In the heart of Roanoke, Virginia, Nalli and Rob embarked on a journey that led them to the breathtaking landscapes of Carvin’s Cove.
As an elopement photographer, a question I get a lot is “my partner and I are already married, we’ve already had a wedding, but can we still elope?” and my answer to that is a resounding yes! But why? Enter: Nalli (she/her) and Rob (he/him), the sweetest, down-to-earth couple you’ll ever meet. They’ve been married for a little over a year now; they celebrated their one-year anniversary in March of this year. While they are happily married and look back fondly on their large wedding, they’ve admitted that a big wedding wasn’t actually what they wanted in the first place, as they hated being in the spotlight.
So, their decision to elope was not only a way for them to renew their vows and their promise to one another but it was also a way to live out their wildest elopement day dreams. Amidst the serene backdrop of Carvin’s Cove, their elopement became a canvas for emotions, a narrative of love’s profound ability to create unforgettable memories. Read on to learn more about Rob and Nalli’s love story and see how we turned ordinary moments into cherished memories.
Their First Look
Their day began with the nervous excitement of anticipation, as Rob and Nalli prepared for their intimate elopement. Rob, dressed in a gray suit, stood facing the cove, his heart racing in anticipation. As Nalli, who sported a beautiful wedding jumpsuit, approached him from behind, the emotions were palpable. The first look captured the raw and genuine connection that Rob and Nalli shared.
Rowing into Forever
As the sun danced on the serene waters in the early morning at Carvin’s Cove, Rob and Nalli embarked on a rowboat adventure. With laughter echoing across the waters and the gentle rhythm of their oars, the couple shared quiet moments of reflection and joy. The ripple of the water mirrored the waves of their love, strong and unbreakable, guiding them toward the shore of their shared future.
Carvin’s Cove had this rowboat for rent and Nalli, who is also the owner of Blossom and Bliss Flowers, adorned it with beautiful boat florals. The rowboat is available to rent $25/day or $5/hour. Carvin’s Cove also has single and double kayaks for rent at various prices. While they don’t have stand up paddleboards available to rent, you are more than welcome to bring your own and tread the waters. Check out this inflatable paddleboard from Amazon!
Brunch Picnic for Two
Following their rowing escapade, Rob and Nalli indulged in a cozy brunch picnic nestled amidst the natural beauty of the cove. A crisp white blanket sprawled beneath them, adorned with an array of delectable treats that catered to their every craving. The spread included an assortment of jam, honey, gruyere cheese, freshly baked pastries, and vibrant fruits. The simplicity of the picnic highlighted the profound connection that Rob and Nalli cherished – a connection built on shared laughter, conversations, and a deep understanding of one another.
Their picnic basket was made by Terra Creasy of Front Porch Prezzies, who thoughtfully curated this basket with a ton of local goodies from our surrounding community: butter and chocolate croissants from On the Rise Bakery (Grandin), strawberries from Rivenwood Farms, gala apples from Monkeys Fresh Fruit and Veggies, additional produce from Leap Westover Market, and honey from Mountain Thyme Honey. Their basket also included cutting boards from The Hen House Company and a small dish from Isha Devine Pottery and beautiful glasses for the couple to use for their Vichy Catalan Sparkling Water. While alcohol is not permitted at Carvin’s Cove, that didn’t stop Rob and Nalli from having the cutest brunch spread that supported a ton of local people in the community.
Along with this spread, Rob and Nalli brought a frozen piece of cake that they saved from their wedding day to have during their picnic to celebrate their one year (plus some months) anniversary. Unfortunately, the slice of cake ended up being freezer burnt, but that only made Rob and Nalli (and I, who also tried a bite) laugh even more.
