LGBTQ+ Elvis Wedding at Little White Chapel Las Vegas

Shawna & CJ reached out to me back in the fall before their elopement on 11.11.22 (which, as you might guess, was a HUGE day for Vegas weddings). I got to spend the morning with them, and it was just the most fun ever. I felt like I was hanging out with old friends - there were lots of happy tears, constant laughter, and just all-around ABSOLUTE JOY. Days like this one are why I became a photographer 🥲

We met just before their morning ceremony at the Little White Chapel in downtown Las Vegas, which is one of the most iconic spots for Vegas elopements. It’s kitschy, classic Vegas with a drive thru wedding window, a pink Cadillac, and (maybe most importantly?): Elvis. Shawna & CJ wanted the full experience, so they were married by Elvis in his pink Cadillac with a serenade to bookend the ceremony. It was SO FUN! Elvis even walked CJ to the car and sang “Viva Las Vegas” for their first dance afterward.

After our time at the chapel, we headed downtown for photos around all of the murals/street art around Fremont Street. They’re always changing, so there’s never a guarantee of what we’ll get, but it’s always colorful and awesome.

Are these two not the most beautiful couple you’ve ever seen? They are totally crazy about each other, and they are just as sweet as they are gorgeous. I loved every second of working with them.

For reference, Shawna & CJ booked my 2-hour Vegas Elopement Package, and we had plenty of time to fit in all of these spots. Ceremonies at Little White Chapel always vary, but I’d estimate that theirs took about 20 minutes (including Elvis’ songs). If you’re interested in booking your wedding at Little White Chapel, I can help advise which ceremony & time of day is best for you and your partner. Reach out to get started!

Intimate Mountain Cabin Wedding in North Georgia

As promised, here’s part two of Tara’s & Cj’s wedding weekend in the North Georgia mountains (Part one is here if you need to catch up)!

Tara and I brainstormed back and forth for months, throwing around ideas for elopement and microwedding locations and scenarios. It can be really tough to try and nail down your wedding vision, especially in the middle of a damn pandemic. However, Tara & CJ took it like champs and wound up putting together the best little wedding in the mountains of Jasper, GA. October in North Georgia is always really beautiful, but I feel like the sunset reeeeally showed off for this one.

One of the perks of having a tiny wedding is that you can make last minute adjustments. For example, when we got up to the cabin the day beforehand, we scoped out the incredible view and decided to move the ceremony back a bit to take advantage of that sunset backlighting. It wound up being such a good call, because we were able to do their first look and portraits washed in the glowiest warm light. Because the guests were already there, we moved the first look to the balcony off the master bedroom, which gave Tara & CJ a private few minutes (totally recommend this, it calms the nerves and is very grounding).

Tara handled all the decor and sweet little design elements herself, and it was all perfectly them. She has flawless style. Also, can I take a moment to brag on my husband, the officiant?! Because he did an amazing job! The ceremony was heartfelt and personal, and he just cleans up so nicely (obviously, I’m biased. I don’t care) 😍

Tara & CJ - we love y’all so much. I’m so honored we were a part of your wedding day!

Yosemite National Park Adventure Elopement Shoot

I honestly have no idea why it took me so long to blog this session (other than the fact that we’ve all been in a pandemic for the past 2 years, but who’s counting?!). Yosemite is one of my favorite places on the planet. In fact, we affectionately refer to it as the Center of the Universe, which actually feels like an understatement sometimes. We love it.

So, when we were planning one of our most recent trips to Yosemite, I decided I wanted to try and plan an adventure elopement shoot at Taft Point. It’s got one of the most iconic views of the valley, and because the hike is on a fairly easy 2.2 mile out-and-back trail, it’s also one of the most popular in the park. I connected with Kayla, who’s also an incredible photographer and happened to be visiting from Oregon at the same time. We decided to hike in together and swap photos of each other. I’m SO glad we did!

Kayla & Gus are such sweethearts, and I loved getting to know them, hiking around, and stargazing together at the end of the night. We got to share a quintessential Yosemite sunset which, in my opinion, bonds you for life. Kayla has become a huge source of photo inspiration to me, and I’m so glad we were able to meet.

Scroll all the way to the end for bonus BTS content!

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Important Note: I can’t overstate how dangerous the fissures and drop-offs are at the end of this trail. Falls would be fatal (it’s like 3000+ feet above the valley floor). Please take all precautions if you decide to do this hike, and make sure to read up on all of Yosemite’s restrictions and guidelines. As always, Leave No Trace!

Glacier Point Road is closed for all of 2022, but reach out if you’re interested in planning a Yosemite National Park Elopement or portrait session - there are SO MANY great spots throughout the park, and planning out adventurous sessions is one of our favorite pastimes!

Bonus content: Elsie took this photo of me in action 🥲