Halloween Elopement with an Edgy Twist in Louisville, KY

When two of the coolest, most stylish people I know asked me to photograph their Louisville elopement and wedding, I just about squealed. I’ve known Jessica since we were kids, and having watched her and JR fall in love, I knew their wedding was going to be one to remember.

Enjoy this super unique, edge elopement and wedding in Louisville, KY. And if you’re planning your own Louisville wedding, holler at me!

bride and groom in casual clothes exchange rings at the courthouse at their halloween elopement

STYLISH COURTHOUSE ELOPEMENT IN LOUISVILLE, KY

Since they met on Halloween (more on that story later), it only makes sense that Jessica and JR would make their marriage official on Halloween, too. They planned a courthouse elopement with just their parents and siblings for Friday afternoon, and then they hosted their wedding a couple days later. Both days were absolutely perfect.

On Halloween, I joined Jessica and JR for their trip to the courthouse. True to their styles, they wore possible the coolest wedding outfits I’ve ever seen. Jessica wore a leather pencil skirt and huge fur coat, and JR wore a maroon velvet vest and solid gold Nikes.

The legal ceremony was simple and quick. They signed the papers, took some sweet photos with their families, and headed outside for the edgier shots.

Halloween elopement at the court house where bride and groom read their vows bride and groom in casual clothes share a kiss at their courthouse halloween elopement bride recieves a kiss on the cheek from her family memeber at her halloween courthouse elopement husband is walking out of courthouse after his halloween elopement with his marriage license in hand Halloween elopement at the courthouse where the newly wedded wife is touching up her lipstick with her compact mirrror bride and groom are walking up the stairs of the courthouse at their halloween elopement

PAPARAZZI-STYLE ELOPEMENT PHOTOS

One of Jessica’s only requests for her wedding photos were these paparazzi-style images outside of the courthouse. Before the elopement, she sent me inspiration photos – of everyone from JFK to Kanye – and asked that we recreate them after the elopement.

I never could have anticipated what actually happened, though. As Jessica and JR walked through the courthouse to retrieve their marriage license, people started following us. Some even took pictures. I’m sure they thought Jessica and JR were a famous couple leaving some high-profile court hearing. Every time someone would stop to stare, I’d have to say, “They’re not famous! They just look like it!”

Even if they aren’t famous (yet), Jessica and JR sure looked the part. These paparazzi shots turned out so cool. I’m so glad Jessica requested them!

bride and groom are holding hands while walking down the steps of the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a kiss at their halloween elopement bride and groom holding hands at the courthouse during their halloween elopement a black and white photo of a halloween elopement at the courthouse where the groom is holding the brides hand groom is holding his bride at their halloween elopement at the courthouse bride and groom are holding hands and walking down the stairs of the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom showing their shoes on the steps of the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride is walking up the stairs of the courthouse ahead of the groom while holding his hand at their halloween elopement bride and groom are laughing at their halloween elopement while hugging outside of the courthouse groom holds his wife close to him at their halloween elopement at the courthouse

JESSICA & JR’S ENGAGEMENT STORY

After dropping off their marriage license and taking some photos inside the courthouse, Jessica and JR took me to their favorite wine bar, Nouvelle Bar & Bottle, for a celebratory glass. As it turns out, this was also the location of JR’s one-of-a-kind proposal!

Jessica and JR met over ten years ago at a Halloween party. JR, who was dressed as a terrifying mute clown, accidentally bumped into one of Jessica’s friends and spilled her drink everywhere. Jessica, in true Jessica fashion, chased him down. Because JR wouldn’t break character and apologize, Jessica despised him from that moment on. (Confused? Stick with me.)

Ten years later, Jessica and JR reunited. They started hanging out, spending time alone, and falling out of ‘hate’ with one another. One night, the two visited Nouvelle with a friend, who cornered them and asked if they were dating. Jessica and JR looked at each other and basically said, “Sure!”

JR bought a fancy bottle of wine, popped it open, and the two started talking about dating officially. Before the bottle was empty, JR got down on one knee and proposed. Yep, the two of them went from “I guess we’re dating” to “We’re engaged” in the same night!

