This sunrise elopement up on the mountains is the perfect example for anyone wondering, “why would I get up at 3am and get married?”
Katelyn & Duncan chose the Stoney Man hike for their elopement, so in the wee hours of the morning I met them at the Shenandoah National Park’s entrance and we caravanned to the trailhead. They had several family members with them, and everyone was excited and giggling as we started to make our way up the mountain.
The couple didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony, so the groom came with me to lead the way and the rest followed several paces behind. We could hear the bride & her sister laughing and chatting the whole way up the mountain. That’s one of the best parts of a sunrise elopement ceremony — you have the entire mountain to yourself.
Once we arrived at the top and selected the ceremony spot, Katelyn’s dad walked her down the aisle and the family friend officiated the ceremony. They read their vows to each other under the moon as the sun peeked over the horizon. By the time the sky filled with vivid morning colors, they were husband and wife!
We took group photos, and the newlyweds shared their first dance. Their baby girl was with us, all bundled up. They had bought a special carrier specifically for their elopement to hold her in but they forgot it. We had a good laugh about that.
Katelyn & Duncan met at work and had to date in secret for several months. Whenever they wanted to say “I love you” at work, they would throw up an “L” to their forehead… so we had to capture that in the photos as well.
Thank you, K&D for asking me to photograph your short & sweet SNP elopement for you.
Video by Black Coral Videography
