Meet Elizaveta Malone | Owner, Founder & Creative behind EZ Elopements, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizaveta Malone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizaveta, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At its heart, EZ Elopements, LLC was created to give couples the freedom to reclaim their wedding day—not as a performance or production, but as a deeply personal experience rooted in connection, authenticity, and adventure. What started as my husband Zack and I planning a simple, meaningful ceremony for ourselves in a new city with no family nearby, quickly became a calling to help others do the same. Since 2017, we’ve had the honor of helping over 1,170 couples around the world say “I do” in a way that’s truly theirs.

But EZ Elopements is about more than just beautiful wedding days. It’s about creating social impact through freedom, accessibility, and intentionality.

Making Love Accessible—Without the Price Tag

In a world where traditional weddings often cost more than a down payment on a house, we saw how many couples were stuck between two extremes: go into debt for one day, or settle for an impersonal courthouse ceremony. Our mission became clear—offer stunning, all-inclusive elopement and micro-wedding experiences that don’t cost a fortune but feel just as special (if not more so).

We provide everything—from professional photography and videography to florals, officiants, styling, and day-of coordination—making planning simple, affordable, and joyful for couples from all walks of life. And because many of our clients are busy professionals, single parents, military couples, and creatives, that accessibility means the world.

Redefining the Wedding Industry—One Adventure at a Time

We believe that marriage isn’t one-size-fits-all, so why should weddings be? From mountaintop vow exchanges and waterfall ceremonies to castle ruins and forest retreats, our all-inclusive elopement packages offer a way for couples to get married where and how they truly want—without compromising on quality or meaning.

This shift in mindset has ripple effects. When people realize they don’t have to follow outdated traditions or break the bank to get married, they reclaim their power and start their marriage grounded in authenticity, not stress.

Supporting Local & Conserving Nature

As we plan experiences in national parks, private forests, botanical gardens, and small towns, we’ve committed to supporting local businesses and land stewards wherever we go. We source florals from nearby growers, work with local vendors for food and rentals, and donate a portion of proceeds to conservation efforts in state and national parks we frequently use.

We also educate couples on Leave No Trace principles, so their celebration leaves nothing behind but love and laughter.

Giving Back Through Storytelling

As an immigrant, a photographer, and a creative, I know what it’s like to start from scratch, to dream big, and to want more than what’s been handed to you. Our company gives me the platform to tell those stories—not just my own, but the stories of each couple who trusted us with their day.

We don’t just document elopements—we honor heritage, empower nontraditional love, celebrate blended families, same-sex couples, elopements with kids, and cultural fusions. We help people feel seen, respected, and celebrated for who they are.

A Wedding Day That Reflects You—and a Business That Reflects Us

Every year on our anniversary, Zack and I recreate our own elopement somewhere new around the world. It’s our way of staying connected to our mission and reminding ourselves what it felt like to make that decision—to choose love over logistics, presence over performance.

We built EZ Elopements to make that same choice available to others. And in doing so, we’re proud to be shifting the conversation around weddings, offering a more intentional, inclusive, and sustainable way to celebrate love.

We’re not just helping people get married—we’re helping them start their forever with peace, joy, and purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Art of Real Love Stories: Behind the Lens at EZ Elopements

At EZ Elopements, our art lies in capturing love in its rawest, most beautiful form—unfiltered, unscripted, and unapologetically real. We’re not here to pose people into perfection or fit couples into a template. Our specialty is creating and documenting wedding experiences that are down-to-earth, no-fuss, and deeply meaningful—crafted around each couple’s personality, not industry trends.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just planners or creatives—we’re storytellers, collaborators, and co-creators of once-in-a-lifetime moments. Our photography and films are candid, romantic, a little messy, wildly fun, and beautifully human. We don’t shy away from wind-blown hair, muddy boots, teary vows, or spontaneous dance moves under the stars. That’s the magic. That’s the art.

Every couple is different, and that’s what fuels our creativity. We get to know each couple personally, learn about their quirks, their connection, what makes them laugh—and we use that insight to craft a wedding experience that reflects them fully. From guiding them through first look jitters to setting up a picnic in the woods or a lantern-lit dance in the desert, we’re involved from start to finish with deep intention.

Getting to where we are today hasn’t been easy. It took years of behind-the-scenes work, investing in gear, systems, people, and most of all—trust. We’ve faced burnout, growing pains, unpredictable weather, and the challenge of wearing 10 hats in a single day. But every challenge has pushed us to refine what we do and why we do it. The lesson? Stay flexible, stay honest, and keep your heart in the center of your work.

What we want the world to know is this: your wedding doesn’t need to be perfect to be unforgettable. You don’t have to follow rules or traditions that don’t speak to you. At EZ Elopements, we’re building something that’s equal parts art and soul—a space where couples can feel free, celebrated, and at ease.

We’re here for the belly laughs, the misty mountain vows, the quiet forest moments, and the spontaneous champagne pops. Our work isn’t just about pretty photos and videos—it’s about preserving how it all felt.

Because when all is said and done, that’s what matters most.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit, you better believe I’d approach her trip the same way I plan every elopement—intentionally, with care, balance, and a dash of fun. Just like I do with each couple we work with at EZ Elopements, I’d tailor the entire week around her personality, passions, and pace—creating an itinerary that leaves room for both connection and adventure, photo-worthy moments, and memories that feel like home.

And since our business recently expanded to Canyon Lake, Texas, I’d build a mini road trip into the itinerary too—because what’s more bonding than a getaway with your favorite person?

