San Miguel de Allende Elopements
Intimate Celebrations Inspired by the Magic of San Miguel
Welcome!
Congratulations on choosing San Miguel de Allende to celebrate your relationship.
Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, a small wedding with your closest family and friends, or renewing your vows, this is more than a destination celebration—it's an opportunity to experience one of Mexico's most beautiful and romantic cities. Beyond your celebration await colorful cobblestone streets, rooftop terraces, hidden courtyards, incredible cuisine, and a city rich in history, art, and culture.
That's why I created The Signature Experience. This is about more than planning a beautiful ceremony and creating timeless photographs. It's about helping you experience San Miguel in a way that feels relaxed, meaningful, and unforgettable while celebrating this chapter of your lives together.
The Signature Experience
A Celebration Designed to Unfold Naturally
The Signature Experience is intentionally designed to unfold over more than one day.
Rather than trying to fit every meaningful moment into a single timeline, your celebration day and your time exploring San Miguel each have their own space—creating a more relaxed experience and a richer collection of photographs.
A Typical Signature Experience
A sample flow to help you visualize how your celebration might unfold.
Every timeline is personalized based on your vision, ceremony location, and the season.
Celebration Day
Getting Ready
A relaxed start to the day as you prepare for your celebration.
Your Ceremony
Whether you exchange vows in a private courtyard in the heart of San Miguel or surrounded by towering cactus in the countryside, your ceremony is thoughtfully timed during the most beautiful light of the day.
Celebrating Together
Champagne, cake, dinner, or simply spending time together after your ceremony.
Romantic Portraits
As the sun begins to set, we'll create beautiful portraits that capture the emotion of your celebration.
Continuing Your Celebration
Your celebration doesn't have to end when your ceremony is over.
On another afternoon during your stay, we'll meet again in the historic heart of San Miguel during the beautiful late-afternoon light. Together, we'll wander colorful streets, quiet courtyards, and hidden corners of the city while creating a beautiful collection of photographs that reflects another chapter of your time here.
By giving this experience its own time, your celebration day can unfold naturally, while another afternoon is dedicated simply to slowing down, exploring the city, and enjoying this remarkable place together.
Your Local Guide
Planning a destination celebration involves so much more than choosing a ceremony location and photographer.
For many couples, this is their first visit to San Miguel. Having someone local to answer questions, share trusted recommendations, and help you navigate the city can make the entire experience feel more relaxed and enjoyable.
From our first conversation through your time in San Miguel, I'll be here to help with recommendations, local insight, and thoughtful guidance whenever you need it.
Personalized Recommendations
Choosing the best airport and transportation to San Miguel
Boutique hotels and private villas
Rooftop restaurants and memorable dining experiences
Activities such as hot air balloon rides, artisan markets, cooking classes, local festivals, art classes, and walking tours
Day trips and excursions beyond San Miguel
Ongoing guidance throughout your planning and while you're in San Miguel
Your Signature Experience Includes
Every detail has been thoughtfully chosen to create a celebration that feels relaxed, meaningful, and beautifully personal.
From personalized planning and trusted local guidance to handcrafted details and artistic photography, everything is designed to help you enjoy your time in San Miguel while celebrating this chapter of your lives together.
Your Local Guide
Airport and transportation recommendations
Boutique hotel and villa recommendations
Rooftop restaurant suggestions
Local experiences and activities
Day trips and excursions
Ongoing guidance throughout planning and during your stay
Your Ceremony
A Personalized Ceremony
Led by a warm, non-denominational celebrant, your ceremony is thoughtfully created around your relationship, values, and journey together. Ceremonies are symbolic rather than legal, allowing you to complete any legal marriage requirements in your home country if you choose.
Written Just for You
Every ceremony is custom written to reflect your unique story, creating a heartfelt experience that feels deeply personal and authentically yours.
Celebration Planning
• Personalized planning guidance
• Ceremony location recommendations
• Thoughtfully designed timeline
• Personalized recommendations for trusted local professionals, including hair and makeup artists, musicians, florists, and cake designers.
Photography
• Celebration day coverage
• Historic San Miguel photography experience on another afternoon
• 600+ edited high-resolution images
• Private online gallery
Beautiful Details
• Custom bouquet with locally sourced florals
• Floral head wreath or artisan San Miguel hat
• Handmade vow books
Preserving Your Memories
Your experience concludes with a handcrafted heirloom album designed to preserve this chapter of your story for years to come.
10×10 Fine Art heirloom wedding album
Enhance Your Experience with Mojigangas
One of San Miguel’s most beloved traditions, mojigangas bring an unforgettable sense of joy, celebration, and local culture to your day.
These whimsical, larger-than-life papier-mâché figures can be customized to resemble the two of you, dressed in traditional wedding attire or colorful Mexican clothing. Mojigangas add a joyful, uniquely San Miguel touch to your celebration, creating unforgettable moments and playful photographs you'll treasure for years to come.
Available as an optional enhancement.
Hi, I’m Susan
Photographer, planner, and the creative heart behind SMA Elopements.
For more than 20 years, I've had the privilege of photographing over 600 intimate celebrations throughout the U.S. and Mexico. What I love most isn't simply documenting beautiful moments—it's helping couples create experiences they'll remember for the rest of their lives.
San Miguel captured my heart years ago with its vibrant colors, artistic soul, and timeless charm. It's a city that naturally invites people to slow down, connect, and celebrate life's most meaningful moments.
Whether you're planning an elopement, an intimate wedding, or a vow renewal, my role extends beyond photography. I'll help guide you through both your celebration and your time in San Miguel, creating an experience that feels relaxed, personal, and beautifully reflective of your relationship.
“Amazing experience, phenomenal photos and completely stress-free. It was the perfect romantic experience.
Since we had never been to San Miguel before, having Susan guide us through everything made the experience feel effortless and easy.”
— B & S
“We knew we wanted an intimate destination wedding somewhere unique, and San Miguel was everything we had hoped for.
Susan helped us create an experience that went far beyond our wedding day, with thoughtful recommendations that allowed us and our closest family to truly enjoy our time together.
It was the perfect way to begin this new chapter.”
— E & J
“We've traveled all over the world, but had never been to San Miguel de Allende.
Renewing our vows here was incredibly meaningful, and Susan's local knowledge and guidance made the entire experience feel effortless from beginning to end.”
— S & A
Investment
The Signature Experience
A thoughtfully curated experience designed for couples who want to celebrate their relationship while fully embracing the beauty, culture, and romance of San Miguel de Allende.
The Signature Experience: $5,300 USD
Includes everything outlined throughout this guide.
Designed for elopements, intimate weddings, and vow renewals with up to 20 guests.
30% retainer to reserve your date
Remaining balance due 30 days before your celebration
Venue fees, accommodations, travel, rentals, specialty vendors, and permits (if applicable) are not included
Let’s Begin Planning Your Signature Experience
If what you've read here feels like the kind of celebration you've been dreaming about, I'd love to hear your story.
Together, we'll create an experience that's beautifully personal, thoughtfully planned, and uniquely yours—one that allows you to fully enjoy your time in San Miguel while celebrating this meaningful chapter of your lives together.
Because I accept a limited number of celebrations each year, I encourage you to reach out early if you already have a date in mind.
I can't wait to help you create something truly unforgettable.