As you can imagine, I was shocked when Jessica shared the news. But since seeing her and JR fall in love, helping them plan their elopement, and capturing their wedding weekend, I can honestly say these two were made for each other.

bride and groom pose for a picture with the IT clown in the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom drink champange on the couch in the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom sit on the couch at the courthouse and toast with champange at their halloween elopement bride and groom laugh while toasting with champange and sharing a cuddle on the couch at their halloween elopement groom rubs brides leg as she drinks her champange on the couch at the courthouse during their halloween elopement bride laughs at groom at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a laugh on the couch at their halloween elopement bride rests her hand on the grooms leg at their halloween elopement groom looks lovingly at bride as they sit on the couch at their halloween elopement bride and groom look outside of window at the courthouse of their halloween elopement and groom kisses bride on cheek while she laughs

EDGY WEDDING IN LOUISVILLE, KY

Two days after their Halloween elopement, Jessica and JR hosted their wedding at Passalino’s in Louisville. Jessica swapped her black satin slip (which I just had to steal a photo of her in) for this gorgeous ballgown from Rebecca’s. She paired it with some sexy black heels, dark lipstick, and vintage Versace earrings (which were originally her grandmother’s) for an edgy, cool look. She also had the gold Versace crest added to her nails for the day. Such a small detail, but it really brought the look together. Plus, I just love a bride with claws.

JR, who’s a huge sneakerhead, paired a custom suit with these gold limited-edition Nikes. He also got to show off his gold signet ring, which added yet another touch of ‘cool’ to the look. (Seriously, why don’t more grooms wear jewelry?!)

Jessica and JR had their first look in a quite corner of Passalino’s. It was super sweet and simple, and these two immediately had their hands all over each other. You could just feel how excited they were to be marrying each other.

Before the ceremony, we popped over the downtown library for some bride and groom portraits. (If you’re trying to take your own photos in the library, no promises. JR’s brother and sister-in-law are both librarians there, so we got VIP treatment.) The lobby is stunning, and the classic decor contrasted so well with Jessica and JR’s edgy look. We even took a few photos in this 90’s veil that Jessica brought along. For real, why aren’t these in style anymore?! Do you see her?!

When we finished up taking photos, we headed back to Passalino’s for the ceremony. Since they’d already gotten legally married, Jessica and JR did their ceremony their own way. There was no officiant, and instead of exchanging vows, they read each other love letters. (Brb, crying.) They exchanged rings beneath this giant, ornate clock, shared a kiss, and immediately popped some champagne. Then, it was time to celebrate!

brides wedding dress is hung in front of a window at the courthouse of her halloween elopement bride puts on lipstick while getting ready at her halloween elopement bride sits on couch in her black slip and heels as she gets ready for her halloween elopement bride is being buttoned up in her wedding dress and shares a hug with her family member as she gets ready for her halloween elopement bridal bouquet and earrings are shown for the brides halloween elopememt groom laughs while he looks out the window at his halloween elopement bride and groom share a first look at their halloween elopement bride shows the back of her wedding dress at her halloween elopement bride smiles at groom while holding her wedding dress at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a kiss and a hug at their halloween elopement bride smiles while hugging her husband at their halloween elopement bride holds her husbands face while smiling at him at their halloween elopement bride is having her dress fixed as her and groom walk outside of the courthouse at thier halloween elopement bride shows off her bouquet and leather jacket while husband shows off his Nike shoes at their halloween elopement photo of the courthouse ceiling at a halloween elopement bride and groom smile and pose for a photo at the halloween elopement bride laughs at the groom at their halloween elopement bride smiles and rests her head on grooms shoulder at their halloween elopement groom touches brides arm as they stand on the staircase at their halloween elopement bride holds grooms hold as they walk through the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride twirls in her wedding dress and looks at the husband in the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a kiss at the top of the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride and groom stare off at their halloween elopement bride holds groom as they look at each other during their halloween elopement groom kisses bride on her cheek at the courthouse of their halloween elopement groom kisses bride on her neck at the courthouse of their halloween elopement groom holds his hands together on the staircase of the courthouse at his halloween elopement groom looks at bride at their halloween elopement groom holds his knuckles together and shows his ring to the camera at his halloween elopement groom shows outfit details at his halloween elopement groom shows the bottoms of his shoes at his halloween elopement bride and groom walk down the stairs of the courthouse as they look off into the distance at their halloween elopement bride lays on the staircase at the courthouse of her halloween elopement bride takes a seat on the staircase at the courthouse showing her heels at her halloween elopement bride and groom touch foreheads at their halloween elopement bride and groom kiss at their halloween elopement groom holds brides waist as she pulls her hair up at their halloween elopement groom holds the bottom of the brides dress as they walk down the stairs of the courthouse at their halloween elopement bride smiles and holds up a peace sign as she holds her bouquet and wears her veil at her halloween elopement bride holds her bouqet and looks down at her halloween elopement bride and groom stand at the front of the room in front of their family at their halloween elopement bride and groom exchange vows at their halloween elopement bride and groom hug at their halloween elopement

