Bryce Resort Wedding | Shenandoah Valley Wedding Photographer | Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding Photographer | Adventure Wedding Elopement
As best said in the words of @revjessieanne that my brain might scramble up now “When you love each other so much you get married on a Friday, and again on a Saturday. Then you hop on a plane and do it all over again”
On a Friday in June in the front yard of the house Marianna grew up in, surrounded by a chunk of this bi-costal duo’s friends and family, and some families on zoom, they tied the knot for the second time. The first time on the land where they are building their forever home together. This first week of June was the ode to their Virginian love story. This first evening of everyone coming together to stay together as if it was summer camp. All us eating, laughing, playing, and staying in cabins next door together soaking up the beauty of @bryce_resort and the mountains of Virginia. Hearing stories of their love, sharing in some lovely beverages (shout out to @athleticbrewing for the slew of NA goodies fueling this adventure). As Marianna and Cody, aka Wildpack and Trail dad, have carefully crafted out two weeks across two states worth of events and fun to celebrate their love and their love story. Which began with a trip to Washington, a spark on a camping trip, and a lot of plane rides back and forth to finally end up in Marianna’s home base of Virginia together. Now becoming one unit of wholeness with all of their collective humans and all the fuzzy pups too.
On Saturday some of us woke up early, headed out to nearby Lake Laura and paddled with the sunrise. Then we rested up to meet again at Lake Laura where we all hiked together around the lake so this duo could get married again in the sunshine on top of the dam overlooking Lake Laura. After our afternoon hike and vow time we all ended up at Swover Creek Farms and Brewery in nearby Edinburg, VA where we respectfully ate all the food and drank all the beers and had ourselves a wonderful time. As the evening wound down and some departed back to their homes, the rest of us headed back to Bayse, VA to have another bonfire and continue to hang out until brunch and goodbyes on Sunday.
The Stables of Rolling Ridge | Germantown, MD Wedding Photographer | DMV Wedding Photographer
Samantha and Richard met 8 years ago through some of their mutual friends. They decided to have a lovely spring wedding at The Stables of Rolling Ridge near Germantown, MD. After the ceremony we all rolled our way to Senor Tequila’s in Downtown Germantown, MD where are all had a blast and the mariachi band even played for the couples first dance together.
Berkeley Springs, WV Elopement Microwedding Wedding| Berkeley Springs, WV
Glen and Mary decided to have an intimate fall Microwedding at a lovely backwoods Airbnb in Berkeley Springs, WV. Their kids and families all came together to make a gorgeous small late fall wedding day for them. Once the sun went down we broke out the lanterns and played outside under the moon and stars.
What’s the difference between a Microwedding and a Elopement and what’s best for you?
Wanting to get married somewhere cool? Wanting to just have an intimate affair? Maybe you are looking to find an awesome location that is affordable for a small wedding. This guide is the place for you to start the ball rolling in your mind.
Colorful Fall Deep Creek Elopement Microwedding | Deep Creek Lake | Swallow Falls State Park | Deep Creek Elopement Photographer
Mariah and Jen’s fall microwedding style elopement at Swallow Falls State Park in Deep Creek, Maryland was a wonderful and colorful affair. Mariah chose a pink wedding dress to match her pink hair and it was fabulous. The ceremony was done in a Native way to nod towards Jen’s heritage. It was beautiful to watch each element being represented and the traditional use of cornmeal and feathers in action was fabulous (I would post more of those, but the officiant didn’t wish to be published publicly). So hopefully the tidbits give you some of the vibe. Their friends and family surrounded them in so much love and were troopers as we popped through the park and hit each waterfall along the way. Thank you so much to Mariah and Jen for hiring me to capture your day. I had such a blast capturing your love.
Green Ridge State Forest Microwedding Elopement | Flintstone, MD | Cumberland, MD Wedding Elopement Photographer | Western Maryland Wedding
Jenna and Blake decided to have their elopement style microwedding at Zumbrun Overlook at Green Ridge State Forest in beautiful Mountain Maryland. This duo decided to do the thing under the afternoon sun on a clear sky early September day. In attendance were all of their family, and a surprise audience of roughly +200 Hispanic hikers doing a team hike of the Great Eastern Trail . Thank you guys for being awesome and cheering Blake and Jenna on, and for hiding out and holding the team split while we did the thing. You all are fabulous❤️Congratulations to Blake and Jenna, May life always gift you good surprises ❤️**Nerd note for my hiking couples: Green Ridge State Forest is the largest continuous block of public land in Maryland. The park is 46,000 acres and spans two counties. On the side closest to 68 you are right against the PA state line as some trails continue into Buchanan State Forest. On the other side you are right near Paw Paw, WV and the Paw Paw Tunnel. During Covid lockdowns this is where you could find me every day. Finding different little gems throughout the park, or camping close to the best swimming holes. The park itself is definitely designed for serious outdoors people, with rough roads, and long steep hiking trails. It’s also a research first sort of space, some trails are nicely marked and easy to follow. Other ones… not so much.
Rocky Gap State Park Wedding|Flintstone, MD|Cumberland, MD Wedding Photographer| Western Maryland LGBTQIA Microwedding
Angela and LaDonna decided to have a Viking themed microwedding at Rocky Gap State Park where they met in Western Maryland with their lesbian camping group. They were surrounded by all of their friends and their children, They decided to do an elemental themed ceremony around a giant fire pit once the sun had set. So we worked in reverse, starting with couples photos, then dinner, then once the sun set the ceremony began.
Harpers Ferry, WV Wedding Photographer|Harpers Ferry Elopement Photographer | Harpers Ferry, WV
Joesph and Nicole had a lovely microwedding at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. They had a handfasting ceremony in front of all their friends and family. Afterwards they did a beautiful dance to Hoizer’s Work Song. Then after their dance the best potluck dinner occurred with Cuban, Filipino, and American dishes. Joseph works at Lost Ark, so the drinks we also fantastic and featured some of their liquors. Their intimate affair was wonderful and I am so glad I got to meet them and their people and capture their day.
Shepherdstown, WV Elopement|Shepherdstown, WV Wedding Photographer
Claire and James tied the knot on a lovely fall day in their brand new home in Shepherdstown, WV. With their family and puppies all close by it was a wonderful intimate microwedding. With their mutual love of World War II history their home displayed historical photos all throughout it. Claire’s dress being perfectly on brand with the time period. We stepped outside their house to walk downtown and soak up some of their favorite parts of downtown Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Boho Pennsylvania Elopement|Hyndman, PA Wedding|Bedford,PA Elopement Wedding Photographer
Eddie and Keli were married on a rainy May day at Eddie’s parent’s farm in Hyndman, Pennsylvania. They met years ago at burning man, so an indoor dance party was mandatory. Despite the rain we all had an absolute blast. We even pulled Eddie’s dad’s Volkswagen Beetle out for a little photoshoot with the new bride and groom.
Rocky Gap State Park Wedding|Flintstone, Maryland|Cumberland, Maryland Wedding Photographer| Western Maryland Elopement Wedding Photographer
Miranda and Jonathan had a lovely small early summer wedding at Rocky Gap State Park. On a toasty and sunny May day these two love birds tied the knot with their closest friends and family.