This has been the year of love stories for my couples. I don’t always know how a couple met or how they got engaged before I meet them for the first time and it makes for such a sweet experience in getting to know them when we finally get together. Carrie and Matt’s Indiana summer elopement was one for the books – they danced in the rain, played in the woods, said their vows in front of their families on a deck overlooking the most magical little lake in the woods in Martinsville, Indiana. There was no shortage of laughter (or tears) and Matt kept everyone on their toes with his jokes, expressions, and surprise dance moves. My time spent with them flew by far too quickly.

But the best part of it all was finding out how they met. Not necessarily how their dating story began, but when they first met back when they were kids. They met at a park in New York. I’m not from somewhere as large as New York (we’re talking city), but I can only imagine the stars aligning for two kids to meet as young teenagers and then randomly reconnecting them as adults despite Matt’s continued contact with Carrie over the years. It’s one of those things that’s just meant to be. There can’t be another explanation for it.

I’m not sure there’s anything I love more than photographing personalized elopements. Of course, it might be a toss up with in-home lifestyle sessions, but they’re close. Carrie and Matt put together everything themselves – their wedding arbor was made from trees cut down in their front yard, they spent time making their florals together, there were family heirlooms, inside jokes, old and new and blue. And then it rained. Which might lead you to silently say a sad ‘ohhh’ in your head, but in this case it’s more like ‘oh!’ in a magical sense of the word. I’ve only had one wedding this season without a drop of rain, but I have to admit I like a little rain on wedding days. For the sentiment of it (you know what they say!), but also because it gives couples a chance to dance in it, kiss in it, basically make their own ‘The Notebook’ scene. There’s just something romantic about it all. It’s just a part of the story, so why not embrace it?

Carrie and Matt, thank you for having me along to document your elopement. It was so wonderful to meet you and your families. Here’s to the next chapter of your own love story!

VENDORS & GOODS

Florals | Made by Bride & Groom

Cake | Nosh Dessert Parlor

Officiant| Father of the Groom

casey and her camera is an Indianapolis elopement photographer specializing in couple, lifestyle, family, wedding, and elopement photography for Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding areas.