About Ibay Photography

Name: Elope to NOLA
Address: New Orleans, LA, 70130, US
Telephone: +1-504-292-4856
Price range: $$$

Meet the Team Behind Your New Orleans Elopement Experience

Marcia Ibay

Founder | Lead Photographer | Elopement Planner

Big welcome

For the last 11 years, I’ve helped overwhelmed couples ditch the performance and do things their way — with a New Orleans elopement that’s actually about them.

I wasn’t always an elopement photographer. Pre-Covid, I was shooting wayyy too many weddings a year — big ballrooms, group text chaos, late nights, and very little soul. I loved love, but I was burnt out. It all started to feel like noise.

Then came the call that changed everything.

A couple reached out in full panic mode. They had a 160-person wedding booked, a venue locked in back home, and a Pinterest board longer than a CVS receipt. Then they found out they were pregnant.

Suddenly, the whole thing felt wrong. Stressful. Overwhelming. Like a really expensive party for everyone but them.

So they canceled everything — and called me.

We planned their New Orleans elopement in just four days. No guests. No fluff. Just them, an officiant, and me under a century-old live oak.

The bride didn’t write vows. She sang them. She pulled up Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” on her phone and belted it straight to her husband (yes, full-body chills). He followed with traditional vows, voice cracking the whole way through.

And then — the beignet moment. They handed me a sealed envelope from a family member with the gender of their baby. I added the colored sugar to the top of their beignets. When they turned around and saw them… they knew. It’s a boy.

That moment — that real, joyful, just-for-them kind of love — changed how I see weddings forever. Since then, elopements are all I do. And I bring that same energy and intention to every couple I work with.

Born and raised in New Orleans, I know this city like I know my morning coffee: strong, specific, and non-negotiable. And yes, full Scorpio alert… I’m an unapologetic Type A. I love a plan. I love a backup plan. And I will 100% build you a custom timeline that actually gives you space to breathe.

Let’s do you.

What You Can Expect?

I treat your elopement like it’s my own – organized, intentional, and built to actually flow. Dependable, transparent, and always ready with a backup plan.

What My Photos Feel Like?

Timeless, cinematic, and full of character – like New Orleans herself. I’ll guide you just enough so it still feels like you.

People Say I’m Known For

Making things easy, knowing every hidden gem in this city, and handling chaos like a boss – and making even the most camera-shy couples feel like naturals

I Click Best With Couples Who

Want a no-fluff day that’s actually FUN! The kind who ditch traditions and care more about the moment than the production.

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Elopements

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Years Experience

Krislyn Fraser

Assistant Photographer | Creative Director in Training | Live Wedding Artist

Krislyn is our in-house creative — and yep, she’s also my daughter.
Some parents teach their kids. Mine? She’s out here teaching me how to see the world with more color, texture, and style.

She’s currently studying Visual Arts at NOCCA — the only pre-professional arts conservatory in Louisiana — and already brings a fresh creative perspective to every shoot we do.

Whether she’s second-shooting elopements or sketching live wedding portraits while guests sip champagne, Krislyn adds an eye for beauty, balance, and the little details most people miss.

She’s drawn to expressive couples — the ones who love color, character, kindness & aren’t afraid to be a little extra. Her style blends emotion with aesthetic, softness with structure and always has that art-school flair (yes, she’s probably in full Lolita fashion on her days off and sketching floral composition studies on any given Sunday).

Bottom line? She sees your story differently and beautifully.

What Sets Her Apart

She captures in-between moments, the candid laugh, the quiet glance, the perfect angles.

Her Style

Editorial meets ethereal, with a focus on emotion and authenticity. Insightful, grounded, and a born leader. We just call her magic.

Authentic. Unscripted. Yours.

We’re not just here to snap pretty pictures – we’re here to tell your story, your way. Our job is to capture the energy, the style, and the emotions that make your day yours.

The couples we vibe with most? They’re kind, creative, and know that tradition is only worth keeping if it actually means something to them. They love great style, appreciate aesthetics, and draw inspiration from timeless fashion. Their elopement isn’t about putting on a show – it’s about creating an experience that reflects who they are: adventurous, stylish, and unapologetically unique.

They’re not stressing over champagne walls or seating charts – they’re too busy soaking in the moment, making memories, and actually enjoying the day they’ve been dreaming about. They treat people with love and respect, prioritize their families, and know that the real magic happens when you stop sweating the small stuff and focus on what matters most…each other.

If that sounds like you, then let’s connect. We can’t wait to hear your story.