Our Secret Elopement

Oh my gosh, we FINALLY got married.

Let me first off say to everyone I love dearly that this was a hard decision. This is NOT how I saw my wedding taking place. I wanted one big wedding with everyone I loved at the same place at the same time. I felt a sense of betrayal running away secretly to marry the love of my life. I wasn’t even sure if it would feel like the right thing to do in the moment and I was beyond torn/heart broken. Deep down I knew this was the right thing for us as a couple but it was still hard to not have every single person I loved with us in that moment and I hope everyone can understand why it happened the way it did.

Please know we ARE still having the big wedding/renewal of vows on Sunday, July 4, 2021 as planned so everyone can be there. I just could not continue to play the waiting game as it was getting exhausting and taxing on my heart strings. At the end of the day I couldn’t be happier with the decision we have made. I know I can confidently say it was the right thing to do. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during such a troubling time. I mean, my wedding got rescheduled twice which means I should get two weddings anyway, right? Haha, trying to be positive about it all.

This elopement was the best shining light in a crazy COVID year of 2020. It was beyond special. There is something to say about having a small ceremony and it being hidden from the world. It felt so much more personal/intimate and all the tiny details someone can easily get wrapped up in with planning a wedding disappeared. We truly were able to focus on just us and nothing else.

Since everyone I truly love couldn’t be there I thought I would make this blog post and tell you our wedding day story. This post I’m sure will be mostly pictures but I hope you get as much enjoyment out of them as I do.

It was a little over half a mile hike to the top of the cliff. We were blessed to have a day where there were not many people at the park, which is unusual because it is typically packed. My mother, father, and brother attended the wedding along with John’s mother, her husband, his two kids, and our photographer. John’s sister and brother were able to join us via zoom. (Yes we actually got service at the top of a cliff, so crazy!)

Above is a picture of the whole gang who attended!

I need to take a pause in our love story and give a beyond HUGE shoutout to our Photographer Andrea Brooke. If you are in love with these photos as much as I am please please PLEASE reach out and book her for your next event/session. She has the kindest soul with such an amazing talent. I couldn’t have been more lucky to have someone has amazing as her. She is truly gifted and dedicated to her work. Her company is called ABD Photography and she will NOT disappoint. She thought of the most creative poses, is truly up for anything (even hiking up to a cliff when she’s scared of heights) and is extremely flexible. She drove 3 hours just to come to this elopement. She is truly remarkable.

Let me also say if the photos aren’t at a high quality is has NOTHING to do with our photographer Andrea. I screen shot these photos off the computer and cropped them in the paint application on the computer, haha. So blame me for that and I apologize in advance!

We finally made it to the top and it was stunning.

It’s funny how untraditional this wedding was but we still did little moments to keep some tradition alive. For instance, my dad walked me down to the end of the “cliff” to John to send me off.

Our ceremony was brief, as in only about 5 minutes or less. As beautiful as it was this was more of a legal formality. We talked about having a wedding in a Court House but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. I felt like a hike was more us than anything else. The wedding in July will be my true wedding in my heart, with everyone there, but this was such a beautiful moment to finally marry this man.

One of my favorite parts about the day were taking all the photos after the ceremony. It was SO fun. I think I got closer to the edge of the cliff than anyone really wanted but I could not hep myself. It felt like I had to take the risk! I also came prepared for this outdoorsy atmosphere and wore sneakers the whole time! Per my mom’s request I made sure to get all white sneakers with a bit of sparkle.

After our fun little photoshoot which I can tell you I 100% loved and John did not, haha we headed down the hiking trail. The trail in total is 3 miles long and we had only hiked a little over half a mile at this point so we had a long ways to go! Luckily it was around a lake which was really pretty.

I think it became clear to me that I knew I had to marry this guy ASAP when he went away for a trip with the Military and I was home alone for a week. I would lie in bed at night thinking “Man, I just wish we were married.” In those small moments I knew I couldn’t wait until July, 2021. Waiting wasn’t the right course for us to take and I am so happy I listened to my gut.

Every chance I got on the walk down I jumped into any pose! If anyone knows me you know my love for photography and pictures in general. Andrea even suggested I go into the tree and I was SO on board. I am so happy I did this too because look how beautiful that shot is!

Everything felt like it was a dream out of a storybook and I am so pleased Andrea caught every moment of this. She captured so much of the beauty I didn’t even get to take in 100% but I truly feel like I am reliving the whole day every time I look at these photos.

I have so many other beautiful pictures and words to describe this day but I didn’t want to bombard you too much!

Marrying John was the best day of my life and I know Sunday, July 4, 2021 will match it. Both days will be so special for many different reasons and I cannot wait to celebrate with everyone. It’ll be here before you know it!