Vows Above the Lake: Nicole and Casey’s Tettegouche Elopement

Not so long ago, in the northern woods of Minnesota, I put out a little call — not for royalty or warriors, but for real couples to help bring some styled photo shoot ideas to life while I was spending time up north with my family.

Enter Nicole and Casey.

They replied to my model call with a story that immediately pulled at my heart. They had been planning a big wedding — the kind filled with celebration, people they loved, and of course, beautiful photos to mark the day. But life, as it sometimes does, threw them a curveball. Plans changed, the big wedding had to be canceled, and instead, they were going to quietly marry at the courthouse. Understandably, they were a bit heartbroken — especially about missing out on the photos they had dreamed of.

So naturally, I knew they had to be one of my couples.

When I asked if they’d be up for an adventure to Tettegouche State Park, they didn’t hesitate — they were all in. And honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better spot or a better couple. They were so excited to have the chance to create something meaningful, even if it wasn’t quite the wedding day they had originally imagined.

When the day arrived, we met in the parking lot at Tettegouche. Nicole used my little pop-up tent to slip into her dress, while I held up the tent walls and closed my Jeep door to give her some privacy… only to hear the unmistakable click of the locks engaging. My keys — and all of my gear — were now securely inside my locked Jeep.

Cue a moment of total panic.

Thankfully, I still had my camera harness with me — both cameras strapped on and ready. No access to my other lenses or backup gear, but hey, we weren’t turning back. I called my dad (because dads are lifesavers), and he hit the road immediately with my spare keys — but with an hour-long drive ahead, we decided to press on.

It turned out to be one of those perfect summer days — the kind where everything feels golden and alive. We made our way up the many, many stairs (Tettegouche doesn’t mess around), and as we reached the cliffs overlooking Lake Superior, Nicole and Casey chose that moment to read their vows.

Even though they’d legally tied the knot at the courthouse the day before, they had saved their vows for this — just the two of them, standing high above the endless water, with only the wind and the trees as witnesses. It was deeply emotional, incredibly moving, and yes — I definitely had tears in my eyes, too.

From there, we explored the cliffs and found endless viewpoints where Lake Superior stretched out like the sea — you’d swear we were somewhere on the Oregon or Washington coast. It was wild, beautiful, and full of the kind of magic that only nature (and love) can create.

As the sun dipped low and the sky turned soft and golden, we made our way back down. There, in the parking lot, was my dad — spare keys in hand, ready to save the day. It all worked out in the end, and I walked away from this session with full memory cards, a grateful heart, and a firm commitment to never lock my keys in my Jeep again.

Nicole and Casey — wishing you a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and love. Thank you for letting me be part of such a meaningful moment.