Kyoto Elopement under the Cherry Blossoms

Kyoto Elopement under the Cherry Blossoms

Buckle up – the most amazing Kyoto Elopement under the cherry blossoms is here on the blog at last! This past April, I flew to Japan to photograph Galit and Carson’s amazing Japan elopement. We timed our visit with sakura season, the springtime festivals of cherry blossoms that sweep across the country. The pink-white blooms are Carson’s favorite flowers. This is well regarded as the busiest time to visit Japan, and we felt it! As with most elopements, the world-traveling couple wanted privacy as well as iconic Japanese architechture. Finding the perfect Kyoto elopement location with cherry blossoms was a mission – but as you’ll see, we absolutely nailed it and the beautiful flowers fill the background of almost every frame. Galit and I have been friends for close to ten years, having met when we both lived in Colorado and continued our friendship long distance for most of the years since. Carson is her perfect match and I’m lucky to call him my friend too. But the most important part of our connection is that I’m the honest-to-god legal godmother of their adorable cat, Cleo. She is one of my favorite cats of all time, and she even sent a letter to Galit and Carson on their elopement day!

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A kawaii elopement in Kyoto, Japan

Since our heroes, Galit and Carson, had legally married at home in the usa, their elopement day was low key. We didn’t have to meet a celebrant at a certain time, and we had time to take portraits of the fresh looks before we began their Kyoto elopement ceremony under the cherry blossoms. They got ready together at their Hotel room, helping each other with finishing touches. Carson zipped his bride into her funky fresh flower-dotted elopement dress himself. Later, Galit admired his tailored pants as he bent over to phone for a cab to take us to the castle.

Kyoto, Japan Elopement Photos under the Cherry Blossoms

A little path in front of the castle provided the perfect backdrop for their ceremony, and we had the most beautiful and warm spring day with blue skies. I truly love photographing in bright sunlight as I feel it brings out the most colors in the landscapes. When it was time to take each other’s hands and share their Kyoto elopement under the cherry blossoms, a calm fell over the couple. Already a very kind and tender pair, they constantly reached out to touch, hold and comfort one another as they gulped back a few tears. While there were other visitors to the Kyoto castle, they respectfully kept their distance for the few minutes that the ceremony was happening. Not that Galit and Carson noticed at all! They admitted later they didn’t hear the jet fly over, the family with a child, or the baseball team warming up on the other side of the park. Eloping is such a special moment in your lives, and you just don’t realize anything else around you when it happens.

A picnic elopement in Kyoto, Japan

Once the tears had dried, we took some just-married portraits around the beautiful castle. Kyoto is an elopement photographer’s paradise, with limitless opportunities of frames ad compositions to capture. Then we filled our bellies with picnic food – smushed strawberry sandos from 7-11, snackies and vending machine juices. While we’d been photographing in the park, crows had broken into their picnic bag and demolished a bag of crisps. Luckily, the mischeivious birds left alone the bag of hand-written cards and letters that Carson and Galit’s friends and family had sent them. While they sat on the blanket and munched on what was left, they laughed until they cried. Even their cat, Cleo, sent a hand written card, and she included a bunch of cash for the newlyweds to spend on “new toys”.

Unique Elopement Locations in Kyoto, Japan

For an even more unique twist, we spent the afternoon in the private gardens at the Kyoto International Conference Center. Funny story, as we planned this elopement throughout 2025, one of the locations I’d suggested was nearby this building, and Carson started looking into the history of it. A history and architecture buff, he went down a rabbit hole and spent many days and nights reading about its unique and fascinating elements. He got so into it, we knew we had to arrange a visit, which we were able to do in advance by asking permission. Due to his “strong interest in the building” they were able to accommodate us for an hour. It was a dream come true for him, and Galit enjoyed it just as much as it was truly beautiful and there were lots of swans, herons, kites, turtles and koi for us to admire in addition. I continued to feel like a kid in a candy store. Not only was this the most unique building I’ve ever photographed, but Galit and Carson are a dream. They are always giggling, ready to be silly and dance or impersonate Keanu Reeves at a moment’s notice.

Cherry Blossom Elopement Kyoto, Japan at Night

To cap it all off, we visited a temple in Kyoto at night that was also lit up for cherry blossom season. By using creative off-camera lighting, held by my trusty butler/husband, we were able to capture what it really felt like without the crowds. If you are visiting Kyoto during sakura season next year, I highly recommend visiting some of the temples at night. The cost to enter is low and the beauty is unmatched! This temple even had some ancient deities to view only during these nighttime openings. Because no photos are allowed inside, it is a sight you truly must be there to believe. This nighttime stroll was filled with wonder and made a peaceful end to their epic Kyoto elopement under the cherry blossoms. But that wasn’t the end of our trip together..

Nara, Japan Elopement Photos with Deer

A few days later, we met up for the final adventure, a day trip to Nara! Because Galit and Carson booked a 1.5 day elopement package with me, we were able to choose this as our additional half day excursion. And I’m so glad we did – the adventure of feeding the pushy and adorable deer was really memorable! I had been under the misguided impression that the deer would behave if we fed them, but it seemed the opposite was true. The more deer crackers that were offered, the more aggressive the deer became. We each got nipped and headbutted, but they were so cute that we forgave them all immediately. We also found a secluded hilltop that was blanketed in cherry blossoms, mossy temple carvings, a thatch-roof ramen hut and a bamboo forest to boot. G&C even fed my husband one of their last deer crackers – after he bowed, of course. If you know, you know.

The End

We truly had it all on their Kyoto elopement under the cherry blossoms. The newlyweds received over 1200 colorful, candid and beautiful Kyoto Elopement photos and 60 gifs just 6 weeks after their elopement. Thank you Galit and Carson for having me along on your greatest adventure yet! I would love to do it all again! Contact me with your dream elopement location!