Indiana Elopement at Sugar Creek Retreat

Bride and groom standing with soft smiles in front of log cabin at their Indiana Elopement.

This magical Indiana elopement included a morning hike, gorgeous a-frame cabin, ceremony in the woods, and dancing under the stars. Josh + Rachel’s Indiana elopement at Sugar Creek Retreat in Waveland, IN was a nature lover’s dream filled with emotion and authenticity.

Groom dips bride and kisses her under evergreen trees.

Josh + Rachel have quite the story and it shows just how perfect their Indiana elopement was for them.

Bride leads groom holding his hand while they walk through woods at Indiana elopement.

Groom laughs while leaning on railing in front of log cabin at Indiana elopement at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Bride smiles while standing under an evergreen tree.

They met at a CrossFit gym, became friends, formed a Bible study together, and talked for hours throughout the pandemic. Then, Josh fell in love with Rachel.

Couple sits quietly on porch swing with sun shining through trees casting shadows around them.

Josh asked Rachel to go on a date with him twice and Rachel said “no” both times. Their friendship remained strong and before long, Rachel realized that she had feelings for Josh.

Two adults and two girls hiking with dog at Shades State Park in Indiana.

They decided to give dating a try and they never looked back. Since the spring of 2020, these two have spent countless hours in nature with Josh’s daughters and Rachel’s family. They’ve had cooking nights, camping and hiking adventures (always complete with a campfire), and board game dates.

Bride and groom holding hands while praying during ceremony and groom wipes tears.

Throughout that time, they have learned so much about one another and what they value most. As their love for one another grows, they seek the highest good of one another. In doing this, they intentionally choose each other daily and extend the love of God towards one another.

Bride smiles at groom as they stand holding hands in front of arch after wedding ceremony.

Once you know this, it is no surprise that they chose to have the type of wedding day they did. It was filled with nature and hiking. They shared it with their closest family and friends who cheered them on. The weekend had campfires, board games, and good food. It was a party of praising God for the ways He’s moved with lots of music and dancing.

All wedding guests gather for a portrait after a ceremony in the woods.

The Snodgrass’s day was one for the books. Josh + Rachel, thank you for letting us share in your wedding day and document your wonderful love story.

“OH MY GOODNESS! I’m speechless! These pictures are absolute works of art and love. I had no idea there was so much beauty all around us that day! As I look at them, they bring peace to my spirit and joy to my heart. Thank you soooo much for every detail you captured and every moment you’ve preserved for us. What a priceless gift.”
-Josh + Rachel

Dog runs ahead on wooded trail in front of smiling bride and groom at Indiana elopement.

Adventure Wedding

The best days start with sunshine and a hike. For Jonathan and I, getting to start a WEDDING DAY off like this, was a DREAM.

Group hikes on wooded trail with sun shining down through trees.

Rachel and Josh started their wedding day off with a group hike at Shades State Park in Waveland, IN. Shades State Park has over 3,000 acres of land to explore with 13 hiking trails. These views are filled with sandstone cliffs, forests, water features such as Sugar Creek, and a nature preserve.

Large group of hikers standing together smiling at Shades State Park.

Twenty-eight of us (including 2 dogs and 3 little kiddos) adventured through Shades State Park on Trail #1. There was laughter, great conversations, hugs, and happiness all around as we adventured on a sunny fall morning.

Four hikers stand together smiling on hike at Shades State Park.

Jonathan and I had a blast capturing it all behind our cameras. It was one of our favorite parts of the day to document. Our hearts were filled as we saw the joy on Rachel and Josh’s faces. They were doing something they love with their favorite people on a beautiful day.

Bride and groom hold hands while crossing a small stream on elopement day hike.

Couple holds hands as they hike at Shades State Park on the morning of their Indiana Elopement.

After the hike, it was time to head to Sugar Creek Retreat for the ceremony and reception.

Log cabin sits nestled among trees on a sunny day at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Forest Elopement

Sugar Creek Retreat is a 5-minute drive from the entrance of Shades State Park—how awesome is that?! This venue has 2 places to get ready at/stay in including an a-frame cabin and a farmhouse cottage. It also has an outdoor chapel space, lighted pavilion, and 15 acres of beautiful trees and fields.

Farmhouse cabin sitting among trees on a bright, sunny fall day at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Wooded ceremony space at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Pavilion at Sugar Creek Retreat on a sunny day.

Our Favorite Photo Locations at Sugar Creek Retreat:

Log cabin (creates for a unique and stunning background for details + portraits)
Wildflower fields + open meadows (perfect for sunset, blue hour, and star portraits)
The tall evergreen trees (wonderful for the sunniest days to create shade for family portraits)
Wooded chapel space (creates for a nature-filled ceremony that takes place in the woods)
Pavilion (at night with the lights, this makes for the dreamiest reception images)

Flatlay of details including shoes, map, books, leaves, wedding rings, and pearl necklace.

Wedding rings sitting in a wooden box among colored leaves on the ground.

Following lunch, everyone proceeded to get ready in the cabin or the farmhouse cottage on the property. Rachel and her family got ready at the cabin while Josh and their friends got ready at the farmhouse cottage.

Wedding dress hangs on doorframe of a-frame cabin.

As everyone was getting ready, sunshine poured into the cabin’s windows. Dakota, Rachel’s dog, was watching her get ready and “smiling” like dogs do. Josh’s girls were at the cabin with Rachel as they got their hair curled and dresses on.

