There's something so sweet about elopements—no insane planning, no wrangling of family, no awkward seating arrangements or drunk uncles. All that's left is love.

In 2017, Ebone Hatcher and Tosin Okunoren moved to the Bay Area from Memphis, where they met—on a plane when they were assigned seats next to each other in 2011. Far away from friends and family, they opted to elope in San Francisco just the two of them, before heading back home for the holidays.

The two planned an intimate day together but didn't skimp on the elegant touches: The bride wore a lace cap-sleeve gown that buttoned up the back; the groom brought the something blue in his azure suit and floral shirt. Hatcher matched her bouquet to Okunoren wine-hued accessories—ruby, magenta, and alabaster blooms were adorned with an ivory sash. She finished her look with a coral-toned lipstick.

The Beaux-Arts corridors of San Francisco City Hall set the scene for their ceremony, which happened to coincide with a partial closure of the building due to a closed-casket viewing for mayor Ed Lee. But all was well: The couple was married in a private room. Afterwards, the newlyweds made their way to Bernal Heights for a classically foggy SF photo shoot.

Venue:San Francisco City Hall

Hotel:Hotel Zeppelin

Photos: Bernal Heights

Photography:Clara Rice Photography