Rhea and Divine's Farragut State Park Elopement

Rhea reached out to me recently with a plan. She wasn’t looking for a photographer for a wedding a year or two away—she was getting married in just a couple of weeks! She asked if I could be there to document their surprise elopement at Farragut State Park, and I’m so glad the stars aligned so I could say yes. Watching Rhea and Divine see each other for the first time was incredible, but being the only witness there (alongside the officiant and her husband) was a privilege that is hard to put into words.

Sean and Amanda's Engagement

They met on Tinder - as so many people do these days. Sean had messaged Amanda several times, but she had ignored each one until one day she figured "meh, why not?" and so she replied to him. Sean wasn't like the other guys on there; he wanted to talk about real things, he showed actual depth, and their conversation bloomed.

Kevin and Abby's North Idaho Engagement

The first time they met was because Abby needed help with her car. You may think that she needed help because she is completely oblivious when it comes to cars, but she isn't - she was in mechanic school. That said, her boyfriend had a friend named Kevin who was pretty darn awesome with cars, so she face timed him. He helped her. That was it.

Austin and Kindal's Farragut State Park Engagement

They met at work - kind of. Basically Kindal would walk by Austin's job every day on the way to her job - but they wouldn’t' talk. This would happen for months, but one day Kindal would be a "recommended follow" on Instagram, so he would do so. Kindal noticed, and hoped he would reach out - he didn't. That is, unless you count him responding to a poll she made once.

Josh and Nikki's North Idaho Engagement

They met on Match.com. Just like so many couples these days, they met online (I would say about 75% of my couples met online in some form), and they hit it off. Both Josh and Nikki told me that their earlier chatting online and over text felt real - it wasn't superficial. It seemed like both of them actually cared, and wanted to have something real. This moved things forward. The problem? They lived roughly 8 hours apart.

Nathan and Allison's Spring Farragut Engagement

They met playing volleyball. Really you can thank their mutual friends who continued to invite Allison to volleyball even though she kept saying no. But they really wanted her to meet this mysterious man named Nathan. So one day, she came. Nathan told me that when he first saw her he said in his head "she's new" - but not a "oh, cool, a new person to play" but rather "woah, she's new, I definitely would like to get to know her…" if you know what I mean. That said, that first day they never talked. Or the second day.

The Blog

Brent Looyenga is a Spokane wedding photographer based IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON and Coeur d’Alene Idaho area. He loves people and specializes in wedding, engagement, family and senior photography. You can like Looyenga Photography on Facebook or follow them on Instagram.