Jamie & Trenton's Poconos Elopement
Storytelling is the main focus of my job on wedding days, and Jamie & Trenton's story is one to remember! When we first spoke, they were unsure of where they wanted to get married. They're a couple who loves adventure and the outdoors, so initially we were looking for a great overlook. But when I sent them my location recommendations, the boulder field at Hickory Run State Park caught their eye. As it should! Because it's such a unique geological feature hidden in the middle of the Pocono Mountains with a great story itself.
Hawk Falls
On an overcast and misty day in March 2023, we all met at the parking lot of Hawk Falls. Trenton, Jamie, and Jamie's sister arrived with dogs in tow, ready for our hike that included a mixture of mud and ice through the rhododendrons and tall pines.
Pro Tip: Peep the shoes and the leggings that Jamie wore in that first pic! Keeping your legs warms and wearing shoes suited for the environment will save your day when you're doing a lot of walking in the outdoors.
The falls were a great first stop on their adventure and made a beautiful backdrop for photos of the two of them! This was the first moment they really spent together that day, so it was nice to have it be a smaller crew so they could warm up and talk about their excitement for the rest of their adventure.
Boulder Field
After a bumpy dirt road drive, we arrived at the boulder field where they were greeted by all of their guests, which was a mixture of siblings and friends. They selected such a great group of people to share and celebrate the day with them too - nothing but good vibes, laughter and love from this crew.
We found a spot away from where most park visitors gravitate so that they could have a bit of privacy and quiet, which also required us a bit of a challenge on our feet because walking on these rocks is no joke! This was one of the most challenging ceremonies to photograph because in addition to being inconspicuous and trying to get all of the right angles, you have to try not to fall, get your feet stuck in a crevice, and not break the camera equipment hanging off of your body.
The two of them had a self-uniting ceremony, which is an alternative to the traditional way of having an officiant and is allowed in a select few states - Pennsylvania being one of them. They ran their own ceremony, which included speaking to their guests, reading their vows to one another, and exchanging rings. Then they shared their first kiss as husband & wife and celebrated with the group!
After a few photos with everyone, their guests left for the house to get the evening started while we stayed back for more photos in the park.
As I mentioned earlier, these two are avid adventurers who love visiting state and national parks and biking together, so we made sure to implement those things into the day as well! And I love elopements because they allow couples like Jamie & Trenton to incorporate their personalities into the day and be completely unserious when they want to.
Jamie & Trenton rented a vacation home for them and all of their guests to stay in around the wedding day where everyone headed afterwards to celebrate. Their friends made charcuterie boards, mixed cocktails for everyone, and created a beautiful space for them to share dinner! They hired a caterer for dinner to be set up on-site, and as they ate, everyone shared toasts and spoke in light of their life experiences with the couple. I can't imagine a better way to end an elopement day than with an intimate evening with all of your closest friends & family coming together to share drinks, food, and good stories.
Originally we had planned on ending the evening with their first dance around the campfire, but when they arrived, they saw that the backyard of the house was under construction. But you can't let foiled plans ruin your night! So instead we ended the evening with sparklers and a "pose off" that made an excellent ending to my time with them.
I feel grateful every day that I get to do this as my job - especially on days like this! Congratulations to Jamie & Trenton on a year of marriage, and I hope that your photos continue to help you relive this day for years to come!
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Hey there! I'm Carly - The owner of Wild North Weddings and a photographer specializing in documenting weddings and elopements across the U.S. If you love the idea of a wedding with adventure, excitement, and a little romance sprinkled in, let's talk about how I can help you create and capture the wedding day of your dreams!
Poconos Elopement
