A Beautiful Enchanted Rock Styled Elopement

Weddings are often filled with traditions, but for adventurous souls, embracing the extraordinary can be just as unforgettable! Imagine exchanging your vows at a breathtaking natural wonder while dressed in wedding attire and hiking to the summit. Well, this wasn't a true elopement but it was still an incredibly beautiful day filled with two people's true love.

Shelby and Jason, a couple with a shared love for adventure and the great outdoors joined me on this incredible styled shoot at Enchanted Rock. Shelby is also a photographer and someone I have known for nearly two decades. She actually was one of my original photography inspirations! When I shared online that I wanted to plan a styled session at Enchanted Rock and she volunteered I jumped on the opportunity to get to work together and create something beautiful. We exchanged many messages, creating a mood board and purchasing a real wedding gown for the day.

After months of planning, it was finally the day! Shelby and Jason decided to camp out close to Enchanted Rock to adventure a little before the session and to beat traffic the day of. Maybe I should have taken a page from their book because I hit traffic, and nearly someones old mattress, on the terribly packed San Antonio highways heading to Fredericksburg that day. Thankfully we planned for a daytime shoot so we had plenty of time to work with still! I arrived to their campsite and we began with some detail photos and cute couples photos before Shelby stepped into the tent and put on the gown we chose. We took Jason out into the field and had him face away as Shelby walked up for their "first look". While this wasn't a true first look, it felt very much like it was. It was the first time Jason saw Shelby in the lovely lace gown and he was blown away! It was such heartfelt and sincerely beautiful moment, full of real emotions.

We loaded up their camp, after some photos inside their tent, and headed the five miles, by car, to the State Park to begin our hike up Enchanted Rock. When we arrived we checked in at the gate then went strait to the restrooms, applying sunscreen and filling our water containers. The trek up Enchanted Rock is no joke and it's absolutely important to be prepared for this!

We began our hike through the lower areas, just exploring and seeing what we liked and what fueled our imaginations. There were so many incredible spots and we hadn't even begun to ascend to the top! We decided to do a zig zag up the side before taking the main trail so that we could explore the different natural wonders around us. We saw each of the main landmarks that Enchanted Rock is known for ad we used each as a different backdrop for their images. We found small outcroppings, interesting rock formations and the most beautiful, old tree that provided an incredible filtered light and place to sit for awhile.

After exploring the lower part of the park, we began to hike up the steep incline. It was tough. We are all outdoors people and active but the hike takes time and you have to take breaks as you summit. The hike up takes more than 40 minutes! As you hike up, the landscape looks as if it's that of the moon or another planet. It's incredible!

We finally reached the top and the views were extraordinary! The top of the granite mountain allows you to see for miles in every single direction. It's one of the most incredible sights. We took some solo Bridal portraits of Shelby while the birds flew above our heads. It was windy and bright at the top but it made everything feel very Editorial yet still whimsically boho. We continued to explore the top of the rock before we discovered a small cave that was a perfect way to escape the harsh sunlight. The set of images that came from this discovery will forever be some of my favorite. It was absolutely incredible the way the light streamed in and down upon the couple as they embraced. The images are stunning and not to brag but I'm incredibly proud of them! I'm so, so glad we found that cave! We spent some time there before moving out and sitting near the edge. It still gives me sweaty palms remembering looking over and seeing how high up we truly were. We ended the session there as the couple looked out over the vast Texas hill county and imagined the beautiful life they would continue to live together.

We descended the mountain in late afternoon, slightly sun burnt and tired but so fulfilled. It was a gorgeous day and even though it wasn't a true elopement it was clearly a day filled with love!

Thank you so much to Shelby and Jason for allowing me to capture these beautiful moments and for trekking up the side of a mountain with me! It was an incredibly and beautiful day! Be sure and check out Shelby's Photography when you finishing viewing this gorgeous gallery! You can find her work on her website https://www.theadventuringlens.com