I strive to be a source of information for my couples & other small business owners. If you need help with:
Starting to plan your microwedding or elopement
Location scouting
Budget assistance
Timeline assistance
Navigating family dynamics
Choosing the right kind of wedding (micro vs elopement vs hybrid)
Vendor recommendations
Intimate & Witchy : Wedding Inspo for the Creative Couple
Richie & Bailey: A Boston Love Story
When I tell you that you are not ready for these photos, I mean it completely.
The Beginning
Richie, a musician, & Bailey, a talented writer, met just before the pandemic, a chance encounter arranged by none other than Bailey’s best friend, Harriet, who happened to work at the local music shop with Richie. With little time to foster an early relationship in the throes of what was happening in the state of the world, R&B took a chance and moved in together. As someone who has known Bailey for almost ten years, I can easily attest that this type of spontaneity is very unlike her—but this is what makes their story so beautiful.
Speaking of taking chances, we cannot fully begin to tell this love story without some background on where it all began. Bailey, having just graduated from graduate school around the age of 24, decided to move to Boston several years ago. If you can believe it, she answered an ad on Craigslist searching for roommates who were interested in a type of communal living in what is now affectionately called, “The Bond House.” It would later transform into their wedding venue.
Listening to the story of how the Bond House came to be is truly one of my all-time favorite tales to tell my other couples. It’s a story of strangers from the ages of infancy to later life sharing a table and breaking bread at the height of the panic in the world. Bailey (who happens to be one of the most talented writers I know) does a phenomenal job of recounting her time in the house on her blog. You can read several anecdotes about how she fell in love with both Richie and the people-who-became-family here. My personal favorite story that Bailey shared with me about her time in the house was her recount of all member of the house gathering together to write an opera. I’m talking musical composition, theme development, and pure creativity.
The Bewitching Details
The details of the day are what originally inspired me to blog this wedding. I have photographed 70+ weddings in my time, and never have I seen such attention to detail than I have in R&B’s wedding. No corner was left untouched as little vignettes representative of the couple were scattered about every square inch of space.
The space already possessed so much character, but it was the witchy, moody, and eclectic collection of skulls, bones, trinkets, and dried florals that Bailey had been collecting for over a year to create her one-of-a-kind floral arrangements that truly elevated the space. I’ll let the photos do the talking here.
It was funny. The entire day, Richie kept joking about how this entire wedding was comprised of “friends who do stuff.” Everything from the stunning deer skull altar to the wedding cakes, the candles and to the collection of varying vintage glassware—all came together from the efforts of close friends and family. Don’t worry; a full list of vendors will be available at the end of this blog.
Pre-Wedding Jitters
The “getting ready” part of the day is often overlooked by most photographers because it’s happening in conjunction with the height of the chaos. There’s hair and makeup tools everywhere, table-scapes are still a disaster, and we are simultaneously focused on making sure we don’t lose the rings during the detail shots AND capturing your precious moments before you walk down the aisle.
R&B’s getting ready process was, in theory, similar to what I just described, yet also fundamentally different. While the hustle and bustle was still happening all around us with all hands on deck, there was an indescribable feeling that something BIG, yet subtle, was about to happen—an underlying “buzz” of excitement running just below the senses. While in the makeup chair, Bailey turned to me and quietly said, “I’m really looking forward to having photos of Richie getting ready.”
I would say that more often than not, the bride is typically less concerned about her groom’s getting ready portraits in the middle of wedding day. This was all the inspiration I needed. I felt myself smile, knowing that in this moment—while her hair was actively being tugged in every direction, and with each stroke of the makeup brush as she got closer and closer to the ceremony—she was thinking only about Richie. I felt like it was most appropriate to detail their getting ready process side-by-side.
First Looks & Friendships
Finally the highly-anticipated moment arrived: the first look. I am always so humbled and honored to be present when my couples are individually centering themselves and taking a moment of quiet time to themselves before the first look. I helped build the suspense as they held hands before rounding the corner. Tristan, the best man and friend of the groom since “in the womb,” was also there to film the moment.
R&B’s friends showed up and showed out—especially Gideon, R&B’s Aussie pup. From baking the groom’s cake to building the arbor and more, 10 out of 10, would recommend this group of people to anyone. And, it doesn’t hurt that they are editorial as hell.
An Intimate & Witchy Ceremony
The deer skull altar was obviously a show-stopper. But no one could keep their eyes from the bride and groom as they got closer and closer to each other. They were all smiles. One of the most memorable photos for me from the day is a largely wide shot of R&B looking at each other from across the pond. It’s a summary of the love and excitement between them.
