Matt and I quite often talk about how awesome First Looks are, with one of the main reasons being that with a First Look, a couple gets to share that special moment just between the two of them before the ceremony, without having of all their family and friends watching, cellphones and cameras in hand, wondering how the groom is going to react to seeing his bride for the first time on their wedding day. There is no wondering what everyone else is thinking. There is no, “I wish I could have seen her first from closer than 50 yards away.” All you have is the two of you, and you can see all the emotions clearly, and you can share such a fond, intimate moment, that you will remember forever, just together.
Ryan and Kate’s entire elopement embodied those things, it was small, it was intimate, it was emotional, it was personal… it was perfect.
These two chose to share their vows with only their parents there to witness it, because, lets face it, in marriage, spouses are the ones who need to hold to their vows, they are the ones who need to work out their marriage, and they will experience the ups and downs together. The risks of marriage are sometimes scary, but the benefits, the joy, the love, the laughter are so overpowering. It is always so much fun to see two people proclaim their love to each other, and to imagine how great their story will be, and what a great example their story will be to others.
I believe there is something to be said for a large wedding with everyone you know in attendance so that you can “proclaim to the world” your love for your spouse, and all of those in attendance can help to hold you accountable to your word. But the simple elegance of knowing that the two of you are responsible to keep your marriage strong is just as powerful an image.
I could talk for ages about how classy, sophisticated, and chic Kate and Ryan looked for their special day, from Ryan looking super dapper in his cobalt blue suit, to Kate being absolutely stunning in her gorgeous champagne gown with a simple white bouquet of roses, but you will see that for yourselves in the pictures. What instead I will leave you with, is that these two, in the little that we have known them, have shown us that they are a perfect match for each other. We found their relationship to be so good and true that we happily accepted being the witnesses who signed their marriage certificate.
Ryan and Kate, we welcome you to the land of the married! We can’t wait to hear the impressions you will leave on those who meet you. We can’t wait to hear the stories told of your love.
We believe that your love will impact generations. Congrats again and best wishes!
Kate and Ryan wanted to hold their ceremony in the beautiful Lititz Springs Park, right in the heart of our favorite small town. They chose to do a self-uniting ceremony, which consisted of reading their heartwarming vows to each other and exchanging rings, followed by their wedding kiss. With their parents standing by their side, they proclaimed their love and commitment to each other, and as you’ll see in the pictures, it definitely brought out the emotions.
After their ceremony, we did a few family portraits before saying goodbye to Ryan and Kate’s parents. And then we spent some time in the park doing bride and groom portraits and made sure to capture a few detail shots as well. Aren’t these two just the cutest together, I mean how sweet!
