Delicate Forest Elopement

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By its very definition, an elopement is completely and whole-heartedly romantic. Last spring, this couple planned an intimate afternoon for just the two of them, to share the vows of love they’d pledged to each other, and then celebrated with a beautiful dinner under a canopy of trees. The spectacular feeling of calmness that one views these images with is something you don’t often feel when looking at a collection of wedding photos, and that speaks to the intentional intimacy and romance of an elopement.

From the couple:

While both of us love big parties, for our wedding we wanted something small, intimate, and magical. We wanted an opportunity to both spend time alone together and have quality time with our very nearest and dearest. With that in mind we turned our wedding celebration into a two-day affair. On Friday, we had the ceremony with only our immediate family and the bride’s best friend. Before the ceremony, we got ready together (again, just the two of us) and after a small celebration immediately following the ceremony with our family, we had a picnic for two in the redwoods. Later that night we met up with our friends for drinks and food to get the party aspect of the weekend started. On Saturday, we had our closest 30 or so friends gather for brunch in the morning and then a floral and dance-filled reception in the evening. It was a weekend full of meaningful connection and love, and neither of us will ever forget it.

Photographer: Elizabeth Messina (day one); Kristen Loken (day two) | Floral & Event Design: McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design | Vow Scroll: Lauren McIntosh | All other paper goods (vow booklets, guestbook etc.): Bride | Slippers: Opal & Owl