We may be a wee bit behind on blogging this one but we figured this is a great time to share a Portland elopement, as it’s a great time to elope! COVID-19 has sadly forced many engaged couples to postpone their original wedding plans due to government restrictions on the sizes of social gatherings as well as our collective decision as a community to stay home and stay safe. While social distancing is the right thing to do, it’s certainly a tough pill to swallow, especially for 2020 weddings. Our heart breaks for our clients who have had to make this difficult decision. But amidst the pain, there has been some truly inspiring and heartfelt expressions of love happening around the world. One way that many Portland wedding couples are choosing to celebrate is by having a small elopement to commemorate their original wedding date, and then have their big real wedding at a later date when it’s safe to proceed. Some couples are eloping now, and photographers are enacting COVID safe practices like shooting from a distance with masks. Other couples are waiting to elope until this summer but still having that special moment since it’s likely it might be several more months or another year until they can throw the big celebration.
We thought there is no better way to celebrate the spirit of elopements than to post a few of our favorite Portland elopements of years past! Today, we bring you Meagan and Jeff’s downtown Portland meets backyard elopement. This is one that Daniel photographed and while he was not present for their brief exchange of vows at the courthouse, Daniel did capture the couple cozied up in their favorite bar Jackknife (adjacent the lovely Sentinel Hotel where we shoot many a wedding each year!) and then celebrating in their family’s backyard. Meagan and Jeff were the easiest, breeziest couple we could have ever imagined. Sweet natured and caring toward everyone, their elopement represented the essence of what all elopements should be like. Why? Because elopements are meant to simplify. One might think of an elopement as an event where you are completely alone with just witnesses and an officiant. And yes, that is one way to do it, and a way that we have photographed many times (Lindsay has even BEEN the officiant!). These days, there is a new elopement method in town. The beginning is as I just described, just you and the officiant/witnesses. But in the new elopement style, you go on to take a few photos with your photographer before joining a reception with your friends and family there to celebrate. This way strips the bells and whistles of a full wedding and breaks it down to the simplest parts. Exchanging of intimate vows, and then celebrating with people you love. What could be better?
Hope you enjoy Meagan and Jeff’s Portland elopement! And if you are finding yourself having to postpone your own wedding plans this year, we hope this inspires you that love is still grand and love is still celebrated. It might look a tad different than you initially envisioned but the joy is just the same.
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