On the first of the year, I received an email from Stephanie and Matt, who had gotten engaged a few months earlier and on New Year’s Day, made it official that they were going to elope. They had started their initial wedding planning and as they began to make decisions, they decided that they wanted to celebrate their marriage privately, savoring the company of each other as they say their vows. On that Monday, Stephanie and I connected in her search for an Indianapolis elopement photographer and things very quickly fell into place. They planned their elopement for that Friday, just a few short days later. We connected on the phone to finalize the details and I met them on a blustery Friday afternoon in downtown Indy.

As I chatted with them while shooting their details, I learned even more about their sweet story – both in how they met and how this day came together. Stephanie had gotten her dress pretty early on in the planning process, but as it had to be altered, she wasn’t planning for it to be ready for their spontaneous and impromptu elopement. She gave David’s Bridal a ring, just to check in, and learned that her dress was complete and on-hand and that she could pick it up anytime! Everything else fell into place that week for them; they picked up wedding bands, ordered their favorite pecan pie from their favorite bakery, Sweet Stuff, ordered a bouquet and boutonniere, a room at the Conrad, and were ready to go.

The time I spent with them was so sweet and their admiration and appreciation for one another just radiates from each of them. I helped Stephanie into her dress as Matt hid out in the adjoining room and after a quick first look, they helped each other with the finishing touches on their outfits. These two braved the cold and wind for our quick walk over to the Indiana State House (and again afterwards for some frigid outdoor photos!) before heading back to the Conrad to celebrate and toast their marriage with a pie cutting.

The three of us had separately swooned over the front stairwell of the Conrad and agreed to shoot some portraits there before wrapping up. Turns out, it made the perfect little backdrop for their pie cutting and champagne popping. Thankfully, no one flagged us down as we borrowed a small table from Stephanie and Matt’s room to help set the scene. We just took it down the elevator and set up shop for our grand finale on the stairs. Check below to see just how worthwhile it was!

Stephanie and Matt, thank you for including me on this special celebration. Enjoy!

VENDORS & GOODS

Wedding Prep | Conrad Indianapolis

Ceremony Venue | Indiana State House

Florist | Aebersold Florist

Dress | David’s Bridal

Officiant | Marry Me in Indy LLC (Victoria Meyer)

Pie! | Sweet Stuff

casey and her camera is an Indianapolis Elopement Photographer for Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding areas. She specializes in family, couple, lifestyle, wedding and elopement photography for the greater Indianapolis area.