elopement - Beach Bride

Sleeping Bear Dunes Elopement

By Car

Hey ladies and gents! Can you believe that we’re already in the middle of summer? Time flies by so fast! Of course, there’s no better way to celebrate your wedding this season than a beach themed styled shoot. When it comes to planning your perfect bridal look, the step after you’ve found your dream dress and makeup is finding the perfect location to match! What we have for you today is the picture-perfect inspiration. This event was to show future brides that a traditional wedding isn’t for everyone, and there are other options to consider. Brides love to feel on top of the world on their wedding day and that’s what one of the big appeals that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers! From the scenic view to the dress from Spring Sweet, the details are a flowing masterpiece that allows for movement and fun on a wedding day for a vibrant bride. All these stylized items are made to ensure an intimate feel for every couple who loves to turn their elopement into a genuine time spent enjoying the view of Lake Michigan. Check out these amazing snaps taken by Stephanie Parshall Photography.

We’re All About the Details!

Take this Advice

A wedding doesn’t have to be this big, huge affair. It needs to be about what works best for the two of you and occasionally that means that it involves just the two of you. As you continue to plan and you feel as though you can’t find anything different, taking a look at places like Northern Michigan can truly offer you many unique experiences. Add in a bit of fun! Your hair doesn’t need to be perfect, your dress can have some flow to it, and at the end of the day, it’s about you two getting married instead of everyone else’s expectations! ~ Stephanie Parshall/Photographer

From the Photographer
Hello! I’m Stephanie Parshall, a Wedding Photographer based in Michigan and I travel EVERYWHERE my couples ask me to! From a Snowed-Filled Winter Wedding to the mountains of North Carolina to the oceans of the Pacific and everywhere in between! When it comes to ensuring that every detail of your day is captured, it actually starts well before your wedding day! My unique client experience is made with you in mind because I’ve gotten to know and understand what all of my past couples have gone through! It all involves getting to know you on a personal level and helping you through the whole process. I teach you how to feel confident in front of the camera and by knowing you personally, your wedding day feels more like a reunion of friends than a stuck up formal business transaction. I primarily shoot Weddings & Eengagements but do also photograph Proposals and Bridal Shoots as well! My pricing starts at $3,200 for 2 photographers and 8 hours of day of coverage

Vendors

Venue: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Model: Stevie Pennepacker
Dress: Spring Sweet
Hair: Hair by Morgan Rose
Make-up: Katie Marble
Calligrapher: Stockbridge Design Co.
Event Designer: Faith Pearlman
Photographer: Stephanie Parshall Photography

The Ocean View Plus Me And You

By Scarlet

A ticket for two to the beach for a wedding, please! Ajax and Michelle eloped and professed their love in front of a breathtaking view. Michelle wore a flowy and chic dress and had a flower crown. Ajax had on a white shirt and gray pants with a scarf made out of leaves. Basically, the couple went for a minimalistic look and let the setting speak for itself. The highlight of that day was the beach and their love that shows in photos. And that day, it was only them that mattered. If you’re interested in eloping, read more below to get details on how they planned this event from Michelle.

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Our Story:

We met online in the summer of 2013 when both of us were living and working in New York City. We met in the new age of dating but immediately knew that we were made for each other. Ajax initially sought out me while she I traveling, so he waited patiently for me to return to New York City. After almost five weeks of emails, texts, and phone calls, we met at the fountain at Washington Square Park. When we first laid eyes on each other, we didn’t say a word. We instinctively hugged and laughed and knew that we were a match. From that first date, outside of travel for work, we haven’t gone a day apart.

We Are A Perfect Match:

Our laid back, fun loving attitude. We’re both very serious at work but are very down to earth at home. Our ideal date is a fun day in the outdoors with our dog, followed by a good burger and a movie night in. More importantly, we share the same values. Family is extremely important to us both, and we have a mutual respect for supporting each other and our goals. We can see down the road together, and we’re always looking in the same direction.

The Proposal:

We courted for just over a year when Ajax proposed. Ajax chose to propose at the same time as Loving Day, the nationwide celebration of the end of the ban on interracial marriage in 1967. Ajax, who is Taiwanese-American, knew this was the perfect day to propose, as my parents are Korean and Caucasian. He bent down on one knee right in the park on the way to the celebration. During the festivities, we were pulled on stage and given a congratulatory cheer for our engagement by hundreds of Loving Day attendees.

