Kayla and Joe met at university. They were both studying to be architects and they became friends through the many classes they had together. Now, they both liked one another secretly, but didn’t want to risk the friendship by admitting their feelings so they remained friends for a WHILE. Then one day, Joe finally got up the courage to ask her out!

Kayla and Joe wanted to write each other letters before they had their first look so they stood on their respective balconies and read each other’s notes! It was the cutest and I literally cried when Kayla read Joe’s letter! Watch the video to hear it!

It was super important that their hounds were able to be at the elopement so of course we had to spend some time with the doggos at the beach before the ceremony! Emmie Lou and Colter are the cutest little Coonhounds, and I was OBSESSED with their floppy little ears!! I love it when couple’s include their dogs in their elopements so if you’re wondering whether or not you should bring your pup along, BRING EM! Its the best!

Joe proposed while their were on their annual fishing trip. Every year, they go on a trip with Kayla’s oldest brother to fish, and this year they went to cape flattery. Kayla and her brother are super close, so Joe knew that it would be special to her to pop the question while her brother was in town! So they went on a hike, and at the end of the (very rainy!) hike, Joe got down on one knee and asked Kayla to marry him!! Her brother snapped a ton of photos and filmed the whole proposal (though Kayla admitted that the photos are really quite terrible. Apparently fishing is his strong suit and not photography?) Kayla NEVER even saw the proposal coming and was literally shock but of COURSE said yes!

They wanted to elope at Orcas Island with their family and their two hounds. Orcas Island has always been special to them, and all they wanted was to say their vows as the sun was going down and their family was watching! And I mean, WISH GRANTED! The weather in the fall in Washington is COMPLETELY unpredictable, but we lucked out with a perfectly clear day and Kayla and Joe were able to have their elopement dreams come true! An elopement miracle.