The Empowered Elopement Podcast

Episode 5: Behind the Lens: 17 Years of Elopements and the Heart of the Work

Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Empowered Elopement Podcast, host Daniela Monzi sits down with seasoned elopement photographer Dawn Honsky to explore her 17-year journey behind the lens. Dawn shares how she transitioned from traditional weddings to elopements and what makes documenting intimate celebrations so deeply fulfilling. From pricing and planning to community and connection, this heartfelt conversation is packed with wisdom for both photographers and couples.
Connect with Dawn on Instagram & her website

What You’ll Learn
Why elopements offer a more meaningful, stress-free alternative to traditional weddings
How elopement photographers often step into the role of planner and guide
The importance of capturing genuine emotion in intimate settings
What makes pricing different for elopements
Why building a supportive photography community matters
How to create safe, inclusive spaces for couples
Tips for photographers entering the elopement space
Ways to personalize your elopement experience, even with guests

Chapter Breakdown00:00 – Introduction and Dawn’s Background04:38 – Discovering Elopement Photography in Colorado06:31 – The Emotional Power of Intimate Weddings25:29 – Elopement Pricing and Planning Insights27:57 – Comparing Elopements and Traditional Weddings30:04 – Helping Couples Choose Meaningful Locations32:20 – Shifting from Weddings to Elopements36:39 – Fostering Community and Giving Back46:29 – Creating Safe, Supportive Spaces for Couples

Tags: elopement photography, wedding photography, intimate weddings, emotional storytelling, planning elopements, photography career, photography tips, photographer community, couples advice, alternative wedding planning
 

S1E4: Manifesting Love & Authenticity Beyond Weddings with Jessica Christie

In this episode of the Empowered Elopement Podcast, Daniela Monzi and Jessica Christie explore the transformative journey of love, photography, and self-discovery. Jessica shares her evolution from a traditional wedding photographer to embracing elopements and intimate celebrations, emphasizing the importance of self-love and personal empowerment. They discuss the societal pressures surrounding marriage and the significance of taking ownership of one's life choices. The conversation highlights the power of manifestation and the choice to cultivate love in everyday life, ultimately encouraging listeners to reconnect with their true selves and redefine their narratives around love and relationships.
 
Takeaways
Jessica Christie has been a photographer for over 14 years, primarily in the wedding industry.
She recently launched a new business called Roaring Love, focusing on intentional photography.
Jessica's love for photography stems from her deep belief in love itself.
The shift from traditional weddings to elopements reflects a growing desire for authenticity in celebrations.
Jessica experienced an identity crisis during the pandemic, prompting her to reevaluate her career and personal life.
Self-love is essential for creating meaningful connections with others.
Manifestation is a powerful tool, and individuals are always manifesting their beliefs into reality.
Taking ownership of one's life and choices is crucial for personal growth and empowerment.
Love is a choice that can be made every day, not just on special occasions.
The wedding industry often overlooks the deeper emotional connections that truly matter.
Sound Bites
"You are powerful."
"You have to own it."
"You get to choose that."
 
Connect with Jess on Instagram & Tiktok!
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:51 The Journey of Becoming a Wedding Photographer
04:07 The Desire for Change and Intimacy
07:59 Shifting from Weddings to Elopements
10:11 The Importance of Slowing Down and Reflecting
15:27 Empowering Yourself and Making Intentional Choices
26:37 Navigating Marriage and Societal Expectations
30:40 Beliefs and Reality
32:33 Trusting and Loving Ourselves
34:28 The Ripple Effect of Self-Love
43:39 The Power of Taking Ownership
47:06 Love as a Choice
 
 

S1E3 When The Elopement Photographer Gets To Be The Bride with Connie Chen Part 1

Connie, of Connie Chen Photography, is a wedding photographer and bride-to-be. In this episode she shares her unique perspective on elopements. She discusses how she got into wedding photography and her love for capturing the interactions and emotions between people.
 
