San Francisco Elopement + Jordan and Katie

I met her in September.
I was at a wedding, walking down a hallway at the reception when I heard,
“Lea! Lea!”  I turned around and found Katie.
She proceeded to exhale everything she thought about my work (in a good way)
and it brought me to tears. I couldn’t believe someone was so moved by something I did.
It was a moment and feeling I will forever remember.
Then she introduced me to her then boyfriend and her mom. I was at their table, remembering I have to get back to work!
But I want to talk to these amazing people!
I walked away knowing she was going to be my friend!
Less than a week later they were engaged and we started having the wedding photography conversation.
January rolled around and I got a text, ‘are you available in two weeks!?!?!’
They orchestrated flying each of their mom’s to San Francisco for the “elopement”
and didn’t tell them about the wedding plans until a few days prior!
They rented a condo on the ocean for their little crew for the weekend….
everything about it was magic. Even the weather!
It was 100% chance of rain and Friday in San Fran was NASTY.
High winds, pouring buckets.
Through it all, I asked them to keep replaying the FEELING as if the weekend already passed:
their hearts full, busting at the seams. “Their” perfection.
We bought umbrellas, ponchos, everything…… But it didn’t rain!!!!
And we could see the bridge despite the fog and clouds!!! I hear that’s unheard of.
It’s a real fairytale because I still cannot believe some of what I am writing.
The power of intention. Focusing on the feeling of the weekend-
divine, heaven on earth, bliss, almost too good to be true. And it was.
(For the record- Sunday was back to the nasty windy, rainy weather)

Katie put together all the flowers and boutonniere’s!!

Katie made sure there was no shortage of details in the condo: )

Singing happy birthday to Jordan’s mom with a mini cake….
ahh they are beyond thoughtful!

One of my favorite non-traditional elements is when couples get ready together…
it provides an amazing time for candids so you can spend the wedding day TOGETHER! whhhhat!!?

Jordan stepped to the side and asked Katie to remember how it felt the moment he proposed at the Sleeping Bear dunes….

Thank you to my friend Amanda who joined me on this trip to capture moments like this:

Katie’s mom writing “The Bridgeman’s” in the sand….

There was no timeline…. Just PLAYING!

The umbrellas we never needed…I still can’t believe it….