A Duck Pond Elopement at Virginia Tech | Courtney + Nadine

Courtney and Nadine’s elopement day at Duck Pond in Blacksburg, Virginia, was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature, they embarked on a journey filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments.

An LGBTQ+ couple wrap their arms behind one another's backs and look back for a photo on their elopement day at Duck Pond in Blacksburg, Virginia.

A Late Lunch Picnic at Duck Pond

Courtney and Nadine’s late lunch picnic at Duck Pond was a delightful affair, featuring a mouthwatering spread of fresh berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries – alongside creamy brie cheese and a crusty baguette to share. They enjoyed sparkling water and coffee to quench their thirst, and indulged in a delicious vegan baklava made by Kate Dobbins of Humbly Made Confections. Each bite was savored amidst the serene beauty of Duck Pond, as they shared stories, laughter, and quiet moments of reflection, making it a perfect beginning to their unforgettable elopement day.

An LGBTQ+ couple has a picnic at Duck Pond as part of their elopement day. An LGBTQ+ couple intertwine arms and take a bite of baklava on their elopement day. A queer couple has a picnic at Duck Pond and share a kiss under the shade. A queer couple have a picnic at Duck Pond and look up towards the trees as they talk and eat. A partner in a couple feeds their significant other a strawberry while having a picnic at Duck Pond for their elopement. An LGBTQ+ couple snuggle up to one another during their picnic and rub noses as they clink their coffee mug under a shady tree at Duck Pond.

A Unique “Gift” Exchange

One of the most memorable aspects of Courtney and Nadine’s elopement was their unconventional approach to gift-giving. Instead of exchanging physical gifts, they opted to share something far more personal – performances of their respective passions. Nadine, a talented guitarist and vocalist, serenaded Courtney, while Courtney dazzled Nadine with a mesmerizing flow arts performance, using silk fans to create a mesmerizing display of movement.

A queer couple sits on a large part of a tree at Duck Pond. One partner sings and plays the guitar while the other listens intently. A transwoman plays a guitar and smiles as their queer partner laughs. A woman plays the guitar for her partner on their elopement day at Duck Pond. A woman sits in a field of grass and watches as their partner holds up colorful silk fans towards the sky and smiles broadly. A transwoman sits in a field of grass and watches as her partner plays with colorful silk fans and reaches her hands out to touch the tips of the fans as her partner goes by. A queer BIPOC individual jumps slightly in the air as they wave their colorful silk fans during a performance at Duck Pond.

A Heartfelt Midday Ceremony

The ceremony itself was a reflection of Courtney and Nadine’s laid-back yet deeply meaningful approach to life and love. Against the backdrop of Duck Pond, they exchanged vows, sealing their commitment to each other with a heartfelt first kiss. As they slipped on their unique dried flower “rings,” crafted with love and care by Liza Dobson of Yarrow Springs, it was clear that their love was as genuine and enduring as the natural beauty that surrounded them.

A couple helps one another put on their dried flower crowns before their elopement ceremony at Duck Pond. A queer marrier slides a dried flower ring onto their partner's hand during their elopement ceremony at Duck Pond. A couple exchange vows at Duck Pond near the gazebo on Virginia Tech's campus. A queer couple exchange vows at Duck Pond near the gazebo on Virginia Tech's campus. An LGBTQ+ couple kiss in front of the gazebo at Duck Pond following their elopement ceremony. First Dance Under the Blooming Trees

Following the ceremony, Courtney and Nadine shared their first dance, a moment of pure joy and connection that captured the essence of their relationship. With the music playing softly in the background on my Bluetooth speaker, they embraced each other, letting go of any expectations of “needing to dance well” and simply reveling in the magic of the moment. While it was their “first dance”, they selected three songs to dance along to; they wanted a “slow, medium, and fast song” to dance to. Their choices? “Don’t Look Back” by Bella’s Bartok; “Higher Ground” by Colby T. Helms, and “Smoochie” by Father John Misty.

A queer couple dances under a canopy of willow trees at Duck Pond. An LGBTQ+ couple dances under a canopy of willow trees at Duck Pond.

Embracing the Future

As the sun set on Duck Pond, casting a golden glow over the water, Courtney and Nadine looked to the future with hearts full of love and excitement. Their journey together begun with a clumsy stumble and a shared laugh and has blossomed into a beautiful love story that will continue to inspire and uplift all who encounter it. In the end, Courtney and Nadine’s wedding day was not just a celebration of their love, but a reminder of the beauty and joy that can be found in embracing the quirks and imperfections that make us who we are. And as they embark on this new chapter of their lives together, they do so with the knowledge that their love is truly one-of-a-kind, just like their unforgettable wedding day at Duck Pond.

As their vendor and friend, I had the privilege of witnessing the beauty and love that permeated every aspect of Courtney and Nadine’s elopement. From helping them plan their day to scouting out the perfect locations for photos to meeting with them one-on-one to take the time to really know their love story, I was honored to play a role in bringing their vision to life.

A queer couple walk hand-in-hand as the sun begins to set in Blacksburg, Virginia. An LGBTQ+ couple crouches in front of two geese and observe them while holding onto one another. An LGBTQ+ couple holds hands and looks serious for a photo. An LGBTQ+ couple embrace, smile widely, and close their eyes as the sun sets on their elopement day at Duck Pond in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Courtney and Nadine’s Love Story

Their journey began in the charming streets of Wasena in Roanoke, where a fateful stumble led to a connection that would blossom into something truly special. Working in neighboring businesses along Main Street, it was only a matter of time before fate intervened, bringing them together in a whirlwind of laughter, shared interests, and mutual respect.

Their initial meeting, a clumsy yet endearing moment at Roasters Next Door, set the stage for a blossoming friendship that would eventually evolve into something deeper. From chance encounters at local bars to fits of uncontrollable laughter over a Cards Against Humanity game, Courtney and Nadine discovered a shared love for the simple pleasures of life – hiking, live music, and cozy evenings spent together.

Despite their differences in upbringing and life experiences, Courtney and Nadine found solace in each other’s company, embracing the unique qualities that make them who they are. Their bond, forged through laughter, understanding, and unwavering support, is a testament to the transformative power of love.

A transwoman wearing a dried flower crown touches her face as she poses for a photo in front of a willow tree. A queer BIPOC marrier wearing a dried flower crown touches their face and smiles as they pose in front of a willow tree and pond. An LGBTQ+ BIPOC person wearing a dried flower crown holds a dried flower bouquet as they pose for a photo in front of a willow tree.

Courtney and Nadine’s Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Duck Pond (see venue here)

Florist (Dried Flower Crowns, Bouquet, and Rings): Liza Dobson, Yarrow Springs

Picnic Set Up: Nalli Chavez, Blossom & Bliss Flowers

Vegan Baklava: Kate Dobbins, Humbly Made Confections

Recycled Paper for Vows: Shannon Settlemyre, Write to Your Mom

Did this blog inspire you to say “eff it” the big wedding and the traditions that come along with it? Are you ready to take the reins on your special day and plan your own 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.

Need more inspiration? Check out Hannah and Taylor’s Moss Arts Center Star-Trek inspired elopement and Frazier and Austin’s Heritage Park elopement.

Maybe you have plenty of inspiration, but you need planning resources, here a few blogs I’d recommend to help you get started: