Calla and Mike are one of the many couples whose original wedding plans were derailed by the COVID pandemic during 2020. They decided to postpone their grand celebration with their loved ones, but didn’t want to wait any longer to become husband and wife. So, they got married privately in a self-uniting ceremony. (If you’re not from Pennsylvania and don’t know what this is, it goes back to Philadelphia’s “Quaker” roots and allows for couples to legally marry themselves in the absence of an officiant.) Although now legally married on paper, they wanted their vow exchange and ring ceremony to wait until they could be captured in photographs at a beautiful and meaningful location. That is where I come in. Mike reached out to me to see if I was available and up for the job, and I answered an emphatic yes. I was excited to play such an important role in their love story, and the location they chose (Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square) also happens to be one of my favorite places.

When that afternoon arrived, one of my biggest fears as a photographer came true - my car broke down on the way there. I was devastated. My couples mean the world to me, and I give 110% to each and every one of them. Also, this wasn't any session that could be rescheduled, this was a long overdue vow exchange for a couple whose 2020 wedding plans were completely overhauled multiple times through no fault of their own. I couldn't be the reason that they had to change plans yet again - I wouldn't allow that to happen. So, I immediately jumped into problem-solving mode, made a few phone calls, arranged for my husband to pick me up along the PA Turnpike, left a note on my the dashboard of my broken down car, and decided to deal with that issue later.

When I arrived at Longwood Gardens (a little bit late), Calla and Mike were so understanding and gracious. I couldn't have asked for better clients that afternoon - they were just so kind and patient and ready to exchange their vows and wedding rings! They were excited and so eager to finally officially call themselves husband and wife.

And, they did just that, under their favorite tree at Longwood Gardens. (I can’t believe that I have been to Longwood Gardens a gazillion times and never noticed this glorious tree before! It is truly a hidden gem, and I can see why Calla and Mike love it so much.) Following their exchange of vows and rings, we wandered around the rest of the gardens making some incredible images together just as the sun was setting. Everything was incredible that evening. By some stroke of luck, the large fountains went off just as we were walking below them, and the wind blew the mist in a way that created some truly magical portraits for us. We used up every last bit of light we had, and literally got escorted out of the gardens by one of their not-so-fierce security cats.

Thank you again for your flexibility, patience, and kindness, Calla and Mike. And thank you to my husband for being the superhero that he is and jumping in to rescue me so that we could still make this session happen that night. He hadn't planned on assisting me that evening, but he did it with a smile - because that's how incredible he is and how lucky I am to have him as my main supporter. If there’s anything that I learned from 2020, it’s to be more flexible, expect the unexpected, and focus (pun intended) on what really matters in life. Sometimes you just have to rely on love and a little bit of luck.

Congratulations again, Calla and Mike! You make an incredible team, and I hope you are enjoying life’s adventures as husband and wife. I am so honored to have been a part of your story.

And without any further hesitation, here are some of my favorite images from our evening together. They requested that I keep the photos of their actual vow and ring exchange private, but take my word for it, they are equally as stunning as the rest of the images I am sharing here. Maybe even more stunning, because you can truly feel the love they share for each other as they were reciting their vows, exchanging their rings, and renewing their commitment to each other. (Above all, I honor my clients’ wishes when it comes to privacy, regardless of how beautiful the images turn out.) Newlywed bliss just has a way of making couples glow! You’ll see what I mean when you get to the images...

Longwood Gardens elopement Pennsylvania intimate wedding photographer

Here are some vendors who deserve some extra love for helping make their elopement dreams come true:

Bride’s Flowers: The Farm at Oxford

Bride’s Makeup and Hair: Emily Alice Salon

I’m going to start off by sharing Kara and Tyler’s love story…

Kara and Tyler officially met in December 2019. Tyler’s Aunt Nancy & Aunt Marty introduced them. Kara was instantly attracted to Tyler even though he didn’t fit her “type” – a farmer/hunter with no facial hair or tattoos. She flirted with him, but he didn’t pick up on it and they went their separate ways. Tyler’s aunt intervened and encouraged him to text Kara, giving him her number.

Over the next three weeks, he repeatedly texted but never got an answer. In a last ditch effort, he gathered up his courage and called. Finally, someone picked up. But it wasn’t Kara. It was the number of a chocolate shop!

He went back to his aunt in defeat and realized the number he had written down was off by one digit. A little shaken, he decided to go back to texting and asked if she would want to go for a hike the next day. Kara agreed (even though hiking isn’t really her thing). Tyler was nervous, so as they walked he started talking - and next thing he knew, he had told her his life story. Kara had decided she wasn’t going to date, but as she listened to him talking she decided she liked him and thought just maybe she would give him a chance. After that day, they spent a few more days together and began dating two weeks later.

Kara describes their relationship as stable, complimentary, and unexpected while Tyler says it’s a little sappy but definitely intimate and their intentions with each other are always clear. They enjoy spending time outdoors and appreciate simple pleasures like hanging out on the porch at the cabin or spending time on the farm. They both enjoy conversation and most of all, each other’s company.

When they decided to get married, they knew they didn’t want “a lot of fuss” around a wedding because they believe their marriage is at commitment to each other and to God. They know their marriage is the real sacrament and look forward to growing old together, promising to cherish and support each other for all their days on this earth. Kara & Tyler were wed in an intimate ceremony in a church with only immediate family present on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

Now here is where I come in…

Winter is typically a slow time for weddings, and with COVID still lingering, I found myself with some extra time on my hands this January. I was looking for ways to network and stay creative, and I stumbled upon a style shoot that was being hosted at Ironstone Ranch, in nearby Elizabethtown, PA. I reached out to the coordinator of the styled shoot, and she told me she had an opening and thought we would make a great team. So, I signed up! I tend to stay away from styled shoots, because I prefer real emotion and moments over working with models - but I was really itching to create again, and the timing for this was perfect. As it turned out, our models for this shoot were actually a real couple, and they had just gotten married in an intimate ceremony a few days prior. They didn’t have a professional photographer at that ceremony, and had not exchanged personalized wedding vows. When I found out that our styled shoot was actually going to be a real vow exchange for these newlyweds, I was ecstatic. This shoot really was the perfect fit for me. From the getting ready jitters, to the first look anticipation, to the love-filled vow exchange, and intimate portrait session - it was all 100% real.

Without any further delay, I am thrilled to share these photos with you. (Please scroll to the bottom for the names of the awesome creatives who made this fabulous vision come to life!)