I first met Heather at the start of 2021 on Instagram, and I just love the serendipity of how that platform connects me to so many wonderful people I may not have met otherwise. Heather and Joe are a real couple who eloped in the summer of 2020 and were looking to recreate their elopement story with some magical images. I have a love for all things celestial (so does Heather!), and we had a vision for a dreamy styled elopement that incorporated the moon, the sun, a bit of the mystical, and an eye-pleasing color palette all in a breathtaking location. This is an easy endeavor when you partner with super talented industry friends and live about an hour away from the sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge! Heather is also an inclusive yoga teacher and happens to offer New Moon Restorative Yoga classes, so this was pretty much a match made in heaven (check out her classes!).

As an Oregon Elopement Photographer, I strive for couples to see the endless possibilities for their elopement story. My hope is for this Boho Celestial Styled Elopement to bring inspiration for couples to celebrate their love in unique, authentic and creative ways. And throughout this post you will find insights and advice from Heather and Joe on their own wedding plans, being part of this Boho Celestial Styled Elopement in the Columbia Gorge, and perspective they want to share with couples dreaming up their own elopement!

The highly talented and creative team of industry friends (vendors) who brought this celestial vision to life:

• Couple: Heather Canfield & Joe Canfield

• Heather & Joe’s Hair & Makeup: Heidi Artistry

• Florals & Plants: Hyacinth Orange

• Cake & Macarons: Mytu Nguyen

• Gown: Rish Bridal

• Suit: Twisted Tailor

• Location: Government Cove in the Columbia River Gorge

If you and your love want to elope, reach out to me or any of the talent vendors above and let’s create some magic! In the meantime, press play, scroll and enjoy this dreamy Boho Celestial Styled Elopement! 🌙💙✨

-Angelina

You and Joe are a real life couple and eloped in the Redwoods in the summer of 2020. Tell us about your love story!

H&J: Well it's kind of a funny story... we were introduced in 2016 by friends when we were both going through bad breakups. They intended us to be each others "cheer up rebound" flirtation, but instead we became best friends. (At one point we pinky swore we were never going to fall in love like all the best friends in the movies do... we did a very bad job of sticking to that hahaha) Eventually we admitted we had feelings for each other and have been inseparable ever since. We've got a pretty great double proposal story... Joe's band was playing at a music festival on Guemes Island in Washington. They covered "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and Joe pulled Heather up on stage to propose. Little did he know, Heather also had a ring in her pocket, because she planned on proposing to him on the beach at sunset later that day. A very cute surprise for us both! We planned a big white wedding on the same island we got engaged on for June 2020... but had to keep postponing it due to Covid. Eventually we decided to just get as many refunds as we could and elope. Neither of us remember how we landed on the Redwoods as a destination, but we loved to joke about running away getting married in the forest like a couple of squirrels so it probably came from that idea. In August 2020 we had our ceremony in the NorCal Redwoods with only an officiant, a videographer and two witnesses and it was absolutely lovely. It's so magical to just be able to focus on each other and your love on your special day. We've been recommending eloping to all our friends ever since!

Our Celestial Styled Elopement was both a creative endeavor and an opportunity to recreate and document your wedding. What were your favorite elements of the Styled Elopement?

H&J: Can we say everything was our favorite? It was so fun to have a reason to get all dressed up in our wedding clothes again! Heidi the makeup & hair artist really accentuated our outfits and vibe in a way that we never could have done on our own. We got to eat delicious cake and macarons made by Mytu, and see a beautiful part of the Gorge we had never been to before. It was so private and secluded! Angelina knows all the best spots. As a wannabe florist myself I couldn't believe how "celestial" Hyacinth Orange made the bouquet look. It was out of this world!

What draws you to the Celestial theme?

We both really love old mythology from various cultures and the stars always have such good stories behind them! I love the idea of a wedding theme that is legendary and timeless. Additionally, the night sky/sunset & rise/and changing phases of the moon are such beautiful amazing things that we can overlook or forget to appreciate every day. It's an extra fun theme for us because our birthdays and birth times are so close together that we have almost identical astrological charts. (Aries/Aries sun signs if anyone was wondering!)

What advice would you give couples who are planning an elopement? When selecting vendors?

H&J: Don't put too much pressure on yourself and have so much fun! An elopement is the perfect opportunity to really let your personalities shine and to focus only on each other and your love. Also, eloping is a great way to craft something meaningful to you when sometimes families and friends can have a lot of expectations about your wedding day.

You might think that because you are eloping you don't need vendors, but I would say that is not necessarily the case! For example, we thought we would be fine with not having any professional photos of our wedding, but ended up wishing we had some to frame! Luckily, Angelina was super helpful in recreating an adventure elopement for us to get some epic pictures.

Anything else you want to share?

H&J: Our most heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this styled elopement day such a smashing success! We could not have imagined a more epic day. Everyone on the team really ran with the celestial theme in a way we couldn't have expected and it was so magical! Surpassed all expectations, and everyone who helped out was so gifted at their craft. Thank you so much!

And if you have a couple more minutes, check out Heather & Joe’s lovely slideshow! ✨