The ceremony concluded with a traditional hand-fasting. Historically, the bride and groom would not remove the ties for the remainder of the wedding reception. Obviously R&B did not do this, but they did think about it, which I thought was sweet. I snagged a few quiet moments of them together directly after the ceremony. I would say that they are some of my favorite photos of the day because of the pure emotion that they expressed when just with each other.
Quiet Moments
Shortly after the herding cats portion of the day (aka family photos), I stole R&B away for a few quiet moments alone to get that golden hour light. This is my favorite part because I get to sit back and witness the newlywed bliss, while also giving the couple a moment to themselves before joining the bustling reception. R&B have a very editorial vibe and I was sure to capitalize on that.
Time to Dance
String lights were strewn throughout the entirety of the property and made the space come alive as the sun fully set. After the guests enjoyed mountains of delicious shrimp and sides, heartfelt speeches were made and everyone enjoyed hearing the story of how R&B came to be. It was clear that this was a special group who had gathered that day; people from all walks of life came from all over the globe to love and support them. Both the bride and groom made separate speeches. As a writer, Bailey was as eloquent as ever. Richie, however, wowed the crowed with a song as he strummed his guitar. I swear, I felt like I was watching a true indie romance come true.
Richie continued to impress the crowd with his musical background, and as expected, the entertainment for the evening was superb. Bailey is a cellist herself. Two local bands, the Soggy Po’ Boys and Kotoko Brass, provided an atmosphere of jazz and eclectic beats while guests enjoyed dancing, board games, and French 75’s. As a gin lover myself, I must say I enjoyed every moment of this reception. My favorite personal touch from the evening was the tarot card reader, who answered any lingering life questions that the guests brought to her.
Each detail from the evening brimmed with thoughtfulness and heart. Another favorite event of the evening was the cutting of the Charm Cake. One of Bailey’s bridesmaids, Liz, baked a cake that morning with various charms that were connected to ribbons and nestled within the cake. With a countdown, every participant picks a charm and pulls it from the cake. From there, the guests can read the key with the associated meaning assigned to each charm. Of all of the weddings I have photographed, this was a first for me. It was absolutely delightful to have something so fun and interactive for the guests! Here are just a few favorite photos from the evening.
Goodnight
If we’re being honest, no blog post could fully capture the essence of the day. But hopefully the photos bring back all of the warmth that was felt. As the music died down, R&B snuck away for a quiet moment on the hammock before saying their last good-byes to their guests. It was truly such a spectacular day. These were some of the last photos of the night.
Fin.
The most important photo of the night.
R&B: I am truly humbled that you would fly me all the way out to New England just to shoot your wedding day. I love you both and wish you the most fulfilling, creative, and beautiful life together.
For more photos of R&B, be sure to visit my Instagram and feel free to browse my website. Thank you for visiting!
Please feel free to comment below and share with friends, family, and vendors who made this day possible for R&B. I would also be honored if you shared with those who need a little inspiration for wedding day!
We must give credit to our fabulous “Friends Who Do Stuff”:
Photography: KMM Photography IG: @kmm__photography (double underscore)
Band 1: The Soggy Po’ Boys
Band 2: Kotoko Brass
Coordinators: The Functionistas
Caterer: Green Jar Catering
Hair: Timeless Beauty
Makeup: JW Artistry
Bar: Premier Bar Services
Rentals: Rental Depot
Glasses: She Sets the Table
Wedding Favors: Oswald & Ari
Tarot Reader: Muse Diva Goddess (Liz Glow)
Wedding Cake: Flour Bakery
Restroom Rentals: New England Restrooms
Wedding Rings: Meili (Amanda Diamond)
Rehearsal Dinner: Omori Izakaya
Cookies: Hundred Acre Cookies (Carole Reilly)
Altar: Crow & Hound
Handfasting Cord: Primitive Witchery
Crown: Howling Moon
Dress: VOWS Bridal
Dress Alterations: Pins & Needles Alterations & Tayloring
Wedding Jumpsuit: Lulu’s
Earrings: BLKIKIS
Pearl Necklace: Mikimoto
Suit: Indochino
Wedding Shoes: John Fluevog
Watch: Issey Maiyake
Wedding Shirt: Atelier B
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Nails: Colorful Nails
Plan a Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most unique landscapes out there, and it’s just under 3 hours from San Diego, making it an ideal place to visit or elope.
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most unique landscapes out there and it’s just under 3 hours from San Diego, making it an ideal place to visit or elope. Keep reading to learn how to plan your own trip to the weirdest and most gorgeous national park out there.
And as a bonus, I’ve also included my elopement guide with accommodation, vendor, and location recommendations for getting married in JTNP! Scroll to the bottom to download.
Some are intimidated by the thought of planning a trip to a National Park…
I’m here to help put your mind at ease.
National Parks are for everyone. Maybe you’re not much of a camper or outdoor person—if I’m being honest with myself, I LOVE being outside, but I would always prefer to have the conveniences of home nearby.
Maybe you dread the crowds, the stress of not knowing where to start, the lack of a planned itinerary. The great thing about NP’s: you don’t have to follow a set schedule.
So why Joshua Tree specifically?
Location, location, location.
JT is just under 3 hours from San Diego and 2 hours from LA—that’s two major cities and airports, perfectly drivable. The city of Joshua Tree with a population of just under 8,000 is nestled between mountains and wind farms with all of the charm and unusual quirks of a small town filled with local artists, antique shops, mom & pop food and drink, and of course the local Pizza Hut on the corner.
And, there are several BnB’s to choose from, many within 10minutes driving distance from the park entrance.
My husband and I chose to stay in an airstream just 8 minutes outside of the park. We had the convenience of running water and a (relatively) warm place to sleep, but we also got a kick out of using a porta-potty. Don’t worry though; if “roughing it” isn’t your style, there are plenty amazing places to stay nearby.
Our BnB hosts also had 4 e-bikes for rent, so the next day we took advantage of trekking across the sand on an 11 mile trail. With the bikes, we saw more of the park in 2 hours than we would have in one day of hiking.
Click through the photos below to get a quick tour of our air stream:
Our Air Stream
Clink the link below to book the same accommodations!
But where to hike?
We arrived in the park just before sunset, so we chose The Lost Palms Oasis trail, a 7.5mi out and back trail with a few shorter loop options. We opted for one of the shorter hikes since we were actively losing light, but still wanted to get a nice walk in.
As we hiked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the bizarre landscape—spikey shrubs, the desert rocks mixed with mountain formations, and of course the Joshua Trees themselves. It truly is a perfect hike for couples trying to elope in a place of both unusual natural beauty and convenience.
Take a look at some of our favorite photos below.
If you’re a couple wanting to elope in the park, here’s a few more things you should know…
The prime season for visiting JTNP is October—April. Otherwise, you’ll bake in the hot desert sun.
Visiting the park on a weekday will always help you avoid crowds
Eloping at sunrise will also help you beat the crowds, stay cool, and give you some gorgeous light. Plus, then you’ll have the entire day ahead of you to hike and explore!
Expect a photo permit fee of $120.
Thank you for reading.
Let me know if these tips were helpful, and feel free to share with your engaged friends.
5 Reasons why you should hire a planner or day-of coordinator on wedding day:
5 reasons you should hire a planner or coordinator on wedding day
Let’s set the scene:
You’re recently engaged.
Ecstatic, of course.
Your brain is going 100miles/minute dreaming up your perfect wedding day.
A few days pass, the honeymoon phase of wedding planning is over.
You realize you need help.
But aren’t wedding planners and/or coordinators a big part of the budget?!
Yes, and for good reason. Here’s why you should hire one:
. You’re only one person.
You may be incredibly creative and a visionary in your own right, but no one will do it better than someone who PLANS WEDDINGS for a living. Think about it, you’ll be too busy getting married to make sure that the name cards are correct on each table! It is impossible to be 10 places at once setting up chairs, linens, florals, DJ equipment, handing out invoices to vendors, just to name a few. Your one job is to relax and ENJOY.
.. Your photographer will love you for it.
Speaking from personal experience, whenever a day-of coordinator has not been hired, I become your coordinator. Because your photographer plays such an important role in day-of flow, it’s easy to default to them to keep the day moving (side-note: make sure you choose a photographer who is comfortable with being a leader and herding cats!). While experienced shooters are unfazed, becoming your stand-in ‘coordinator’ takes away from our main responsibility: capturing your day. If you want to make your photographer love you even more, listen to their preferred list of coordinators! Nothing is worse than working alongside someone who clearly does not care about the couple. We have a list of ‘friendors’ for a reason, and that is to make your day run as smoothly as possible.
... Your friends and family shouldn’t be the ones cleaning up at the end of the night.
Think about it, do you want your parents to be the ones packing the cars full of your wedding presents, decor, leftover food, and trash? Or do you want them to be able to keep enjoying the party and allow them to reflect on all of the love and joy they witnessed that day? Hiring a coordinator or planner takes this burden away from friends and family. What’s the point of hosting a huge event if your loved ones can’t even enjoy it to the very last hour?
…. They handle the nitty-gritty details so you don’t have to.
