Elope to Savannah | About

About us

We are a group of amazing, progressive wedding professionals that come together to help you have the best wedding ever. We have possibly the most diverse team of wedding professionals in the area to make your day perfect! Meet us all here -

Elizabeth and Doug are a wife and husband team! We have performed well over 2900 elopements together! (so far!) Please read more about each of us, and our team, below.


Elizabeth Raley — Owner and primary photographer

Hey there, I'm Elizabeth, and I've got quite the journey to share!

Back in 2001, I proudly walked the stage at the Savannah College of Art and Design, a B.F.A. in Photography in hand. Little did I know, that day marked the start of my wild ride as a full-time photographer. Fast forward more than 24 years, and I'm still at it! But how did I end up here, you ask?

Well, it all began with a chance meeting. In 2010, I met the former owner of this awesome business, and we instantly clicked. When they moved away in 2013, I took over the reins and let me tell you, it's been a wild and wonderful journey since then — capturing the magic of over 4,000 weddings! (and counting!)

I'm a native of Charlotte, N.C., however Savannah is more my style … quirky, fun, full of lovably weird people, and it's hot and humid, just the way I like it.

Before stepping into the Elope to Savannah world, I worked with just about any kind of wedding vendor you can think of and believe me, you're making the right decision choosing to elope. So much less stress!

I'm also ordained with the American Humanist Society and can legally perform weddings myself and also am the mastermind behind almost all of our couples' bouquets and boutonnieres.

When I'm not busy with elopements, you'll find me outdoors — gardening, hiking, canoeing, or camping in the Okefenokee Swamp with all of the alligators.

I'm also a cat lover, a PokemonGO enthusiast, and a Netflix addict. But that's not all. I'm passionate about being a local activist. I am the Secretary of the Savannah Federation of Democratic Women, a proud volunteer with Planned Parenthood, and admin a few local liberal/blue Facebook groups. Because love is love, and it deserves to shine in every shade and form.

So, there you have it, the fun, down-to-earth, and colorful me. Let's make some magical memories together!

Douglas Morse — Primary officiant and assistant

I was born on Jekyll Island and grew up here in Savannah. I've traveled extensively and lived in very different parts of the country, but in 1997 I moved back to Savannah and realized I was really home. I've worked in many, varied fields over the years, but marrying couples from all walks of life is by far the most enjoyable thing I can imagine as a career.

I'm a certified Humanist Celebrant, certified by the American Humanist Association. I can legally perform secular ceremonies and solemnize marriage licenses. In the years I've been working with Elizabeth before and after we ourselves were married, I've married thousands of couples. But I do my best to relax, and put people at ease to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience and treat every wedding as if it’s the most important one, because it is!

I love helping couples celebrate their love and commitment to each other. I'm honored to be a part of their special day,and I always do my best to make it a memorable and meaningful occasion.

When I'm not officiating weddings or answering the Elope to Savannah emails, I enjoy canoeing in the swamp or up the lake my family frequents in rural Quebec. I love biking, hiking, and nature.

I love music and unusual, offbeat movies more than most people and enjoy listening to my extensive music library and finding the weirdest, craziest sci-fi movies to watch.

I also work with the local and national community to promote equal rights for all, feminism, anti-racism, and rights for BIPOC and the LQBTQ+ community.

Elizabeth Raley, owner and primary photographer of Elope to Savannah photographed under a live oak tree with Spanish Moss in Savannah

Owner and primary photographer, Elizabeth Raley.
Photo by Josh Stewart Photography.

Primary officiant and assistant, Douglas Morse on Tybee Island on the beach near the dunes.

Primary officiant and assistant, Douglas Morse

Additional staff

Our staff is awesome and we make sure that they will take excellent care of you.

Rubi McGrory, one of our elopement officiants pictured on Tybee Island. Rubi is also an artist, writer and chef.

Rubi — Officiant

Rubi is an artist, chef and writer, who lived at sea until she moved to Savannah more than 15 years ago. An elopee herself, Rubi and her husband married in a hot air balloon over Santa Fe, New Mexico. A second-generation wedding celebrant, she caught the "marrying people" bug from her mother, more than 20 years ago.

Josh Stewart is a resident of Tybee Island and loves everything about photography and the beach

Josh — Photographer

Josh lives on Tybee Island and been a professional photographer for several years now. Originally from Atlanta where he studied psychology and neuroscience, working in a pharmacy until deciding to chase his passion and move to the beach. His photos have been published in South Magazine, The Beachcomber, and Where To Eat at the Beach. He gets joy from taking photos of the beauty in the world.

Taylor Campbell, one of our elopement photographers pictured in Forsyth Park.

Taylor — Photographer

Taylor is a resident of Tybee Island and has been a professional photographer for several years. She worked in her former home of Seattle as a photographer and has been loving working in Savannah and on Tybee of course, since last year when she relocated. She loves being active, yoga, the beach, and cats. Her infectious smile and laughter will put you at ease.

Michael Edde is a local photographer in Savannah, GA and he also loves travelling to out of town weddings all over the country

Michael — Photographer

Michael has lived and photographed in Savannah for more than 10 years. Originally born into a family business of jewelers in Atlanta, Ga., Michael began doing photography as a way to capture the look of joy he experienced in the family business. He has had work featured in Savannah Magazine, Savannah Weddings Magazine and Atlanta Weddings Magazine among others.

Shaye Garrigan is an artist and photographer in Savannah, GA

Shaye — Photographer

Shaye has lived in Savannah for more than 10 years years and has a BFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She's been taking photos professionally for more than five years. Photography is her way to channel creativity and get to know many new people.

Glen Osterberger is an artist, illustrator, graphic and web designer who has been living in Savannah for over 30 years.

Glen — Graphic and web designer

Glen has lived in Savannah for more than thirty years after earning his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Illustration. He has worked as a designer for more than 25 years and continues to illustrate as well as do 3D design work.

Jamie High, photographer, officiant, and behind the scenes guru.

Jamie — Officiant, photographer, email assistant

Jamie is a jack of all trades! She's a true joy to have as part of the Elope to Savannah team. She has her BFA in Photography and Graphic Design and is just getting into the world as a photographer. She loves officiating ceremonies as well and is awesome to have on hand when we need assistance with the email. Jamie is an avid reader — she read more than 200 books in 2024! And she loves the Savannah area and all the people she gets to meet during weddings.

Mike Aldrich is a SCAD grad and loves Savannah and wishes he could live here

Mike — Assistant

Mike is one of our behind the scenes magicians for the last 15 years. He is the one responding to your emails when Doug and Elizabeth are out of town or need a break. He also emails you your gallery links and posts photos on Facebook. He does all of this from Tennessee! He and Elizabeth met in college and he lived in Savannah for six years. Mike, Elizabeth, Rubi, Shaye, and Glen are all SCAD alumni! Mike and his husband Ryan also eloped to Savannah in December 2018! His step-daughter and her wife also eloped to Savannah in 2019.

Kind words

Apparently people have a lot of really amazing things to say about us! Read some words from some of the past couples who we've served.

Blush-worthy praise

Ready to get in touch?

If you're ready to take the plunge and escape from the binds of a stressful, traditional wedding, get in contact with us here!

Contact us today

Check out our amazing photos

Check out photos of other awesome couples just like you and see photos and videos of the locations we use. All photos pictured here were taken by Elizabeth!

The location videos are helpful so you can feel like you're having more of a Savannah experience.

See all of our beautiful locations