Salem Oregon Elopement Photographer - Christmas nuptials at Deepwood Museum & Gardens

As I mentioned last week, I will be re-blogging some of my favorite elopements, now that they’re my main focus (for weddings, that is). This one is a perfect example of what a local elopement can look like…and what I’d love to shoot more of!

If you follow my blog, you’ll probably recognize this couple. I’ve been working with them for about 7 years now and they have quite the love story. I did their engagement session in early 2017, as they planned for their wedding that fall. Only Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer and the wedding was going to be right in the middle of treatment. So, they decided to elope in December of 2017 and then have their “big” wedding celebration in fall of 2018.

Choosing to say their vows in December meant Anna’s out-of-town grandmother would be there AND that the Deepwood Museum (ie. the big house) would be beautifully decorated for the holidays. I had photographed several weddings at this venue and it never disappoints, but this was the first time one of my clients actually got married IN the house, rather than outdoors.

After their “first look” and some portraits, they moved indoors for their ceremony. As the sun went down on that beautiful December day, Kan and Anna exchanged vows in front of their closest family members.

Salem Wedding Photographer - Intimate Nuptials at Deepwood Museum & Gardens

Jon & Valorie tied the knot at Deepwood Museum & Gardens (formerly known as Historic Deepwood Estates) this past spring. Their hired wedding photographer had a family emergency, so they were in need of a quick replacement. Because they were getting married on a weekday, I happened to be available with only a few days notice. We met up for a quick “meet and greet” at the venue a mere two days before their wedding. One of the things I love about Deepwood is that it’s less than 15 minutes from my house, so meeting up there was actually easier than my studio (and parking was way better).

This was a custom wedding package, with only 2 hour of coverage. What do you get with 2 hours of coverage, you ask? Basically, it’s the ceremony and portraits. The bride and groom did not plan to do a “first look” as seeing each other before the wedding was not a big deal for them. As it turned out, they had an unplanned first look, as the bride and I waited for the groom to join us for pre-ceremony portraits.