Sydney+Nathan//SC Summer Wedding
I know it’s the middle of winter & currently 30 degrees outside as I write this, but I have gotten SO BEHIND on blogging and felt the need to share this warm, summery, July day from Nathan & Sydney’s wedding with you guys!
These two got married at the same venue I had my wedding 4 years ago, which is always so special to photograph there! A few months before their wedding, they emailed me in a panic, because they had gotten into some not so good drama with their wedding photographer & were in need of a new one. I hate that they had to go through all of that, but I’m SO thankful it gave me the opportunity to meet them + shoot their wedding!! They welcomed me in & made me feel just like family. It was literally the dreamiest summer day and every detail of their wedding was STUNNING. My friend Lexi, who did all the florals, created this enormous hanging flower installation at the reception, which was a show stopper for sure!!
I loved everything about this wedding & can’t WAIT for summer to be here, along with all my summer weddings!!!!
Why Elope? // How to know if it's best for YOU
Elopements are becoming a sweet, intimate alternative to the standard, traditional wedding. Yet, I think a lot of people have fears, misconceptions, or worries about eloping. Probably because the word elope technically means to run away and secretly get married, especially without parental consent. However, I think that eloping is taking a different direction in todays culture. Eloping today is simply viewed as a small, intimate wedding, with only a handful of family member or close friends, most times taking place at an adventurous destination.
When Kayla & Dustin reached out to me about photographing their wedding, they mentioned that they wanted to elope somewhere in the mountains, with only a few family members. They were very flexible with the location, so I mentioned that I’d be in Colorado in June, if they wanted to fly out and do it there. Luckily, they were already planning on honeymooning in Colorado, so it worked out perfectly!
They got married one June afternoon in Chautauqua Park in Boulder, and everything about this experience couldn’t have been more perfect. So I wanted to ask Kayla & Dustin a few questions regarding their elopement, in case any future couples are interested, curious, or possibly looking into eloping themselves.
What made you guys decide to elope?
Money was honestly a big factor. We didn't think it was logical at all to put anyone into any sort of debt over a one day wedding. We asked ourselves, “At the end of the day, what are the most important things? That we love each other and that we are married!”
Obviously, eloping isn’t for everyone, so how did you know this was the best decision for you and your fiancé?
Neither of us like to be the center of attention at all, so we knew this would be a perfect option for us. We also knew it would be a lot easier to plan, which it most definitely was!
What were the best and worst parts about eloping?
The best part…goodness there are so many things! Number one, it’s so intimate! We chose to have a very small number of family members with us and it made it so special! Another thing is you can choose to have
it anywhere you want without the worry of guests traveling. And honestly, we couldn't think of a negative thing about it! Maybe just the fact that some people were disappointed they couldn't be there too.
Any tips for future couples who are considering eloping?
Don’t procrastinate your planning. I know it seems like there’s nothing to plan, however, those small details can be big problems if you don't take care of them with enough time. And don't let anyone guilt trip you out of doing it! It’s YOUR day!
If you could go back and change anything, what would it be?
This probably sounds cheesy, but we wouldn't change a thing!! Everything turned out so perfect!!!
Are you glad you chose to elope?
Absolutely! We'd do it all over again if we could and I would encourage anyone who is considering to elope, to just do it!! They won't regret it!!
I think elopements are so special in so many ways, and since I’ve photographed a mix of huge, traditional weddings to small mountainside elopements, I figured I’d share a few of my own personal opinions. I think eloping is a great alternative because it:
allows you to focus more on what truly matters, which is getting married, not planning a wedding.
can combine your wedding and honeymoon into one.
takes away so much stress that comes with planning a large wedding
allows you to have a more carefree day, with no rushed timeline or agenda.
