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I'm a Kansas City wedding photographer with a deep love for storytelling. I love to work with couples that want a wedding gallery that is an authentic reflection of their love for one another.

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Elopements, Weddings

March 27, 2025

Dallen & Cassandra’s Intimate Celebration in Cape May, NJ

Cape May provided the perfect setting for Dallen and Cassandra’s elopement. The couple chose this charming coastal town for their celebration, hosting just 20-25 of their closest friends and family. Their day combined luxury and whimsical elements while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that makes Cape May elopements so special. The historic Abbey House served as their preparation location and Willow Creek Winery hosted their ceremony and reception. Both venues beautifully showcased Cape May’s historic charm. This wedding day was a beautiful example of how a smaller guest list can create a more personal and meaningful experience.

A flowy wedding dress for a Cape May elopement from True Society in Kansas City.
The Abbey in Cape May is a historic house where the couple and their family stayed for their Cape May elopement.
Dallen and Cassandra hug each other tightly for wedding photos in the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery.
Cassandra's best friends fluff her By Watters wedding dress as she gets ready to elope in Cape May.

Cape May’s Perfect Elopement Setting

Dallen and Cassandra’s day began at the Abbey House, a historic Cape May property where they prepared for their ceremony. The celebration then moved to Willow Creek Winery, one of Cape May’s premier elopement and wedding venues. Their ceremony took place on a paved road overlooking the vineyard, with a distinctive mustard-yellow building providing a picturesque backdrop. For the reception, guests gathered in a small white tent illuminated by twinkle lights. This created another beautiful view of the vineyard as the sunset and the blood red moon took over. The thoughtful use of Willow Creek’s outdoor spaces showcased how Cape May elopements can take full advantage of natural surroundings while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Willow Creek is a perfect venue for a small yet sophisticated celebration in one of Cape May’s most beautiful locations.

Wedding day details including bridal shoes by Kate Space, a bridal bouquet, the wedding bands, and the bride's jewlery.
Cassandra's friends bustle her dress as her son admires her bridal look.
The bride puts on her earrings in front of the grand mirror in the main bedroom at The Abbey in Cape May.
Dallen wipes his happy tears after the bride and groom's first look.
The elopement wedding ceremony at Willow Creek Winery begins.
Dallen and Cassandra's immediate family and closest friends joined them for their elopement in Cape May.
The charming table decor with florals by Cape May Flower Co.
Dallen and Cassandra cut into their wedding cake from Whipped Away in New Jersey.
The bride and groom taking a moment to enjoy each other wedding photoshoot at Willow Creek Winery in NJ.

The Personal Details

What made Dallen and Cassandra’s Cape May elopement truly special were the thoughtful personal touches. Cassandra wore a beautiful Watters gown from True Society in Kansas City. The dress was perfect for a summer wedding with its flowy train and lily-shaped beadwork that caught the sunlight. Cassandra finished her ensemble with a natural makeup look and a flirty half-up hairdo. Cape May Flower Co. provided exquisite floral arrangements, from the bridal bouquet to the baby’s breath hanging in the tent. The summer color palette featured varying shades of coral, red, light blues, and pastel yellows that enhanced the vineyard setting. With only around 20 guests in attendance, the couple created a truly intimate experience where everyone felt connected to their special moment. This smaller scale, a characteristic of Cape May elopements, allowed for meaningful interactions throughout their celebration.

Beautiful summer wedding flowers by Cape May Flower Co.
Cassandra's dress, a By Watters gown, from True Society Bellevogue.
Dallen and Cassandra giving a wedding toast to the family friends that could come to their Cape May elopement.
The bride and groom pose for a photo at the Abbey in Cape May, NJ.
Dallen and Cassandra's first kiss as husband and wife with the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery as their backdrop.
The intimate reception hosted in a white party tent in Cape May.

Why Choose a Cape May Elopement Wedding

Dallen and Cassandra’s Cape May elopement demonstrated why this coastal town continues to attract couples seeking intimate celebrations. Their day at Willow Creek Winery combined elegance with a relaxed atmosphere that allowed them to truly connect with each guest while enjoying the beauty of Cape May. The personal elements they incorporated—from the carefully selected attire to the seasonal floral designs—created a celebration that was uniquely theirs. For couples considering an intimate wedding in a picturesque location, Cape May provides the perfect blend of natural beauty, elegant venues, and coastal charm.

Cassandra in a bridal portrait as the sun sets on the vineyard, holding her Cape May Flower Co. bridal bouquet.
A detail shot of the sweetheart table during the intimate reception featuring the groom's drink choice from Cape May Brewing Co.
The bridesmaids bustle Cassandra's dress after wedding photos to prepare her for her reception grand entrance.
Dallen sings to Cassandra during their elopement reception at Willow Creek Winery in Cape May, NJ.

Ready to Start Planning Your Own Cape May Elopement Wedding?

Let me capture your elopement in Cape May next! I’m Sara, a destination elopement photographer who believes that love between two people is pure magic. I give my whole self to photographing weddings in a style that shows raw, intimate, emotional love. Learn more about me here. If you think we’d be the perfect fit, then get in touch with me here! Until then, discover more helpful wedding planning tips and intimate wedding venues on the journal.

See more of Dallen and Cassandra’s Cape May elopement wedding below!

