This wedding was planned and replanned several times, as were many during Covid. With original plans to be a much bigger celebration at The Ruins at Astor in Astoria, things were dialed far back to being a simple and lovely beach elopement/intimate wedding with the couple’s nearest and dearest. The ceremony was on Long Beach, WA in the grassy bluff just after sunrise, followed by a pizza party in a groovy beach house in Seaside, OR. We wrapped up the day at Hug Point beach to capture some golden hour photos. We were literally together from sun-up to sun-down!

Over the past year, I’ve really discovered that my specialty lies in these smaller gatherings that are based around nature. I love when I can just focus on the couple, the scenery, and their treasured guests, and I can leave the complicated timeline behind. Covid-era weddings taught us that anything can be possible with your wedding. You can take or leave as many traditional elements as you’d like, and there’s so much opportunity for you to put your own unique stamp on the day. I love how Ally changed into a 1930s slip for her beach session. Why not?

2020 has truly been a strange year. But one thing that has been so beautiful is that couples get to be really creative about how and where they’re celebrating their love. For so long, we’ve had traditions that create boundaries and borders for us to simply fill in. With Covid-19 being such a monkey wrench in wedding planning, I’ve actually found that elopements and smaller celebrations are just as significant, and sometimes even better!

We headed into the Cascades to reach a forested spot so gorgeous and quiet that Melanie & Carson couldn’t help but focus on each other and just be present in the beautiful nature surroundings for their bridal session. Mountaintops get a lot of love, but the forest floor is so lush and green, and even better if you’re not up for a giant hike to reach your destination. (Me, hi!)

A few tips for the perfect forest session:

Bring a different pair of shoes so you can get to the hard-to-reach spots!
Bug spray. BUG SPRAY! Dang it!
Make sure to coordinate EXACTLY where you’re meeting in areas where cell reception is shoddy. We didn’t have any problems, but a little planning ahead is well worth the effort.
Bring a friend! Their sister/sister-in-law was SO great at helping hold, primp, etc. There’s so much extra fabric and veil and all when it comes to wedding photos vs. an engagement session. Sometimes having a person there that you know and love can help set you at ease, too.

If you’re loving these vibes, please reach out to coordinate your own perfect micro-wedding or elopement!