Like many modern romances, Kelsey and Tim met on an online dating app (Bumble). Kelsey, intrigued, asked Tim about his beard, and brewing his own beer. Obviously knew the way to his heart right from the start. After chatting back and forth for a bit Tim asked Kelsey to try a new brewery with him. Their first date was spent at Dancing Gnome trying out new beers and getting to know one another more. Tim's first impression was that Kelsey was that “she was smart, personable and funny”. Kelsey's first impression of Tim was that “this unassuming guy had a great beard, knew how to make her laugh and was way smoother than she expected him to be”. They were a match right from the start!

Once Tim made the decision to propose, he and his "fellowship of the engagement ring" group spent months setting out to find the perfect ring. The ring he chose? A beautiful sapphire stone surrounded by infinity symbols in diamonds! Kelsey is a Florida girl, dreading the onset of winter/fall because it means less sunshine and colder weather. Tim set out to change her mind about the first day of fall.

Kelsey was working the evening shift finally coming home around 8pm. She went straight upstairs to shower after spending the day with Covid patients, got dressed in some cozy pajamas with no bra on and headed downstairs. Tim had decided to soften the blow of Fall with a beautifully cooked paella, candlelit dinner, and a nice Spanish red wine. Unable to contain his nerves, Tim dropped to one knee and gave a rousing speech about how he knew Kelsey hated the cold when he loved it, and how he wanted to create a moment that would have Kelsey looking forward to the start of Fall rather than dreading the end of summer. Once finished with his proposal speech, Kelsey's immediate response was "You little shit." Tim responded, "really? I ask you to marry me and you say you little shit?" and then Kelsey said "well of course yes!"

Kelsey knew Tim must be the one because the most romantic moment of her life occurred when she was in her pajamas with no bra on, after a long day at work. Making it clear that Tim’s love will be there even when she looks questionable!

For their elopement day Kelsey and Tim only did the things they wanted to do, which (spoiler alert) is 100% the way it should be. While planning they were committed to keeping things simple, stress-free and focused around having a good time with each other and their small group of family members. Because they were so committed to being totally themselves, they were able to pull off an elopement day that fit them perfectly.

The day began at a beautiful rural Airbnb near Moraine State Park. While Tim shared in a morning round of fishing with the guys, Kelsey got pampered at Lightening Hair Lounge. Later on in the morning while Tim wrote out his vowels, Kelsey's mom created a handmade wildflower bouquet. Once dressed they shared a first look together on the grounds of the Airbnb.

For the ceremony everyone met up at Barber Point Beach at Moraine State Park. It was intimate and personal with a few tears and lots of laughs. Afterwards, the four of us went on a short hike together on the Pleasant Valley Trail. We walked under the tall trees, admiring the scenery (we even saw a small tree frog), and chatted about our dogs, travel and everything in between. After coming to a pine lined narrow trail, they shared their first dance singing and swaying in each other’s arms. It was beautiful and small private moments like that are some of our favorites to capture.

Once we finished up with the hike we all headed back to the Airbnb where everyone indulged themselves with Mac's Brick Oven Pizza, homemade cookies, strong drinks and fine cigars. Being one of Kelsey's favorite things it was only fitting to end the night by dancing around with sparklers surrounded by nature and their favorite people.