Jamie & Mike’s Cape May beach elopement was filled with whimsical florals, dreamy sunset portraits, and an intimate private ceremony tucked into the coastal dunes. From their fairytale forest walk to the beach to their oceanside picnic celebration at sunset, every part of their day felt effortlessly romantic and deeply personal. As a Cape May beach elopement photographer, these relaxed and meaningful coastal wedding experiences are the moments I love documenting most.

Getting Ready at The Chalfonte Hotel

Jamie and Mike got ready in the historic cottages at The Chalfonte Hotel in downtown Cape May. The location was perfect because it was less than ten minutes from their ceremony site, making the timeline feel relaxed and easygoing.

Mike got dressed upstairs while Jamie finished getting ready downstairs before the two shared a quiet first look in one of the hotel’s tucked-away garden spaces. Afterward, they hopped into the car together and headed toward the beach for their ceremony.

Intimate Beach Ceremony in the Coastal Dunes

Jamie and Mike are both huge beach lovers, so an intimate beach elopement surrounded by dunes and ocean views felt like the perfect fit for their wedding day. Their ceremony took place in the grassy dunes overlooking the shoreline, offering panoramic ocean views while still feeling secluded and private.

The walk to the ceremony location winds through a lush coastal forest trail that takes about five minutes to traverse comfortably. It’s one of my favorite hidden gem locations in Cape May because the beach path feels incredibly dreamy and photographs beautifully in every season.

When they arrived at the ceremony site, their officiant was waiting alongside whimsical summer floral arrangements placed throughout the dunes by their florist. The entire setting felt organic, romantic, and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape.

A Surprise Guest After the Ceremony

Jamie and Mike chose to elope privately without guests, but Mike still had one surprise planned for Jamie after the ceremony — their dog, Bo.

We spent some time taking portraits with all three of them together before wandering farther into the dunes for additional photos. Including their dog made the experience feel even more personal and relaxed.

Dreamy Sunset Portraits & Beach Picnic Celebration

After the ceremony, Jamie and Mike made their way down the shoreline to their picnic setup nestled beside the dunes. Lounge chairs, a low dining table, coordinating florals, a charcuterie spread, and their wedding cake created an intimate oceanside nature dining experience.

They popped champagne, shared snacks together, and soaked in the peacefulness of the evening while waves rolled onto the shore nearby.

As sunset approached, we wandered farther down the shoreline for golden hour portraits along the water. Jamie’s flowing hair and lace wedding dress gave the entire evening dreamy mermaid-inspired vibes, and the sky lit up with one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen in Cape May.

Planning a Cape May Beach Elopement

Why We Love This Hidden Gem Location

This beach location is one of Cape May’s best hidden gems, and we work hard to help preserve its quiet beauty. While we don’t gatekeep the location, we also avoid heavily publicizing it online in order to protect the experience for both locals and couples seeking privacy.

Because it’s part of a protected nature preserve, the area feels peaceful and untouched compared to many public Jersey Shore beaches. It’s ideal for couples wanting a more intimate and secluded elopement experience.

Best Time of Year for a Cape May Beach Elopement

While this location is accessible year-round, the best months for a Cape May beach elopement are typically April through early October.

Spring elopements in April and May offer the most privacy, cooler temperatures, and blooming white flowers throughout the dunes and forest trails. Summer brings lush greenery and vibrant sunsets, though August can feel especially hot and humid.

For couples dreaming of a quiet and intimate beach experience, weekday elopements are almost always the best option in Cape May. Weekends during peak season tend to bring significantly larger beach crowds, especially near sunset hours, which can impact the overall privacy and feel of your experience.

While we do offer limited weekend elopements throughout the year, they require additional planning and carry a higher weekend rate due to demand and beach traffic. Whenever possible, we typically encourage couples to choose a weekday date for the most relaxed and secluded experience.

Weather & Rain Backup Plans

Because beach elopements take place outdoors, weather is always something we intentionally plan around. I always build a rain backup plan with my couples, which usually includes reserving the following day as a potential rain date whenever possible.

Having flexibility built into your timeline helps keep the experience relaxed and stress-free no matter what the forecast looks like.

Accessibility & Walking Distance

One of the reasons I love this location for elopements is that it feels secluded without requiring an intense hike. The beach trail is relatively short and accessible for most couples, taking about five minutes to walk comfortably from the parking area to the dunes.

This allows couples to enjoy the beauty of a more private beach setting while still keeping logistics simple and relaxed.

TESTIMONIAL FROM JAMIE & MIKE

My experience with Sara Fitz was INCREDIBLE! She really took the time to get to know us as a couple and find out what we were looking for when we said we wanted to have an intimate elopement without feeling staged for photos. She was so thorough with her timelines, made us feel incredibly comfortable, and gave us the best photos to pair with our memories from that day! If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing! Book her now...I promise it will be the best decision you ever made!

Cape May Beach Elopement Photographer

After five years of capturing intimate beach elopements in Cape May—and nearly a decade in wedding and elopement photography—we created the area’s first all-inclusive elopement experience, bringing photography, videography, and planning together in one seamless collaboration.

I offer elopement coverage ranging from 4-hour experiences to full 8-hour or multi-day celebrations. Whether you’re envisioning a simple sunset ceremony or a fully curated beach wedding weekend, I’d love to help guide you toward the best fit for your day.

Be sure to explore more:

• Places to Stay in Cape May

• Things to Do Around Cape May — coming soon

• More Cape May Beach Elopements — coming soon

If you’re dreaming up your own Cape May beach elopement, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out through my contact form and we’ll start planning something beautiful together.

For information on my photography offerings, you can view details below.

View my Elopement packages and pricing.

View my Nature Dining Elopement packages and pricing.

VENDER CREDITS

Photography & Videography: Sara & Ashlee of Sara Fitz Co.
Getting Ready Location: The Chalfonte Hotel
Beach Location: Cape May, NJ
Florist: Sea Blossoms
Styling: Picnic Perfect LBI
Food: One Board Blonde
Cake: Honey Bloom Bakery
Dress: Grace Loves Lace
Hair & MUA: Kait Marie