A street view of the historic Abbey house where Dallen and Cassandra got ready for their elopement in Cape May.
The sign that identifies that historic Abbey in Cape May, NJ, surrounded by the beautiful garden.
A front view of the Abbey in Cape May.
Cassandra sits on the settee in the main bedroom of The Abbey where she put on her elopement dress.
A family portrait of the bride and groom and their parents in the dining room of The Abbey in Cape May.
A black and white elopement family portrait as everyone prepares for the elopement at Willow Creek Winery.
A detail photo of historic chairs and hardwood floors inside the Abbey house in Cape May.
The floor to ceiling mirror inside the dining room of the historical Cape May villa, The Abbey.
Dallen and Cassandra on the wrap around deck at their getting ready house in Cape May, NJ.
Cassandra walks the stairs up to the 3rd floor at The Abbey house in Cape May, NJ.
Kate Spade luxury bridal shoes hung from a wall sconce inside the getting ready house for the elopement.
A view of the bottom of the grand staircase inside The Abbey house in Cape May.
The bride, groom, and their son posing for a wedding photo.
Dallen and Cassandra take a quick photo before they elope in Cape May.
Dallen helping Cassandra walk to the car to drive to their elopement wedding at Willow Creek Winery.
Dallen walks with his parents down the paved road to his ceremony at Willow Creek Winery.
Cassandra's dad walks her down the aisle to get married in Cape May.
The first kiss as bride and groom for Dallen and Cassandra at the end of their elopement ceremony.
Cape May Flower Co.'s luxury wedding flowers amidst the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery in Cape May, NJ.
A petite, luxury handbag for a wedding guest.
The bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their elopement at Willow Creek Winery.
A luxury wedding cake made by Whipped Away with a unique bridal dinosaur family.
Cassandra looks over her shoulder, thrilled to have had her wedding in Cape May, NJ.
An elopement portrait taken after their elopement at Willow Creek Winery.
Dallen and Cassandra and their friends pose for a photo together at their elopement in Cape May.
Friends cheer on the bride and groom to celebrate their elopement wedding at Willow Creek Winery.
Cassandra and her best friends pose for a wedding photo in the vineyard.
A bridal portrait of Cassandra with the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery as the backdrop.
Dallen and his brother and best friend pose for a photo after his Cape May elopement.
Cassandra's friends help her bustle we By Watters wedding dress.
The bride's friend buttons the elopement dress skirt to bustle it.
A green long-stem champagne glass complements the summer wedding theme perfectly in this reception detail photo.
A luxury floral hair pin is added to Cassandra's hair to match the floral pattern wedding dress she wears.
The bride and her friends prepare for the intimate reception grand entrance at Willow Creek Winery.
The bride and groom enter the luxury reception tent for their Cape May elopement celebration.
The bride and groom steal a kiss at their sweetheart table for their elopement reception.
Dallen and Cassandra clink their champagne glasses to cheers a toast during their intimate reception at Willow Creek Winery.
The groom's best man gives a speech to Dallen and Cassandra amongst the twinkle lights in their reception tent.
Cape May Flower Co. bridal flowers in a basket at the foot of the sweetheart table for Dallen and Cassandra.
One of the reception tables for this Cape May elopement decorated with luxury wedding details.
The intimate wedding reception table details for Dallen and Cassandra's Cape May elopement.
Dallen and Cassandra walk through the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery for their wedding photos.
The bride and groom kissing for one of their elopement photos.
An editorial elopement photo in a Cape May vineyard.
Dallen looking very happy about his Cape May elopement in his suit from Todd's Clothiers in Kansas City.
Cassandra runs through the vineyard at Willow Creek Winery to her new husband.
The delicious wedding cake made by Whipped Away for Dallen and Cassandra's New Jersey elopement.
The wedding cake flowers were a perfect match for this summer elopement in Cape May.
Dallen and Cassandra wanted to include their son by using dinosaurs for their elopement cake toppers.
The bride's friend excitedly greets her for sunset portraits together in the vineyard.
Cassandra and her friends have fun celebrating her elopement at Willow Creek Winery in Cape May, NJ.
The girls pose for an elopement portrait at this vineyard in Cape May, NJ.
A picturesque view of the white reception tent for Dallen and Cassandra's elopement in Cape May, NJ.
Dallen and Cassandra pose for an elopement photo during blue hour.
A candid elopement photo of guests during the intimate reception at Willow Creek Winery.
The bride and groom feed each other some of their elopement cake.
The couple's son plays with the dinosaur wedding cake toppers during their elopement reception.
A documentary style elopement picture of the couple and their friends having fun.
Dallen and his friends have fun during the elopement reception in the white tent with twinkle lights.
Dallen sings to his bride during their reception in Cape May, NJ.
A friend of the newlyweds sings karaoke during the reception at Willow Creek Winery.
The bride and groom share a happy moment during their Cape May elopement reception.
The sweetheart table exuded romance and luxury during the reception, lit by twinkle lights and candles.
One of the elopement guests wearing a groomsmen's jacket to stay warm for this outdoor reception at Willow Creek Winery.
Friends of the wedding couple dance in the luxury reception tent.
The groom, guests, and photographer dance together for the elopement reception in Cape May.
A blood red moon came out after dark over the vineyard in Cape May, NJ.
Dallen and Cassandra end their elopement in Cape May, NJ with a kiss.

Cape May Elopement Wedding Vendors Featured in This Blog

Getting Ready Venue: The Abbey – Historical Cape May Villa

Cape May Wedding Venue: Willow Creek Winery

Wedding Flowers: Cape May Flower Co.

Bridal Hair & Makeup: Makeup by Catrina Studio

Reception Lighting and Draping: Shore Thing Event Services

Custom Wedding Cake: Whipped Away

Bridal Dress Designer: By Watters

Wedding Gown Shop: True Society Belle Vogue

Groom’s Suit: Todd’s Clothiers

A Beautiful Cape May Elopement with Dallen & Cassandra

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