December 14, 2019 /
Intimate October Elopement at SFX
Friends we are so, so, SO excited to get to officially introduce you to Amanda and Mark, aka “Super Secret Elopement Couple.” Yep, that’s right. These are the two lovebirds that decided to elope without telling any of their family and friends. Well, you know, except their officiant, witnesses, and us. 🙂 Which, if we’re being honest, is a super, super cool thing to be trusted with. Especially since we only met a few weeks before the big day.
Why did they decide to elope? Any number of reasons. If you’ve planned a wedding (or are in the process) we’re sure the thought crossed your mind at least once too. In all reality, though? The wedding was starting to be about everything BUT the reason for the occasion: Mark and Amanda’s relationship and love for each other. They wanted their day to be a celebration of them. They wanted to do all of the things that were important to them, and none of the things that weren’t.
Why was it such a secret?
Neither of Mark and Amanda’s families are in Kansas City, with the exception of one of Amanda’s sisters. Who was also planning her wedding for October. Which actually, helped Amanda and Mark out in a way. You see, in Amanda’s family, there are several family heirlooms that every bride always wears. Her grandma’s earrings, and the flower girl basket, specifically. Even though Mark and Amanda weren’t going to have any of their family at their wedding, they still wanted to incorporate those meaningful family heirlooms.
So how did Amanda get her hands on them? Well, friends, let’s just say everything was working in her favor. Since Amanda was her sister’s maid of honor, she just offered to “store” things for her sister’s wedding. Genius, right? Talk about starts aligning.
When the big day finally rolled around, these two had to play it cool. This meant Amanda took a personal day from work to get her hair and makeup done, while Mark still went into the office for the morning. When we met them later that day at St. Francis Xavier, they showed up together, with their witnesses. Big ole smiles on all of their faces. As we stood waiting for the doors to get unlocked the excitement in the air was just palpable.
But there were absolutely no nerves.
Amanda and Mark were so excited to get married, and were so excited that it would be just the six of us present. These two lovebirds split ways to get dressed, and when they were both ready, they did a first look. After spending a few minutes of sharing laughs and hugs, these two casually made their way to the front of the church, their witnesses trailing behind them.
Unlike any other Catholic wedding ceremony we’ve ever photographed, EVER, the wedding party sat in a semi-circle on the altar of the church for their ceremony. We would be absolute liars if we said their ceremony wasn’t one of the sweetest, most intimate wedding ceremonies we’ve ever witnessed. Everyone was calm, cool, and collected. There was casual conversation, and their super sweet officiant added little quips to the normally very traditional Catholic ceremony. When it came time to move to the altar to exchange ring and vows? Man, guys, the excitement level just immediately rose.
Again, it was quite possibly one of the very, very sweetest ceremonies we’ve ever witnessed.
And when it was all said and done? We all laughed and hugged and share congratulations with these sweet newlywed lovebirds. After a few photos at the church, we headed out and about to make some wedding day portraits for Mark and Amanda. The cool thing about those portraits? Even though they didn’t have a traditional wedding day or reception, they still wanted to do a few traditional things in some of their very favorite places.
So they danced down the sidewalk of Delaware Street. Shared a wedding cupcake in the park at City Market. Did a champagne toast at Liberty Memorial. And finally, exchanged rings and had dinner with their “wedding party” at Town Topic.
You guys. Really, truly, what a day. Who said elopements can’t be all the fun?
Through it all, it wasn’t lost on us that we were two of only a handful that knew Mark and Amanda were getting married. And that they trusted us to document their big day. Despite the fact that they kept their elopement a secret, Amanda wanted to make sure that they had awesome photos so that their family wouldn’t feel like they missed out on anything. Her words, not ours. She wanted their families to know what it really felt like to be there with them on their wedding day.
You know by now we’re all about the feels. And that it’s one of our main goals for your wedding photos that anyone who views your photos knows exactly what it felt like to be there beside you, not just what it looked like. Just know, friends, that we can do that whether there are two people at your wedding ceremony, or two hundred ten.
Intimate October Elopement at SFX
Amanda and Mark, from the very, very, very bottoms of our hearts, thank you both so incredibly much for trusting us to capture your special day. We’re so incredibly honored beyond belief, and are so glad that you love your images. We absolutely cannot wait to see where life takes you. 🙂
Feel like you’re missing something? Check out Amanda and Mark’s Sneak Peek here.