Connie and her partner decided to elope because they wanted a low-key, intimate wedding that reflected their personalities. They chose a location in Washington and hired a photographer who they had been following for years. Connie emphasizes that elopements don't have to be just the couple; family can be included too. She also discusses the importance of making decisions based on what feels right for the couple, rather than trying to please others. Connie and her partner plan to have a small at-home reception to celebrate with family and friends after their elopement.
 
The conversation explores the importance of setting boundaries and making intentional choices when planning a wedding. It discusses the pressure to conform to societal norms and the need to prioritize personal preferences and desires. Connie and I share our personal experiences and offer advice on how to create a wedding day that reflects the couple's unique personalities and values. We emphasize the significance of knowing oneself and being intentional about the who, what, where, why, and how of the wedding. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of weddings and the freedom to challenge traditional expectations.
 
You can find Connie at https://conniechenphotography.com/ 
Give her a follow on Instagram & Tiktok! (She is posting TikToks on the cross-country drive out to WA for their elopement so definitely check it out). 
 
Sound Bites
"Elopements don't have to be just the couple; family can be included too.""Choosing a location and a photographer are important first steps in planning an elopement.""Making decisions based on what feels right for the couple is more important than trying to please others.""It's your wedding day. Like, why are you doing something that you don't want to do?""Boundaries are so important. They just let everybody have a great time because then people's feelings don't get hurt and you have space to be yourselves.""When you are really selective about the people that you choose to spend your wedding day with, it's almost like they know that they made the A-list and it's like, they feel special too."
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background03:04 The Decision to Elope and Choosing a Location08:04 Selecting Your Photographer15:09 Making Decisions Based on What Feels Right25:04 Celebrating with a Small At-Home Reception28:45 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Personal Preferences36:03 Knowing Yourself: Reflecting Your Unique Personalities and Values46:48 Creating a Fun and Stress-Free Wedding Day51:01 Challenging Societal Norms and Evolving Weddings

S1E2 If I Got Engaged Today, These Are The Things I Would Discuss With My Partner

Monica Welch, owner of Vaux Studio in Philadelphia, shares her journey of starting a small wedding venue and the evolution of the small wedding industry. She explains how she was inspired to create a space for smaller weddings after struggling to find a venue for her own intimate wedding. Monica discusses the societal pressure to have a big wedding and the financial consequences that come with it. She emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and your partner when planning a wedding and the significance of being present on your special day. When deciding what type of wedding is best for a recently engaged couple, it is important to have open and honest conversations about wants, needs, and financial feasibility. Couples should prioritize their own desires and not feel pressured by others' expectations. Smaller, more intimate weddings allow for more personalization and the ability to invest in what truly matters to the couple. Celebrating the wedding over a longer period of time, such as with a reception or anniversary party, can spread out the festivities and make the experience more enjoyable. It is also important to remember that there are no longer strict rules or stigmas surrounding weddings, and couples have the freedom to create a day that is unique and meaningful to them.
 
Check out Vaux Studio's Website and Instagram. 
Check out the book Vaux Studio's couple Herbie & Chris were featured in, here. 
 
00:00 Introduction and Background of Vaux Studio
02:50 The Evolution of the Small Wedding Industry
09:12 Navigating Societal Pressure and Financial Consequences
15:07 The Importance of Being Present on Your Wedding Day
27:12 Deciding on the Best Type of Wedding
28:55 Prioritizing Your Desires and Needs
31:42 The Benefits of Smaller, Intimate Weddings
32:42 Spreading Out the Wedding Celebrations
43:09 Breaking Free from Traditional Wedding Expectations

S1E1 How Nervous System Regulation Plays A Part In The Biggest Day of Your Life: Navigating The Whirlwind of Getting Married

Amber Gordon, a trained marriage and family therapist turned leadership and lifestyle coach, shares her whirlwind wedding experience and the challenges she faced in staying present and relaxed on her big day. Despite having support from staff and a bridal party, Amber felt overwhelmed and in hostess mode throughout the wedding. She reflects on the pressure to make everything perfect and the performative nature of weddings. Amber and Daniela question whether wedding vendors prey on couples' vulnerability by promising to capture every moment, knowing that couples may struggle to remember the day. She also discusses the importance of setting boundaries and creating a more intentional and relaxed wedding experience. In this conversation, Amber and Daniela discuss the importance of prioritizing self-care and emotional well-being during the wedding planning process. They emphasize the need for couples to have permission to make choices that align with their own desires and values, rather than feeling pressured to meet others' expectations. They also highlight the significance of slowing down and being present with each other on the wedding day, as well as creating buffer time in the timeline to allow for relaxation and connection. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the couple's experience and emotional regulation throughout the wedding journey.
 
Takeaways
Weddings can be overwhelming and lead to a lack of presence and relaxation for the couple.
The pressure to make everything perfect and ensure guests have a good time can take away from the couple's experience.
Wedding vendors may capitalize on couples' vulnerability by promising to capture every moment, knowing that couples may struggle to remember the day.
Setting boundaries and creating a more intentional and relaxed wedding experience can help couples be more present and enjoy their special day. Couples should have permission to make choices that align with their own desires and values, rather than feeling pressured to meet others' expectations.
Slowing down and being present with each other on the wedding day is crucial for a meaningful and enjoyable experience.
Creating buffer time in the timeline allows for relaxation, connection, and emotional regulation throughout the wedding journey.
 
00:00 Introduction and Background
09:14 The Performance of Traditional Weddings
23:25 The Role of Gender Expectations
28:43 Are wedding vendors preying on couples' vulnerability?
38:31 Nervous system regulation for wedding vendors and couples
45:55 Step one: Timeline regulation
54:12 Slowing down and being present with your partner
 
You can find Amber's podcast, The Sacred Leadership Podcast, here.
You can follow Amber on Instagram here. 
 
For questions or if you'd like to be on the podcast, please reach out to empoweredelopementpodcast@gmail.com 
 
Thanks for listening :) 

S1E0 How Eloping Changed My Life

Hello and a wholehearted welcome to the Empowered Elopement Podcast!
My name is Daniela Monzi and I am so glad you’re here. 
In case you don’t know me, I am a destination elopement and intimate wedding photographer based out of San Francisco and Philly. I made the transition to focus solely on smaller weddings 2 or 3 years ago, and it’s been life changing for me. 
I got interested in elopements because my husband and I ended up eloping and it was the best decision we could have made. However, we didn't feel supported and the process was really eye opening. As an elopement photographer, I didn't want my clients to ever feel the way we did. 
My hope for this podcast is to share stories and tips for getting married, in maybe a non traditional way. I really want to hold space for those who don’t see themselves or their type of dream wedding represented in the wedding industry. 
I know this podcast is called the Empowered Elopement Podcast, but my hope is not to alienate anyone having a large wedding.
My goal is to amplify the voices of the smaller, ‘non traditional’ weddings, as well ask important questions about the wedding industry and the rituals we have today. 
The most important thing to me on my wedding day, and on each couple’s wedding day that I photograph, is being present.
I want everyone to be able to FEEL what it is to get married. When you’re buzzing through the day, and have a million people around you for 14 hours straight, it can be a lot to your nervous system.
I want to talk about ways to make your wedding day, big or small, feel really intentional. I want you to feel empowered in the choices you are making when it comes to your wedding day. I want you to do what makes YOU happy, not anyone else. 
I truly just want to create a safe place where we can talk about the things that people don’t talk about. Like, how actually stressful it is to get married, how much time, money and energy it takes to plan a wedding. 
I think hosting a podcast is the perfect role for me because I have always been that curious girl who asks a million questions. Ask my friends and family, it sometimes drives them nuts how many questions I ask. 
I want to lean into this part of myself, and hold space for these sometimes tough conversations. I sure wish a podcast like this existed when I was engaged. 
If you have any suggestions for people I should interview, or you would like to be a guest on the show, please send me an email at empoweredelopementpodcast@gmail.com 
That’s all for now. I can’t wait for you to hear the episodes I have been pouring my heart into the last few months. 
See you in episode one!