Just as we decided it was time to get out and shoot this winter cabin elopement, a rust-colored hill appeared around the next bend in the road. The perfect shade of rust at the perfect time. And then, right as we got out of the car, the largest snowflakes that I have ever seen started falling. Wow. Sometimes, the perfect thing happens just when we need it most.

We could not have asked for a better team of vendors. The models, Emily and Austin were down for an adventure. From my family’s ranch house in the middle of cell phone free semi-wilderness, to the snowy slopes of Mt. Laguna, they laughed and sighed at the beauty of it all with us. Michelle Lillywhite is the talented photographer behind these pictures, and one of my best friends from my college days. She was absolutely in her element- shooting such beauty with such adventure. Mai from Oh Mai Creations gave us her masterpiece artwork of song lyrics on kraft paper, Amar Diamonds allowed us to use their oval salt and pepper diamond ring, Hostess Haven supplied the beautiful tabletop items and Lovely Bride supplied the stunning dress.

This shoot was effortless beauty. It all seemed to come together in perfect ways we could not have planned for. All of the most beautiful flowers: toffee roses, cymbidium orchids, lunestra, ginger, butterfly ranunculus, and big white tulips. I felt my insides flipping as I watched everything open and be arranged. Franki once said while she was working, “How is this so good?” Most times it doesn’t come this easy but I love when it does!

What a beautiful way to celebrate all the incredible growth that has happened this last year. It hasn’t been as easy as things were for this shoot- by any means. There have been growing pains. But we have worked so incredibly hard and this shoot, for us, optimized everything we have learned and grown from. We’re so very thankful for the people around us who have helped and supported us along the way. We’re also thankful for the perfect shade of flowers, arrangements that seem to arrange themselves perfectly, and rusty hillsides covered in big white snowflakes that seem to just appear before us.