Back when I first started out with my photography business, I took photos of a lot of seniors and wanted nothing to do with weddings. One of those seniors was Kathryn. And I always remembered she had the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen.
Years later, she sent me an email. She had been following my photography page and saw that, in a random twist of fate, I was now doing weddings. She told me she was was engaged and wanted me to take her photos. We had a beautiful time and I couldn’t have been happier to see that she had fallen in love. (see their engagement session here)
Kathryn and Dalton’s wedding was scheduled for May 31 in Illinois… which at the time was still on lockdown. All spring, we weren’t sure what the situation was going to be and about a month before their date, she said, “We’re eloping.”
Kathryn got ready in their empty apartment, where she did her own makeup and a friend helped with her hair. Dalton got ready at his mom’s house. The flowers didn’t arrive —so a friend put together the bouquet and a family member made the boutonniere. They had their first look at the Byron Forest Preserve, followed by a small, intimate ceremony in a park. In-between, we stopped at a Casey’s gas station to reapply lashes. Just a handful of people, no formal bridal party.
Afterword, we walked across the street to Dalton’s mom’s home, where they cut a cake. Then they got in their truck, and drove to a few spots in town to deliver it to people who couldn’t attend.
It was kind of the best.
At the end of the day, weddings don’t need to have 300 people or a big budget — they just need two people who love each other. That celebration can be as simple or elaborate as you want, but either way — it’s about your marriage —and nothing else.
Congratulations you two.
I’m pretty sure every elopement has to have a stop at Casey’s gas station for lash re-applying.
It was a breezy day and this veil really wasn’t having any of it.
There we go again.
