Travis and Deanna had planned for a larger wedding this coming April in Roanoke, Virginia at the Mill Mountain Zoo. However as we all know everyone's plans are so up in the air now because of the Covid-19 outbreak. These two just really wanted to get married, so they decided to stay local and elope. They chose the groom's family chapel, which was built in 1921, and located out in Chatham County, near Siler City. Travis and Deanna still hope to have their reception at a future date, so that everyone who was originally invited can come!
Travis and Deanna reached out to me earlier last week and a plan came together. I'm so grateful I could help them out and that I had their date available (sadly, I have lots of dates available, with many postponements and cancellations). With suggestions from the CDC and local regulations, they kept it under ten with seven people there, me included. I kept my distance from everyone utilizing my 70-200 telephoto primarily and giving verbal direction and poses... no touching!
Their chapel was one of the sweetest chapels I've been to and in a lovely setting Their pastor was kind enough to allow them to get married at the chapel and under such short notice! Travis's dad played guitar and his mother sang during the processional. And Travis sang to Deanna before they recited their vows to one another and exchanged rings. Such a talented family!
Travis' cousin was there to live webcast their ceremony and record video, for family and friends who couldn't be there. Such a great idea, especially during these uncertain times. Deanna looked amazing in her dress and Travis handsome in his suit. He'd planned to rent a tux for their wedding in Virginia, and then found that he didn't have a nice suit to wear for his elopement. One of only places they could find opened last week was Target and this is where they found his suit! A nice lady at The Fresh Market in Greensboro created her beautiful bridal bouquet and she was able to get in to the salon to have her hair cut, styled, and colored before the wedding. Travis's mother made their wedding cake.
They'd picked up the handmade little wooden box for the rings at a Christmas show in December, so they had that already and the cake topper, a star, which represents The Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. When Travis and Deanna starting seeing one another, they were doing so long distance. With Deanna in Harrisonburg, VA and Travis in High Point, NC Roanoke was their half-way point of meeting. Evidently, The Roanoke Star is also where they had their engagement session and stars were to be used throughout their wedding decor. Deanna recently relocated joining Travis in High Point - he grew up in Siler City.
After their sweet little ceremony, I photographed the newlyweds with their pastor, his parents, and cousin inside the chapel. Then just the three of us headed outside for portraits of the two of them. Travis and Deanna decided to do some fun ones, in light of things, and I'm so glad they did. They've been painting the interior of their new home and saved their face masks for this occasion (they had a unused supply for his parents and pastor to join in too!). They put them on for a handful and it made for some fun photos!
After photos, Travis and Deanna joined his parents and cousin to cut their cake, which was his mother's family poundcake and buttercream icing recipe. The newlyweds then did their toasts celebrating their marriage. Deanna then handed out toilet paper to her few guests as wedding favors! Deanna told her family and friends who were not there, via live webcast, that "this is what you are missing as favors, since you can't be here!" She offered me a roll too... luckily I have a supply of it and told her they needed to save it since it's so scarce now! (side note: I'm not one of those TP hoarders - really I'm not! I bought a 12 pack in February at Costco and came home to find I already had an 8 pack "hidden" in an upstairs linen closet!).
Travis and Deanna had the best attitude, were so much fun to work with, and you could clearly see they were just so happy to be married. At the end of the day, that is what it's really all about. They were so sweet and enjoyable to be "around" - at a distance of course! It was actually one of my most favorite weddings and couples to date.
Congratulations to Travis and Deanna! Hope you're enjoying your "honeymoon" at your new home with your fur babies! Virtual XO
ceremony + reception | Rives Chapel Baptist Church
officiant | Pastor Tripp Foltz
ceremony music | guitar and vocals - Robert & Linda Phillips
bride's bouquet | The Fresh Market
video & live webcasting | Brian Dixon
wedding cake | Linda Phillips
bride's wedding dress | Chi Chi London
bride's shoes | Cambridge Select - Amazon
bride's earrings | Amazon Fashion
bride's hair | Avanti Salon & Spa
groom's suit | Target
wedding ring box | Denton Christmas Train
Cake Topper | Rumpelstiltskin's
all images © Elizabeth Larson Photography
Follow Travis and Deanna on their facebook page Saucy Couple!
If you find yourself in a similar situation, reach out to me for special elopement options. Please check in with CDC and local guidelines first. I can likely come on short notice too!
More info HERE!
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