Summer Elopement at Starved Rock State Park – Melanie & Spencer

Believe it or not, Melanie and Spencer planned their summer Starved Rock State Park elopement in a matter of weeks. I first met these two in late February at one of our mutual favorite coffee shops in Logan Square. Shortly after then, it was clear that their original wedding plans would need to be altered. When they told me they wanted to get married this year no matter what, I was so, so excited 🙂

After exploring several different options, Spencer and Melanie decided on a summer Starved Rock elopement in the presence of their immediate families. Their mutual love of the outdoors – plus the fact that they got engaged on a mountain top – made this the perfect choice! I am especially partial to the colorful summer vibe (note Melanie’s bouquet and Spencer’s custom suit!). This aligned with their wedding vision from the beginning, described by Melanie as “colorful and filled with love and laughter.”

Starved Rock Elopement

Melanie and Spencer tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, complete with personal vows, Jewish traditions, and a bubble-gun sendoff. Spencer even surprised Melanie with recorded messages from their siblings who could not be in attendance. Oh – and you may recognize the handsome officiant! Jeremy was happy to tag along and perform the ceremony, and we were lucky to have him.

We waved goodbye to family and headed to Illinois Canyon for some epic elopement photos! A summer storm the week before had us prepared for anything… including hopping over fallen trees and puddles of mud! Special thanks to Park Superintendent Alvin for helping make these photos possible.

Melanie and Spencer: Thank you again for having us in August! Your wedding day was a blast to capture, I’m so happy you finally got to make it official. CONGRATS again to you both!!

Vendor Team

Venue: Starved Rock Lodge/Bride’s dress: Tadashi Shoji/Bride’s boots: Rock & Candy/Groom’s suit: Alpha suit/Groom’s tie: Hisdern/Groom’s socks: Blue Q/Florals: Blythe Flowers/Hair & Makeup: Luscious Moi Salon/Wedding rings: Love & Promise Jewelers/Videographer: Carlos for EMP

Want to see more from this Starved Rock Lodge wedding? Check out their awesome Highlight Film!

Bride and groom kiss at Illinois Canyon during after their intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Starved Rock Lodge wedding venue in Oglesby, Illinois
Bride's dress hanging in window before Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride's colorful earrings and jewelry on table before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Colorful Jewish breaking glass and Mazel Tov description at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Colorful gemstone engagement ring and wedding bands at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Gold wedding bands and Jewish breaking glass details at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Bride's colorful wildflower bouquet and hiking boots before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Black and white photo of bride getting dressed with mom before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Bride's mother zips her dress before Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and mom blow air kisses in hotel room before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Bride's mom helps with earrings at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Bride puts on earrings before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride puts on hiking boots before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Groom's mom pins boutonnière before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Mother of groom laughs as she pins boutonnière before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Groom and mom share emotional moment at Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Stylish groom shows off custom jacket lining at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Portrait of happy groom before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Groom shows off custom socks before summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom hold hands back to back during first look at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Happy bride and groom hold hands during their first look at Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Candid photo of groom's face during first look at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Happy bride and groom hold hands before their summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Portrait of bride and groom at their summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom smiling before their intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride's colorful wildflower bouquet at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Groom's custom tailored suit detail at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Happy groom jumps for joy at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Candid photo of groom looking at bride during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Happy bride kicks up her heels at summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom walking toward their intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom look out at guests during their intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom circle each other at the beginning of Jewish wedding ceremony at Starved Rock Lodge
Family members perform readings during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Personal readings performed by family members during Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Intimate outdoor wedding ceremony at Starved Rock Lodge
Groom surprises bride with virtual speeches on iPad during summer 2020 wedding ceremony at Starved Rock Lodge
Bride and groom exchange vows during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride recites vows to groom during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Intimate summer wedding ceremony at Starved Rock Lodge in Illinois
Candid photo of personal readings during summer Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Candid photo of groom reciting vows during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Emotional groom wipes tears during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride wipes groom's tears during intimate Starved Rock elopement ceremony
Bride and groom exchange rings during Starved Rock Lodge elopement
Bride and groom break glass during outdoor Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom's first kiss during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Family members applaud during intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Just married bride and groom dance in bubbles at their Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom cheers family members after their Starved Rock Lodge wedding ceremony
Bride and groom sign marriage license with officiant at their Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Excited bride and groom after signing their marriage license at Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Bride and groom enter Illinois Canyon hiking trail after their intimate Starved Rock Lodge wedding
Just married bride and groom hike through Illinois Canyon during their Starved Rock elopement
Happy bride and groom hike through canyon at their Illinois Starved Rock elopement
Candid photo of bride and groom smiling at their intimate Starved Rock elopement
Candid photo of just married bride and groom after their Starved Rock elopement
Starved Rock elopement photo of bride and groom dancing in Illinois Canyon
Bride and groom hike through Illinois Canyon after their intimate Starved Rock elopement
Just married bride and groom show off their wedding rings in Illinois Canyon after Starved Rock elopement
Bride and groom show off rings after their summer 2020 Starved Rock elopement
Bride and groom hike through Illinois Canyon after their summer Starved Rock elopement
Just married groom lifts bride after their intimate Illinois Starved Rock elopement
Bride and groom pop champagne bottle at Illinois Canyon after their Starved Rock elopement
Bride and groom celebrate with champagne at Illinois Canyon after their Starved Rock elopement
Epic Starved Rock elopement photo of bride and groom kissing at Illinois Canyon
Happy bride and groom embrace at Illinois Canyon in Starved Rock State Park after their summer elopement day
Romantic Starved Rock elopement photo of bride and groom kissing in Illinois Canyon
Just married bride and groom hike through woods after their summer Starved Rock elopement

3 Replies to “Summer Elopement at Starved Rock State Park – Melanie & Spencer”

  1. Melanie S says:

    Thank you to Emma Mullins Photography for partnering with us to plan and achieve an amazing elopement ceremony, especially given the challenging circumstances of COVID19. We loved your enthusiasm and positivity throughout our wedding planning journey and during our wedding day. All of the photos and videos are BEAUTIFUL!
    <3 Melanie & Spencer (Team SMASH)

    1. Emma says:

      Awww thank you, Melanie!!! We were so excited to be a part of your elopement day – it couldn’t have turned out more perfectly 🙂 So happy you enjoy the photos and video! Thanks again for having us in August!!

  2. Sarah B says:

    Such a beautiful idea for a beautiful couple! These pictures are fantastic and truly seem to capture the couples love and admiration towards each other, in addition to their personalities 🙂 How fun and sweet!

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