Sunrise Adventure Elopement at El Matador Beach in Malibu, California
I knew that Daniela and Kaylee’s sunrise Topanga Canyon and El Matador beach elopement was going to be special but I didn’t realize just how amazing until I hopped on that first call with them. You see, they have the sweetest love story. They met through friends but they were both in different relationships at the time. Fast forward to a year later and they reconnected when single and fell in love almost immediately. Kaylee had planned on proposing to Daniela but Daniela ended up finding the ring herself, put the ring on her own finger, and called Kaylee right away to say YES! How cute is that?
They had been planning a big more traditional wedding for two years until they realized it just wasn’t for them. Some family members weren’t the most supportive of their marriage and planning a wedding based around other people’s comfort levels understandably just didn’t feel right. They eventually realized that the only thing that mattered was their own happiness (insert clapping and cheer’ ing here!) I’m so proud of both of them for taking the leap towards an elopement. Sometimes it’s not easy to go against the norm, especially when you feel alone doing so.
Being from Texas they wanted to elope somewhere completely new but that still held value to each of them. They packed their car in Texas and headed out West with three of their besties to meet me in Los Angeles, a city they had never been to! We started the day with a sunrise hike in Topanga Canyon because Daniela loves hiking and then made our way to the ocean to conclude the El Matador beach elopement of their day for Kaylee because she had never been to the Pacific ocean before!
Everything about their elopement was relaxed and meaningful. They made their sunflower bouquets the night before with the help of their friends and Daniela did both of their hair and makeup. We met at sunrise on the day of their wedding at the trailhead on the top of the canyons in Topanga. We began our hike just as the sun had peeped out over the ocean. We walked and laughed and danced our way up the canyon until we found a spot that just felt right for them to say their vows. No one else was near but the sounds of some birds chirping in the distance. Afterward, we hopped back in the car and headed to El Matador beach. It was still early enough that we had the beach to ourselves. Their friends surprised them with gluten-free cupcakes and we popped open a bottle of champagne and frolicked in the waves until it was time to head for their celebration brunch.
So here we are. Daniela and Kaylee’s wedding day, with love.
This Malibu elopement was also featured on Wandering Weddings Blog.
Ceremony location: Topanga Canyon State Park
Beach location: El Matador State Beach
I’m an adventurous elopement and intimate wedding photographer helping couples craft a meaningful experience for their wedding day in nature. I focus on capturing the vibe of your day with all of the little moments that you may not remember are happening and the epic landscape views all over California, New England and beyond.
