There are quite a few Facebook wedding groups that I belong to. Many couples will post seeking out vendors and sometimes I will reply offering my services. There are a ton of photographers in these groups so most of the time it’s like throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks. So when I saw Shannon & Russell’s post about their Tahquamenon Falls elopement, I naturally had to put my name in the ring. When they reached out I was ecstatic! I have been blessed to photograph some absolutely gorgeous weddings, but nothing like the stunning landscape of Northern Michigan. And let me tell you, I am hooked!
Pure Michigan Drive
The morning of their Tahquamenon Falls elopement, I set out on the road about 10am. My GPS told me I would get up there early enough to check into my hotel before setting off to the falls. Well, after many failed attempts to get coffee, my timeline shortened and I was headed straight to Upper Tahquamenon Falls. The drive up was so gorgeous with Michigan’s autumn colors painting the landscape. While driving I listened to the audiobook of Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness. It’s the second book in the All Souls Trilogy and a perfect read for October. There’s vampires, witches, and demons so if that’s your thing, then I highly recommend it.
Tahquamenon Falls Elopement
When I arrived at the falls there were far more visitors than I had expected to be there. I thought that since it was past the color peak up there and the threat of snow, most would stay away. However it was simple to find Shannon as she was the only one with a lavish ball gown walking around the parking lot. I quickly grabbed my camera and ran over to her. She gathered the last of her things and we headed towards the falls.
Shannon and I stopped short of the overlook so Russell couldn’t see her. I snagged a few images of her and some of the details before making my way to Russell. The officiant introduced himself to me as “The Oversized Leprechaun” and I instantly he was going to make this fun. My heart melted when I saw Russell, he was a ball of nervous energy and couldn’t wait to see Shannon. As she walked down the path with her dad, his smile grew until it was from ear to ear. The two of them did a hand fasting ceremony just as the snow started to fall. Talk about a magical moment, despite the tourists walking by, all of the focus was on them. Next they exchanged rings and recited the vows they wrote to each other. Their whole Tahquamenon Falls elopement could not have been more beautiful.
![Upper Penninsula wedding Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7847.jpg?ssl=1)
![Fall wedding bouquet from dried flowers Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7852.jpg?ssl=1)
![Michigan ring bearer at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7868.jpg?ssl=1)
![Sister helping bride put on veil Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7870.jpg?ssl=1)
![Lacing up of northern Michigan wedding dress](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7873.jpg?ssl=1)
![Decorated wedding wagon Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7877.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom anxiously waits for bride at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7879.jpg?ssl=1)
![Best man straightens groom's bowtie](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7884.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement, groom](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7886.jpg?ssl=1)
![Fall boutonniere of dried flowers at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7888.jpg?ssl=1)
![Guests wait for Tahquamenon Falls elopement to start](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7892.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride and father walk with linked arms Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7903.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bridesmaid walking down the aisle Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7916.jpg?ssl=1)
![Mother of bride watching daughter walk down the aisle](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7914.jpg?ssl=1)
![Son of bride walking down the aisle pulling wagon](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7921.jpg?ssl=1)
![Father and bride walk together for her Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7929.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom shakes son's hand Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7932.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride and father at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7941.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement groom beaming as he sees his bride for the first time](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7952.jpg?ssl=1)
![Upper Peninsula bride and father](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7954.jpg?ssl=1)
![Upper Peninsula groom smiling](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7973.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan officiant Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7980.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan wedding photographer](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7984.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan wedding at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7993.jpg?ssl=1)
![Father handing off bride at Paradise MI elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A7995.jpg?ssl=1)
![Paradise MI wedding couple stands with officiant](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8005.jpg?ssl=1)
![Ring bearer holding rings and hand fasting rope](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8015.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls officiant](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8016.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom putting ring on bride's hand at Northern Michigan wedding](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8022.jpg?ssl=1)
![Decorated wagon near bride](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8029.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bridesmaid waiting](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8045.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bridesmaid waiting during UP wedding ceremony](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8046.jpg?ssl=1)
![Wedding couple smiling at each other during Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8056.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride giggling during ceremony Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8081.jpg?ssl=1)
![Ring bearer handing off rings and hand fasting rope Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8087.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement officiant performing hand fasting ceremony](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8089.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan hand fasting ceremony Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8094.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement couple holding hands](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8097.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride laughing at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8099.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan groom reading vows at Paradise MI wedding](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8106.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride smiling at groom as he reads wedding vows Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8115.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride tearfully reads vows at Paradise MI wedding](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8127.jpg?ssl=1)
![Mom cries into tissue at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8144.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride reading wedding vows during Northern Michigan elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8151.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom with navy and blush attire Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8156.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride reading wedding vows during outdoor northern Michigan wedding](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8157.jpg?ssl=1)
![Officiant blessing the rings at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8162.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom putting ring on bride's hand during Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8167.jpg?ssl=1)
![Couple smiling during Taquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8176.jpg?ssl=1)
![First kiss at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8187.jpg?ssl=1)
![Signing of the marriage license Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8210.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bride signing marriage license Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8216.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement couple with wedding guests](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8235.jpg?ssl=1)
![Married couple kisses at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8247.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls wedding photographer Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8251.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan wedding photographer Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8268.jpg?ssl=1)
![Paradise MI wedding photographer Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8293.jpg?ssl=1)
![Upper Peninsula wedding photographer at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8306.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom dips bride for a kiss while snow falls all around them in Northern Michigan](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8322.jpg?ssl=1)
![Northern Michigan fall wedding Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8328.jpg?ssl=1)
![Sisters at Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8332.jpg?ssl=1)
![Wedding couple poses in front of Tahquamenon Falls](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8353.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls in the background of wedding couple](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8355.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls elopement in Paradise MI](https://i0.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8387.jpg?ssl=1)
![Wedding rings and fall bouquet Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8388.jpg?ssl=1)
![Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8393.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom in front of Tahquamenon Falls](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8400.jpg?ssl=1)
![Forest wedding in the UP Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8396.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom helping bride switch shoes Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8409.jpg?ssl=1)
![Groom carrying bride's heals Tahquamenon Falls elopement](https://i1.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8417.jpg?ssl=1)
![Couple kissing after their fall northern Michigan elopement](https://i2.wp.com/nataliemaephotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/H9A8419.jpg?ssl=1)
Absolutely love how you captured the emotions and vibes of the day! They look like such a sweet couple! 🙂