The ring was custom made by Ajax (in secret) through a jeweler in Denver, CO. The engagement ring is a cushion cut aquamarine, mined by hand on Mount Antero in Colorado and hand picked by Ajax, surrounded by a diamond halo. “I know how close Colorado is to Michelle’s heart. She was born and raised in Colorado, so I chose to give her the state stone,” says Ajax. I also love that it’s the gem of the ocean. The ocean is close to Ajax’s heart. Both of our hearts are in that ring.

Wedding Décor Inspiration:

We didn’t choose colors or a theme for our wedding, as we wanted it to be focused on the natural beauty of the beach. Still inspired by nature, we focused on the flowers for our ceremony (bouquet, flower crown, and Hawaiian lei for the groom). We also arranged for several island flower arrangements for our private beach cottage at Turtle Bay Resort.

Wedding Day Outfit Inspiration:

We took a no-frills, laid-back approach to our wedding day fashions. We were inspired by the beach. Our priorities were comfort and romance. We knew that we wanted to be relaxed on the big day, so we could focus on each other, instead of adjusting or attending to our accessories. Also, it was important that our wedding be shoes optional! When searching for my dress, I intentionally searched for dresses that I knew would work in the sand. I wanted a floral crown and I designed my look around having one, including my dress. I wanted to be natural and romantic.

The Planning Process:

The planning process took only nine months. We knew immediately that we were going to elope, so we were limited in what we needed to plan. Nine months is more time than you need, as quite a few vendors won’t book that far out for such a small ceremony. However, I’m glad we booked the essentials, like the officiant and our hotel, far ahead of time. For the most part, it was a relaxing process, and we could focus our energy on just a few details that mattered to us, like the location and the flowers.

The Best Advice We Received:

To not sweat the small the stuff. This is especially true when we arrived in Hawaii and had to confirm a few details, and as expected, not everything went perfectly as planned. However, we listened to the advice and remembered to laugh it off. No matter what, it always comes together perfectly.

Tips & Tricks For Future Brides:

Planning an elopement can be tricky, especially when it is on a beach. The best advice I can give to future brides is to plan for your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to get wet. Wear a dress or grooms outfit that you can play in and move around. When it’s just the two of you, you’ll have more time to enjoy yourselves and get caught at the moment. You want to be as comfortable as possible.

The Challenges We Faced:

Several ceremony sites would not book with us because we were an elopement. Many said they would only book on weekdays and sometimes only in the afternoon. The date we picked was very important to us, so get around that limitation we customized our ceremony instead of going through a resort or hotel. We stayed at the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii, but held our ceremony on a local beach in the North Shore (Ke Ike Beach), which was arranged through a permit that our officiant held. Don’t be afraid to plan a few details (even big ones) on your own.

Money Matters:

10,000 for a combined elopement and honeymoon.

We saved money on the reception! Because it was an elopement, and we didn’t plan a reception for guests, we had the freedom to choose all of the details we wanted elsewhere, without barring any expense.

The dress was the biggest expense at about $1700, including alterations. This dress was made to order by Graces Loves Lace, based in Australia and shipped directly to the United States for alterations. This was the biggest expense, considering the small nature of our wedding.

The Guest List:

Zero! We eloped!

We knew we wanted to elope to protect the intimacy and closeness of the commitment on our big day. We are a no fuss couple, so eloping only felt natural. Our family was supported and cheered us on from back home.

The Songs:

We said our vows to the natural sound of the waves, crashing on the beach.

Our Honeymoon:

Our elopement and honeymoon were in Oahu, Hawaii. Our wedding was held on the North Shore, near Turtle Bay Resort, while the rest of our honeymoon was spent in Waikiki, in Honolulu.

Excited About:

Building a future together. Always supporting each other as we grow professionally, as a family, as a couple, as people. We are best friends, and we’re so excited to have become deeper in our connection.

Planning Advice For Couples:

Remember that you two are the stars of the wedding. As tempting as it will be to plan details around members of your family and friends, the entire day should be crafted to honor the quiet closeness between the two of you. Other than that, the most practical advice we can give is to prioritize your wedding photos. Find a photographer with whom you are comfortable, but who has a passion for what they do. These keepsakes will be one of the most important and will last forever. Make sure to build in plenty of time to the schedule of your day, to take advantage of this opportunity to capture your special moments.

Favorite Part Of The Day:

The reveal! There was so much anticipation leading up to when Ajax and I would finally be together, in our wedding attire, ready to get married. When I saw the look on his face when we first saw me in my wedding dress, my heart burst. That’s when I knew we were really getting married that day.

The Highlights From The Ceremony & Reception:

To celebrate our elopement, we had a private dinner on the lanai of our Beach Cottage, overlooking the ocean. Our Beach Cottage was just feet away from the water, so we dined listening to the crash of the tide. The day we chose for our wedding was the Centennial Pi Day (3.14.15). To celebrate that fact, we had a beautiful Mango Souffle Pie in addition to our wedding cake. Our wedding cake was a small, 6 serving vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream icing (with a beautiful Hawaiian flower arrangement on top), but the Mango Souffle Pie was the star of the meal!

VENDORS

Photographer: Rene Tate Photography, LLC
Ring Designer: Gusterman’s
Hair Stylist: Nalu Kinetic Spa at Turtle Bay Resort
Transportation: Royal Hawaiian Limousine
Floral Designer: Easley Designs
Beauty: Erin Randle
Dress Designer: Grace Loves Lace
Officiant: Hawaii Wedding Minister
Reception Venue: Turtle Bay Resort

Calling From the Bahamas

By Nikki

For Brandy and Matt’s wedding, it was just the two of them, their officiant, and their photographer. It was an elopement of sorts. And if you’re gonna have an elopement, might as well have it in the Bahamas! It was a very intimate wedding and they were still able to have couple guests, as well. They video-called their moms and Brandy’s sister (all the way from Qatar!) so they could still be witnesses to such a momentous event in Brandy and Matt’s lives. Read all about it below!

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Our Story:

We were both in the Air National Guard at the 123 ACS in Blue Ash, Ohio. We met right before my enlistment was up (He is still in) and our relationship grew from there. We had a lot in common and let our friendship grow into a relationship. We both had kids and wanted to slowly see how it blended along with our relationship. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we were meant to be. Everything was simple once we started dating, everything just fell into place. Our love is easy and I love it.

We Are A Perfect Match:

We blend so well. He understands me during all moods. He is so patient, understanding, supportive, and doesn’t try to change me. I love him even when I want to cut him (not literally, calm down 😉 ) He is my penguin. Yep, I said it. I’m weird.

The Proposal:

He sent me, with the help of the kids, on a scavenger hunt on Christmas eve. We do our personal Christmas gifts with the kids on Christmas eve. So, I totally thought it was just him one upping me on the sentimental gifts this year. So the competitive side was a little upset that he was winning this year. But, in the end, the last stop of the hunt was him proposing. So, all in all… I felt better since I feel as if I won 🙂

The Planning Process:

It was a very quick planning process actually. We got engaged on Christmas Eve and Married on Feb 25. So, just over 2 months later. We knew we wanted to do a destination wedding at Sandals. What we didn’t know was which one or what specific date. All we preferred was it be cold and snowy at home in Ohio, and hot and sunny in paradise on our wedding day. After moving a bunch of dates and resorts around to see what was best, we found a gem. We accidentally stumbled across a date that was very soon, but very much affordable. So, why not? Two months to plan a wedding? Any normal bride would freak out! But not when you have a wedding planner at Sandals to do everything for you!! Ashandie and Sheemaria, the two wedding planners that helped us, were amazing. I literally just showed up in my dress, zero stress and it was perfect.

The Best Advice We Received:

To do a destination wedding at Sandals and let someone else stress for you. BEST ADVICE EVER!

Tips & Tricks for Future Brides:

Do whatever you can to be stress free the day of. You will miss what is most important. All of the little things don’t matter. Destination wedding at Sandals was the best choice because the made sure your focus was on what matters the most, happiness.

The Challenges We Faced:

The only challenges we came across, the Sandals team help us iron out. Everything went so smooth. Any questions you have, they will answer.

Wedding Décor Inspiration:

It was one of the available packages that Sandals offered. I thought the Magenta was a great choice for the setting we were in.

Wedding Outfit Inspiration:

I wanted my dress to be simple and light weight, yet still elegant. I found it on the clearance rack at Davids, the only thing it needed was the length shortened. It was meant to be. His outfit was beachy and linen. He looked so dapper and handsome in his bowtie 🙂 He was perfect.

