Fog, Wildflowers, and Vows in Acadia National Park
Vanessa (she/her) and Sara (she/her) had spent years unknowingly crossing paths before finally meeting on Bumble in 2019. After a mountaintop proposal in New Hampshire and plenty of conversations about what felt right for them, they decided to leave behind the expectations of a traditional wedding and plan an intimate elopement instead.
Their day in Acadia National Park, Maine began beneath moody skies as a hurricane loomed offshore, but the fog only added to the magic. With handwritten vows on a secluded beach, wild coastal scenery, and just the two of them, they created a day that felt deeply personal from beginning to end.
Tell us about your story!
We met on Bumble in October 2019, but the more we got to know each other, the more we realised we had been in each other’s social circles and orbits for years without actually meeting.
We had mutual friends, went to the same concerts, visited the same local restaurants, attended the same events, and even had connections in our hometowns, states away from each other. The universe definitely waited to bring us together until the time was right.
We went through COVID together, moved in together after about a year of dating, and then, in October 2022, Vanessa proposed on a rainy mountaintop in New Hampshire with an engagement ring from Anueva Jewelry. We got married on September 13, 2023, and now we spend our time with our dog, friends, family, travelling, and working with Volusia Pride, our local Pride organisation in Florida.
What made eloping feel like the right choice for you?
We had so many discussions about having a “traditional” wedding, having something smaller and more intimate with just close family and friends, or eloping. It was really difficult for us to narrow down a guest list without feeling like we were offending anyone. Neither one of us likes to be the centre of attention, and when we factored in the political climate in Florida, eloping was the best decision for us. Plus, we wanted a day that was truly ours. Hiking around Acadia with just the two of us seemed like the perfect thing to do.
How did your loved ones react when you told them?
We kept our elopement pretty quiet, only telling our immediate family and very close friends. The majority of people in our lives were very happy for us and supported our decision. There were, of course, a few people who felt slighted and left out, but eventually they understood.
How did you find outfits that felt like you?
It was important for both of us to work with businesses and companies that were LGBTQ+ affirming. Sara found a local bridal boutique, Blush Bridal Gallery, that helped her find a dress that would be easy to travel with and easy to hike around in. Vanessa wanted to wear a suit, or more masculine attire, which isn’t the easiest to do when you have curves. She found that the suits from Kirrin Finch were a perfect fit.
What do you remember most about your elopement day?
A hurricane was forecast to hit the coast of Maine a day or so after our elopement, so we woke up to a very damp, foggy morning. We were both so nervous that the weather would have a negative impact on our day, but we made the best of it. We grabbed breakfast sandwiches and coffee in Bar Harbor, picked up donuts for after the ceremony, collected our flowers, and went back to our Airbnb to get ready.
Meeting Bridget and Ryan, our photographers, immediately put both of our minds at ease. They felt like lifelong friends and assured us that the weather would lend itself to an absolutely beautiful day with beautiful photos, and they were right. Seeing the strength of the ocean from Otter Cliffs, contrasted with the wildflowers and trees, is something we will never forget.
We walked through a tree lined path next to a small creek that led to a secluded beach where we exchanged our vows. We spent some time there afterwards just soaking it all in, and it was honestly a magical, perfect day.
How did your vendors help bring your vision to life?
We were so incredibly lucky to have worked with Bridget & Ryan Photography for our elopement. Bridget and Ryan sent over a complete list of vendors, and anything you could possibly think of or need for our elopement. It was through their list that we found Salt Farm Flowers, the florist we used for our bouquet and boutonniere. They are an amazing local farm, and they were a dream to work with. The bouquet was everything we had asked for, from the types of flowers to the colours.
What was it like writing and sharing your own vows?
We wrote our own vows, and since it was just the two of us hearing them, it was nice to be able to say exactly how we felt without the feeling of everyone listening and watching us.
How did you handle the legal side of your elopement?
We got our marriage license the day we arrived in Maine. It was a really easy process, and Bridget was our officiant. Having our photographer also be the officiant added to the privacy and intimacy of our elopement day.
What would you say to anyone thinking about eloping?
If you are thinking about eloping, do it. It was seriously the best day of our lives, and if we could go back and do it all over again, we would in a heartbeat.
Captured by Bridget & Ryan Photography
Dress Blush Bridal Gallery
Florist Salt Farm Flowers
Rings Anueva Jewelry
Suit Kirrin Finch
