The Root Photography Blog

I’m often asked by friends why I think eloping is so special. I think to me, we see many weddings that in the commotion and stress of the day, well… Sometimes the focus gets a little lost. I feel like when you break a wedding day down to just the vows and the couple pledging to love each other for ever and ever- I think that’s the truest, purest, most beautiful form of love. I can’t think of anything more romantic than running off to get married. This isn’t to say I don’t like weddings and I think everyone should elope- it’s not for everyone. But I think if you feel it in your gut, or you feel like your wedding is a runaway train, or you’re going through with it just for your families, well… Follow your heart. Elopements are magical.

When planning our own wedding, I knew in my heart that if I could have it any way I wanted… I just wanted me and him. Him and me. I didn’t want the party, I didn’t want the drama. I didn’t want seating charts and venue contracts and a bridal party. I just wanted us. Ever since our wedding, we’ve found that eloping is more common than I thought- Especially with those in the wedding industry. ;) With Lisa of E-Events and Jeffrey of Stoner Video, well… I honestly can’t imagine their wedding day any other way. I know it was one of the best days of my life, and it wasn’t even my wedding! ;)

Let’s start with my favorite from the whole day, shall we?

I want to clone her. That is all. :)

Now, this is a gorgeous family.

Silly girlies. :)

I’m telling you- Jeffrey is more like Nate than any man I’ve ever met. :)

FAVORITE. I can have two, right?

Lisa had the same bouquet as my Lorie– They both went through Fantasy Floral Designs. Lisa had friends give her brooches, pins, and trinkets so they could be with her in spirit. She even had mementos like her Disney name tag, a wine cork from a special date, and a pin of John Lennon and Yoko Ono put in.

Ok, a third favorite.

Channeling Audrey and nailing it.

Silly sisters. <3

Nate’s favorite!

I know I haven’t mentioned yet, but it was March in New York, so the weather was freezing! We were all anxious to get off our feet and into some heat! Lisa and Jeffrey graciously invited us to partake in their “reception dinner” at none other than Junior’s in Times Square. We found out afterward that it also happens to be the diner where Carrie and Big ate with the girls after their elopement in NYC. <3 Best. Reception. EVER!

And at the end of the night, we saw Spiderman getting a coffee to go. :) Up next, our mini-NYC vacation!

More Stoner Love!

Make sure you read Jeffrey and Lisa’s “in love” session first. :)

One year ago today, we were on the first flight out to New York. Lisa and Jeffrey were eloping! :) Lisa, Nate, and I all had weddings ending around midnight the night before, so I think we were running on pure adrenaline at this point. If you’re reading this, you should leave Lisa and Jeffrey some one year anniversary lovin’!

Nate snuck this photo as we were waiting to board. I love that when this photo was taken, we’d only met Sara and Carolina once before and they felt like strangers! Oh, how quickly that changed!

One quick nap later, we were in glorious NYC looking for lunch in Little Italy!

I should say here that our hotel, while lovely and chic, well… The room sizes were quite, uh… “European.” I’m pretty sure our bathroom on the Disney Cruise Line was bigger than the one at this hotel! That being said, our room wasn’t ready when we checked in, so Nate and I (suitcases in tow), squeezed in Lisa, Jeffrey, Sara, and Carolina’s room. Six of us in one teeny room while the four of them got ready for the wedding… No big deal! As a true testament to our fast bestfriendship, we spent many hours the following days in pajamas piled on their beds talking and playing games. We truly went from acquaintances to family in three days flat.

This is Carolina, the coolest kid I’ve ever known. She’s a real-life Ramona Quimby. :)

Loooooooooooooooooooove.

If I remember right, Jeffrey’s grandmother kept this from her first date with his grandfather. Romantics run in his family. :)

Just like us, Jeffrey and Lisa got ready for their wedding together. I don’t think it gets any sweeter than this, taken after Jeffrey zipped the back of his bride’s wedding gown. :)

Sara is the coolest high schooler I’ve ever met. Her quick wit and immense vocabulary makes her wonderfully intimidating to be around. :) I should mention here that at my first go of it, I spelled “immense” incorrectly.

Yep, he did her lashes. <3

The photo on the left is one of my favorites- My mom, little sister, and I were always so close growing up, so Lisa’s relationship with her daughters reminds me so much of how we were at that age. :)

So New York. :)

As Lisa says, “You haven’t lived until you’ve hailed a cab in your wedding gown!”

Lisa is a native New Yorker and Central Park is her favorite spot. Jeffrey is a huge Beatles fan. The Imagine Circle in Central Park was truly the perfect elopement “venue” for them. Did I mention they were married on John and Yoko’s wedding anniversary?

From Lisa’s blog : Jeffrey and I were the best of friends for many years before our relationship evolved, so bridging the gap between friends and romance was a bit tentative. We would joke that we felt as if we were getting ready to go to the prom with all of the nervous plans we were making! As a joke, I stopped by a local florist and asked for a boutonniere. ‘Make it yellow with a lame ribbon, please.’ Tacky was the goal. I had no idea that Jeffrey had saved it, so you can imagine how overwhelmed I was to see he put it on when we arrived in Central Park. Who says men aren’t romantic?!

I’m still not sure if it was a typical Sunday crowd in Central Park or if it was because it was John and Yoko’s anniversary, but we had a handful of unexpected guests at the ceremony. :)

I took the photos while Nate shot video, which I’m excited to share in a couple days :)

Lisa’s gown was perfect.

Lisa and Jeffrey’s wedding officiant, Sara Ritchie, came prepared with champagne, cupcakes, and bubbles!

Seriously… Who would have known when we met Jeffrey 3 years ago that we’d be signing his wedding license?! Life is beautiful. :) Check back tomorrow for newlywed portrait time in Central Park! Oh, and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JEFFREY AND LISA! We love you!

Like this post? You should also check out :

Lisa + Jeffrey : Elopement Part II

Lisa + Jeffrey : Elopement