Surprise Wedding - Hunter & Sam Dean

Photographing an elopement that turns into a traditional wedding? Yes, please!

Originally, Hunter and Sam had told their entire families that they were going to elope instead of having a wedding ceremony, but that they still wanted to take family photos and have a celebratory dinner the weekend before their getaway, but little did the family know.

We started our day at Sam’s historical family home in Blair, South Carolina to photograph them finishing getting ready and their first look before all the festivities began.

I know that first looks can be a little controversial, but the longer I’ve been a wedding photographer, the more I’ve come to love them. They’re not only more intimate, but they also help relieve some nerves.

We get all set up at the ceremony spot and waited for the family to arrive to take their “family photos”, but they were actually arriving to Hunter and Sam’s private wedding ceremony.

I loved getting to see their reactions and the joy on their faces.

If you include your dog(s) on your wedding day, you’re automatically one of my favorites clients.

I gotta include my signature veil photo.

We finished out the evening with a few dances and toasts all while eating delicious bbq and desserts. The evening was the epitome of a perfect fall night.

Hunter and Sam, thank you so much letting me in on the secret and for letting me photograph y’all’s special day. Wishing y’all all the best!