Jeremy and Shelley – Surprise Wedding – Shreveport, LA

Eeeek! Y’all! This wedding involved more of that “keeping my mouth shut” stuff that I told y’all I’m not good at! Haha!

Jeremy and Shelley are friends of ours you may remember from the beautiful sunrise engagement portraits back in July.

For several months now, they’ve been telling friends and family that they planned on having a private elopement-like ceremony alone with the Justice of the Peace then would join everybody had a big party afterwards. I was in our their little secret, though. They actually wanted to get married right there in front of everybody but without the formality of a big wedding.

So, over the last few months we’ve planned and DIY’ed our way through this surprise wedding with these sweet friends. When we began talking about getting ready, we decided my house would be easy, so don’t be surprised if you see some glimpses of my living room and even the cutest poodle EVER! Jeremy and Shelley met at my house where we snuck in the bride while the groom hid in the bathroom! Ha! They shared a sweet first look then spent the next few minutes helping each other with their final details. And the best part? The room was full of laughter! After the stress of moving and wedding planning, the relief that the day of the ceremony brings is so precious. I’m forever thankful to have played a part in capturing those moments of relief and excitement with such wonderful people.

As they finished up getting ready and we prepared to move them to the venue, the rain came. And not just any rain – flooding. In fact, if I remember correctly, we received flash flood notifications on our phones before they prepared to head out the door. Thank goodness we had a few minutes of clear skies to take family portraits later!

About an hour into their “party,” Jeremy grabbed the mic to announce he and Shelley had a little surprise. Everyone gathered around as Shelley’s son escorted her to her awaiting fiancé. The couple was flanked by their kids as they laughed their way through “I do” and the commitment to lasting togetherness. They shared a first dance in front of their closest family and friends before getting back to all the fun stuff that waited!

Jeremy and Shelley’s big day was just what they hoped for – a day to celebrate loving each other and the commitment to forever. No fuss. No formality. Just good ol’ fashioned love.

Or – as their banner read – “Nothing fancy, just love.”

Cheers to the newlyweds!