“Where are you doing your “reveal”?” asks Sharon, mom of Jess, about her first look with her soon-to-be spouse.

Before she can complete the sentence “in the backyard”, Ahmed practically skips into the kitchen.

“I guess right here!”

“You look amazing!”

That interaction alone sums up what it means to be in the presence of the two of them. Everything is a “yes” and “this moment matters” and “life is how it is”. They turned what some people may feel as a “failure” to do a first look into the real moment they had – which was still a first look, surrounded by all their people in their kitchen instead.

They knew from the start that they wanted a small wedding, and eloping to the Hennepin County Government Center fit the bill (the judges will often allow you to have your ceremony outside on the plaza, or inside on the beautifully lit bridge!). They decided to let a small group of family join (his mom, her parents and siblings) and the tiniest little imperfections along the way never stole from the day.

The judge was late coming from a murder trial? No sweat. It’s a thousand degrees and mosquitos are starting to interrupt the picnic? Who cares, let’s go eat dinner. We missed the turn? We’ll loop back around. These shoes are killing my feet? I’m taking them off. Everything became flexible, because there was only one thing that mattered: they were married. At the end of the day, catching up on your Netflix shows, that’s all that matters. You’re married.

Oh, and they hired me to witness the whole thing on film. My absolute favorite.

See more of their elopement and picnic below. Curious what it means to have a documentary photographer along for the ride? Interested in learning more about how film can be added on to your commitment day? Reach out. I’m a total open book, a listening ear, an experienced professional here to calm your nerves and answer your burning questions.

M