Here’s a little taste of what that would look like…

DAY 1: Kick Off in Deep Ellum
🎨 Start with a mural walk and photos in Deep Ellum
🍩 Grab sweet bites at Emporium Pies
🍹 Rooftop drinks at Ruins
🎶 End with live music at The Free Man

We’d laugh too loud, sip slowly, and let the city welcome her in with energy and color—perfect way to shake off travel fatigue.

DAY 2: Fort Worth Vibes
🐂 Head to the Stockyards for the cattle drive and vintage shops
🍽️ Feast at Joe T. Garcia’s
🕺 Two-step (or just dance badly) at Billy Bob’s
🎁 Find a fun keepsake for the trip

DAY 3: Dallas Day of Peace & Play
🌿 Morning at the Dallas Arboretum
🧺 Picnic at White Rock Lake—snacks, a speaker, and the perfect photo session
☕ Kindness and connection at La La Land Kind Café
📸 Golden hour portraits because why not feel like a muse for a day?

DAYS 4–6: Canyon Lake Getaway Road Trip (2.5–3 day escape)
Day 4: Scenic Drive with a Few Fun Stops
We’d hit the road and make the 4-hour drive fun and full of stops.
🚙 Grab kolaches in West, TX
🛍️ Stroll downtown Waco or stretch our legs at a scenic overlook
🎶 Curated playlist, windows down, lots of laughs

Arrive in Canyon Lake by late afternoon and settle in.
🌅 Walk the lake at golden hour
🧺 Evening picnic under string lights at our private venue or at Canyon Lake Overlook
🕯️ Maybe a card game or brainstorming success story session under the stars

Day 5: Adventure Meets Ease
🛶 Paddleboard or kayak on Canyon Lake or explore nearby parks or Caverns
🧘‍♀️ Morning meditation or stretch on the deck
📸 Fun, carefree photo shoot in the woods or by the water
🦋 Explore nearby towns like Wimberley or Gruene
🍷 Winery visit or cozy dinner to end the day

Day 6: Creative Morning & Return Trip
☀️ Wake up slowly with coffee and forest views + maybe enjoy
📖 A mini storytelling or vision board session together (because this is how memories stick)
🎶 Scenic drive back to DFW with one last stop for brunch or BBQ

This little escape gives us time to slow down, breathe in the beauty of the Hill Country, and feel that same calm magic we create for couples who elope here. It’s not just a detour—it’s a soul-filling reset.

DAY 7: Sunday Soul & Slow Down
🧘‍♀️ Morning yoga or journal time at Klyde Warren Park
🥞 Brunch at The Rustic
📚 Browse books and sip lattes at The Wild Detectives
🌇 One last golden-hour walk across Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge for reflection and hugs

At the heart of it, this week would be full of the same love, creativity, and thoughtful planning I bring to every elopement and micro-wedding. Whether I’m creating an experience for a lifelong best friend or a couple ready to start forever, the goal is always the same: make it real, make it joyful, and make it feel like you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout: The People Behind the Heart of EZ Elopements

While I may be the business guru, planner, photographer, and creative force behind EZ Elopements, the truth is—none of this would exist without my husband, Zack Malone. He is the backbone of our business and the rock in our family. From the moment he proposed and supported the dream that eventually became EZ Elopements LLC, he has been all in—even when it was hard, uncomfortable, or inconvenient.

While I handle the legwork—planning, logistics, creative direction—Zack handles everything else. He builds, lifts, fixes, sets up, packs down, runs errands, officiates weddings with deep presence and warmth, and above all, makes sure every guest and family member feels cared for and seen. His ability to adapt to every situation (sometimes reluctantly but always reliably!) has been the glue that holds our day-of execution together.

His dedication & ability to provide the much needed stability, was what made it possible for us to purchase our first private forest venue in Jarrettsville, Maryland, where we’ve hosted countless magical ceremonies. Now, he’s pouring that same energy into developing our second location in Canyon Lake, Texas, crafting another peaceful haven for couples to celebrate love. He is a devoted father, a steadfast partner, and the reason I’m able to pour myself 24/7 into this work.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to my sister, Daria Leech, owner of Luscious Hair in New Braunfels, TX, who has been our lead hairstylist, planning assistant & decorator, and a true ride-or-die through the hardest seasons—especially as we navigated new parenthood while building a business. She’s been the most adaptable team member, unwavering support system, and a deeply invested partner in our mission. I could not have done this without her.

Of course, this journey would not be possible without the foundation provided by my closest family—Jeff Woods, Marina Woods, and Christina Woods—who have created the safe space for me to grow, offered guidance through every high and low, and consistently reminded me to balance ambition with intention. Their support has been my anchor.

Lastly, a heartfelt shoutout to the incredible extended family that is the EZ Elopements team, both full-time and collaborative. To Eric Mayfield, Victoria Morales, Tessa Osterhage, James Kush, Arthur Ko, Rashad Washington, Kayleigh King, Toni McLaughlin, Ari Haynes, Min Ji Kim, Jackie Kelly, Joshua Hughes, and so many others—thank you for showing up, going above and beyond, and bringing your talent, heart, and professionalism to every wedding day.

Each of you is part of the reason we can offer couples the stress-free, all-in-one, deeply personal experience that EZ Elopements stands for. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or joined us for a single event—you’ve made magic happen.

To everyone who has stood by us, believed in the mission, and poured love into what we do: this is your shoutout. This is your success, too.

Website: https://www.ezelopements.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ez_elopements

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ez-elopements

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezelopements

Other: https://vimeo.com/ezelopements

Image Credits
Elizabeth Malone & Tess Osterhage @ EZ Elopements LLC | https://www.ezelopements.com/photography-portfolio