Eloping has long been a cherished tradition in the queer community—a way to celebrate love on our own terms. For many LGBTQ+ couples, however, the celebration of love has taken on a new sense of urgency. Following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, courthouse elopements have surged, with couples embracing the opportunity to solidify their commitment and love. What might have been a long-planned event has become a heartfelt and meaningful decision to celebrate love in the moment, driven by concerns about an uncertain future where gay marriage could be at risk. The alarm surrounding Trump’s upcoming presidency, a Republican-controlled Senate, a Republican-controlled Supreme Court, and the nearing possibility of a Republican-controlled House, is palpable within every minority community. A GOP trifecta will give conservatives nearly a full reign over government funding, cabinet confirmations, and legislation. Following the fall of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court is poised to take another look at Obergfell v. Hodges. If overturned, inactive same-sex marriage bans in 32 states would activate.
Love doesn’t wait—and for many LGBTQ+ couples, neither can their wedding plans.
Deirdre Alston, a queer Brooklyn-based wedding and elopement photographer, like so many of us, felt devastated on November 6. And so she decided to do something immediately.
“I sat back for a while [Wednesday morning] and thought, is there something I can do that will have a positive impact on people in marginalized communities that are at risk of having their rights infringed on?” she tells GO. “… All of a sudden, I had a light bulb moment. I should offer myself.”
Photo By Deirdre Alston
Alston has been a photographer for over a decade. She started her career in South Carolina before moving to New York in 2019, when her business began to fill up with queer couples. The unexpected shift in her clientele helped Alston find herself as well.
“I came out at 26,” Alston explains she had been working in New York for two years at that point. “It was after I was exposed to a different cultural standard than the one I grew up in. When I was out to myself, I gained even more queer clients.”
Now, Alston is giving back to the community that has helped her.
Through a TikTok video posted last Thursday, Alston announced her plan to photograph queer couples’ elopements at New York City City Hall, including the ceremony and a 15 minute post-ceremony session, for free.
Since then, the 29-year-old has received hundreds of messages and scheduled at least 15 couples. When I spoke with her Thursday afternoon, she had just gotten back from shooting her first free session.
“There were tears, there was joy. It was just this outpouring of excitement. They just kept saying, ‘you’re my wife, you’re my wife!’ It was really sweet.”
Alston’s offer has inspired other queer photographers who were also searching for a way to help. Brooklyn-based photographer Riley Brennan is one of them.
“I realized that as a photographer, I’m in a place where my art can be so meaningful to people who are feeling so uncertain and defeated,” Brennan tells GO.
Brennan knew she wanted to offer something to bring joy after seeing a queer couple on social media head to the courthouse to elope. When she came across Alston’s post, she was immediately onboard.
“I knew I wanted to give queer couples a chance to feel celebrated right now,” the 26 year old tells GO. “It is sad that you’re feeling the need to go make things official legally, but it’s still worth celebrating.”
Photo By Riley Brennan
In a similar fashion to Alston, Brennan also shared her offer on TikTok: free City Hall elopement sessions for queer couples through the end of this year. Since sharing the post on Thursday, Brennen has been overwhelmed with messages.
“I have three [sessions] officially on my books right now. I have quite a few that I’m emailing today to get their official dates on my books,” she tells GO.
Brennan is also helping couples understand the New York City City Hall process.
“In New York, it is a fairly simple process,” she explains. “You do not have to be a resident of the state of New York to get married here. You can be a resident of any state. That’s something a lot of clients have asked me.”
Brennan, who is originally from Connecticut, got her start in elopement photography. She graduated from SCAD in 2020, when couples were choosing elopement due to COVID limitations. After moving to New York City in 2021, Brennan continued to grow her photography business, but still finds herself at City Hall often.
“Being a member of the queer community, I am always excited to be documenting people like myself and to work with people I relate to,” she shares. “My business naturally drifted toward queer couples.”
Photo By Riley Brennan
Alston and Brennan have been overwhelmed by the response, not only from new clients, but from other photographers across the country who also want to offer their services for free. More than 80 photographers, florists, and wedding planners from Seattle to Tennessee have now been inspired to offer free services.
Eloping has always been about love, resilience, and carving out space for joy on our own terms. For LGBTQ+ couples, these acts of commitment carry even more weight in uncertain times, standing as powerful reminders that love persists, no matter the challenges ahead. Deirdre Alston, Riley Brennan, and countless others remind us that in the face of fear and uncertainty, love is a radical, unstoppable force.
If you are searching for free elopement services in your area, you can find Alston’s list of free resources, including photographers, florists, planners, and more, here. You can also view Brennan’s compiled list of photographers here.
