April 10, 2017 /

Matt & Monica | Lake of the Ozarks Elopement

T

There’s a good chance you remember Matt and Monica from their beautiful Swope Park engagement session last summer. If you remember their session, you’ll remember that we finished up with some images by the pond in the park. As we were finishing up, Monica made a slight comment under her breath. That she wished they could just get married at Matt’s Grandma’s lake house. She then laughed, and said it wouldn’t be possible because of all of their friends and family. Even though it’s what they really wanted to do. That no matter what they were still excited for their country club wedding this summer.

Well, friends, please remember, that we always encourage our couples to trust their gut. Late in February, we received an email from Matt and Monica that they had decided to call off their big wedding in Kansas City. And, they wanted to talk to us about a few things. At first, we were just concerned that everything and everyone was okay! But then we got curious.

As it turns out, Matt and Monica decided to trust their guts. They canceled their big wedding in Kansas City, and decided to elope. With just their immediate families at Matt’s Grandma’s lake house. What?! And, most exciting, they asked us if we would be able to make it down for their big day. Of course!! We were so excited! They had chosen to get married on a Thursday. The reason? The next day they were meeting their wedding party in Kansas City to road trip to Nashville, for their joint bachelor-bachelorette parties, and wanted to surprise everyone!

The day of their wedding ceremony rolled around, and as we arrived at the lake house it was already full of commotion, happy laughter, and all of the family pets. Surrounded by their immediate families and closest friends, Matt and Monica said their vows. In front of the lake that they love so much, in the backyard of the home they love so much.

We have so many favorite moments from this sweet couple’s wedding day. Matt surprising Monica with a bracelet to match her earrings and gown. And then building the cross the said their vows in front of. Monica wearing her mom’s veil down the aisle. Their dog, Penny, escaping the house during the ceremony to go stand by her parents. The breeze picking up just in time for Matt and Monica to light their unity candle. Or preventing them from lighting it. Traveling the back-roads Matt grew up on, in the back of their truck to create their wedding images. Catching their other dog, June, falling asleep on Monica’s train as she ate dinner. Meeting all of their closest, most special people. But most of all, watching two people so completely in love with each other vow their lives to each other. Exactly how they dreamt of doing it.

The next day Matt and Monica surprised their wedding party and had an amazing time in Nashville. When they got back? They took the money from their wedding in Kansas City, and used it to buy a lot where they’re currently building their dream home together. All the feels friends, all the feels. 🙂

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Matt & Monica

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three photos of wedding decorations, signage, and flowers displayed around a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three photos of wedding flowers, a unity candle, and old family hats displayed around a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two pictures of a wedding gown hanging in a bay window at a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Photo of a wedding dress hanging in the window of a lake house taken from the lake.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two photos of wedding decor and signing on display at a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Close-up of photo of custom-made wedding favor koozies on display at a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three close-up photos of a bride's bouquet and groom's boutonniere.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three close-up photos of a bride and groom's wedding rings and jewelry in custom ring boxes.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three close-up photos of a bride and her flower girl getting ready for her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four pictures of a groom, his dad, and best man building and putting up a cross on the lake side that will be background of the wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A picture of a groom and his groomsman laying the aisle runner before the wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid photos of a bride and her bridal party getting ready before the ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four photos of a groom's gift to his groomsmen.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid photos of a groom getting dressed on his wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a groom getting dressed on his wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a groom getting dressed on his wedding day at his grandma's lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a bride showing her wedding band to her family members.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two photos of a groom on his wedding day by the lake.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a bride reaching to pull her wedding gown off the hanger.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid photos of a bride getting dressed on her wedding day with help from her mom.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid photo of a mom seeing her daughter in her wedding dress on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid pictures of a bride and her cousin exchanging gifts on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid picture of a bride seeing herself for the first time on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two photos of a bride in her wedding gown on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two close-up pictures of a bride on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A picture of a bride in her gown on her wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two candid pictures of a groom greeting his mom and dog after they've walked down the aisle.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three pictures of a groom waiting for his bride at the alter on their wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | An image of a groom waiting for his bride on his wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid pictures of bridal party members walking down the aisle to the lakeside elopement.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid pictures of bridal party members walking down the aisle to the lakeside elopement.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three photos of a bride walking down the aisle to meet her room for their lakeside elopement.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid images of a ring bearer and groom during a lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A picture of a lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid photo of a groom looking at his bride during their lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid photo of a bride and groom holding hands during their lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid photos of a bride and groom trying to light a unity candle during their windy lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three pictures of a bride and groom praying during their lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a bride and groom exchanging rings during their lakeside elopement.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid photos of a bride and groom celebrating their lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid pictures of a bride and groom celebrating their wedding with drinks on a dock.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid pictures of a bride and groom celebrating their wedding with drinks on a dock.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid photo of a bride and groom riding in a truck just after their wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two candid close-up photos of a bride and groom on their wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two pictures of a bride and groom reflected in a stream.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two pictures of a bride and groom hugging on their wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid picture of a bride and groom standing on a log laughing on their wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A dramatic picture of a bride and groom standing on a log in the woods.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A dramatic picture of a bride and groom standing on a log in the woods.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two pictures of a bride and groom hugging on their wedding day.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two photos of the dessert table and wedding cake at a lake-side wedding reception.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid pictures of a bride and groom cutting their wedding cake at their lake-side reception.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A picture of a bride and groom underneath the cross the groom built and installed that served as their alter during their lakeside wedding ceremony.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Four candid pictures of a bride and groom celebrating their elopement with friends and family at a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Five candid pictures of a bride and groom celebrating their elopement with friends and family at a lake house.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Two pictures of a bride's dog napping on the train of her wedding gown.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid picture of a maid of honor signing the marriage license at a lake-house reception.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A candid picture of a best man signing the marriage license at a lake-house reception.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three pictures of a bride and groom standing on a dock at sunset.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A photo of a bride and groom standing on a dock at sunset.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | Three candid pictures of a bride and groom standing on a dock at sunset.

Lake of the Ozarks Elopement | A picture of a bride and groom standing on a dock at sunset.

Congratulations, Matt and Monica! Thank you so much for including us in your elopement! We are so incredibly happy for you, and cannot wait to see where life takes you next!

 

To see more from Monica and Matt’s Lake of the Ozarks Elopement, click here.

To book Rivas Photography for your engagement or wedding please visit our contact page to send us a message!

 

 

Book us for your Wedding:

To book us for your upcoming engagement session or wedding, please visit our contact page to send us a message. We can't wait to hear about your big day! Having a destination wedding? We LOVE to travel and have the perfect wedding photography package for you. We would LOVE to hear about your adventure!

I'm So Excited!
CLOSE MENU