Ocean elopement wedding in Japan | Beautiful Elopement Locations in Chiba

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. 

Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Beach
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Way to the beach
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Airbnb
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Brilliant Earth Wedding rings
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Groom ties the tie
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride off to change
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - the wedding dress
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Buttoner
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Groom waiting
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride in a dress
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride smiling
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride going down the stairs
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Groom portrait
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - The first look
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - First look kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Back to the car
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Exploring
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bamboo forest
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Wooden shrine in Japan
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Wooden shrine
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Shrine portraits
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - In front of the shrine
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Wedding florals
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Statue
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride portrait
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride's cell phone
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - driving to Wedding location
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Tori gate on the beach
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Walking to the cliffs
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Fishing boats
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Portrait
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Adventure Wedding
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Secret cove
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Adventure elopement
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Standing on the cliff
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Under the cliff
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - In the secret cove
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Groom reads his vows
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Groom puts the ring on the bride
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride reads wedding vows
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - First kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Showing rings
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Proud groom
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Waves crushing
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bride and groom kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Holding hand
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Holding hands detail
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Dance dip
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Above the cove potrait
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Sunset watching
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Sunset kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Sunset portrait
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Bliss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Faces of joy
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - First dance
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Sensual dance
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Dancing kiss
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Dusk
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Storm in a distance
Beautiful elopement in Chiba Japan - Night lights

Japan elopement wedding planner: Henry’s Adventure Elopements

Photography & Videography: Henry Delac Weddings

Rings: Brilliant Earth

Dress: Lulus Weddings

Feel free to get in touch if you want to plan your adventure in Japan!