When I received Melissa's initial email about her plans for her secret elopement at Smith Mountain Lake, I literally took a screen shot and sent it to Tommy with the following message:
"ahhhsdfsgs#$^$%YESSSSSSSOT&T^$@#$!!!!!!!"
Ha!!! FOR REAL.
There is something so special to me about being invited into a private space to capture a lifetime of memories with my camera. I KNOW it's not personal... it's not ME who is "special enough." I KNOW it's just that I have a gift with a camera and it's the pictures and the memories that are the important part.... but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy every single solitary moment of being present. Weddings, births, surprise engagements, all of it is SO exciting and to be the one invited into my client's space to capture these events just never EVER gets old!
So yeah... needless to say I was SUPER excited!
Melissa and Tim's short ceremony and photo session left a HUGE impact on me. Something about the two of them staying true to who they are as a couple... they aren't afraid to live life differently, to follow their hearts. He loves her for who she is, for what she wants, and for who she will become. And she loves him for the very same. This was SO apparent as I photographed them throughout our time together.
This secret elopement was a compromise and it was truly inspiring to see their sacrificial love blend together to create the perfect day for the two of them. What a beautiful way to begin their marriage.
Each and every element of their day had meaning behind it. The setting, her bouquet, her dress, his suit, their song choices, their rings. Every decision was intentional and it made everything about their day not only so much more special, but it helped bring in pieces of their history together that represented the important people in their lives. It was so neat - even though the people weren't present, their spirits were, through the elements Tim and Melissa brought to make up their day together.
How stinking cool, right?!
Tim and Melissa,
THANK YOU for inviting me to be present to capture such a huge day in your lives! I hope putting up with my quirkiness for even just an hour was worth the photographic coverage you received. I know the imprint you all left on my heart and the inspiration you sent me off with will last far longer than our short time face-to-face. I adore you two and I hope you cherish these pictures forever!!
Sincerely,
Liz
Okay, enough from me... here's the pictures!!
