I am always surprised by elopements. Always. This one was no surprise. 

My Northern Cali girls always find me. I am originally from Stockton, California and I am always shocked by the amount of people that are from Stockton or Northern California in general that actually live in Lemhi County. It truly is a small world. 

So when I get an elopement inquiry from a Northern Cali girl, I am always excited! Brian and Nicole eloped to North Fork, Idaho to exchange their vows. In true wedding fashion, something always goes "wrong" or "happens." This is every single wedding. Something goes wrong. It may be timing, forgetting flowers, the wrong names, no music - it's always something. 

Idaho gave Brian and Nicole it's own big welcome with a wonderful winter storm in the middle of April. This threw a wrench in her plans the ability for some family to make it all the way to North Fork but the show went on. 

The two planned a small ceremony and reception at a family friend's property in North Fork. I always admire this homestead when going to grab pizza at Water's Edge Pizzeria. The house is so cute, well maintained and a big beautiful barn. Nicole planned the ceremony outside in front of the barn but Mother Nature put just a little much wind with the chill for an outside wedding. 

So what did they do? 

They moved the wedding inside the barn. Now I have photographed plenty of barn wedding before but this one, this one, was different. When I was shown the venue location at first I was just a tad skeptical. You open the barn door and you guessed it, it's a barn. There is a boat, no chairs, no flowers. I was led up some stairs to the second level of the barn and as I climbed these metal steps I would have never guessed what it was going to look like. 

You walk up the stairs the the top of the barn was transformed into the most romantic wedding ceremony and reception. I couldn't believe how great it was. The twinkle lights and set tables were the perfect touches to put this small elopement over the top. 

There were two tables set up and great ceremony spot and it all just worked so well together. Nicole said that North Fork and this location has been a favorite of hers to visit since her friend's family purchased it about three years ago. While she originally planned for the ceremony to be outside the inside move did not disappoint. We were still able to take some portraits in front of the barn, Brian toughed it out through the 40 degree weather. 

This was such a great elopement and so happy Brian and Nicole included me in their big day! 

Vendors:
Photography: Bellanet Photography
Floral: Fleurish Floral 
Cake: Saveway Market 
Chairs: Sweetwater Hollow