A little secret. I hate writing blog posts. Let me clarify. I love to write and talk and talk and talk...ad nauseum. But these damn things have to be written in such a way as to gain Google happiness and rankings. So to write what I really want can be rather stilting rather than flowing. Therefore. I hate writing these Google happy blog posts. 

So this morning after receiving word from my awesome social media expert and upcoming bride that I needed to write three more. She's getting married next month so I need to get all these to her so she can schedule them ahead of time. Oh and I'm her photographer. My big number one rule. No stress to the bride. Well early on, yes, because if we deal with those 'head in the sand' things such as rain early on then, if it does happen, we are prepared and it all flows perfectly. Wink. Wink.

And as usual I ramble off subject. My husband calls them my 'squirrel moments.' Some cartoon awhile back with someone saying they don't have a problem focusing and then next frame quick head turn and says "oh lookie at the squirrel." Yeah, I know, not so funny if you can't see the joke. Sigh. Anyway back to why I am writing this besides the fact that it feels like Attila The Hun is at my back with a scyth ready to take my head off. Wink. Wink. Eileen. 

I was looking for ideas that might have a modicum of relevance and actually be interesting to you, the reader, hello??? Do I hear an echo? 

Apparently, I was on the right track a couple years ago when I decided to eschew the big weddings, only accept four or 5 mid-sized for the year and concentrate on elopements. Well in my search the top trending articles were some recent things on ABC and the Huffington Post. You know. Why are more couples eloping?

Seems that y'all are waiting longer to marry. Educated enough to know that pissing away $20,000 plus on one night is insane and can be enough to buy a house or pay cash for a car, or even go towards college education for your kids. Am I right here? Give me an Amen Sistas! Another reason was the damn stress involved with cranking out a lavish and costly affaire with 200 of your least closest friends and family in attendance doing the 'I'm going to kill you stare-down.' Who needs that?! And don't kid yourself, that night flies by so fast with little private time. The first dance is far from private or any of the other stuff you do.

So you both are sitting on the couch, much like my husband and I did 6 years ago, when we decided to move here or be found dead and frozen to the couch in Tucson, discussing the pros and cons of eloping. You gaze deeply into each other's eyes. Stars glitter around as you imagine the hoopla, the music, the dancing, the food, the booze and suddenly just like that your eyes lock, your grin flashes and you both blurt out "LETS ELOPE TO NEW ORLEANS!" 

No stress from family because you are going to get lots of wedding photographs taken by a pro to put them and your friends in the front row. You'll do the first toast, dance and pose for those wedding day portraits just like a 'real' wedding. But then you will also have the shots of the drunk dude passed out on the sidewalk, the crazy people behind you photobombing, the iconic architecture and people that make this crazy city. Everyone applauding and wishing you well as you walk by and stopping for the occasional tourist photo. Oh did I mention the booze? Haha, kind of kidding...wink...wink.

The point is you go away, just the two of you, or with a handful of co-conspirators and celebrate you, not everyone else. And you don't drop $20k plus on a party. Like really ever? BYOB baby. Wink. Wink.

I categorized this under Marriage Survival because if you can survive the wedding day, you can survive a marriage. Wink. Wink.

This is a tintype style photo of Maria and Bill. It was a fun test shot but didn't really make the cut for me. Since this I have found a new method of capturing these. Oh yeah did I tell you I use my iPhone 6+ for these? Always ask. I'm happy to whip it out and make some art! This particular image was to be part of my American Gothic series. Give me a call if you want to break with tradition and have some real fun on your wedding day! 504-920-8703