RECEPTION AND AFTER PARTY FOR LOUISVILLE WEDDING

Instead of a traditional seated meal, Jessica and JR opted for more of a cocktail style reception. They served hors d’oeuvres, tons of champagne, and ended the night with some delicious brick oven pizza. As unique as their day was, they still kept a few wedding traditions, like the cake. Sweet Surrender delivered with this huge, gold-leafed cake that made for my favorite photo of the day: Jessica, crouched on the floor in her massive gown, chowing down on her wedding cake.

After everyone got boozed up, the dancefloor got lit. The DJ, one of Jessica and JR’s friends, was awesome, and he even donned some angel wings for the occasion (which Grandma stole by the end of the night). We danced for a few hours, and then Jessica and JR snuck back to their hotel room to change into more comfortable clothes.

To end the night, we all met up back at the wine bar for some more wine, a couple more photos, and a ton of laughs. I love every wedding I shoot, but I don’t think I’m wrong to say this was one of my absolute favorites.

champange is poured at the bride and grooms halloween elopement bride and groom laugh together at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a laugh at their halloween elopement appetizers are passed around during the bride and grooms halloween elopement bride and groom talk to friends and family at their halloween elopement bride and groom take pictures with their family at their halloween elopement family are gathered together at the bride and grooms halloween elopement bride holds her drink and food while taking a silly photo at her halloween elopement pizza is served at the bride and grooms halloween elopement family memebers eat food at the bride and grooms halloween elopement pizza is being served at the bride and grooms halloween elopement groom whispers in brides ear at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a laugh as they're cutting their cake during their halloween elopement bride and groom feed each other cake and drink champange at their halloween elopement bride and groom dance around their cake at their halloween elopement bride crouches down on the floor as she eats a slice of cake at her halloween elopement family memebers dance at the bride and grooms halloween elopement family members laugh and dance at the bride and grooms halloween elopement wedding guests dancing in the dark at a wedding reception bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception bride and groom hold each other on the dance floor and pose for a photo bride and groom share a laugh on the dance floor bride and groom dance and laugh at their wedding reception grandma wears angel wings at the bride and grooms halloween elopement bride laughs as she goes in for a hug with her friend at her halloween elopement bride and groom change their outfits and share a kiss on the couch at their halloween elopement bride and groom drink champange as they walk down the side walk at their halloween elopement bride and groom share a kiss on the sidewalk at their halloween elopement bride shows her veil outside at her halloween elopement

Huge thanks to all the fellow vendors who made Jessica and JR’s special day so badass:

Venue – Passalinos

Caterer – Butchertown Pizza Hall

Florals – Tiffany Collins

Dress – Rebeccas

Suit – Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Bride

Cake – Sweet Surrender

Louisville is a city near and dear to my heart, and I absolutely love shooting wedding there. If you’re planning a Louisville wedding or elopement, let’s chat! I want to help you capture your big day.

Halloween Elopement and Edgy Wedding in Louisville, KY | Jessica & JR

WEDDING, Weddings