Same Day Engagement & Elopement: How Did He Do It?!
Record for the shortest Gatlinburg engagement? I think Zac and Courtney take the cake on this one. When Zac reached out to me with this crazy idea, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to pull it off. However, as a Gatlinburg photographer, I am always up for adventure! Here is how we pulled off a surprise proposal in the morning and an elopement in the evening.
Zac, the mastermind.
When Zac and Courtney had been dating for about three months she sent him a funny TikTok of a guy proposing and then getting married all in the same day. The guy in the video had set up everything, so it was a complete surprise! Zac knew he wanted to do the same, and although he has a full-time job, a two-year-old daughter, and was building a house with Courtney, he was determined to achieve this crazy surprise!
Surprise Engagement
Zac, Courtney and their best friends were taking a vacation with their children in the Smoky Mountains at a cabin for a few days. Courtney’s best friend told her she set up a family photo session in the morning and wanted them to come and get some photos with Zac’s daughter. During the session, we were taking a couple of portraits, and Zac got down on one knee! Courtney couldn’t believe it!
Meanwhile, her parents were driving up to the cabin and planned to be there by lunch to celebrate the engagement and get ready for the wedding. Obviously, Courtney didn’t know this detail, so it was another element of surprise. Her parents brought up decorations and, most importantly, the wedding dress!
Wedding Dress Shenanigans
You may be wondering how the heck they chose a wedding dress for Courtney, well they didn’t. Courtney knew she was going to eventually marry Zac, so when her favorite bridal store had a big sale she went in to see what she could find. After finding her dress, her best friend told her she might as well get it altered now so it’ll be ready to go when the day comes! And good thing she did, because otherwise it wouldn’t have been ready for this surprise elopement!
Surprise Wedding
Of course, Courtney was surprised by the proposal, but when Zac revealed the entire plan, she was in shock! She was also so impressed with how beautiful everything was. And I have to admit, I was impressed, too. They set up the cabin with white roses, greenery, blue accents, and candlelights for a reception. They even had welcome signage and a cake made! These touches made the elopement feel more luxurious and thoughtful.
That evening, I was taking couples' portraits, and I said to the bride, “You were only engaged for what…” Then I paused to count the hours, and she said, “Too long!”
Ready to book an engagement and elopement in one day? Then I am the Gatlinburg photographer for you!!
