For Jade and Ian, the idea of a traditional wedding never quite fit their vision. “We wanted to elope but knew we’d want our children there,” they shared. “So, we decided to just take our nearest and dearest — both mothers, Ian’s sister, and her husband. We planned a wedding party back home to celebrate with everyone else.”

“Our vibe was ‘go with the flow. We were very flexible and easygoing with our wedding planning. All we wanted was an intimate Venice elopement, surrounded by our closest loved ones.”

Finding the venue turned out to be a serendipitous moment. “We found the Scala Contarini del Bovolo online. Ian had proposed in Venice a year before, and we’d planned to visit the Scala then but ran out of time,” Jade recalled. “When I saw it was available for weddings, there was no second thought. It was the perfect venue for our Venice elopement.”

With the breathtaking canals and bridges of Venice as their backdrop, Jade and Ian trusted Junebug vendor Emma Jane Photography to document their special day. “Finding Emma made our experience magical,” Jade said. “She completely understood the assignment, capturing everything from romantic water and bridge shots to fun café moments. Our photos make it look like our Venice elopement spanned multiple days. Just perfect.”

“Emma was more than a photographer; she became a friend for life,” Jade added. “Her professionalism and thoughtfulness allowed us to relax and enjoy our day. We couldn’t have done it without her.”

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Emma Jane Photography

The day began with an early morning photo session. “Walking through the city hand in hand, with little to no tourists around, felt magical,” they said. “It was just the two of us creating memories with our small family, and we’ll forever be grateful for the experience Emma enabled us to have.”

Jade’s wedding dress by Madi Lane was a vision of timeless beauty. “I had it altered to suit my style, adding straps and an underskirt slit,” she shared. The bridesmaids, including their daughters and Ian’s sister, wore white dresses, while the men’s tuxedos completed the traditional look.

Jade and Ian started with a budget of £15,000 but quickly surpassed it. “Weddings are expensive,” Jade said. “But by reaching out myself instead of using a wedding planner, we saved some money. We splurged on a private terrace for our wedding meal and a 1960s boat for photographs with Emma. Both were worth every penny.”

Planning an intimate Venice elopement in August came with its challenges, including high temperatures and traveling with four children. “There were some tears along the way, but we wouldn’t change a thing,” Jade admitted. “Looking back at the photos Emma captured, we just laugh. Kids will be kids!”

One of the most memorable parts of the day was their coffee break. “The café photos are absolutely gorgeous,” Jade said. “The memory behind them makes them even more special. We were surrounded by people taking photos, trying to keep a straight face, and laughing non-stop. It was such a fun moment.”

Their Italian officiant crafted a deeply personal ceremony. “She contacted us beforehand with a questionnaire that she used to write our love story. It felt so intimate and beautiful.”

A cozy, intimate reception with stunning views of the Venice waters, where the kids excitedly join in the cake cutting, sharing a special moment with the newlyweds. The whole scene feels warm and personal, with everyone enjoying the celebration together.

Reflecting on their planning experience, the couple offered advice for other couples. “Be open to change on the day. We let the day flow naturally instead of sticking to a strict schedule. It made everything feel stress-free and perfectly imperfect.”

Jade and Ian’s intimate Venice elopement was everything they dreamed of and more. “It brought us closer together. We’ll carry these memories with us forever.”