Hannah + Bryan's Intimate Catalina Island Wedding

Deep Breathe Hokay…so…2020. Wow, a lot to unpack there.

When ‘The Rona’ hit the world, couples and wedding vendors alike were left dumbstruck and scrambling to navigate the unprecedented Force Majeure sweeping the nation, shutting everything down in its wake. In March, just a few weeks before their April wedding day, Hannah, Bryan and I sat down to virtually meet with each other over Zoom (a novelty that would soon lose it’s flavor) to discuss WTF do we do now? We sat in shocked silence at first, just staring at each other in disbelief through the computer screen. Hadn’t we JUST met up for drinks and apps a few weeks ago? And now this? Now everything is shut down? Deep breathe

“I want you both to know that I will be wherever you need me to be, on whatever day you decide to get married on, and I will do everything in my power to make it special for you.” -Me

Fast forward to October 2020 and facing yet another set of lockdowns and closures that would mean a second postponement, they decided to elope! On Catalina Island! The very place that Bryan proposed! Um, take me with you, amiright?! Well, that is totally what happened.

At the butt crack of dawn, in the cutest lil’ Airbnb you ever did see, Hannah and Bryan stayed hidden from each other as they both got ready. A buzz of excitement filled the air, knowing they were only a few steps away from each other, and soon they would be husband and wife! Only a handful (and I mean I can count them on my hand, I’m not exaggerating) of their absolute closest friends and family were there every step of the way. Bryan’s sister Jessica zipped Hannah’s gown, and made sure everything was tied to perfection. Hunter, their childhood bestie, helped Bryan with his jacket and tie. While Derek, Bryan’s older brother, had to keep Bryan’s wedding gift from Hannah a surprise right under his very nose. A brand new Taylor Guitar!! Bryan thought it was his brother’s because he brings a guitar with him everywhere, and his face when he realized that it was actually his gift from Hannah: priceless.

Oh, did I mention that Hannah and Bryan have literally known each other since they were babies? Their parents are the oldest of family friends, so they actually have photos of them together as BABIES!! MY HEART!! So Bryan has secretly been saving little tokens of their time together and put them all together in the most beautiful scrapbook that he gave her on their wedding day. Some serious Jim and Pam vibes right?! I straight up cried no less than 7 times that day.

They had their first look right outside their adorable Airbnb, while the bustling golf cart town whizzed by honking and shouting their congratulations! It was so fun to have the island locals be just as excited for them as we were! After hoping into our own trusty golf carts, we zipped up the hillside looking for the perfect spot to get these two hitched. And we found it nestled between two large eucalyptus trees with the sprawling ocean behind them. Hardly a dry eye was present as Hannah and Bryan exchanged their vows of love, devotion and commitment. At larger weddings, I don’t often get to stop and really listen to the vows being spoken, so I feel particularly grateful for these words that will forever remind me why I do this job I have been called to do.

“I remember when I knew you were the smartest girl I had ever met. You knew which block was the red one. We were four.” -Bryan

You could tell Bryan had always known Hannah was the one.

“I stand here today, making the easiest decision I have ever made.” -Hannah

I’m not crying, you’re crying!

Once the knot was tied it was time to PARTAYYY!! Well, nap first. THEN PARTAYYY!!!!! Hannah and Bryan got to take a NAP on their wedding day! Can you say trendsetters?! I mean, we were up pretty early, but this is a wedding trend I can get behind 100%. After we all had a solid nap, it was outfit change and explore the island whilst chugging beers and white claws, bumping our little golf carts to the tunes on our portable speaker. A must have when eloping. Duh. There is something to be said for the pandemic making crowds scarce in these popular places, because it was a serious dream to just romp around the island taking photos with no one around and making the images at the end of this post possible with zero people on the beach. Unheard of.

Hannah and Bryan, no one deserves this perfect day more than the two of you. You both gave me a gift by choosing me to be there to witness the beginning of your next big adventure, and I am forever grateful. Thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Literal bucket list dream come true for me. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness!