Kennedy & Eby’s intimate elopement at JM Cellars ended up being my last wedding of the year in 2020 and it was so fitting in all the best ways. Due to Kennedy’s job they had to be very strict with the contact rules which meant everyone had to wear a mask anytime they were within 6 feet of the wedding couple. Obviously this meant we had to adapt to take some photos without masks but even the ones with people wearing masks you can feel their love for Kennedy and Eby coming through the fabric.
The day started with Kennedy & Eby getting ready upstairs in the suite at JM Cellars. Kennedy’s brother helped Eby finish up his look with a dashing tie, although there may have been some extra help from YouTube. Kennedy had her best friend do her makeup and then her Mom helped her into her dress. The finishing touch on her wedding day attire was a pair of white Chucks, not the usual look with a wedding dress but as I came to learn, Kennedy doesn’t beat to the tune of anyone but herself.
While Eby was finishing getting ready, Kennedy snuck into the library for a first look with her Dad and since he was masked I was worried about his emotion showing through. Needless to say I shouldn’t have worried as Dad had the most photogenic tear roll down his cheek and onto his mask. My allergies may have started acting up at this point. Once tissues had been dabbed where needed, we headed outside for Kennedy & Eby to have their first look.
Even though it was November, we headed outside for their first look to a cute wooded area that was a bit secluded and offered them some privacy. Eby was all smiles when he turned around and saw his bride to be, and Kennedy had a few choice words for how dapper her groom looked. After they had hugged it out for a bit, we headed off to do some couples portraits, intermittently running indoors so that Kennedy could warm up, it was November in the Pacific Northwest remember.
Once we’d finished the wedding couple portraits we headed inside to warm up before everyone headed outside to get some socially distanced family photos. Then with just enough time to run inside and warm up, it was ceremony time! The ceremony location was decked out in gorgeous persian rugs and comfy seating that was socially distance (we actually measured the 6 feet between each seat) and lit by warm soft light. Thanks to COVID, Kennedy didn’t get to do a traditional walk down the aisle but that doesn’t mean her entrance was less spectacular, appearing through the two solid iron doors at the front of the room.
Kennedy’s best male friend officiated and brought the room down with his amazing puns, some of which were layers deep which I appreciated as someone who loves puns. Kennedy & Eby both wrote their own vows, well Kennedy wrote hers down but Eby chose to wing it. A bold move, but luckily one that paid off. And just like that with a kiss to seal it, they were married!
The newlyweds retired to a seperate room to sign their documents and then came back to the ceremony space for a first dance, a speech by the brides dad and a cake cutting. They then mingled as much as they were able to, and talked to their remote guests on a giant screen, including Eby’s mom back in Africa. It was so beautiful seeing the couple scroll through all their guests and say a few words to each. It seemed like it should feel impersonal with it being through a screen but it was actually so intimate, I loved it.
After some socially distanced guest photos, I grabbed the couple for one more set of portraits before saying my goodbyes. As COVID weddings in 2020 go, Kennedy & Eby really leaned into what was possible within the guidelines and really made their day their own.
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Before you go, check out the rest of Kennedy and Eby’s gorgeously intimate winter wedding elopement at JM Cellars below!
