I wanted to share an incredible intimate wedding that I photographed in Kachemak Bay with John and Lauren. Their plan was straightforward – water taxi over to Haystack Beach and tie the knot. They ditched the extravagance of a traditional wedding to do something that felt right for them, and it made for a pretty unforgettable day.

Setting Out on the Water Taxi

Their journey began on The Homer Spit. It was just John, Lauren, their closest family, and me. Everyone was ready for their adventure across the bay. We all hopped on Mako’s Water Taxi for a quick and scenic trip to a secluded spot called Haystack Beach. The ride brought along a lot of laughs and shared excitement.

Once we hit the beach, everyone had a hand in unloading the boat and planning out where the ceremony could take place. John and Lauren each went their separate ways to get ready, John choosing to get dressed in the cave (how cool?!), and Lauren made the short trek to the yurt with her mother and sister.

The Ceremony

The ceremony itself was simple and heartfelt. Their backdrop? Nature at its finest, with the “Haystack” shaped rocks to their left, and the cave framing them as they faced each other for their vows. There was something really genuine about seeing John and Lauren exchange vows like that, away from the hustle and noise of a larger wedding. Just them, their families, and that stunning view… and a couple eagles flying over head and perching in the trees above them.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered for a champagne toast and cheered on the new couple. The sun was bright and warmed the sand. Everyone took to exploring the beach while I snuck away with John & Lauren to do some exploring of our own and take some portraits. Eventually, we spotted our water taxi and began packing everything up. As everyone piled onto the water taxi for the boat ride back to Homer, you could see the joy all around. John and Lauren managed to craft a day that was authentically them, and it was so wonderful to be able to document it all.

Photographing John and Lauren’s elopement was a refreshing reminder of what’s truly important on a wedding day. They planned their day with meaning… full of opportunities to connect with their closest people. For anyone out there thinking about an elopement or just wanting to do things their way, take a page out of John and Lauren’s book—follow what feels true to you. Keep it simple and surround yourself with those who matter most to you!

If you’d like to see a glimpse into their gorgeous day at Kachemak Bay, keep on scrolling.

If you’d like to see more, click here and if you’re looking for a photographer to capture your special moments click here.

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Kind Words

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Flaurel Photography for a series of business photos and I couldn’t be more impressed! From start to finish, the experience was incredible. Laurel is not only a talented photographer but also extremely personable and easy to work with. She made the entire process comfortable and enjoyable, which really helped in capturing natural and professional images. Her organizational skills and attention to detail were outstanding. I highly recommend Flaurel Photography for anyone looking for the best photography experience. Thank you, Laurel, for an exceptional experience and for capturing our business in such a beautiful way!”

-Rand F.