Background
Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe it was fate. Either way, the forces that brought this Bear Rock Elopement between Lindsay and Jake together were strong.
Lindsay and Jake first met years ago while working on set for a short film where they coincidentally played husband and wife on the brink of divorce. It took a few years before the timing was right and they were both single. Their first date took place in a cemetery much to Lindsay’s delight. So, of course, a cemetery is where Jake had to ask her to spend forever with him.
They traveled to southwest Virginia for their Bear Rock Elopement. Less than two weeks before they eloped, I received an email from Lindsay with hopes that we would be available the first weekend of May. Unfortunately, we were all booked up that weekend, but I told her if they didn’t mind switching to Friday I could help them out. I really didn’t expect anything back. But thank goodness she said yes. A few days later we had a quick FaceTime meeting and talked locations and plans and got to know each other a bit. It wasn’t until 10:00pm the night before that a location was set. Even then, we all knew the day was going to be “go with the flow.”
The Day Of
I met up with the couple at the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, Virginia that afternoon. We took a handful of photos of them getting ready before we piled into their rental Jeep and headed for the middle of nowhere. We traded stories and learned some interesting similarities between us all. Along the way we stopped to meet with Jake’s good friend (and the officiant) Chuck to guide us the rest of the way. Chuck is a long-time resident of Wise County and the Commonwealth’s Attorney, so he filled us in on a lot of history and fun facts throughout the day.
Once we got to Bear Rock, located in Scott County, VA, we decided to head straight for the ceremony site while the lighting was bright and beautiful. While looking off the cliff I saw what I think was a black bear climbing in one of the trees below, but in my excitement I scared him away before everyone else could take a peek. Oops.
The ceremony was short and sweet with the setting sun on Lindsay and Jake’s faces. We all talked and took some photos before hopping back into the Jeep and going down the mountain to Little Stony Falls where we finished the day. On the way back to the Inn we continued to share intimate details of our lives and used the time to connect. I left for home knowing I had gained a beautiful experience and two new friends that day.
Looking Back
I’ve never been one to take on last minute events. I’m a planner. I like to strategize and organize timelines. But something inside of me said to be available for this Bear Rock Elopement and I’m so glad I listened. Sometimes the universe has plans for us, and new friends, that we can’t see coming.
Tessa
If you’d like to book your elopement adventure with us, click here.
