Jasper, AR | Elopement
Suzy and Trent eloped on May 20th, 2022. I’ve known Suzy since we were in high school. We have shared a love for photography ever since our high school years, and we have tried to keep in touch ever since. Suzy first reached out to me on my Facebook account early this year and mentioned that she wanted me to be part of their day as they were thinking on getting married. Of course, we started planning!
Suzy and Trent kept going back-and-forth about having a small wedding with friends and family or an elopement, but they decided they didn’t want to wait and started making plans to elope locally instead! I mean Jasper, AR isn’t a bad plan B if you ask me! I knew this was going to be a great adventure!
I met with Suzy and Trent a handful of times prior to their elopement day. I created a timeline for their day just exactly as it would unfold. The last thing I want is to add stress, and I tried to make it as easy and smooth as possible!
Suzy and Trent booked a cabin from Boulder Bluffs Cabins in Jasper, AR in the middle of mountains and fields! The views were epic! The original plan was to have the elopement at Triple Falls in Jasper, AR. I realized very quickly that it was going to be a day that would run away from the original timeline and that was perfectly fine!
Their elopement morning started very smoothly. When you drive to Jasper from Russellville, AR, you’ll find endless valleys, mountains and beautiful roads. You’ll even drive through Arkansas Grand Canyon! All these beautiful views lead you into Jasper, AR. I have had a handful of people ask me, “Why do you always take photos of the town where the wedding will be at?” I simply think beyond the couple. I think about “auntie Rita” and “grandma Gertrude” that couldn’t fly into town, and I always think it’s cool if they get to see what everyone else gets to see when they arrive to the venue, in this case, the elopement location.
The original plan was to meet at their cabin and begin the ceremony then. Due to the road conditions leading up to the cabin, we decided to simply go to downtown Jasper and find a spot for the elopement ceremony; that’s exactly how it happened! As we were driving through the small town of Jasper, I spotted Little Buffalo Bridge and I simply asked, “What about under that bridge?” Trent did a quick U-turn, we parked and started walking...Suzy and Trent are the most chill couple and their spirit is beautiful!
The plan was to have Suzy and Trent read their vows soon-after their ceremony but we decided to drive to Triple Falls instead and make it an adventure. Once we arrived to Triple Falls, it was all magic... I could feel nature’s energy being very-so present. The water fall bluff covered us completely, surrounded with big-green-leafy summer trees. The mist of the water falls surrounded us as Suzy and Trent prepared to read their vows to eachother. It felt like we were in a book, and Suzy and Trent were the main characters— beautifully tying the story to perfection.
Soon after that, we drove back to the cabin where they enjoyed some company, champagne, and their pets.
Below, you’ll find their elopement day story...enjoy!
“We met 8-9 years ago when I (Suzanne) took a job at Cracker Barrel. Trent was my mentor and trained me a majority of the time. He taught me a lot of things and made work the best and most exciting place to be. I looked forward to going to work everyday and coming around the corner in hopes he was there working. I thought he was such a sweet guy. The kind of person you could hope for the best in life as in a platonic way. I was oblivious when people had any romantic interests in me, and he says he tried regularly to make oncoming gestures and conversation to show he liked me.
One day, he made me a Blueberry Dream milkshake, as I call it. A blueberry muffin, grilled with butter and blended into a milkshake. He handed it over to me, both of us in hair nets and polyester chef coats, my eyes concentrated on him while I tasted the best milkshake I'd ever had in my life. He was special! Haha.
I quickly got moved to a different section at the job because I was so good, apparently. I was now removed from working with him, so I found another job because I didn't like it without him.
Through the years, we might have seen each other a couple of times and it was always a good sight to see his big smile and genuine happiness.
Years later I receive a message from him and it was the best day ever. I was living in Dover, him in Russellville. I was working in Alma and at the time I was taking my time with dating. I totally forgot within 3 days of chatting nonstop and long adrenaline filled nights of us talking that I hadn't told him I lived just 15 minutes away. We had plans to have our first date on July 4th, which was in about two weeks. The moment he figured out I was in Dover, he hopped in his car and came over to help me make 5 loaves of banana bread. That night was so nice working with him in the kitchen again and having the deepest connection in conversation. When he left to go home, he kissed me on the head and gave me a big hug. I kissed him and his eyes looked like his mind had just exploded.
That's when I knew I don't think I'd ever want to let him go. We love so deeply and accepting of our pasts, and are so happy to have each other for the future, because 7 years without was such a sad time for both of us.”
