Windy March Elopement | Mariana & Stephen

Life has a way of piecing together beautiful masterpieces slowly – each section of our lives happens in due time. Sometimes, what we think is a missed opportunity or an insignificant detail is actually a redirection toward a remarkable ending.

about this session

As was the case with Mariana and Stephen. We couldn’t believe their remarkable love story. I enjoy hearing each couple’s story that I shoot, and when I asked Mariana about theirs, she laughed, “That’s complicated. We went to homecoming together in the 8th grade and another dance together our junior year. We dated a little after we graduated from high school, and then we both went off to separate colleges. Life took on us on different paths. Stephen found me on Facebook December 2017, and we had our first date (again) March 30th, 2017.”

What an amazing story of two that were truly meant to be together! If it’s meant to be, even time can’t keep couples apart.

They live in Georgia and wanted to elope in the mountains—just the two of them! We LOVE “for real” elopements like this. They seem so intimate and romantic, and we feel more in tune with the couple. The simplicity and natural mountaintop beauty allow us to focus on the couple’s love—that’s what it’s all about!

For their elopement, we hiked a little up Black Balsam. It has been a very windy March, but these two were so happy and in love that they barely noticed the wind. The strong breeze actually made for some amazing pictures as Mariana’s gorgeous hair danced around her face for an elegant windswept look. (Also, I just have to mention that her tattoos are AMAZING, and I love how she chose a dress that let them show since they are pieces of who she is—I had to get a few bridal portraits of her back as she gazed out on the mountains. Stunning!) These two have the best smiles, and we loved capturing them in their moment as they exchanged heartfelt vows.

Congratulations, Mariana and Stephen. We wish you both the very best!