Madison & Michael's Elopement at White Plains Courthouse

Some weddings are planned for a year. This one was planned in secret, with exactly two other people in on it, and it might be one of the most intentional days I've photographed all year.

Madison and Michael eloped at White Plains Courthouse on July 17th, with only their two closest friends there as witnesses, a married couple who brought along their baby girl, who also happens to be Michael's goddaughter. No families, no announcement beforehand. Just the two of them, two witnesses, and a plan they'd been sitting on quietly.

How They Met

Madison and Michael met back in high school, long before either of them could have guessed where it would lead. Years later, that early connection turned into the quiet, deliberate elopement they planned together this July.

Before the Ceremony

We met in front of the courthouse and started with portraits on the surrounding streets, angling for a nearby church in the background since Madison and Michael are Catholic and it felt like the right visual nod to that. We used the courthouse steps and a few benches nearby before their friends arrived with their baby, and got a round of group photos in before heading inside.

Madison's outfit set the tone for the whole day: a short white dress, white heels, and a white headband with a sheer mesh veil over her eyes, somewhere between vintage and modern in a way that photographed beautifully. Michael matched her energy in a light blue suit and sunglasses. Neither of them looked like they were trying too hard, which is exactly what made it work.

The Ceremony

The ceremony took place inside one of the actual courtrooms, which turned out to be more spacious and dignified than I expected, especially compared to the clerk's office weddings I've seen photographed in New York City. The judge greeted them warmly and led a short, simple ceremony declaring them married. The whole thing, including the walk in and out, took about ten minutes.

Afterward, Madison couldn't stop looking at her new wedding band, a pavé style set with alternating diamonds and blue sapphires, Michael's birthstone worked directly into the design. This intentional and thoughtful design choice of Madison's ring really demonstrates the kind of couple the newlyweds are.

After the Courthouse

Instead of a traditional reception, Madison and Michael had something else planned: a private vow exchange at Tibbits Park, a few minutes away, in a gazebo strung with lights. I gave them the space they'd asked for while they read their own vows to each other and said a prayer together over a rosary. It was quiet, unhurried, and entirely theirs.

Afterward, we spent time photographing them around the park, near the fountain, the gazebo, and a few benches tucked among the trees. Once we wrapped, they told me their actual plan for the rest of the day: FaceTime their families, one by one, to tell them they'd gotten married. Their two friends from the ceremony were the only people who'd known beforehand. Everyone else found out that afternoon. They closed the day with dinner in the city with the same friends who'd stood beside them that morning.

Planning an Elopement at White Plains Courthouse

Parking across the street runs on a one hour meter, which is more than enough time. Between check-in, the ceremony, and walking back out, the whole courthouse portion took about ten minutes for Madison and Michael. Flash photography is permitted inside, which makes a real difference in a courtroom without much natural light.

If you're planning to follow the ceremony with photos, Tibbits Park is worth the short trip. It sits in the middle of a busy stretch of White Plains but still manages to feel enclosed, with mature trees, a well-kept gazebo, and a fountain that gives you a few genuinely different backdrops without needing to drive anywhere else.

Congratulations, Madison and Michael

Watching two people plan something this quiet and this specific to them, down to the ring, the dress, and the friends they chose to let in, was a genuine privilege!