A Sustainable Forest Elopement with Carrie and Jason
I'm very big on telling people that they should make their wedding whatever they want it to be. Keep the traditions you like, drop the ones you don't, maybe make some new ones. Everything in this wedding was intentional, from the vows to the reusable glassware. Their ceremony and reception were both outdoors at Raccoon Creek State Park, which is such a lovely space for a forest elopement.
I don't have enough words for this crown, except that pictures don't do it justice. It was beautiful, and musical, in person. Also Sheba had an explanation for each part of it that was so poetic, Carrie's like "this is making me tear up, you're gonna have to tell me after the wedding."
They had a nice, low key first look. Neither of them are people that like a big production, so they just had a quiet moment together. With me. Professional third wheel.
Hell yes to grooms getting cool duds for their weddings. Ladies shouldn't get to have all the fun. Neither of them are traditional, and decided the theme for their sustainable forest elopement would be all about magic and fantasy. It combined Jason's love of Dungeons & Dragons with Carrie's love of runes and divination. An alchemy of interests.
When you're eloping in the forest, bug spray isn't the most romantic inclusion for your day, but it's very appreciated by your guests.
Their forest elopement included asking guests to make a commitment to them with oath stones, and at the end they jumped the broom. It also included a time to thank the land we were standing on, vows written as a beautiful short story, and lots of laughter.
Family photos are allowed to be fun.
For their wedding rings, they took flowers that they’d planted in their garden to a local jewelry designer, and she cast them in resin.
In the interest of sustainability, their forest elopement reception included glass drinkware, paper straws, and locally sourced goods.
Their invitations said the theme was "A Crystal Ball in the Woods," and their friends did not disappoint.
And her wedding dress transforms into a jumpsuit for party time.
Their forest elopement (shoutout to SEO makin' me repeat this) was in the morning, so pancakes were totally appropriate.
Also, click on through to Offbeat Bride to see Jason's amazing artwork. I've never had an opportunity to collaborate on a shot before, but he sort of art directed one of their portraits, and then added fantasy elements to it after I edited it. Very cool.
Ceremony & Reception: Raccoon Creek State Park
Caterer: Roxanne Easley
Dessert: Sugar Spell Scoops
Suit: Heights + Kenchi
Carrie's outfit: Meta Hill, Lulu's Threadwork, Lori Robin, Jason McKoy, TheReweaving and Reknitting Shop
Carrie's Crown: Sheba G EmpressLove
DJ: Barrels to Beethoven
Hair and Makeup: Ayana Sade
Planner: Leigh Soloman Pugilano
Juice: Da Right Vibez
Spice: Jah Ques
Coffee: Black Forge
Rings: Ashley Bianca Corts
Officiant: Felicia Savage Friedman of YogaRoots On Location
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