Tasha & Dee’s California Elopement by McFadden Studios

“What…an elopement?” Yeah that’s what I said when I first read the subject line from McFadden Studios. I thought, “how can that be when I see pictures of crowds of family and friends?” Don’t elopements usually involve two people whisking away for something private? Yeah call this an elopement fail in the most perfect way.  Tasha and Dee must be an incredibly special couple to have family and friends insist on traveling with them anyway to celebrate the special occasion.

The intimate wedding took place overlooking the meadows and beautiful views of the ocean in Mendocino, California at The Standord Inn by the Sea. The Inn is best known for it’s yummy vegetarian cuisine and is also one of the first North American inns to adopt sustainable practices contributing to the launch of the green revolution.

With a happy couple, their closest family and friends, Tara from The Beauty Bar on deck to do hair and of course the talented Chelsi from McFadden Studios to capture the whole thing, this elopement was anything but a fail.

Chelsi has more of the details for us: Tasha and Dee were planning a quick trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Mendocino California for an intimate elopement. What they didn’t know, was that their family and friends were planning to follow them there. When Tasha and Dee started talking to their parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends about their plans, their guest list started evolving from two witnesses to roughly 30 guests. When I arrived at the venue to photograph the bride’s preparations, I was told that she and her friends had been camping for a week prior to their arrival at The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino, California. They quickly threw together a bouquet of wild flowers for the bride on their way to the inn. The atmosphere was alive with joyfulness, dancing, and giggles. The support from the family and friends that Tasha and Dee received was astounding. I had goosebumps as I photographed her father walking Tasha down the isle. I laughed with them as Tasha removed Dee’s sunglasses half way through their ceremony. I was fortunate to spend a day immersed in the beauty of a truly supportive and loving family, for that, I am grateful.

Okay and I couldn’t resist starting the line up with anything other than the sweetest eyes from this little one…

Enjoy!

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!