Bride's friend doing her hair as they get ready in log cabin.

Bride snuggling her dog in her wedding dress.

After Rachel put on her dress, her mom added a few final stitches. She then gave Rachel a string of pearls to wear that belonged to her grandmother.

Bride's mother adds a few stitches on the back of her wedding dress.

Mother stands behind bride hugging her after putting on pearl necklace.

Josh walked over from the farmhouse cottage and his soon-to-be brother-in-law helped straighten his tie. It was time for their first look.

Groom's brother-in-law helps him get ready for first look.

Rachel walked out of the cabin to the grassy area next to the cabin where Josh was excitedly waiting. When Josh turned around, their smiles said it all. Rachel twirled in her dress. Josh wiped tears from his eyes.

Bride taps groom on the shoulder for their first look at their Indiana elopement.

Bride and groom share their first look together at their Indiana elopement.

Bride and groom laugh together after their first look.

They soaked in a moment of peace under the tall trees and prayed in the stillness before the day continued.

Bride and groom share a quiet moment holding hands under the trees after their first look.

These two had a lot of fun during their portraits. They explored footpaths in the woods, danced under the trees, and frolicked through the wildflowers. Rachel and Josh were at ease and filled with joy that their day had finally come.

Bride and groom walk through a meadow on their sunny, fall elopement day.

Groom spins bride in her wedding dress in front of evergreen trees at their elopement.

Bride and groom kiss among the wildflowers at Indiana elopement.

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

All 75-85 guests sat in the outdoor chapel on wooden benches with a beautifully adorned arbor among the trees. Rachel was beaming as she walked down the aisle carrying a lantern she borrowed from me.

Bride happily walks down aisle for wooded wedding ceremony carrying a lantern.

Bride and groom share a look with one another at the start of their elopement ceremony.

Bride and grooms hands during Indiana elopement ceremony.

Josh’s smile matched Rachel’s as she shared that she wanted to run down the aisle to him. Their ceremony told their story. Tears were shed as they shared their personal vows and the promises they made to Josh’s daughters.

Groom reading his vows to the bride by an arch with officiant.

Bride reading her vows to the groom standing in front of an arch with officiant.

Kids watch as bride and groom get married.

Groom reads promises he wrote to his daughters during elopements ceremony.

Bride and groom hug daughters during elopement ceremony.

Party time! The reception looked like a fairy tale. The pavilion lights cast a warm glow onto the tables decorated with lanterns, evergreen springs, acorns, and fairly lights. There was a taco bar (yum!) followed by dancing under the stars.

Bride and groom kiss as they grab food at the taco bar during the reception.

Reception space at Sugar Creek Retreat during Indiana elopement.

Groom twirls bride during their first dance.

Bride and groom dancing in front of the pavilion at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Groom and bride laughing together during their first dance.

The night was clear and filled with a view of the Milky Way as everyone danced and celebrated Rachel + Josh’s marriage.

Group conga line at outdoor wedding reception at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Wedding guests dance at outdoor reception.

People blowing bubbles and dancing at outdoor wedding reception at Sugar Creek Retreat.

Stars and the milky way on the evening of bride and groom's Indiana elopement.

Favorite Moments of Photography + Videography at this Indiana Elopement:

Rachel’s dress hanging on the front of the a-frame cabin—artistically lovely
the colors of the leaves in the detail photos
Dakota, Rachel’s sweet dog, watching her get ready
Rachel + Josh’s first look—their emotions and the peace of that moment under the trees
Josh and Rachel laughing and being at ease with one another the whole day
the ceremony—their story, vows, and promises were genuine, full of emotion, and beauty
dancing at the reception was awesome—this crew knew how to cut a rug
star photos to recall the night sky that they danced under on their wedding night

Bride and groom smiling with daughters before elopement ceremony.

Me: *sends over final gallery*

Rachel: “Eeeeeeekkkkk!!!! I can’t wait to look at the photos!!! Thank you so much for all your hard work!”

Josh: “Thanks for all your hard work, Ashley!”

Me: “You’re so welcome! I hope you like your images! There’s a lot of them, lol.”

Josh: “You did them, I know I’ll love them!”

Happy dog with a sunflower collar looking at camera.

Elopements are Wedding Days Too

Sometimes society tries to make us think that they are less than that, but they most certainly aren’t. Vallosio Photo + Film fully believes that eloping allows a couple freedom to celebrate their wedding day how they want to.

Bride frolics and runs in the grass in her wedding dress.

Groom leans on railing in front of log cabin while looking off into the distance.

This is exactly what Josh + Rachel did. They love nature and their friends and family. They combined everything they love into 1 day and shared it with their favorite people.

Bride and groom smile with their family for a portrait under evergreen trees.

Many would call this a micro-wedding and, based on the size, that is correct. But no matter what you would categorize their wedding as, it was their day, done their way. And if that doesn’t have the spirit of an elopement, I don’t know what does!

Bride, groom, and officiant laugh together during exchanging of rings.

If this sounds like what you and your partner want, then an elopement might be the right fit. Elopements can take place anywhere from the courthouse to a same day chapel to a state/national park. You can have your favorite people gather with you or it can just be you and your partner.

Group hiking down wood stairs at Shades State Park.

Eloping shifts the focus on what tradition dictates to what is important to the couple. Reach out to Jonathan and I here to talk about your dream day and any photo/video needs you might have.