Money Matters:

Weddingmoon, photographer, dress, grooms outfit, reception at home – all less than $8,000. We spent the most on the Weddingmoon, but that is 6 night all inclusive stay. Everything we did, we got a great deal on. The one area I was not willing to cut corners on was photography & location.

The Guest List:

It was just us and our photographer. We are having a reception at home in Ohio, so we were okay with it being just us. We also did a pretend wedding with the kids before we left. The loved it.

The Songs:

Brides Entrance – wedding song, Kenny G
First Dance- Me & You, Kenny Chesney

The Honeymoon:

We had our wedding-slash-honeymoon (our weddingmoon) at Sandals Royal Bahamian, Nassau, Bahamas.

Planning Advice for Couples:

Plan together, don’t overwhelm yourself, don’t overanalyze, and keep in focus what is most important.

We Are Excited About:

Everything. Every day brings new challenges and memories, I’m just thankful for who I have beside me during it all.

Favorite Part of the Day:

The ceremony was perfect. The reverend made the whole experience perfect. We had a Skype table that he involved completely in our wedding. I had my mom on my phone on FaceTime. He had his mom on his phone on Skype. (both moms were at work in Ohio with co-workers surrounding them watching as well). I also had my sister Jena on Skype all the way in Qatar. It was perfect.

VENDORS

Photographer: Studio 22 Photography
Accomodations: Sandals Royal Bahamian
Location: Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island

Simone & Ben – The Only Guest that Matters

By Chie

For couple Simone & Ben, having a wedding is not a necessity to prove to everyone how much they both love each other. They’ve been together for 17 years! What more proof does the world need? They’ve been engaged for 9 years but neither of them was in a hurry. But one random vacation in the beautiful island of Hawaii, Simone got the idea to tie the knot there secretly. No one else in their circle of family and friends was in attendance but their lovely daughter, Esme… the only guest that actually matters. Despite the simplicity of the ceremony and the reception (or lack thereof), their wedding still looked elegant and it’s certainly one for the books. Congratulations Simone & Ben (& Esme)!

What is your story as a couple, how did you meet & fall in love?

We met at a New Year’s Eve party almost 17 years ago. We were ‘set up’ by a mutual friend, who takes full credit for her accurate matchmaking! Our relationship has always been solid and we have never been in a rush. Seven years into our relationship, Ben proposed to me in Paris during a vacation in Europe. I said yes, of course! It was wonderful to be engaged … but the actual wedding was never a big priority. We did other things instead. We travelled more, and then had our daughter, Esme, almost 6 years ago. I think most people had given up on us ever actually tying the knot! Then earlier this year, while planning a vacation in Hawaii, I floated the idea of getting married while we were there. Ben said yes, let’s do it! So we did. Finally … nine years after getting engaged!

What makes the two of you a perfect match?

I think we complement each other very well. We’re both loyal and care very much about our family and each other.

What were some challenges you faced planning your wedding & what would you have done differently to avoid them?

We had a destination wedding which we planned from afar so we had to put a lot of trust in our planner and vendors. Thankfully everything worked out – I can’t think of single thing that we would change! One thing that can be tricky when planning a wedding in a location you have never been to is understanding the geography. We found out when we arrived that we had chosen a ceremony site a long way from our hotel. There was only one road to get there which became frequently congested with traffic – and even sometimes shut down, if there was a traffic accident. Luckily none of those things happened!

What inspired your wedding décor? Why did you choose the things that you did?

We had a beach wedding so our ‘decor’ was simply the gorgeous surrounds of Polo Beach, Maui. I chose the beach carefully after looking at lots of photos of different ceremony locations. Polo beach had everything I was looking for. Lush green vegetation, black volcanic rocks and soft, warm light. There was no need to add anything else!

What was the wedding budget?

We didn’t really have a budget.

Where did you save the most money?

We saved money by choosing a simple ceremony on the beach. We wanted our wedding to be a very personal and emotional experience. Neither of us are very comfortable being the centre of attention so a big wedding was never on the cards.

How many guests were invited in your wedding and what was the final guest count?

None! We eloped. Just me, my husband and our daughter, Esme. No one knew about the wedding. We surprised our friends and family when we returned. When we told everyone that we eloped, some people wondered: were your families upset at not being invited? The truth is, we never wanted a big wedding – we always wanted something small and personal and meaningful. Our families knew we felt that way so they were not surprised when eloped! They are incredibly supportive and happy for us and have enjoyed reliving the moment with us through our beautiful photos.

What songs did you use during the ceremony?

No music. Just the sounds of the sea!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

In a way, we were already ‘on honeymoon’ when we got married! In total we spent two weeks in Hawaii. First on Oahu and then on to Maui for the wedding. We joke that we had the honeymoon before the wedding! It actually worked out really well because by the time we got married we had already been on vacation for nearly two weeks so we were very relaxed and stress-free!

What are you most excited about for the future?

A long and happy life together with our growing girl. Lots more travel. Returning to Hawaii one day to celebrate a special anniversary is definitely on the cards. Its a beautiful place.

Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?

We booked our wedding only seven weeks before getting married … and I am actually really glad we only had a short time to plan. It meant I had to make quick decisions, and it was so liberating! No agonizing over things or wondering whether to go for this or that. I just went for it. And it really showed me how much less stressful event planning is when you are decisive. You just don’t have time to worry about everything. So my advice would be to make good, considered decisions and then move on – don’t agonize about every detail. It will all work out.

What would you say, the overall story for this album?

I think the overall story is about how even a small wedding or an elopement can feel just as special and amazing as a large wedding. For me it was all about the experience. I tried very hard to be as relaxed as possible about it, and I was rewarded with a day that far exceeded my expectations. We planned a lovely, simple wedding in only a few weeks, without any stress, and without anyone knowing. And it was perfect!

What inspired the wedding day outfits?

Ben bought his suit before I chose my dress. He found a light blue-grey Hugo Boss suit he loved. It fitted him so well – he had to have it! I loved the colour on him and it worked so well with the location. Light and summery but still formal. For my dress, I wanted something really comfortable and flattering, with a bit of a 60s retro feel. With only 7 weeks to plan, I had to find something off the rack. I flew up to Sydney (we live in Melbourne, Australia) to try on some dresses by Australian designer Alex Perry. I found a short, off-white lace dress that fitted perfectly. It was ‘the one’. I’m actually surprised I ended up with a cream dress – I’m not very traditional and had expected to choose a colour. But the dress just jumped out! For my daughter’s bridesmaid dress I sought out a dress that complementary to mine but not too match-matchy. I found a lovely, simple cream Dollcake dress with a beautiful ruffled skirt and a touch of pink that would match my bouquet. Esme loved her dress! She looked adorable on the day. I bought my jewellery and hair accessories in a local boutique in Hawaii. It was a nice touch to be wearing something with a connection to the location. Ben’s wedding band was also from a local jeweller. We had the Hawaiian phrase for forever, Mau Loa, engraved inside.

What was your favorite part of the day?

It’s hard to pick – I loved every minute! The ceremony was particularly beautiful. Our officiant, Kahu Kale, encouraged us to be very focused and very present, to take in the sights and sounds around us and to preserve the moment in our minds. And I’m so glad he did. Our ceremony was very touching and very emotional – a surprise to both of us! I felt so incredibly lucky to be there; on that stunning beach with my gorgeous little family, marrying my perfect partner.

What were the highlights from the ceremony & reception?

We didn’t have a reception as such as it was only the three of us. We booked dinner at a restaurant nearby. They set up a lovely semi-private gazebo for us, overlooking the gardens and the beach. I think every member of staff came over to personally congratulate us, which was lovely! A couple dining in the restaurant sent us over a bottle of champagne. We went over to thank them and found out they were celebrating their 10 year anniversary. We vowed we’ll do the same for another couple when we reach ten years!

Vendors

Photographer: Karma Hill Photography
Floral Designer: Dellables
Makeup Artist: Maui Make up Artistry
Other Location: Polo Beach
Event Planner: Simple Maui Wedding
Officiant: Kahu Kale Kaalekahi
Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Bride’s Dress: Alex Perry
Flower Girl’s Dress: Dollcake

Styled Shoot – A Nautical Affair

By Shang

Today’s featured styled shoot is a real eye candy! Cherie Hogan did an amazing job on capturing each and every detail beautifully. The perfect mixture of corals, pastel blue, and white. I love how clever the table set-up was done. A map for a table runner? Pure genius! It completely gives you that nautical feel of the whole theme!