Elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse | Katie + Anand

A bride and groom smile at one another while exiting the Sangamon County Courthouse as their families on either side of them smile at them

Elopements

August 24, 2023

Rachael McMillan

Photo of the building Horace Mann in Springfield Illinois

From the start Katie knew she didn’t want a traditional wedding, which is why her and Anand’s elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse was perfect for them. “I never wanted to plan a big wedding. So I started planning a backyard wedding. But then—I realized I was STILL planning a wedding. And I did NOT want to plan a wedding at all.” With that in mind the two crafted an elopement day perfect for THEM and that is the most important part!

2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride with a coat over her shoulders smiling at the camera while standing outside, the right is of that same bride around the corner from the groom as they hold hands, the bride is looking at the groom while he smiles at the camera

Their First Look at Horace Mann

Katie and Anand met like many couples nowadays, through a dating app. Their relationship was a slow bloom, it felt real and organic according to Katie which made it all the more meaningful when the two finally got to say I do on their elopement day! They started off their day with a first look at Horace Mann in Springfield. Both Katie and Anand were about ready to burst with excitement even before seeing one another, and they practically DID burst with joy once their first look happened! Seeing their excitement really put into perspective just how much this day meant to them. After a little bit of time taking portraits around Horace Mann we all made our way to the Sangamon County Courthouse for their elopement ceremony.

A bride and groom stand outside Horace Mann in Springfield Illinois and hold hands while around the corner from one another
2 photos side by side, the left is of a groom smiling at the camera while the bride walks up behind him, the right photo is of the groom smiling as he looks over his shoulder to see the bride who is touching his shoulder
3 photos side by side, the left is of a groom smiling at a bride who is touching his shoulder from off camera, the middle is of the bride and groom smiling at one another while the bride has her hand on his shoulder, the right is of the same couple smiling and laughing with each other
A bride and groom in their wedding attire kiss one another outside of Horace Mann in Springfield Illinois
Black and white photo of a bride and groom from their shoulders down showing of their wedding attire
3 photos side by side of a bride and groom posing with one another, the right is of the bride smiling as the groom kisses her on the cheek, the middle is of them both smiling at the camera, and the right is a close up photo of them smiling softly at the camera
A bride and groom smile at one another with their eyes closed while touching their foreheads together
Black and white photo of a bride and groom standing side by side and holding hands, the bride is looking to the left while the groom looks at the camera
3 photos side by side of a bride and groom together, the left is of them holding hands as the groom looks down and the bride smiles at him, the middle is a black and white photo of the groom kissing her on the cheek, the right is of the groom smiling at the bride as he hugs her from behind
2 photos side by side, the left is a portrait of the groom smiling at the camera, the right is a shoulder down photo of the same groom's attire
2 photos side by side, the left is of the back of a bride's wedding dress from the shoulders down, the right is of the same bride but farther away showing her smiling over her shoulder while looking down

Their Elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse

The Sangamon County Courthouse was only a short walk away from Horace Mann, so getting there for their elopement ceremony was incredibly easy. I love a courthouse elopement as things are kept so simple and to the point. The entire focus becomes the couple and the love they share for one another, and believe me Katie and Anand share a TON of love between them. After signing their paperwork and having their ceremony in the courthouse with only their closest family members present the two made their exit. 

