This was my first elopement as a wedding photographer and I must say, Julie and John set the bar HIGH for any future elopements that come my way. Besides the number of attendees (Julie, John, the videographer, officiant, and myself) nothing about this day felt small. The dress was big and beautiful, the flowers were incredible, the setting was breathtaking, and the love between Julie and John was SO present and filled every ounce of my soul with pure happiness.

Julie and John have been together for almost 12 years! Although they have known each other since the 6th grade and even dated briefly in the 8th grade, their real romance didn't begin until the end of high school. They have been together ever since and obviously couldn't wait for the day they could finally call each other husband and wife.

I arrived to Julie and Johns home a few hours prior to their ceremony and hung out while Julie got ready with some of her closest girlfriends. I loved that even though they were getting married in a private ceremony, Julie still had some of her best friends by her side while she prepped for the big moment. After meeting both Julie and John that afternoon, and seeing how anxious they were to see each other as the moment grew closer, I knew right away that this was going to be one of the most romantic moments I will ever have the privilege of witnessing! Seriously, what an honor and blessing to be a part of their day. Its one thing to see two people madly in love when they are together, but to already feel such an enormous amount of love before they were even in each others presence, is a true sign of two people who are meant to be together.

Julie and John said their vows on Assateague Island, under the most amazing tree. I have been back on this trail before but never far enough to happen upon this perfect little spot. Everything about this place shouted, get married here! Although it is open to the public, it felt like a secret garden that only John and Julie knew about and because its a long walk from the main beach, I knew we were secluded and didn't have to worry about any passing campers or beach goers. The tree they said their "I do's" under had the most amazing floral arrangements by Flourish Floral Artistry and Design. While editing these photos, I felt like I had taken a quick trip to Hawaii to shoot this wedding! It was beyond magical and made this ceremony even more dreamy then it already was!

After the ceremony, I spent some time with Julie and John taking photos at the beach and then also in Downtown Berlin before leaving them in all their marital bliss! They had dinner reservations at the Atlantic Hotel and it was absolutely adorable watching them sit outside at their table for two, ordering dinner, in their wedding attire. No loud music, fancy entrance, or 200 guests they needed to talk too. Just Julie, John, and the quiet downtown streets at dusk lit by the glow of street lights. It might as well have been straight out of a Nicholas Sparks book... but better because this was real life!

Julie and John, how can I ever say thank you enough for letting me be a part of such an intimate and beautiful moment in your lives. I wish you both so much happiness and love and can't way to see what the future holds for you both.

I am always a little partial when I have a couple who are high school sweet hearts... It reminds me of my own story with my husband and I couldn't have been more honored to be a part of Stephanie and Phil's wedding day. What's even more awesome is that these two have known each other since they were little, grew up in the same neighborhood, and even rode the same bus to school. Although they didn't start dating until 10th grade, I find it amazing that you can say, you have known your husband for almost your entire life! I just LOVE that and its a rare bond to share with the person you are marrying. I know for my husband and I, it is such a fun thing to look back at old photos from when we were 14 and think how much time has past. I can't imagine what it must be like for these two, who have known each other since they were just neighborhood kids.

I knew that this was going to be a great day because Stephanie and Phil described their wedding to me many months ago, and nothing about it sounded short of perfect. I had shot a handful of weddings at the Bordeleau Vineyard in Eden, Maryland and I couldn't wait to get back again for their big day. On arrival the sun was abundantly shining and just as I knew it would be, everything looked absolutely beautiful. Thankfully the weather panned out just as I prayed it would on the car ride over and I was given just enough time to photograph Steph with her girls and Phil with his groomsmen before the crazy pop up storm arrived. And boy did it arrive! I think there are only a few times a year where you see rain fall that hard from the sky... For a bride, seeing buckets of rain on your wedding day is probably not what you consider "good luck rain" ! But kudos to Steph, because I have never photographed a more cool and calm bride in a moment where, naturally, sheer panic should be setting in. Although for a moment she was probably cursing mother nature... this bride decided that jamming out to some old school hip hop with her bridesmaids, drinking a miller light, and waiting for the storm to pass was the best plan B. And it absolutely was! Mother nature got her act together and although the ceremony had to be pushed back just a bit, the storm passed within an hour and just like that, the sun came back out for a gorgeous evening and reception.

In the midst of their little weather road bump, I learned a few things about Phil, Steph, and their wedding party. These two really have an amazing group of friends and family by their side. Not only was watching Steph's father see her for the first time in her dress, an emotional moment for them, but myself along with some of the bridesmaids were struggling to keep it together! (Thankfully I can hide behind my camera) I also loved watching Steph dance (and rap) it out with her girls before the ceremony. It was so easy to see that she was surrounded by such a great group of women. I stood back documenting the whole thing, thinking to myself, I really want to be friends with these people!! Phil and his groomsmen were the same way and the best part is that together, this entire wedding party, makes up a group of friends who consider each other family. I loved listening to their speeches at the reception and hearing all the funny stories they had to share about Steph and Phil. Bottom line: This was an awesome group of friends and family, and I truly enjoyed documenting all the love that surrounded Steph and Phil on their wedding day.

The ceremony was incredible and after holding back my own tears (again) during their personal vows, we went right into taking some wedding party photos. There is nothing better then a sunny evening after a rain storm. With a blue sky, storm clouds in the distance, and the vineyard glistening wet from the rain I couldn't have been happier with how everything turned out for this day, weather included! Phil and Steph, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of such a memorable day. It will definitely be one for the books and I wish you both all the love and happiness as you begin this new adventure.