From Lake Arrowhead Wedding to Big Bear Elopement

This Big Bear summer elopement is the most beautiful example of when plans change and the outcome is even better than anyone could imagine. Initially when J & J reached out to me it was earlier in the year for a spring micro wedding in Lake Arrowhead. As we started chatting and planning, new rules came about that made their wedding venue no longer an option. I didn’t hear from them again until they got back in touch over the summer to plan an elopement a few weeks later. Her father was battling cancer and we started planning a ceremony with only their immediate families for a weekend after he had gotten out of the hospital.

Since the very beginning, J & J knew they were it for each other. After being together for awhile they bought a house and eventually started planning a wedding even before J proposed. They had their own timeline and made their own rules and built a life together. With the elopement ceremony finally planned, J bought a ring that J would see for the first time when he put it on her finger as they got married. Her reaction to one of the most beautiful rings all of us had ever seen was my favorite.

J wore her late mother’s jewelry and the cross from her funeral sat beside her mother’s photo during the ceremony. Her brother officiated as they said their I do’s in front of their families. As it came J’s turn to say her vows, a brief summer thunderstorm gently sprinkled down on us. She took it as her mom’s presence, saying that is exactly where she would have cried if she was there.

An Adventure Around Big Bear Lake and a Secret Surprise

While a private chef started their wedding dinner, we took ourselves out on an adventure. A quick drive to my favorite spot right off of Big Bear Lake and both of there were troopers to take a little hike in their fancy wedding attire. Most of the time was spent laughing because not only do these two have hearts of gold, but they have the best sense of humor and love to laugh. At one point J asked me if I could see her gorgeous ring in the photos…and I told her we could probably see her ring from across the entire lake. Finally these two beautiful, sweet humans went back to their family to share a meal and to surprise them with the news of their baby on the way!

If you loved this Big Bear summer elopement, checkout this Running Springs elopement and this Idyllwild elopement!