d rather spend more time with your family and friends, maybe even take some extra group or candid portraits, then we’ll shift our focus (and time) to that.

The special moments of getting ready

The getting ready part is always a special chapter of the day. From a photography perspective, it usually works best if we have at least 30 minutes at both locations—for the bride and the groom. Of course, this all depends on your preferences. Would you like a few extra detail shots of your dress? Or maybe you’re surrounded by your crew and want some fun group photos with them? A sweet first look with your dad or friends?
All of this will affect how much time we need. And one more tip (based on years of experience): hair and makeup is where delays most often happen. So ideally, the bride should be fully ready when the photo session starts—even if that means one of the bridesmaids has to go last. At this point we’re mostly recreating final touches, not capturing unfinished looks—so we can give you photos you’ll love for years to come.

The decision to do a first look

First look is a very personal choice. Do you want to experience this moment privately, just the two of you? Or would you rather save that first glance for the ceremony?
If you’re planning a first look, we often pair it with a short couple shoot. Just keep in mind: this happens earlier in the day, with brighter, harsher light—so the mood will be different than at sunset. Also, you might still feel a bit nervous or excited before the ceremony, which is totally normal. That’s why I recommend setting aside 30–45 minutes for this session if you choose to do it.

Group photos

After the ceremony, we usually move on to group portraits. These take more time than people expect! It helps a lot if you prepare a shot list in advance and give it to your MC—this way we can follow a logical order and won’t have to keep hunting people down. Try grouping the list so whoever is in one photo stays for the next one too—this saves time and confusion.
Group photos typically take 20–30 minutes, depending on how many variations you want and how many guests you include.

How to schedule a second creative shoot

If you’d like a second portrait session—for those glowing sunset images—schedule it later in the afternoon. Not only is the light stunning, but the emotion of that moment hits different: you’ll finally have a quiet moment to yourselves, to breathe and truly feel that this day is yours.
If you want some creative shots with a more dramatic vibe, we can squeeze in a short flash-lit session after dinner when the mood is more relaxed.

Balancing the rhythm of your day

Of course, there’s no one right way to do this—these are just guiding ideas. The most important thing is that your wedding feels like you. Let yourselves be fully, unapologetically yourselves. This day is yours. My role? To capture it visually, just as beautifully as you imagined.

And finally: whether your day is packed with events or more intimate and slow-paced, the rhythm of your schedule matters. If you want a chill, go-with-the-flow vibe, without stress and rushing, leave a little breathing room between activities—let yourselves be in the moment without having every second planned. If you’re dreaming of a dynamic, meaningful day full of memories, then working with a pro wedding planner might be the best decision—they know how to build a timeline that’s practical and still so you.