A Sweet North Shore Elopement With Kids and Some Alone Time • Xsperience Photography

Some people can’t decide if they should elope or have a simple wedding with the kids, or indulge in some alone time since it’s hard to come by post-kids. Jessica and Josh wanted the best of both worlds so they took an adventure to the North Shore of Minnesota with their kids, and had their friends tag along to take them after the ceremony so they could enjoy a romantic evening on the cliffs together. It really was the sweetest thing to have both scenarios play out on the same evening. The kids all dressed up, witnessing the union of marriage at Gooseberry State Park, and then heading off to explore the magic of Lake Superior was so fun and meaningful. And then ending with private vows at Palisade Head (the most incredible views Minnesota has to offer), followed by a romantic sunset picnic on the rocks.

Josh and Jessica dated when we they were teens but things ended when she went off to college. When they reconnected, the connection was pretty much instant, as if 12 years of being apart had never happened.

HER VOWS

“I still remember the first time I laid eyes on you. 16 years ago and I will never forget the butterflies I felt when we exchanged hellos. From there, we had a whirlwind summer love but our lives took us down different paths. I don’t regret those wrong turns because they shaped us into who we are today, the perfect counterpart for one another. I am so thankful for the man that you have become and that I get to call you mine forever. “
Jessica

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ELOPE ON THE NORTH SHORE

“We knew we wanted to elope as soon as we started talking about marriage. We both had big weddings and we wanted this time to be full of memories with our kids and having the intimate moment of saying of vows to each other with no one around, instead of the stress of a big event. We threw around a few locations like Iceland, Alaska and Hawaii. We knew we wanted to go somewhere with adventure and hiking but with the uncertainty of covid, we started contemplating some local and familiar destinations. I saw a picture of a wedding at Palisade Head, a spot we have hiked during our annual trip to Larsmont Cottages. I had an ah-ha moment to elope at the spot we go to every year. Lake Superior/the North Shore was the area that brought our passion for hiking to life. It seemed perfect for us. And now we are so excited to continue our annual trip to Larsmont but as an anniversary trip!

Planner: ELOPE WEST | Photography + Video: XSPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY, Little Falls MN | Dress: ESSENCE OF AUSTRALIA | Makeup: MONICA LEE ARTISTRY, Duluth MN | Tux: SPECIAL EVENT BRIDAL, Alexandria MN | Lodging: LARSMONT COTTAGES, Two Harbors MN | Officiant: Trisha Spencer with Xsperience Photography