The Story Behind Love, Lorraine

Love, Lorraine Adventure Wedding & Elopement Photographers based in Colorado

Previously known as Lauren Fletcher Photography

Photographing Intimate Weddings and Elopements was never a thought when I first started photographing weddings. I assumed this is how a typical wedding day was planned: Getting ready with your core group of friends, a ceremony where you would see your significant other as your walk down the aisle. A celebration to follow where you invited 100+ of your friends and family and a rushed portrait session and only about an hour to spend with the person you just married.

In 2016: We photographed a small intimate wedding with about 30 guests, at a cute rustic farmhouse in Massachusetts. The couple’s wedding day still had all of the excitement and emotion a traditional wedding day had, except for the rushed timeline structure. After experiencing such a laid-back, and fun day I knew that switching gears and focusing on smaller weddings & elopements.

In 2017: We photographed our first elopement in New Hampshire for our friends. They knew a big traditional wedding day was something they didn’t want and wanted a day that was filled with adventure. In just a few weeks, we helped them plan their dream elopement day. They choose a location that they had a connection with - a mountain top in NH. We helped them pick their wedding day outfits, floral arrangements and guided them to find ways to make their elopement day unique and authentic. Instead of hiring an officiant, they asked their best friend to get ordained and join them on their adventurous elopement day!

In 2018: The start of a new chapter for us: Van Life. We created a route that covered the lower US states and networked along the way. We met so many van dwellers, creatives, and some of our best friends. One location, in particular, was very memorable and that was Joshua Tree. We had the opportunity to photograph the sweetest proposal in Joshua Tree National Park. The newly engaged couple, Jordan and Josh decided that they wanted to plan their wedding day in Joshua Tree and asked us to be there to celebrate with them!

In 2019: We reunited with Jordan and Josh in Joshua Tree. They booked the perfect Airbnb in Yucca Valley where they would host 10 of their closest friends and family, and have their intimate ceremony among the Joshua Trees.

Not only did we get to document their entire elopement day, but we also helped design, style, and execute their adventurous elopement day. Travis and Josh designed a beautiful hexagon arch for their ceremony and Jordan and I curated their beautiful dinner table with pieces that complimented their style.

This wedding, in particular, was a turning point for our business. It opened our eyes to new opportunities and allowed us to use skills and knowledge in new ways to help guide Jordan and Josh to create their dream elopement day.

Fast forward to 2020. New mindset. New business approach. New name.

Why The Name Love, Lorraine?

Growing up I was fortunate enough to spend so much time with my Nanny, Lorraine. We had our daily conversations before going to bed, 8pm every night. We had our weekly sleepovers on Friday nights, and shopping trips to the local mall. In elementary school we had this thing called Lunch Bunch. She would show up each time with an awesome lunch packed. As I got older, our weekend rituals came to an end but our bond did not.

She supported my decision to go to photography school and bought me my first camera. When I told her I was moving to Rhode Island, so showed up to my going away party with a bag of essentials in hand and some money to get me started.

When I told her Travis and I were selling all of our belongings and building our a van to live in, she couldn’t wait for us to hit the road and to see photos from the places she once visited with Poppy.

As time begins to show on our loved ones faces, we begin to listen more, and seek answers to questions we never knew we had. As Nanny grew older and wiser, I wanted to know more about her incredible life.

I wanted to know more about her and Poppy. Where they traveled, where they lived and all of the adventures they embarked on together. One morning early last year, we went to her favorite breakfast place - The Breakfast Table. She ordered the usual - one egg, applewood bacon, muffin and hot chocolate. As we sat there enjoying our breakfast, she began to tell Travis and I about her and Poppy’s love story.

Poppy was in the Air Force and engaged to another woman. He had plans to marry this woman, but at some point met Nanny. He quickly realized that he wasn’t in love with his fiancee, and called his engagement off. Nanny swept him off his feet, and they decided to get married.

Their love story is unlike any other. From the many stories I’ve heard from family members, Poppy treated Nanny like the true queen she is. Everything that he did was for her. They cared and loved so deeply for one another. They raised a family together. They went on family trips together. They did everything together.

I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood with both of them.

On April 14th, 1927 the most incredible woman was born. My nanny, Lorraine. She was a free-spirited and kind-hearted soul with a passion for adventure. She lived her life to the fullest, and encouraged everyone around her to do the same. Every milestone, every heartache, every failure, she encouraged me to keep going. The person I am today, is all because of her.

In June of 2019, I said “see you later” to my best friend. It’s been an emotional grieving rollercoaster. Losing her was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. I knew spending time dwelling on the pain was something that she wouldn’t want me to do, so I found positive light through all of the heartaches.

I did a lot of soul searching over the last couple months thanks to @adventureinsteadacademy and our amazing friends @dynamoultima. I found my purpose, my why, and where I wanted my business to go.

The name love, Lorraine is a true reflection of who I am and a tribute to the woman who helped shape me into the person I am today.