Ankeeta & Jacob Elope in Acadia National Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / MAINE & BEYOND

A magical fairytale is the best way to describe Ankeeta and Jacob’s Acadia National Park elopement. They met at a strategically positioned overlook before the sun even rose from their first look. The moon was setting in the background and they were both really excited to see one another and begin their incredible elopement day. After their first look, they hiked with family and their pups to their ceremony spot and said their vows as the sunrise rose, filling the morning sky with soft light and muted colors. Our timing was perfect because after they finished their vows and a small celebration, hikers began arriving at this popular spot in the park. We moved a little for formal photos and some more exploration and then the marine layer fog began to roll in. It seemed that we would have three days worth of weather in 3 hours!

After the morning session the couple and their family went to breakfast and had a relaxing rest of their morning. I met them again in the afternoon where they roasted s’mores with their family and got ready again for the second portion of their adventure elopement day. We went back to the park where we hiked, went to the beach and watched the sunset. As the sunset and everyone else cleared off the rocks we stayed and sat enjoying the seclusion and the views.

I knew the moon would rise at any moment and so we walked into position to see it come up. Ankeeta shouted “that’s it!” and we all looked at the horizon and saw an absolutely huge orange ball rising in the distance. From moonset to moonrise their entire day had come full circle. It was full of so much love, unreal views, and it was everything they wanted and more. We all felt so content sitting out there taking in the vast beauty of a place like Acadia, and as the moon rose higher and the stars came out, Ankeeta and Jacob busted out their lightsabers for some even more fun and unique light writing. They battled one another, then created a heart, and then they attempted to write their elopement date with headlamps, which proved to be a difficult task.

These two could not have been more fun to hang out with. I’m so thankful they trusted me with their vision for their day, and it’s always so incredible when the actual elopement day not only lives up to their expectations, but exceeds it. From sunrise to sunset it was such a perfect day, and they were laid back and relaxed and able to savor ever moment of it. They included so many details unique to the two of them and their relationships. They were able to include family and their two dogs, which was incredibly important to them. Oh, and I forgot to mention they traveled to Maine from Florida where they are used to much warmer weather, but the temps didn’t bother them one bit. In the morning it was probably in the high 50’s, but they came prepared and enjoyed much warmer weather the rest of the day.

I think the day is best summed up by one of the GIF’s above where they finish saying their vows and Ankeeta can be seen jumping up and down for joy! Then Jacob scoops her up in his arms for their first kiss as a married couple. They radiate joy and happiness together. And tying the knot in the way that was truly them was the best gift they could give one another.