It’s been well over a year, but in all honesty it seems like it was just yesterday.
This is my PRELUDE to Andy and Mia’s Elopement photos that I was SO honored to take. I’m writing this prelude because I feel it’s a bit necessary to add some background to this story for many reasons. One reason being that this elopement happened over a year ago now and now that this couple has already had their first son together, I am JUST now getting the opportunity to share this set of photos on my blog–so, some explanation is necessary- right? :) Our adventure together took on a Princess Cruise Line which toured us all over Italy and Greece-to several different cities and islands-for a nearly two-week long experience.
I can come up with a gazillion excuses as to why I haven’t shared these photos until now. It’s been a ridiculously busy year with so many life changing events. I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given. At the time that we went to Italy I was working nearly full time in an office, and barely even knew what I was doing as far as blogging my photos and sharing my work online–in fact, I’m still learning so many new things. Once I was finally able to quit my office job and focus on photography full time, I found that I became busy with the 2013 wedding season. So I just kept putting off getting these photos together to share with everyone. To top it off, being my first time visiting Europe, you can only imagine how many photos I have in my library as a result. I won’t even get into how many photos I took. Italy and Greece is like a photographer’s DREAM land!
Traveling with Andy and Mia during such a special time in their life was an amazing experience. I have never been to Europe–let alone, been asked to photograph a destination wedding–so when Mia asked me to join her and her fiance for their elopement, I was both ecstatic and nervous. More ecstatic, but you know what I mean!
I met Mia about six years ago-just a year or two after she opened her business up in Pueblo, Colorado. She is the proud owner of a gorgeous bridal boutique downtown: Style Bride Boutique. When I saw her store windows for the first time with the gorgeous and delicate lace wedding gowns on display, I just HAD to step into her shop despite not even knowing who I was going to marry at that time in my life. To my absolute serendipitous luck, Mia found that my height and size were perfect for her sample gowns and she invited me to model her dresses during wedding expos. When does that ever happen? I never modeled in my life, but I couldn’t say no to playing dress up and getting my hair done for a couple shows!!
Through the years Andy, Mia and I had become mutually acquainted. Mia continued building her business and I had just started doing photography after completing an internship in Nashville. Mia would compliment on my work, but I never thought she loved my work enough to take me to Italy with her, so I was extremely surprised. Out of all the photographers she could have picked, she picked me. I’m always self conscious about my work, and figuring out how to work my equipment better or how to get the shot better… but she saw something good in me and invested in me. And that meant a LOT to me. I’m thankful that she chose me though–not only because of the experience and exposure it has provided me–but also because I can honestly say that through this experience I truly gained an honest, life-long friendship with both Andy and Mia. And if they’re reading this, I just want to say thank you to both of you for being in my life!
Anyway, this is part ONE of SO many parts to this trip. Our first stop was Rome, Italy. Because my husband wasn’t able to join me as an assistant traveler, my lovely, beautiful and wonderful grandma took the opportunity to go on this adventure with me. We arrived a day early… and boy am I glad we did. Jet lag is a real thing, people. I stayed up ALL night on the plane. I’m not sure if it was because I was excited or nervous, but I just could NOT sleep.
Wow am I GLAD that I did stay up all night though. As a former wannabe Nat-Geo photographer, I was literally freaking out over the beautiful sight of the Swiss Alps the morning we arrived in Rome:
When we finally arrived in Rome, we decided to meet up with Andy and Mia right away. Luckily we were staying at the same hotel so it was no trouble at all finding them. After leaving at 5 o’clock Colorado time, we arrived at Rome the next day at 8 o’clock a.m. local, after a full night’s travel. Despite our lack of sleep, we decided it would be a great time to explore Rome with Andy and Mia, as it wasn’t until the following day that they would be saying their vows.
We spent the entire day just exploring, enjoying the local life, and looking for a florist who would make Mia’s bouquet. And yes, we of course went through the Vatican and visited the Sistine Chapel.
The following day and our second day in Rome, Mia and Andy would be saying their vows at Santa Maria Della Vittoria.
Without further a-due, please click here to see part one of Andy and Mia’s elopement in Rome, where they said their vows in beautiful Roma, Italy and adventured together in the city to celebrate their new life together.
Thank you Malissa! I cannot be more grateful for your work. I am absolutely in awe in seeing what we had experienced. I married my best friend this day and we gained a wonderful friendship in you and your grandma. Thank you, thank you, thank you!