I’m no expert in all-things contracts and legalities, but I know enough to run a business. So, we can safely assume that the average couple may not be experts on the jargon, either. A good planner or coordinator will comb through your contractural agreements with your vendors to ensure that you are protected should things go wrong. Many will also handle some of the other headaches of wedding planning, like collecting guest addresses, sending out the invitations, and doing the heavy research on other necessary vendors. The point is, sometimes we get too bogged down in the details of planning, and they are there to make your lives easier.
….. They offer insight into a wedding day that you can’t get from the average person.
As much as we wish we could glean from the experience of all of our married friends, sometimes it’s just not enough. I encourage you to utilize the knowledge of your event planner or coordinator because they have years of managing large events under their belts. Everything that could go wrong on a wedding day, they have likely seen and already planned for solutions A, B, and C. With that in mind, be specific about who you choose as your coordinator or planner! Experience matters, especially when it comes to managing large groups. Tact also matters; they must have a way with people. Finally, they must ultimately care about you, the couple, above all else! Often, your planners serves as a protective force against all of the obstacles you may face on wedding day.
Click through to learn about some of my favorite planners and coordinators in the business:
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My very own coordinator on my wedding day. Kristen went above and beyond; she is now part of an incredible powerhouse of creatives who simply excel at all things weddings and events.
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A true master of her craft, I’ve worked with Natalie several times over the years. Her attention to detail and artistry with wedding florals is unmatched.
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Lauren is a true joy to work with and cares about her couples. She’s got that “feels like home” quality that make all of her couples feel at ease.
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This team—I’ve never seen anything like it in all of my years. One of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever experienced as a wedding photographer was working with Emily Weddings.
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Ellen is always one of the first planners I recommend to my Atlanta brides because of her vast knowledge and experience in the various venues. She is a boss at what she does.
Was this information helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
How to Elope in The Garden of the Gods
How to Elope in the Garden of the Gods. Itineraries, vendor recommendations, and locations.
For a full detailed PDF guide, be sure to read until the end.
Reasons to choose Garden of the Gods for your elopement:
Accessibility. Garden of the Gods is just over 1 hour south from Denver proper. And, the park itself is completely drive-able with parking, making it easy for guests to attend.
Iconic. The park’s namesake is appropriate for the epic views of mountains and towering spires of red rock. Whether you are scrambling over a specific rock formation or just enjoying the views, there is rarely an angle where you won’t see the North Gateway Rocks.
Desert vibes. Garden of the Gods allows you to get that moody, desert color palate without traipsing miles into the actual desert. As soon as you leave the park, you’re surrounded by various restaurants, a charming downtown with antique shops, and even more hikes.
Pro tip:
If you’re coming from out of state, order dried florals so they last.
Where to say your vows in the Garden of the Gods:
Click here for a map of the park.
Sentinel Plaza
Allows up to 25 guests
Accessible parking
Yes nearby bathrooms
Access to Tower of Babel, the Kissing Camels, Signature Rock, and more.
High Point
Allows up to 50 guests
Accessible parking
No nearby bathrooms
Beautiful views of the North Gateway Rock
Three Graces Plaza
Allows up to 25 guests
Small accessible parking
No nearby bathrooms
Can walk along sandstone formations with other trails nearby
Obtaining Your Marriage License:
The state of Colorado does NOT require blood tests or witnesses…or even an ordained officiant. This means you can act as your OWN witnesses and marry yourselves!
However, whoever solemnizes the marriage (i.e. you) must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the county clerk and Recorder’s Office within 63 days of the wedding date.
Click here to apply for your marriage license online.
Hours for obtaining a marriage license in El Paso County are from 8am—4:30pm at the Clerk & Recorder’s main office.
Proposed Itinerary:
For any elopement, you want to beat the crowd. Garden of the Gods gets especially crowded during the day because, as we said, it’s very accessible.
3:00am: wake up
3:00—4:00: get ready
4:00—5:00: drive to GotG if staying in Denver
5:00—5:15: bathroom break + freshen up
5:15—5:30: first look
5:30—5:50: sunrise ceremony
5:50—6:00: first dance
6:00—7:00: sunrise couple’s portraits
7:00—7:30: drive the park and stop as needed for more photo spots
Other Rules to Know:
No alcohol is permitted in the park
“Leave no trace,” which means don’t leave trash, confetti, bird seed, flower petals, or any other item behind that may disrupt the natural environment.
There are specific areas where picnics and food are allowed. Be sure to download my detailed PDF for more information on how to elope in the Garden of the Gods.
Click here to download a detailed PDF elopement guide for Garden of the Gods with more information about vendors & extra activities.