River Town Elopement

Last week, I met with Crystal and Eric downtown Grafton Illinois at the cutest little white church.

Yes - these two love birds are already married - three years actually this month (Happy Anniversary you guys!) But when I put out a model call for a Bride and Groom a couple months ago so I could get some practice in - Crystal reached out to me letting me know her and her husband were available! I was so excited to find out that Crystal is also a photographer - I absolutely LOVE working with and meeting other local photographers! Over our instagram conversations about planning this styled shoot - I knew Crystal would be such a sweetie in real life - and I was right!! Eric and Crystal were such a JOY to capture!

We started at a little white church downtown Grafton, then I found a perfect spot with bluffs in the background - lastly, I wanted to do something a little adventurous! We drove down to the Grafton Ferry and walked right on. Crystal and Eric are outdoorsy, love to hike and traveling - so they brought along their awesome backpacks (I love personal touches)! The Ferry guys were awesome - they let us ride for free!

There was a rain shower down the Mississippi which gave us some romantic and moody clouds in the sky. On the ride back - there was nobody else on the ferry but us! We had it all to ourselves! Once Eric and Crystal seemed to be enjoying the moment and each other - let's be real - they were COMPLETELY and TOTALLY into each other - I about started crying. Right there in the middle of an empty ferry boat, in the middle of the mighty Mississippi. It was such a special moment that I will remember forever - and I hope they do, too!

If you are a photographer - I HIGHLY recommend model calls and styled shoots. When you're wanting to try something creative, having no pressure of a paying client really lets your creative juices flow - you'll have no stress if the images don't turn out. Thankfully these ones did (they're my favorite I've ever taken..so far.) and you'll make friends along the way!

See the full gallery on my website: https://angiescottphotography.pixieset.com/ericandcrystalriverwedding/

INSTAGRAM

Wedding Dress: @thebridalparlour

Bridal Hair: @hairbypagiexox

Models: @crystalreneephotography

Here's a little more about our beautiful couple, Eric and Crystal:

Tell me about when you first met and first started dating!

We first met playing rec volleyball at the YMCA. Eric was shy and we were just basically acquaintances who played volleyball together weekly. In 2010 we ended up going on a weekend road trip with a couple other friends to Springfield for a volleyball tournament. After the tournament, we took turns driving home and could not stop laughing and talking. We were pretty much inseparable after that night.

Tell me about a memorable date you've shared:

The first road trip we ever took was in our first year of dating. We did a cross country road trip to Oregon and camped the entire way. We saw so many great things along the way. We got to visit Moab, Utah and hiked to the delicate arch which looked like another planet. We also slept under the stars at the gorgeous Crater Lake with the clearest water where we met up with my parents and camped. We made it to our destination Portland, Oregon and stayed there with some friends until flying home. This trip really sparked Eric and I into some of our favorite hobbies we enjoy together which include hiking, camping, and traveling. We still make these things a priority in our relationship to this day.

If you both had a Saturday day off to yourselves, what would you do for fun?

We would probably hit the river for a float or go hiking.

Tell me how you became engaged?  Who popped the question?  Give me all the details!

Eric proposed to me at our first home. It was Christmas Eve. It was intimate and just us.

One wish you have for your future together?  Any 5 year plans? 10 year plans?

To have a little property in the forest somewhere.