Real Elopements

Ocean elopement wedding in Japan | Beautiful Elopement Locations in Chiba

Elopement in Chiba, wedding near Tokyo with ocean view

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Yesterday we celebrated Paris & Gaetan’s elopement in Chiba, Japan in the beautiful spot under the cliffs on the shores of the Pacific ocean.

The morning after usually the impressions of the previous day start pouring in, so I quickly looked through some of the moments from this beautiful ocean elopement in Chiba and wrote down the memories of the day.

A few days earlier that week, the weather was still uncertain, and being a rainy season in Japan this time of the year, there was a good chance it would rain at least a little on any day for a month. Just in case, I got in touch with Paris & Gaetan to see if we should move their ocean elopement for the next day and they said “We would like to stay with Saturday! Hopefully, it doesn’t get too bad for us.”

In Japan, they have a name for women that bring sunshine, hareonna (晴れ女), and she must be one of them, I thought, as the weather turned to fully sunny the next day in the midst of a rainy season.

I was to meet with Gaetan & Paris at 11 am, so I arrived a bit earlier in Chiba to check out the place and do a little location setting intro.

The beach was full of surfers, and the heat rising from the hot sand was luring me into the ocean.

I took some pictures and drone shots for their video and met them at their Airbnb nearby.

From the get-go, they gave me a warm welcome and made me feel right at home. Although they only arrived the day before themselves and there were not many things in the house, there was a homey air of welcoming space they created just by being together.

As I was taking photos of the details around the house, they started to get ready. Preparation time is my favorite and the slow transition from just hanging around the house to getting into their wedding attire builds the foundations of the magic the day brings. And someone just couldn’t take the pressure and got dressed while Paris was still doing her makeup! 😀 It was super cute how nervous he was!

They wanted to do a first look at the shrine, so I helped them to find one where they would have complete privacy to experience the moment of seeing each other all dressed up for the first time.

There are so many nice shrines everywhere in Japan, but they can be hard to find or recognize for someone who doesn’t live here. Both Paris & Gaetan liked the old shrine I suggested just a few minutes away, with old wood and stones covered in moss and surrounded by a bamboo forest.

Couples often wonder how much time they need for their elopement, and the short answer is, probably more than you think! You want to take things slow, soak in the moments, and enjoy. It was so heartwarming to see them explore each corner, enjoying each other’s company as they were getting closer to the big moment.

From the shrine, we got in a car and went to the shore bit further south, where they picked the ceremony spot for their ocean elopement in Chiba. Less than an hour’s ride through the Japanese countryside and along the coast led us to our location on the southeast side of the Boso peninsula.

The area is popular mainly with local surfers, with short hiking paths leading up to secluded coves, small beaches, and hilltops with incredible views of the ocean and the surrounding area.

We checked out a few spots while taking some cool shots of man-against-the-nature and those more romantic ones.

I could see the anticipation building up that only lovers have, and Gaetan couldn’t wait anymore, “Let’s do this already!”

We went to the beach on the East side of the cape, which they had all to themselves. Surrounded by the cliffs coming out of the sea, the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks coming from the background.

Gaetan and Paris said their wedding vows in complete intimacy of each other’s presence in the way that felt most meaningful to them ー witnessed only by the circling hawks, the waves, and yours truly to document these moments so they can be preserved forever and shared with you.

As we were saying goodbyes later on at the nearby parking lot, I was left with a feeling I’ll see them again next week, as I always do. Although we met only once and maybe never again, having the privilege of being present with them on a day like this, filled with the intention and feelings of closeness, in a day they shortcutted their way into my heart and will stay there forever, like a long-time friends. I’m so grateful for having a chance to share these moments with you, guys. Thank you for bringing me along!

Love,
Henry

Enjoy these shots as they tell the story of Paris & Gaetan’s elopement in Chiba, Japan.