The Vow and Ring Exchange
Underneath a rustic wooden arch adorned with delicate blooms, which are also from Blossom & Bliss Flowers, Rob and Nalli stood face to face, ready to exchange their heartfelt vows. Their promises were more than just words; they were a testament to the enduring commitment they held for each other. With tears glistening smiles that radiated pure joy, they pledged their love and devotion to one another once more. Their vows were written on recycled paper handmade in Roanoke, Virginia by Shannon of Write to Your Mom. After reading their vows, they exchanged rings to symbolize their re-commitment to one another and went in for their first kiss… again. 😛
Dancing Into Forever
As their elopement day was concluding, Rob and Nalli danced to their first dance song from their wedding: “Llegaste Tú”. Their dance encapsulated the essence of their journey – a journey of love, resilience, and the beauty of finding one’s soulmate. With every graceful twirl and tender embrace, Rob and Nalli’s love story unfolded before their loved ones, a story of two hearts that found their way to each other against all odds.
Rob and Nalli’s elopement at Carvin’s Cove in Roanoke, Virginia, was a symphony of emotions, a celebration of love that resonated with everyone fortunate enough to witness it. From their first look to the rowboat adventure, to their brunch picnic and the heartfelt vows, and the enchanting first dance, every moment of their elopement was a testament to the power of love and the magic of following one’s heart.
Carvin’s Cove served as the backdrop to their love story, a place where two souls joined together again to renew a beautiful chapter in their lives. Rob and Nalli’s elopement was a reminder that love knows no boundaries, that it can take us on the most unexpected and wondrous adventures, and that, sometimes, the most meaningful moments are found in the simplicity of shared experiences.
Nalli and Rob’s Love Story
I have set various touch points throughout the elopement planning process to get to know my couples more. During our consultation call, I asked Rob and Nalli some questions to get to know more about them, their story, and their vision for their day, and these were their responses:
How did you and your significant other first meet?
“We were set up on a blind date by the nurses and phlebotomist at the free clinic we both volunteered at. We had no interest in dating and, in fact, I learned later that Rob invited me to a midday coffee with the intention of turning me down. He showed up on his bicycle an hour late, as the clinic ran late. When Rob showed up, I asked him if he was Mormon, he thought it was funny, and quickly after that moment, we started dating.”
What is your proposal story?
“Six months after meeting and dating each other, we were getting ready to go on a field trip from Roanoke to meet Rob’s parents for the first time in North Carolina and we ended up also seeing my parents in Florida. While folding clothing for this trip in Rob’s basement apartment, he said “you wanna get married”, and I replied “sure”. We quickly got some clothes together and decided to elope in Florida on that trip.”
What are your favorite things to do together? What makes you two “you”?
“From the very beginning, we have been working at the free clinic together, we started a Spanish speaking patient clinic, and we love getting involved in community service activities. Outside from our shared love for our two cats, we love to bike together and work on projects together. We work in restoration housing and community projects. We love dancing and hiking together.”
Testimonials
“Cameron was amazing during our elopement at Carvin’s Cove. She really got to know us, who we were, what brought us together as a couple and what we wanted to feel on our special day. From creating a playlist to hyping us up during our photos, she was so wonderful! We were very thankful Cameron was able to plan every detail of this day, from contacting us with other local vendors to sending us pictures of the exact spots that worked best for our wedding ceremony set up, some dancing and a really delicious picnic. Recommend 100%!” – Nalli (she/her) and Rob (he/him)
Nalli and Rob’s Wedding Vendors
Venue: Carvin’s Cove (Play Roanoke)
Bouquet, Boutonnière, Boat Florals, and Arch Florals: Blossom & Bliss Flowers
Local Flowers: Petal and Pail, Blue Ridge Flower Exchange
Picnic Set Up and Ceremony Arch: Blossom & Bliss Flowers
Recycled Paper for Vows: Write to Your Mom
Local Gift Basket Designer: Front Porch Prezzies
Gift Basket Contents
Produce: Leap Westover Market
Strawberries: Rivenwood Farms
Small Dish: Isha Devine Pottery
Honey Pot with Dipper: Mountain Thyme Honey
Gala Apple: Monkeys Fresh Fruit and Veggies
Croissants: On the Rise Bakery (Grandin)
Cutting Board: The Hen House Company
Did this blog inspire you to eff the big wedding and traditions and to be selfish and have an intimate elopement in Virginia? If so, I’d love to be your photographer and capture your special day! Fill out an inquiry form to get started or check out my pricing to learn more about my philosophy, practice, and packages.
