Columbus Ohio Backyard Elopement: Martha + James

Martha + James had a typical wedding & reception planned at BrewDog Brewery, right down the street from them in Canal Winchester. But when covid-19 hit, their plans went out the window. They instead shifted to an at-home backyard elopement, cutting their guest list entirely and broadcasting via Zoom. The day before their wedding, they delivered “wedding kits” to the homes of their closest family and friends – consisting of custom cookies, locally made soap, champagne and BrewDog beer and more necessities for celebrating a wedding from afar. I followed them along to capture one of these deliveries!

On the day of, I joined them as they began getting ready at their home. With no wedding party or parents on hand, Martha and James helped each other get dressed in their living room, and we did portraits in their backyard, including by the tree where James proposed. Their ceremony followed, just the two of them, their officant, myself, and everyone watching via Zoom. We all toasted the newlyweds with our favorite drinks after!

Martha and James then changed out of their wedding attire, cut a cake made by her mom, and headed to Hot Chicken Takeover for a celebratory fried chicken takeout dinner, enjoyed at the Park of Roses nearby. What an absolutely special day! And who says elopements have to be short? I was with them for every bit of 6 hours that day. What a true honor to be one of very few present!

Amy Ann Photography

I aim to capture moments and expressions that tell the story of a day, and are authentic to the people involved. If you can look at a collection of images I’ve taken of a total stranger and get a feeling for who they are and what they felt, then I’ve done my job!   

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