Our Tiny Palo Duro Canyon Wedding
all photos captured by Lauren & Mark Apel
Throughout my life when I thought about what my wedding would be like (which, honestly, wasn’t often) I never could have imagined that a world-wide pandemic would be in the hanging in the background of the entire summer, month, week, and day leading up to us saying I do. I won’t lie and say there weren’t so. many. tears when discussing what the right thing to do would be. But in the words of our dear photographer, Lauren, “this was not the plan, but it was something we would’ve never been given the opportunity to experience in this way had it not been for the pandemic. And the tears that watered the ground during those sacred vows seeped forever into the red rock canyon. and water has a memory and the land bore witness and will remember.” Goodness goodness, amen amen.
For those of you that don’t know our story, I’ll give ya a quick summary of J & me. We met in Austin at Liberty Bar in 2014 (YES Piper was there!) We immediately were talking and laughing and ended the night with a giant plate of nachos on the back patio of White Horse (really setting ourselves up for a true love story.) We had both recently come out of relationships so neither of us were really looking for anything serious, but continued to hang out, and eventually he became a part of my friend group. From there it was 6 months of really close friendship and nothing more. Then one night in a parking lot after rollerskating with some friends, Jeremy asked me how you know who you’re supposed to be with. I looked at him and said, “I think it’s the person you can’t go a day without being around.” He says that was the moment he knew he was supposed to be with me. A month or two passed and he eventually expressed his feelings for me and I was still resistant. He was so gracious about it, but it did change our friendship, and OF COURSE as soon as he distanced himself a bit I realized hot dang I can’t let him get away!! We started dating in November 2014 and since then have lived for a whole summer in different states, moved across the country together, camped in so many beautiful places I can’t count and have truly lived so much life together. It was a steady and sweet relationship not defined by any sort of timeline or pressure - so much so that he used to joke that I would have to tell him when I wanted him to propose because he was ready whenever I was lol. Then, one October Saturday, while he was changing the lights of his car, with the cool air hovering and the PNW orange leaves covering the ground, he waved at me through the window. I looked out at his sweet and genuine smile with Piper in my lap and thought, “this is what I want every Saturday for the rest of my life.” Eventually, I got the courage to (timidly) say to him heyyyy soooo I think I wanna get married and on July 6th, 2019 he completely surprised me by taking me to one of our favorite places, Palo Duro Canyon, and proposing (after asking my dad, of course) with tears in his eyes. It was the sweetest moment and a year later, we got hitched!
Time in Texas Leading Up to The Wedding
As I’ve said before, after talking it over with Jeremys family and deciding to go ahead and get married in Texas, there wasn’t really any question that we would drive (you can read more about that trip and our beautiful stops along the way here.) So, on July 15th, we hit the road, car loaded down with a wedding dress, a tuxedo, a bunch of hats, Piper and all our camping gear.
After 3 days of camping we arrived in Texas around 1:00 am and were so thankful for a bed. First order of business was to get that danged ol wedding license. We had decided to get married on the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon on a friends private land with just immediate family and follow up with a little reception in one of my favorite places on earth, my parents backyard. If you know my mom, you know she can host an event, but this meant getting the backyard party ready. After a few days of hanging lights, making table arrangements, and setting up tables it was ready to go.
Bride and Groom Portraits
Being two photographers ourselves, and having the Palo Duro Canyon so intertwined throughout our relationship, we knew we wanted photos together in the depths of the Canyon. Due to Texas heat and time restraints, we ended up doing our portraits the day before the ceremony. We did our first look in my parents backyard, took some photos inside, and then headed to the Canyon where WOW oh WOW our photographers Lauren and Mark Apel captured us the in the red dirt that raised me better than I could have imagined. Aside from thinking we migggghhhttt die riding in a ranger on the edge of cliffs (sorry, Lauren lol) I am so thankful we figured out a way to fit these photos in.
Wedding Day
Overall, our wedding day was super relaxed. We didn’t sleep in different places or avoid seeing each other, which felt really right for the two of us and took off some of the pressure. We drank coffee and had breakfast, went on a walk, helped my family make final adjustments to make sure the backyard was ready to go, and really just enjoyed the day. I started getting ready mid-afternoon and kicked Jeremy out at the point (except for when he slid a Ranch Rider Spirits Chilton through the door for me, straw included lol.)
My photographer and overall beauty queen, Lauren, came over a bit early to help with my hair and make sure my fake eyelashes weren’t sticking in 18 different directions. It was so fun to get to spend some quality time with her, someone I consider a dear friend. Instead of writing our own vows, we opted for pretty traditional vows while writing a letter to one another to read before the ceremony. When it was time to roll, Jeremy and my family left for the ceremony site, with my pops and me following 20 minutes behind.
The ceremony began with my dad and me climbing out of my brother-in-laws King Ranch truck and making the walk to Jeremy waiting on the edge of the cliff. With Jeremy’s family dialed in on zoom, surrounded by our loved ones, it was nothing short of a dream. A short but sweet ceremony, full of tears, laughs, and words that we will forever take to heart as husband and wife. I can’t imagine holding Jeremy’s hands and promising him through thick and thin anywhere but the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon.
After the ceremony we all went back to my parents house where the rest of my family was waiting with food and drinks for all. After a few family pictures, we ate and drank and hugged and had a huge ol dance party of my dreams.
Even though it wasn’t exactly what we imaged it would be, I am eternally grateful for this day, this man, and our families. I find myself looking back on the day of July 25, 2020 with joy and pride at the life J and I have built and cannot wait for round two, including all our family and friends come 2021.
Thanks again to our photographers Lauren & Mark Apel for capturing the days and the moments in ways that will forever make my heart burst.
xx,
