by Scott Johnson
Milner Wedding on 6/21/18 at The Finery on Camano Island
Music licensed from –
Song Freedom – songfreedom.com
“Best Made Wedding videos did an excellent job capturing all the special moments on our wedding day. The videographers (Reid and Matt) were professional, thoughtful and creative. They gave us moments of alone time throughout the day so that we could enjoy the moment with no one around. The videographer team captured and included every video shot of our elopement in the highlight video that we wanted. The process of booking, questionnaire, and payment was easy and convenient. The editing and artistic flow of the final highlight video is priceless. We are excited about the video we received and look forward to incorporating it into our anniversary celebration.”
This may come as quite a surprise—but we love weddings. I know, right? Would would’ve thought it? There’s nothing like a wedding, and we’re all for every single aspect. The atmosphere of a wedding is like electricity. There’s love and excitement, a dash of anxiousness, and the ubiquitous hope for everything to go absolutely according to plan. In many ways, a wedding is akin to a Broadway musical; there’s costume, makeup, a stage (of sorts), an audience and it has all been rehearsed.
But today isn’t about weddings; it’s about elopements. For many, the idea of an elopement has always been seeded in secrecy and a sort of “forbidden love.” Tales of young high schoolers escaping from the nightmare of life to just be together against the world come to mind, or a fair assortment of romantic comedies, yet they’re all wrong. In the scheme of things, especially for those who either don’t have a big enough family or simply don’t want to go about planning all of the hundreds of details for a wedding, elopements might actually be your ticket to happiness. With only the need for an officiant and some rings, elopements are easy and romantic; for some, they might even be more meaningful than weddings in certain ways.
The Milner’s Elopement, out on Camano Island at the delightful Finery, was as elegant and touching as any wedding we’ve witnessed this year. Getting ready together in the morning, the absence of groomsmen and bridesmaids meant that Laura and James helped one another get looking the absolute best. Now, how many of you married couples can say your partner helped you get dressed on your wedding day?
There was time for a first look out in the clearing, which gave us quite a few opportunities to get adorable photos of the two posing around the area. Sneaking kisses and looking longingly into each other’s eyes, the elopement couldn’t come fast enough!
With just the officiant, the two stood in front of each other for the ceremony. Reciting some tear-jerking vows, the two bared their hearts for each other, doling out emotional words of love and kindness. Going back into their history, the two were both weepy before it was even time to share their first kiss as husband and wife. Excited for the future, and with the hope of showing each other the love they both deserve every day, the officiant declared the two husband and wife. With a kiss, their love and union were sealed.
With the elopement, there was no massive amount of applause from the guests. But there didn’t need to be, the two were all they needed for each other to be absolutely happy. A little cake-cutting followed as they popped open a bottle of champagne, thus bringing the wonderful day to a close.
Thank you again to Laura and James for picking Best Made Videos to film their elopement! We hope your first few weeks of marriage are going spectacularly!
Have any questions or comments? Did you have an elopement? Let us know below!
Venue / Photography – The Finery
Videography – Best Made Videos
Laura and James’ story in their own words:
How did you guys meet?
We first met in pharmacy school when we were assigned to work together in the same group. Laura stood out to me when she proceeded to take over everyone’s part and complete the entire group project on her own. It was at that moment I knew I could completely relate to her views on group work as that same thought crossed my mind too. I knew that I had to get to know her more and find out what else we had in common.
Tell us about the proposal!
During our last year of pharmacy school, we were still trying to figure out what to do with our future. I knew whatever was ahead in my future, that I wanted her to be a part of it as well. I bought the ring a few months earlier and was planning for the perfect place to propose. After speaking with my brother, I made plans to come visit him in Dubai, take her to the Burj Khalifa and propose. When I asked her to come to Dubai with me during Christmas, she said she needed to go home and see her family during Christmas. I spent the next several weeks thinking about what other plans could possibly beat my original idea. Then one evening we were watching the movie Wedding Crashers and I kept thinking to myself, the two of us just had an incredibly good day. When you are in pharmacy school, trust me, those days are rare. We had a great day at school, enjoyed a nice dinner together and spent quality time watching a movie that we were both enjoying. When she got up to get ready for bed, I don’t know if it was the movie or not, but I kept thinking that I wanted to hold on to her forever. As she was getting ready for bed, I have do the same playful thing almost every night and take her spot in bed and she has to push me out of it so she can go to sleep. This time, I put the ring right next to me and as she tried pushing me she felt the box I had placed in the way. As soon as I saw her with that questioning look of what is that, I pulled out and opened the box and asked her to marry me.
Why did you choose your venue?
Our enthusiasm for Greek mythology helped guide us to a unique date on the summer solstice (June 21st). The summer solstice marks the start of the New Year according to some ancient Greek calendars. We wanted a place that could handle an outdoor wedding and accommodate the rain if needed. The Finery on Camano Island is a beautiful place to have an outdoor wedding, intimate experience and offers an elopement package which was perfect for our situation.
What are you most excited to see in the video?
Happy, sweet moments of us together and separate; candid joyful emotion; capture the anticipation moments before the wedding. The first time we see each other after getting ready and us exchanging vows.
Anything else?
Collection of memories that we can share with each other and with our closest family and friends. Excited to see the surrounding scenery in which we are getting married as isolated scenic shots and distant shots of us outside (i.e. venue, ocean, trees, etc.)