gives you an opportunity to get a lot of photos of you and your spouse in a beautiful location
helps save a lot of money
allows you to be fully present in the moment and not distracted by stress, a tight schedule, and hundreds of guests
Like I said, eloping isn’t for everyone. I had a huge, 300 guest wedding and loved it. Yet, looking back, I don’t remember that much of it, because it was so rushed, there were so many people to talk to and thank for coming, and we were on a tight schedule. I couldn’t be fully present in the moment because I was being pulled in every direction possible. However, the bottom line is, you have to decide what is best for you and your spouse. That might look like having a large wedding, but then doing a session the day after with your photographer, to eliminate a lot of the time it would take to do photos on your wedding day, so you have MORE time to enjoy the day and be present in the moment. Or maybe it looks like having a small backyard wedding and serving pizza and coke for dinner. Or maybe you want to be adventurous and elope in a place you’ve always dreamed of going. Every couple is different, therefore every wedding is different. There is so much freedom in deciding whats best for you and your spouse and what best fits your personalities, even if its different from what everyone else has done or is doing. If you have any questions about eloping or want to discuss personal ideas or dreams for your own wedding, reach out over on my contact page and I’d love to talk!
Nolan Wedding//Wildberry Farm
I always tell my couples that no wedding is perfect, and to get ready and not freak out when something goes wrong. But honestly , Melody & Tyler’s wedding was pretty close to perfect in my eyes!!
I met Melody in college and we’ve stayed in touch throughout the years. She would DM me on occasion and tell me “As soon as I get engaged, I’m booking you to shoot my wedding!” Well sure enough, the day after she got engaged, she messaged me about shooting her wedding! I was so honored and excited.
Their wedding was THE epitome of a perfect summer wedding. Sunflowers, blue skies, green grass, and a gorgeous sunset to end the day. Melody planned and decorated the entire thing, and honestly, she needs to become a wedding planner after seeing what she did at her wedding! Everything was so beautiful and intentional. She also got married at the same place I did, except she didn’t have any snow or freezing temperatures like I did at mine in January! Melody & Tyler, I truly was honored to be your photographer and witness such a beautiful day. You two TRULY are an Abercrombie & Fitch model couple ;)
Abbey + David//Wedding
Abbey & David got married on a blazing hot July afternoon, but boy was it a GORGEOUS wedding. These two met in middle school and have been in each other's lives ever since. They are some of the most grateful, laid back, & caring people. I went to school with Abbey's sister - in - law, so I was already familiar with their family before the wedding. But getting to spend time with all of them during the months leading up to the wedding was super special. I love going into wedding days already having a friendship with the couple & their family. Their wedding was so dang FUN and Abbey is hands down the best dancer of any bride I've ever photographed ;) Here are a few of my favorite moments from their wedding day!
Bridal Gown: David's Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Madison Carpenter (makeup) & Erin Williams (hair)
DJ: David Graham
Florist: Brandon Smith
Caterer: Jennifer Jenkins (Aramark)
Baker: Melba Honney
Videographer: Randy Branch Media
Stationary: Shana Wanco
Jordan Leigh + Josiah//Wedding
Where do I even begin with these two? I have known Jordan Leigh & Josiah pretty much my entire life. They are like brothers & sisters to me. Being a part of their wedding felt like being at huge family reunion, all of our close childhood friends, gathered around to celebrate their marriage.
They have been dating for YEARS, and here is an old throw back picture I took at Josiah's high school graduation party of their 2013 young love. Its been beautiful to not only watch these two become husband & wife, but to see how their relationship has grown over the years and how they have individually become the most caring, Godly, hard working & creative human beings.
Jordan Leigh's mom wrote me such an encouraging letter, thanking me for photographing their wedding. She said, 'You clearly have a God given talent & calling, and its a joy to see you use it. You bring glory to His name & He provides for you through it. What a lovely way to dance with your Creator! The photos are lovely. Whenever I look at them, I get to experience the wedding more fully because you caught things I didn't see!" THIS is why I love what I do. I get to be a part of people's lives, stories, & special moments. I get to give them a gift they can relive over & over. And my heart & passion, above giving people images they will treasure forever, is to make much of my Creator. To glorify Him. To point people to Him. I feel like such a failure at this daily, but by His grace, I'm thankful He uses weak, inadequate people like me to glorify Him. YOU can as well. You don't have to be a missionary or work at a church to make an impact for the Lord. Do it wherever you are, at whatever you do. The Bible says, "Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people."
Jordan Leigh & Josiah, you'll always be so special to me! Thank you for years of friendship & for many more to come (since we live so close to each other again!!)
