One of my favorite photography projects of all time has always been Elopements & Intimate (under 20 people) weddings. There is just something so special about them. Big weddings are lovely for sure, but I guess my inner-introvert just loves the cozy intimacy of the small events. Since San Diego is one of the best places in America to elope (in my humble opinion) I get a lot of inquiries for these teeny weddings. For those of you planning your own elopement, check out my FAQ, written just for you!
Today’s wedding was one of those amazing December days. It was sunny, beautiful, but, uh, FREEZING! Did I say it was cold? Everyone kept their chin up and just dealt with the frigid wind luckily. Andrew & Lauralee put together a lovely ceremony in the round, passed their rings to their family to bless and tied the knot right in the comfortable crook of the letter “C” in the Coronado sand dunes. Did you know the dunes right next to the Hotel Del actually spell the word Coronado? Pretty cool!
I asked Andrew & Lauralee a few questions about their engagement, here is their reply:
1. How did you meet?
We met in Fort Collins, Colorado, after both making a leap of faith move to the mountains to follow our dreams. As fate may have it, we both attended the same gym, and our worlds collided there.
2. Describe your proposal?
Andrew set up a morning hike in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, after a weekend get away celebrating my 27th birthday. Andrew preplanned a hike to Hanging Lake after receiving a blessing from my father to have my hand in marriage. At the lake, Andrew popped the question, and I said, “YES”!
3. How long did you wait between your proposal and wedding date?
We waited seven months between our proposal and wedding date. We planned to have a small, intimate wedding ceremony with our family who has impacted us most.
4. What are the most memorable moments from your day?
Our most memorable moments were when we first saw each other on our wedding day, gathering in a circle with our family on the beach, and celebrating with food, love, and song after the ceremony.
