Getting married during Army graduation week is no small feat. Between navigating graduation schedules, coordinating travel, and figuring out the marriage license process, military couples have a lot on their plates before they even get to say “I do.”
Ashley flew in from Washington, D.C., to marry Maurice as he graduated from Army basic training at Fort Benning. They weren’t from the Columbus area, and while the courthouse was an option, they wanted something a little more special than squeezing their wedding into a limited afternoon appointment.
They found me on TikTok, where they discovered that I’m both an ordained minister and a photographer. That’s exactly why I created my short-and-sweet elopement experience: for couples who need a simple, meaningful way to get married without sacrificing the romance of the moment.
Every year, I work with military couples navigating the unique challenges of graduation week. Communication can be limited for months leading up to graduation, and partners often travel from across the country with very little time to coordinate the details. For many, getting married is also an important step toward being able to accompany their partner to their next duty station.
My job is to make that process easier.
I helped Ashley navigate the marriage license requirements and find the perfect location for their ceremony. On the wedding day, she had time to get her hair and makeup done before meeting me at a charming little chapel. I officiated their ceremony, photographed their newlywed portraits, and gave them space to enjoy the moment they’d worked so hard to make happen. Afterward, they celebrated over dinner with family who had come to support them.
A courthouse wedding might be cheaper, but your first “I do” deserves to feel like a wedding if that’s what you want.
As an ordained minister and photographer, I bring the ceremony and the photographs together into one seamless experience. You don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors, navigate everything alone, or settle for a rushed appointment that doesn’t reflect the significance of the day.
Many of my couples go on to have a larger wedding celebration later. And I love that! But your marriage begins long before the big reception.
Whether you’re getting married before your first military move or simply choosing an intimate celebration, you deserve photographs and memories that feel like you.
If you’re planning a Fort Benning graduation-week elopement, I’d love to help you make it happen — simply, intentionally, and with a little more romance.
If your soldier is at Fort Benning whether stationed there or just there for basic training and you’re wanting to get married but you’re not sure where to start – I’m happy to help! You can go to the Columbus Probate Court Website for more information on your marriage license. If you’d like to book me – you can inquire here!!