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CHRIS + MAL // sweet Christmas elopement ceremony

The Prequel No One Saw Coming

There’s a date on my calendar I’ve been looking forward to for half a year now. October 14, 2024. The day I get to capture Chris and Mal’s self-described ‘candid elvish fairytale wedding.’ When I first got the inquiry I had to pinch myself quite a few times! And since our first virtual hang, and every convo since, I’ve been counting down the days until Chris and Mal’s ‘I Dos’. That is, until they reached out and asked if I’d be open to capturing a little change of plans…..another wedding, in just 7 weeks. A smaller celebration 10 months ahead of schedule! Sometimes a love is just too great to wait, and isn’t that the best kind? Thank goodness I wasn’t booked because I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

An Intimate Christmas Eve-Eve Ceremony

Knowing they’ll fully lean into a nature-filled elvish celebration next October, Chris and Mal sought a different experience for these first vows. They decided on a church close to where Mal used to attend, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and chose to share the moment with their immediate families. With the Christmas season in full swing, the sanctuary offered plenty of beautiful decorations they were happy to lean into. As they mingled with arriving family, I captured a few pre-ceremony details, including their unique ring boxes. (super cool, you have to check them out below!) Chris shared he had the boxes customized with engravings of meaningful places – Mal’s with the location where he proposed, and his with their October wedding venue.

When it came time, a pianist serenaded Chris and Mal down the aisle and meet their families, eagerly awaiting them in a small semi-circle of chairs in front of the altar. The intimate setup permitted in the chancel area felt extra special in its rarity. Brothers from each side shared readings, there were songs, intent listening, and giddy joy.

exterior shot of a minimalist rectangular brick church, Immaculate Heart of Mary,
detail shot of a decorated christmas tree in the chapel
close up shot of 3 gold wedding ring bands intertwined in front of green christmas garland
detail shot of church pews and stained glass windows
mom pinning boutonniere on her son the groom
close up shot of 2 gold wedding rings sitting on reflective granite in front of green christmas garland
black and white shot from the waist down of bride and groom holding hands in a carpeted entryway
black and white shot of bride and groom holding hands and eagerly peeking through the sanctuary doors just before walking down the aisle together
a young man in a black tux and a young women in a mid-calf white dress with red flowers smile as they walk hand-in-hand down the aisle
side shot of young groom beaming over at this bride as they walk between the rows of pews towards their wedding ceremony
wide back shot of bride and groom walking up carpeted chapel steps to join semi-circle of family awaiting them at the alter
shot of bride and groom smiling as they stand in the middle of their family line listening to the priest
brother of the bride reads from a piece of paper a reading
brother of the groom behind the granite pulpit reads a passage of text
shot from the priest's chair towards the sanctuary pews, a young bride and groom stand before their seated immediate family and priest to be married
a young bride and groom can be seen through the out of focus silhouettes of the bride's mother and brother as they listen to the priest
black and white close up of bride smiling as she puts a ring on her new husband's fingers
candid shots over the shoulder of the groom's parents holding hands as they look on towards their son
black and white shot of family loving watching a wedding ceremony in a church
a young bride puts her hand to her mouth in laughter as the groom closes his eyes to giggle mid-ceremony
young newlyweds hug happily in a christmas-decorated church chapel after their first kiss upon being announced husband and wife
young newlyweds walk down carpeted church alter steps happily together after their ceremony
centered shot down the center pew aisle towards the alter and strip of stained glass windows as newlyweds proceed together down the aisle
shot down the center pew aisle towards the alter and strip of stained glass windows as newlyweds proceed together down the aisle

A December Summer

Once all was official it was time for pics to celebrate! We decided to take advantage of the GORGEOUS warm weather uncommon for this time of year and moved outside for most pics. Immediately it was evident Chris and Mal don’t fall far from their respective trees (or orchards maybe?) Everyone was so warm, welcoming and effervescently sweet just like Chris and Mal! Family photos were a breeze (even with brothers!) and then onto a few pics of just the newlyweds before their celebratory lunch at Favazza’s together. As we snapped our last pics outside, a passerby honked their horn in celebration and Mal melted into her signature giggle. All was pure joy.

waist up portrait of a young groom in a black tux and tie with red boutonniere looks to his side in front of a tan brick wall
full body portrait of a young bride in simple vintage-inspired white dress holds a bouquet of red flowers and beams as she twirls her skirt in front of a tan brick wall
farther full body portrait of a young bride in simple vintage-inspired white dress holds a bouquet of red flowers and beams as she twirls her skirt in front of a tan brick wall
close up detail of a young groom's smile in a black tux and tie and his red boutonniere
younge newlyweds stand close and smile towards the camera in front of a tan brick wall and low line of green hedges
young traditional newlyweds face each other and smile with noses together outside the door of their tan brick church
black and white blurry shot of young newlyweds laughing in front of a church in reaction to (off camera) a congratulatory honk from a passerby
far away shot of a young bride in simple vintage-inspired white dress holds a bouquet of red flowers and beams as she twirls her skirt in front of a tan brick wall
young traditional newlyweds kiss on a brick pathway outside the door of their tan brick church
Full bodyportrait of a young groom in a black tux and tie with red boutonniere smiling
direct-flash colorful shot of bride holding red flowers and smiling at her husband who is laughing atop the teal carpeted church chapel
detail shot of a decorated christmas tree in the chapel
close up of two engraved wooden ring boxes, one with the bride's golden rings on top and the other with the groom's
centered direct-flash colorful shot young newlyweds kissing in a traditional church chapel between two lit christmas trees
a grandmother excitedly holds up her cell phone to take a picture of the bride and groom
centered direct-flash colorful shot young newlyweds sitting on teal carpeted chapel steps between two lit christmas trees
black and white shot of family huddled around the newlyweds anxious to get a peek at the bride's rings
black and white shot from behind newlyweds sitting on altar steps as the groom puts his arm on his bride's back as they talk together
centered direct-flash colorful shot young newlyweds sitting on teal carpeted altar steps and smiling big as they lean their foreheads close together

The Final Love Story of 2023

And thus concludes the final love story of 2023! I thought I’d put up my camera for the season not once, but twice this year, and I’m so glad I didn’t! Each time I got coaxed out of my winter hibernation by couples who feel more like friends then clients, a rare privilege I don’t take lightly. How lucky am I? And how excited I am for next year’s love stories – including Part II with Chris and Mal!!

ceremony | Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
photo | Kara Hoganson: Photography +Design
florals | Moody Blooms


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