Adventure Elopement in The White Mountains
New Hampshire Elopement Photographer White Mountains Adventure Photographer
LOVE, LORRAINE
ADVENTURE WEDDING EXPERIENCES INTIMATE WEDDING AND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jeannie & John
Adventurous Mountain Top Elopement in The White Mountains of New Hampshire
Jeannie & John are the perfect example of a couple who felt the need to follow the typical wedding traditions, but knew deep down that a traditional wedding is something that they did not want. After multiple conversations and meet-ups, they decided that they wanted to have a small celebration in the backyard of their old home in New England.
We planned a backyard celebration with market lights, food trucks and their closest friends & family — but still, it didn’t feel like “them”. The thought of standing in front of a group of people, reading their handwritten, intimate vows to one another didn’t sit well with them. They came to me with these thoughts and concerns, and I asked the ultimate question that they didn’t want to ask themselves — “What if you eloped?”.
Jeannie & John are adventurers at heart. They love traveling, the outdoors and hiking with their dog, Elkie. I suggested the ultimate adventure, a hike in The White Mountains of New Hampshire and get married at the summit of a mountain. Jeannie & John both LOVED that idea, and we started planning their greatest adventure.
Jeannie & John found the perfect florist, an adventurous officiant & the perfect mountain to say their vows at the summit. Their day matched their personalities perfect, and it makes me so happy to know that they were able to have a day that felt like them!
A few weeks later, they still had their intimate backyard celebration with their closest friends and family, without the expectations and pressure. Everything about their wedding adventure was perfect, and we can’t thank these two enough for trusting us to make their dream day come true!
Cheers to many more adventures, Jeannie & John!
Love, Lorraine
Kind Words from Jeannie & John
Lauren's work speaks for itself, and when I say that, I really mean it speaks volumes untold. My husband and I were lucky enough to get to work with Lauren, Travis and Denali on our epic day.
With an upcoming backyard wedding on the horizon and the emotional overload of all the overwhelming details that surround that kind of planning, Lauren guided us to the true ceremony of our dreams. An intimate mountaintop ceremony to this day that brightens my soul and powers my heart, especially in the midst of all this COVID-19 insanity. That day was then followed weeks later by a backyard "bring a bottle to share"-kind of celebration in the comfort of our own home.
My husband and I are introverts through and through. We appreciate friends and family, but when it came to expressing our unbounded love for each other, we truly wished for intimacy. Lauren listened. She understood our desire to remember this day long into the future and not just be overwhelmed by the speed at which it flies by. Lauren listened better than I could communicate. She guided us to a florist with an uncanny eye and a justice of the peace that honored us for us. This ceremony was tuned to be unique, singular. Epic. From location to logistics, Lauren prepared us for the adventure ahead.
Lauren listened to the frenzy of my thoughts before the original "big event" of the backyard party. She truly listened and asked the question we were both scared to ask... what if we elope? A secret mountaintop ceremony in advance of the backyard celebration. A hint of adventure with a promise of epic proportion. Without Lauren, I never would have found my real wedding dress. She has a knack for knowing exactly what will look best when the wind blows and the light hits, if you just trust her.
The day of our ceremony arrived. My soon-to-be husband and I with our weimaraner, Elkie, in tow met Lauren, Travis, Denali and our JOP, Kelly Hayden-Wimpory, at the base of the Black Cap Trail head in the White Mountains of North Conway, New Hampshire. Our adept trail guides of Lauren, Travis and Denali led the way. With ease, Lauren and Travis scoped out the right spot and believe me when I say the right spot. I remember every second of that day. Every instant warms my heart.
On that exceptionally warm August day, Lauren helped get me ready for our Celtic knot tying ceremony. She helped me braid my hair and pin it up so it would hold in the wind. Unbeknownst to me, she captured my favorite image of my wedding dress. A simple white gown blowing in the wind and hanging elegantly from the tree branch under which I got dressed. I felt so honored and happy. Every second elated to know that not only my dog, Elkie, was having the time of her life, but I was too!
With the heat of August came the inevitable hiccup. On the 5 hour road trip north, my husband's air conditioning in the car broke. This made quite the challenge for Travis as he helped John got ready for the ceremony in their spot on the other side of the mountain. Very luckily, not only does Lauren have a great eye, but Travis does too. When he noticed my husband's inner-Einstein peek out (i.e. hair that had succumbed inevitably to humidity-induced frizz) he gently and expertly encouraged John to get creative and make use of the hiking headband that he luckily had with him. My favorite adornment as it turns out.
I walked barefoot to John. His smile shone brightly as we took each other's hands and the ceremony began. We laughed, we cried, we listened. Kelly Hayden-Wimpory graced us with her true gift in her incredible capacity to honor that moment. As she bound our joined hands with the Scottish tartans of my family, we felt surrounded by love.
To truly celebrate the occasion, we unpacked the bottle of local cider that we carried up the mountain. In hindsight, I recommend knowing the vintage of whatever liquid you choose to bring with you... our bottle of cider was oddly reminiscent of malodorous feet. With grace, everyone took a sip, but soon we were watching the gorgeous sun send its last rays over the horizon.
With joy in our hearts, and lightness in our feet we descended the trail in the fading light. Every moment felt tuned to us.
Thank you Lauren and Travis for this gift. For the memory with our sweet pups and a day we will never forget.
It didn't end there. Lauren and Travis both rescued me again on the day before the backyard celebration. In my self-derived hectic mindset, with my husband at work, I was busily running to and fro around my yard to ask Lauren her opinions on what to put where when I stepped on a rusty nail. To spare you the gory details, Travis skillfully coaxed me to remove the nail. Without his help and calm resilience I'm positive that nail would still be in my foot. A tetanus shot later, we were back to work.
Nail aside, that day of prep and the entire next day before the guests arrived both Lauren and Travis worked miracles untold. I specifically remember Travis climbing into our apple tree to hang lights and provide guidance to the well-meaning but confused family members who were there to help in whatever way possible. I also remember Lauren ever so gently dissuading my dad from wrapping our yard in bright yellow caution tape to prevent errant parked cars. Thank you Lauren.
Lauren created a backyard celebration that melded entirely with my husband and I as a couple. Every detail, from flowers perfectly placed, to tablecloths, to vintage candles she nailed it. She went above and beyond and no amount of kudos will ever be enough. Lauren coordinated the placement of our vintage wedding cake, the cakes and the antique bar-top. She situated our family's photos in a meaningful way surrounded by the wedding favors. She created innate beauty and navigated the stressful day with apparent ease even in the midst of inundating information. Lauren brought our yard to its truest potential and captured moments that are the memories of a lifetime. Our friends and family are still raving about how much fun they had. That day of the party was jam-packed with things to do, but Lauren powered through. I look back at these gorgeous photos and am in awe of the beauty she captured.
What I love most about Lauren's work is its capacity to share a moment. It's beautiful, it's true. Lauren sees what we don't and she brings it to the forefront with grace and epic glory. Thank you Lauren for honoring us. Thank you for bringing your loves (of Travis and Denali) to make our days even more magical. We are so grateful. Words will never be enough.
With lots of love,
Jeannie & John Boyle