2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride smiling towards the right as a groom stands in front of her looking to cross a street, the right photo is of the same couple walking up the stairs to a courthouse
2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride and groom walking away from the camera towards a desk for their wedding paperwork, the right photo is black and white of the same couple kissing one another in an elevator as the doors close
During their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse a bride is walked in by her father towards the groom
2 photos side by side, the left photo is of a bride laughing and crouching next to a small child with her mother who is also laughing, the right photo is a black and white photo of a groom holding his wedding paperwork at a desk
2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride holding a bouquet and a card with a peacock on it, the right photo is of the bride and the groom standing in a courtroom as they elope
2 photos side by side of a bride and groom during their courthouse elopement, the left is of the groom giving his vows, the right is of the bride reacting with a smile to the groom's vows
During their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse a groom reads his vows to the bride as she smiles at him with their families watching behind them
Black and white photo of a groom reading his vows to the bride as she holds his hand during their elopement at Sangamon County Courthouse
2 photos side by side, the left is of a groom smiling at a bride who is holding his hand, the right photo is of the families watching this elopement happening
During their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse a bride and groom kiss one another after reading their vows to one another
Black and white photo of a marriage license signed with the bride and grooms hands touching it
A bride and groom stand and talk with their families after their elopement ceremony at the Sangamon County Courthouse
2 photos side by side, the left is a black and white photo of a bride and groom holding hands and looking at one another while standing in front of a window, the right is of the groom's family sitting in a courtroom after the elopement ceremony that took place

Rose Petals and Portraits

As they exited the Sangamon County Courthouse after their elopement ceremony, both Katie and Anand’s family members lined the staircase of the courthouse to shower the newlyweds with rose petals! It was a moment of joy in its purest form and easily one of the biggest highlights of the day. Afterwards we took a short drive over to Washington Park in Springfield for some family portraits as well as portraits of the newlyweds. For Katie and Anand’s portraits we actually used the Washington Park Botanical Garden which was SO cool. These photos, and honestly their day overall was so simply romantic that I cannot get over it! Ending their elopement day on a sweet note, Katie and Anand were able to spend the night together with a private dinner at Luminary Kitchen and enjoyed a cake from Incredibly Delicious.

A bride and groom kiss one another while exiting the Sangamon County Courthouse after their elopement ceremony as their families line either side of the staircase in front of them
A bride and groom walk together and smile while exiting the Sangamon County Courthouse as their families on either side throw flower petals in the air
A bride and groom smile at one another while exiting the Sangamon County Courthouse as their families on either side of them smile at them
A bride smiles and touches her mother's face who is also smiling as the two stand in a park together after the bride's elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse
2 photos side by side, the right is of a bride and groom standing with the bride's parents, the right is of the same couple standing with the groom's family, both photos are in a park
2 photos side by side, the left is of a couple holding their child between them smiling at the camera in a park, the right is of an older couple standing in a park and smiling at the camera
A bride and groom stand next to one another and hold hands while looking in opposite directions standing outside of a greenhouse after their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse
2 photos side by side, the left is a detail photo of a wedding bouquet being held by a bride and groom only showing their attire, the right photo is of the same bride and groom walking hand in hand and smiling at one another outside a greenhouse
2 black and white photos side by side, the left is of a bride and groom sitting together about to kiss one another, the right is of the same couple sitting next to one another and smiling at each other
2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride looking up at the groom while sitting in front of him as he looks down on her, the right photo is black and white and is of the same couple sitting next to one another and looking at something off camera
Black and white photo of a bride messing with a groom as he smiles while they stand in a greenhouse after their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse
A bride and groom in a greenhouse walk hand in hand smiling with one another towards the camera after their elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse
2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride smiling back at the groom as they dance together in a greenhouse, the right photo is of the same couple in the greenhouse embracing and about to kiss one another
2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride crying with joy as the groom embraces her, the right photo is of the same bride and groom looking at film photos of themselves on their elopement day together

Katie and Anand’s elopement at the Sangamon County Courthouse was so intentional and SO them! Everything from the rose petal exit, their handwritten vows, and their closest family being there with them all meant the world to these two, and I’m so glad I could capture their day for them! If you’re ready to book me for your own wedding or elopement day, whether it’s at the Sangamon County Courthouse in Springfield or somewhere else in the Springfield area, send me an inquiry so we can reserve your date!

2 photos side by side, the left is of a bride and groom hugging one another in a park, the bride is holding film photos in her hand, the right photo is of those 5 film photos on the ground for display, the photos are from the couples elopement day

Vendors

Private Dinner: Luminary Kitchen 

Cake: Incredibly Delicious

Gown: One Love One Life Bridal 

Rings: James Allen and Giganti & Giganti

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