Choosing to elope allows you to be extra intentional about how you spend your big day. Sonny and Scott wanted a meaningful and beautiful celebration that’s a true reflection of themselves. They also wanted to share that experience with their favorite people. Their love for each other and their family was so evident that every part of their stunning Commodore Perry Estate elopement overflowed with love.

There are many things to adore about this special day—the sweet surprises for the bride, the touching ways their families were included, the stylish and practical wedding attire, the relaxed and loving vibe, and the breathtaking European-style mansion with gorgeous pocket gardens and sprawling grounds. If you’re considering eloping, don’t miss the stunning wedding portraits and tender moments captured by Addie Rock Photography. 

The Couple:

Sonny and Scott

The Wedding:

Commodore Perry Estate, Austin, Texas

Thoughtful Surprises By The Family

While getting ready in the hotel room, my sister-in-law and mother-in-law had a couple surprises for me. For my “something old,” my sister-in-law had a beautiful diamond ring guard she wore from her grandfather that I have always loved. She had it split into two rings, and gave me one half to keep. I wear it every day with my engagement ring. My mother-in-law wrapped up a gorgeous aquamarine ring surrounded by diamonds that belonged to her mother. It was my “something borrowed” and “something blue.” It meant so much to me and it was a really special moment between the three of us.

A Stunning Commodore Perry Estate Elopement

We chose Commodore Perry as our elopement venue because it’s gorgeous. When we went to visit the hotel grounds, it felt like we were transported from Austin straight to Spain. The architecture and decor were absolutely stunning. With a venue as beautiful as this one, we knew we would need very little decor, and we would have plenty of options for taking beautiful photos.

Wedding Planning Thoughts

Whether you are planning an elopement or a large wedding, I think pinning down your venue and photographer are the two most important things to do right away. They book up so quickly, so you want to make sure you get who and where you want! I was lucky enough to have an amazing sister-in-law and mother-in-law that took care of a lot of the details for me, but if we were doing a larger wedding, a wedding coordinator would have been a must.

Making Practical Wedding Budget Choices

I’m proud of how frugal we were able to be in many aspects of the day. I ordered my dress from ASOS, and it looked stunning because I had it altered to fit me perfectly. The total cost for my gown was under $150. My husband wore a suit he already owned. We ordered candles and candle holders from Amazon, and the greenery came from the grocery store. My sister-in-law did my makeup, and I did my hair. Because we cut back in these areas, we were able to spend more on the larger details of the day like our photographer, venue, and dinner after the ceremony.

What It’s Like Working with Addie Rock Photography

Our photographer was incredible. I’ve never felt comfortable in front of a camera and I was worried it would cause me to look awkward in our photos. Addie knew exactly how to put us at ease and made it so much fun for us. She knew how to direct us to capture the most beautiful photos and she made us feel so natural in front of the camera.

Congratulations to Sonny and Scott on their stunning European-style Commodore Perry elopement! Addie Photography did a wonderful job capturing the beauty and emotions of their big day. This couple planned such a beautiful, simple, and intimate elopement with their family.

The great part of eloping is that you and your partner can pick and choose what’s important to the both of you. All couples are different so every process is unique and it’s a genuine team effort. But ultimately, eloping can be a rewarding experience. Check out our elopement planning checklist to make sure that your day is meaningful, intentional, and filled with the moments that reflect your love and relationship.