Ashley + Eric Elopement @ Bake Oven Knob

Eric proposed in Times Square the day before his own birthday, while on a trip to the big city with the love of his life. He also happens to be my little brother, and Ashley has been a part of my life for quite a few years now. They were hoping to put together a big wedding day, with all their families and friends and really make a party of it, you know? Well, plans changed. And it. Was. Glorious.

When they decided to elope, Ashley got in touch saying all she knew was that she wanted a non-traditional black dress and to be somewhere outdoors. They had zero other plans. No big ideas in mind, no particular “vision”, just a very private day together and they weren’t telling ANYONE. So, we started brainstorming! She loved hiking to Back Oven Knob years before, and the idea of the lookout being their backdrop was an immediate yes when I suggested it. We tossed dress ideas back and forth and she found one she absolutely loved in no time! I picked my very favorite colleagues and pulled together a dream team for her florals, makeup, and officiant. Ashley and Eric came over to my house that morning and we send Eric off to the barber shop while Ashley got ready here in my home, and it was the loveliest day to spend together with my almost-sister-in-law. Then, we hit the road.

We met up with Ali, my long time friend and officiant at the bottom of the hiking trail and made our way to the lookout. The skies were misty and soft clouds filled the valley underneath us when we got to the lookout. There wasn’t a soul around. Ali had written a custom ceremony just for them. They read their hand-written vows to each other and there were tears and laughter and it was STUNNING. After a few portraits over the mountains, we all hiked down and they danced in the trails along the way, beaming with all the love and joy you could ever imagine.

If you’ve considered eloping and really just immersing yourself and your partner in a truly private day together, do it. You can always have a big party later with all the family and friends to celebrate, so why not? And if you need a little guidance or someone to really pull off all the details, I got you. I promise you won’t regret a thing 🙂