elopement

Charise + Logan || Valparaiso, IN Courthouse Elopement

 

In the understated charm of the Valparaiso, IN courthouse, Charise and Logan exchanged vows in a December elopement ceremony. Among a select few, including Charise's grandparents, married 65 years, they embraced this intimate celebration of their love's next chapter.

Following the ceremony, we ventured outside the Valparaiso courthouse for portraits. Charise, radiant and poised, complemented Logan's sleek green suit. Their excitement was palpable, a testament to the journey they were embarking on together.

Their love, captured through many sweet candid moments, spoke volumes of their shared history and the adventures ahead. With simplicity and sincerity, Charise and Logan embarked on a new beginning, and it was a honor to document their first moments as now husband and wife. 


 

Shelly + Wyatt || Indiana Dunes National Park Elopement

 

Shelly and Wyatt had plans to get married this past May. Things happened… but rather than wait a full year to get married, they decided to elope at the Indiana Dunes National Park. They had a ceremony on top of a dune with their family present. It wasn’t what they planned but still beautiful and full of sweet love.


 

Kate + Paul || The University of Chicago Wedding

 

The 2020 global pandemic has altered plans for many. Kate and Paul plan to have a large wedding in 2021, but rather than wait and see if their plans will remain the same, they decided to tie the knot a year earlier with a few friends in the Chicago area and many more loved ones via video chat.

I met up with them outside their apartment in Hyde Park as they helped each other put on their finishing touches. Side note - Paul actually did Kate’s hair! He gets two thumbs up from me. ;) We then walked along the path they take each day together to The University of Chicago - were they met. We took photos along the way and then at many personally significant spots on campus. 

After photos we made our way to the Ida Noyes Hall Courtyard were their ceremony took place. Friends gathered around on blankets and more watched virtually as they exchanged their vows to each other. It was sweet and full of so much love.

Thankful to have been apart of this special day for Kate and Paul. 


 

Anna + Quinn || Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool Chicago, IL Wedding

 

Anna and Quinn are great friends of mine from church. When they asked me to photograph their intimate wedding at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool you can only imagine how excited I was!

Anna and Quinn started dating back when they lived in D.C. They each have lived throughout the U.S. and Anna has even lived aboard for some time. When it came time to plan their wedding, they decided rather than have one large celebration in which many would have to travel to, they’d have an intimate ceremony with just immediate family in their current hometown of Chicago. Then they had wedding celebrations in their past hometowns for all to enjoy. And the thoughtfulness didn’t end there… They even lived streamed their wedding ceremony so that all were able to witness their beautiful wedding vows wether physically or virtually.

Capturing these friends of mine get married was a true joy and certainly a highlight to my year.


VENDORS:

Ceremony Venue - Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

Brunch Venue - Uncommon Ground

Officiant - Jason Helveston

Videographer - Daniel D Video

Bride’s Attire - BHLDN

Groom’s Attire - Bonobos

Hair - Freyja Salon

 

Kaila + Jay || Petit Jean State Park Couples Session

 
 

Urban Elegance Inspiration at Indiana Cathedral Ruins || Chicago, IL Wedding Photographer

 

Wedding Inspiration comes in many forms, and often in the unlikeliest of places. When I met with Abby of Heirloom Event Co. to dream up a new form of inspiration, we knew they wanted a location that was unexpected and captivating. City Methodist Church of Gary, IN was the perfect setting for this unique shoot. These cathedral building ruins, echoing with the love stories of the many couples who had passed through its altar, now stand in crumbling decay covering the beauty just beneath the surface. 

Planning in unusual locations can be a challenge and this inspiration was not short on challenges. Abby did an incredible job of finding the balance between the soft and delicate details of a wedding day with an urban location, all while creating the intimate feeling of a wedding. Couples looking for unique settings for portraits or elopement ceremonies can look beyond the traditional venues and reimagine even the most unlikely of spaces.

This inspirational wedding shoot is was filled with so many incredible and breathtaking details. Be sure to see below for the full list of this creative team that made this shoot possible. 

UPDATE: This shoot was recently published in Green Wedding Shoes & WeddingDay Magazine!



Video by Brandon Mattingly (aka my husband)


Creative Team: 

Photography - Erika Mattingly Photography
Event Planning & Design - Heirloom Event Co.
Invitations - Four Hats Press
Florals - Fleur, Inc. 
Furniture Rentals - Strangelovely
Dress - Alyssa Kristin
Menswear - Richards Fabulous Finds
Hair/Makeup - Bianca Sansosti Artistry
Cake/Sweets - Sweet Melissa Desserts
Jewelry - Katie Carder Fine Jewelry
Videography - Brandon Mattingly
Venue - City Methodist Church, Gary IN

 

Christine + Tom || Macon, GA Elopement

 

Earlier this year I flew out to Georgia to meet with Christine and Tom to capture their elopement. I had never met them before but after we went out to dinner for my first night in town, I felt I had known them for years. I caught on to Tom's sense of humor rather quickly, and Christine and I bonded instantly over our love of Grey's Anatomy and mystery podcasts. They are both into creative writing so they even bought me some good reads as a thank you! They are truly some of the kindest and most thoughtful people I've gotten to know through my photography business.

The next morning they went to the courthouse to legally tie the knot and then that afternoon they decided to have a more intimate ceremony with just the two of them, their good friend and their sweet pup, Molly. Molly also served as their ring bearer and she was the most adorable ring bearer I've seen.  Christine and Tom eloped in Amerson River Park in Macon, Georgia. They exchanged their vows just as the sun was setting and all the Fall colors created such a gorgeous backdrop. Christine wore a dress from ASOS and flower crown from Mulberry Weddings & Events, and Tom wore a suit from Hagger with an awesome handmade tie from QP Collections. With these gorgeous details, the beauty of Amerson River Park, their personal vows, their adorable pup, and the clear love and passion these two have for one another, their day was beautifully simple, meaningful and love-filled. So thankful to have been apart of it all. 

UPDATE: This elopement has been featured on Borrowed & Blue


 

On Purpose Workshop || Wright City, MO Styled Elopement

 

Earlier this month I went to the On Purpose Workshop lead by Courtney of Courtney Smith Photography, and Jessica of Jessica Lauren Photography (pictured below)! This was such a great opportunity to hear from two amazing photographers who are seriously the sweetest gals ever! We also had a styled shoot with two beautiful humans, Alaina + Matthew, at Long Row Lavender (the most precious lavender farm around). 


Vendors: 

Cake - Laulie’s Cakes
Dress - White Traditions Bridal
Tux - The Black Tux
Flowers - Accents Floral Design
Hair & Make-Up - Sarah Young at Serenity Studio
Calligraphy - Courtney Smith Photography & Design
Venue - Long Row Lavender

Thanks again Courtney + Jessica!