Maryland Rocks State Park Elopement | Jillian + Alex
Okay, Jillian and Alex’s Maryland Rocks State Park Elopement was FREAKING AMAZING! I am just dying over here looking back at it. They reached out to me just two months prior to their wedding day and had just had their location fall through! I was so glad I was available and we immediately jumped on a call to start the planning process. They loved Maryland Rocks State Park that I suggested and when they went to visit it, they were totally sold. It just so happened to be the park that I used to explore when I went to college in that area years ago! It was a perfect fit.
For elopements without venues the most important aspect is finding the perfect location for each couple and this Maryland Rocks State Park Elopement we planned in two months ended up being exactly what they wanted.
When they went to explore the state park, they found an easily accessible creek where they wanted the ceremony to take place with their family. Afterwards we planned to hike to the waterfall for their portraits. When I arrived the day of, Jillian was getting ready in a hotel room, and it was so calm and peaceful. Her best friend was with her and had us cracking up the whole time. And, both Jillian’s mom and her new mother in law came to the hotel room as well and were so excited and supportive.
While she was getting ready, and we were all chatting the hairdresser asked Jillian “How did you find Erika if she lives in North Carolina?” She said, “We found her by searching online and I just knew that we had to have her!” It was the sweetest thing and it just made my heart so happy to hear that. Coincidentally we were already going back to my hometown in Maryland for a family wedding on that Sunday. They are from Delaware and inquired about the Saturday before having no idea I was from Maryland and going to be there that weekend! It was even more wild that I even had a Saturday open in October as that is always the busiest month for weddings in North Carolina. Maybe it was just meant to be! I’m sure glad it worked out because it was such a special day.
When looking for a location to have your elopement it is important to think about your needs for the day. How accessible do you need it to be for family members? Are you excited to explore the location? What is the weather like there? How far is the hike? These are just a few of the things to consider when picking the best spot for you.
After getting ready at the hotel we then drove to the ceremony spot at Rocks State Park. Jillian had said when she was getting ready that she was going to be so nervous leading up to finally seeing Alex but then she would be totally fine after she saw him. It just reminded me how special and important first looks really can be. They not only give you a private moment together but can also help to calm nerves. That is one of the benefits I always share with my couples when they are deciding wether they want to do a first look.
After their first look by the creek, their family joined them. Jillian and Alex stepped out onto a big boulder and their family dotted the rocks around them. It was a small intimate elopement of a total of 12 guests with them. I loved that they included the people most important to them and that their family was supportive and willing to join them for a ceremony on the creek. I know how valuable family portraits are because it doesn’t happen often to have everyone together (and willing! haha) to take professional photos. I always think it is a vital part of the day because often they are some of the photos we end up cherishing most in later years. After the ceremony and family portraits they said good bye to their family and had a private foot washing ceremony together.
Earlier that morning while she was getting ready, she said to me that she had brought her bible and they had read it together that morning. They noted the passage that was impactful for their wedding day. She mentioned that Alex had requested a photo of it because it was so special to him. I just thought it was the sweetest thing and the grooms never ask for detail shots so I was happy to oblige! It was evident that their relationship with God was important to them and they naturally found ways to bring that into their day. Figuring out those things that are most important to the couple, are always my favorite things to document for them.
Finding a way to incorporate things into your day that hold meaning to you both is so special. For Jillian and Alex, it was their bible and a foot washing ceremony. I always encourage couples to think through these things that are most important to them and represent their relationship and then find creative ways to bring that into the day.
After their ceremony, we went for a short little hike to a waterfall for their portraits. The weather was beautiful and surprisingly warm. It was 60 degrees, and the leaves were starting to show us their fall colors. There were gorgeous orange and yellow hues everywhere you looked. You know that earthy smell that fall brings? Just imagine that with glittering leaves. It was one of those perfect days were you don’t sweat while hiking (always a plus!) and you don’t need a jacket either.
Under her dress Jillian had her boots on the whole time and did not care at all about getting her dress dirty - always a favorite approach if you ask me! It was more important to her to hike, explore and have a good time. They were such troopers and down for whatever, jumping over rocks, getting misted on by the waterfall, climbing trees! The light was also just flooding through and she said, “It’s SO beautiful I can’t even take it all in!” They just kept talking about how beautiful the day was. The sighting of some cute chipmunks was also a highlight, haha!
I was SO happy I had recommended Maryland Rocks State Park at that moment. It came to mind because I went to college in the area at Towson University. I had hiked a couple of times previously at that spot on my free days and I'm so glad I recalled it and that they were equally stoked about it. Helping my couples find the perfect location is always a joy.
Jillian and Alex were just so gracious! They kept saying how happy and thankful they were to have me there for their wedding. It freaking broke my heart in two in the best possible way, because truly I feel so thankful to have been a part of it. Witnessing them having so much fun exploring and giggling together if their first few hours as husband and wife was such a joy. My couples make me feel so incredibly lucky! I still can’t believe that I get to do this.
One perk of eloping in a public park? Everybody on the trail is always shouting “Congratulations!” “You look so amazing!” “OMG!”, haha! It is so fun and always a pleasant surprise to tell them, “yeah we just got married!” and watch their expressions! Seriously, your biggest cheerleaders just may be strangers. I guess the excitement and happiness is just contagious!
When we were walking through the woods to the waterfall, I was asking them about how they decided to elope. They said they both don’t like a lot of attention on them, and they knew they really needed to be surrounded by nature when they got married. Since she grew up riding and spending a lot time in a horse barn she wanted to make sure that nature was a part of their day. They also wanted the focus on just the two of them and have the ability to be flexible, spontaneous, and on their own time. They said their parents were a little shocked at first but then totally on board. I think it is always a little intimating to think outside the traditional wedding day box, but it always pays off.
I think it is always a brave choice to elope and break tradition. Fortunately I think eloping is no longer getting the bad rap it once did. As more and more people are eloping the possibilities are opening up as well. It is beginning to be a more accepted way of wedding days, one that allows the couple to prioritize what they want. And we are learning that eloping doesn’t just mean one thing anymore. You CAN invite guests. You CAN travel. You don’t HAVE to be stressed. And when you start to share with people what is really important to you, and how you want to spend your time and your money, you may just find that they are more accepting than you initially thought! It’s your day. DO YOU, BOO.