I met Erin and Alex on a Saturday morning at a beach in Evanston, Illinois just before 6:00AM for their intimate sunrise beach elopement The sky was dark, the wind was strong, and there was a calm in the air. The beach was empty except for a CARA running group headed out, a gentleman sipping his coffee, and an onlooker stationed at one of the lifeguard chairs taking in the day. ⠀
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Erin hopped into a lacy white dress while Alex waited for her in nearby tall grass for their first look. As they said their vows, they stood with Lake Michigan as their backdrop, their feet sunken in the sand, the waves up to their ankles. They streamed their ceremony, their families looking on from the comfort of their own states and most likely their own couches. ⠀The lovely Rebecca from RMP Chicago Events was the other lucky individual a part of the magic – in charge of legally wedding these two.
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Their cake was made out of donuts from Dip & Sip Donuts, coffee served in family heirloom mugs, and they enjoyed it as they soaked in the first few moments of being married. ⠀
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During portraits, they had their first dance on a lifeguard stand, with two surfers looking on. They ended their celebration by jumping into the lake. They left the beach with sand in between their toes, new rings on their fingers, and a forever promise to each other. ⠀
I can’t imagine a more beautiful way to say “I do” than this intimate sunrise beach elopement.
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It was perfect. ⠀
[…] Alex & Dan were as cool as can be with a last minute rain plan (that turned out to be exquisite) and was followed by the brightest dang sunshine Chicago’s had in I think a year. I stole Alex and Dan away for a bit of time to take portraits in one of my favorite spots in the city – the West Loop. Between blank brick walls and hidden cobblestone alleys, there’s the perfect mix of urban romance in this area and I’m constantly finding something new to place my couples up against. […]