When I think back to Nikki-Rose (she/her) and Sean’s (he/him) Grayson Highlands State Park elopement, the words that come to mind are sweet, intimate, and cozy. Their elopement day felt like a warm hug and was simple, intentional, and full of meaning. From breakfast tacos to searching for wild ponies to sharing a slice of pecan pie, their celebration was about savoring the little things together.
We started their day at The Overlook, a beautiful Highland Hideaways Airbnb just a short drive away from Grayson Highlands. Their ceremony took place at Little Pinnacle, and afterward, we explored Massie Gap, where the couple shared a picnic, cut into pie, and played their favorite game—dominos.
A Morning with Coffee & Breakfast Tacos
Instead of rushing into a schedule, Nikki-Rose and Sean began their morning the way they love best—slow, cozy, and intentional. They spent this time in their pajamas, sipping coffee and cooking breakfast tacos together in the kitchen of their Airbnb. Nikki-Rose wore a vintage Victoria’s Secret pajama set from Bewitching Vintage. Not only is this a meal they enjoy regularly, but it was also a nod to their first date back in 2018 at a taco restaurant in San Diego. It was a full-circle moment: from tacos on date one to tacos on their wedding day.
Getting Ready for their Grayson Highlands State Park Elopement
Many couples choose to get ready separately, but Nikki-Rose and Sean wanted to stay side-by-side. After breakfast, they got dressed together, swapping little glances as they layered in the details that meant the most to them.
One of my favorite personal touches? They wore the same shoes they had worn during their two years of traveling the world together. The shoes had been everywhere with them—across countries, hikes, and adventures—and it felt only right that they were with them for this adventure too.
Hiking the Little Pinnacle Trail
Once ready, we made our way to Grayson Highlands. After paying entry fees and grabbing their essentials, we started the short hike up to Little Pinnacle. The trail winds through evergreens before opening up to sweeping mountain views. The anticipation built with every step as we climbed toward the overlook where they would say “I do.”
An Intimate Ceremony with Books Instead of Vows
At Little Pinnacle, Nikki-Rose and Sean had one of the most personal ceremonies I’ve seen. Rather than traditional vows, they each read a passage from a book that carried deep meaning for them.
Nikki-Rose chose High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver, and Sean chose The Art of the Commonplace by Wendell Berry. These authors were part of what inspired them to move from San Diego to Roanoke, where they now live, so their words felt like the perfect foundation for this new chapter of marriage.
After their readings, they exchanged rings, shared their first kiss, and we took a few portraits on the overlook before heading to the next adventure.
Searching for Wild Ponies at Massie Gap
If you’ve ever been to Grayson Highlands, you know about the wild ponies that roam the fields. Nikki-Rose and Sean were excited to try and spot them, so we headed to Massie Gap, where the open meadows meet the mountains.
No ponies made an appearance that day, but the trade-off was a stunning backdrop for portraits. The fall light filtered across the grasses and wildflowers, and we captured some of my favorite images of the two of them just soaking it all in.
A Picnic Among the Mountains
After exploring, it was time to eat. Nikki-Rose and Sean spread out a picnic at Massie Gap with all the cozy essentials—blankets, food, and drinks. It was simple and joyful, exactly the kind of break you want in the middle of a wedding day that’s built for just two people.
And instead of wedding cake? They cut into a pecan pie. It’s their favorite dessert, and honestly, mine too. I may or may not have helped them return home with a little less pie than they arrived with.
Ending with Dominos
The last activity of their day was one that felt so “them.” Nikki-Rose and Sean pulled out a set of dominos and played a couple of rounds right there at the picnic site.
It’s one of their favorite games to play together, and like any couple who loves a good board game, things got a little competitive. Each of them took home a win, and after the second game, they were perfectly content with ending the day in a tie.
Nikki-Rose and Sean’s Love Story
Nikki-Rose and Sean’s love story began in 2018 when they matched on Tinder in San Diego. Their first date—fittingly—was at a taco restaurant, and from there, they quickly became inseparable.
Over the years, they’ve traveled around the world, cooked meals together, explored museums, gone hiking, and fallen into the rhythm of the simple joys that make them “them.” In 2021, Sean proposed on their third anniversary in the rose garden at Balboa Park. The roses were called “First Kiss,” the same ones they’d sat by on their second date, and a friend even photographed the moment from the bushes.
Today, they call Roanoke, Virginia home, where they continue to explore, cook, travel, birdwatch, and—of course—play dominos.
Final Thoughts
From the very beginning, Nikki-Rose and Sean knew they wanted their Grayson Highlands State Park elopement to be a reflection of who they are—sweet, cozy, and intentional. From breakfast tacos at their Airbnb to searching for wild ponies at Massie Gap, every part of the day felt like it belonged uniquely to them.
What stood out most wasn’t just the beauty of the mountains (though that was breathtaking). It was how much they leaned into the things that mattered most to them—their favorite books, a slice of pecan pie, the shoes that carried them around the world, and even a few rounds of dominos to close out the day. Getting to photograph their elopement wasn’t just about capturing stunning portraits (though we definitely did that too). It was about documenting a relationship that’s full of warmth, playfulness, and deep connection. I feel so honored to have been a part of it.
Are you excited to start planning your Virginia elopement?
Whether you’re planning ahead or thinking about a last-minute elopement, I’m here to help you create something intentional, flexible, and 100% you. No pressure, no stress—just a day filled with real connection and stunning memories.
Nikki-Rose and Sean’s Grayson Highlands elopement is such a good reminder that your day doesn’t have to follow a traditional script. Instead, it can be about the things that feel right for you—whether that’s pie instead of cake, reading favorite passages instead of vows, or kicking back with a game of dominos after your ceremony.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Cameron (she/her)—a Virginia elopement photographer and partial planner. I’d be absolutely honored to help you plan and document a day that feels authentic to y’all from start to finish.
Reach out to me today to schedule your free consultation call! Let’s turn your dream elopement into a reality. Curious about my packages and pricing options? Head over to my pricing page for more information. I can’t wait to hear from you and help you bring your vision to life!
More Resources & Inspiration for your Virginia elopement
Looking for more inspiration? Here are a few more elopements I’ve photographed that might spark some ideas:
- Sarah and Russ’s Massie Gap Elopement in Grayson Highlands
- FahTesha and Ashton’s Downtown Roanoke Wedding at Century Plaza
- Kaitlin and Rob’s Martinsville, Virginia Elopement
- Melissa and Marshall’s Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding in Virginia
- Christian and Lana’s Liberty Trust Elopement in Roanoke, Virginia
Are y’all in need of more planning help? I’ve got ya covered! Check out some of my free elopement planning resources below:
