Simple Hillside Elopement

Today we are starting the week off with a simple hillside elopement that is tastefully styled with a budget in mind. Incorporating a simple picnic builds on such a romantic atmosphere to the elopement, details like this are easy to achieve but add elegance & design to an otherwise ordinary hillside – proving that magical moments can be created anywhere, even with minimal details!

“I really wanted to showcase how a very simple elopement can truly be magical and elegant. Most of what we used for the picnic was thrifted. Having taste in design and classy details does not mean it has to break your bank! You just have to know where to look. I really love getting to design and dream up this elopement shoot to build my portfolio in fine art elopements, and also to help brides to see that it does not have to take much to have a very classic and elegant effect. To top it all off, Kendyll and Dakota are a real life couple and good friends of mine. They rocked this shoot and made the whole day so much fun!” – Shelby Young Photography

How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Kendyll: “I met Kotah while I was an undergraduate student at Mississippi College. I was briefly dating a guy and we often would hangout with Kotah and his girlfriend at the time. I thought he was really cute, but nothing more than a friend at the time. We often carried conversations very easily, and it was nice to have someone who was easy to talk to!”

Kotah: “I met Kendyll when I had a get together at my house. She was one of the guest and as a good host would I welcomed her and we quickly engaged in conversation. She was warm and friendly and I realized quickly she was a one of a kind woman . We would both soon become single and after a few months we started hanging out again we realized it we had feelings for each other and from that date I have chased after her.”

Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
Kotah: “Kendyll called me one time while I was at work to let me know she found out Alaska was a place she could drive to…..”

Kendyll: “and that’s how I knew we were meant to be! When I found myself comfortable with telling him things that don’t make me look good!”

What is your favorite thing about each other?
Kotah: “I love her way of thinking. She always makes me laugh and knows just how to cheer me up. She has a huge heart.”

Kendyll: “Kotah inspires me. He doesn’t realize he’s the best man in the world, as he remains humble in everything he does. He loves so big – he shows me Jesus everyday.”

Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Kotah: “Our growing pains were difficult at first. 3 years is the longest I’ve ever dated anyone. It seemed like on the other side of 3 years was a mystery, but we have become best friends and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

Kendyll: “At the beginning of our relationship, I decided to move out of the country to Tanzania, Africa for an extended stay. At the time of my departure we had been dating almost 10 months. I was 8 hours ahead and his work schedule was crazy! There was a lot of times when I woke up at 1 or 2 in the morning to catch him at a better time during his workday, or stayed up late to say good morning and for him to say goodnight. Communication was very hard, but we both did a lot of soul searching while I was there and when I returned to the states. Overall, it shaped our relationship and made us stronger people individually and together.”

Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Kotah: “My fathers picture will be reserving his seat. He passed away when I was 8 and I have to have him there.”

Kendyll: “We really like the idea of having a slideshow of us growing up playing at the ceremony before we walk down the aisle. We think it will be a nice way to incorporate our guests in our lives and our stories.”

What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Kotah: “Look at things from her angle. Just because in your head it makes sense doesn’t mean she will immediately think the same thing.”

Kendyll: “Leave things better than you found them. Kotah has always left the dinner table, parties, and people better than he found them. He makes so much good out of the little things. It’s easily the thing I admire most about him.”

If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Kotah: “Patience goes a long way.”

Kendyll: “Never think it’s you vs. him. It’s always you two vs. the problem you’re facing. It will help you stand back and look at the bigger picture.”