WELCOME BACK! Today we have something super super special to share with you… remember Jacki and Sam and their epic elopement? See here if you need a refresher. WELL, it is their one year anniversary! YES. As the northwest Indiana photographer couple we are, we were super excited to shoot at EmBers for their one year anni session. We also hope you’re just as excited to read about it!
Where it started…
When Jacki was a freshman in college she noticed a boy wearing a shirt she most definitely recognized… “My excitement was enough to get over my general fear of talking to strangers, so I asked him if he was on that team. Turns out, no. He had exchanged with someone else.” Dang. Imagine her disappointment?! But then Sam turned to her and said, “Oh, but I do know you.”
Now he had her attention for a second time! WHAT?!
Turns out, he knew someone that had been on Jacki’s high school team and they knew Sam and Jacki would be attending the same college! Wow! Sometimes we all need a little reminder just how SMALL this world is, right?!!! Although this person had mentioned this fact to Sam, they never actually linked them up ;(
Jacki tells us she just keeping thinking, “THIS IS SO STRANGE!” At the end of the day, Jacki’s quick, couple seconds of bravery where she walked up to a strange boy with a shirt she recognized and had a conversation with worked out pretty dang well in their favor- if we do say so!
AND THEN, they eloped!
After four exciting years together, these two reached out to us as they were ready for the next step… ELOPING!!!! What sealed the deal? Well we actually asked them and here is what they had to say…
SAM:
“What I love most about Jacki is how endlessly thoughtful and considerate she is. Sitting with her and talking through an idea, I am always in awe of her creativity and how she leaves no stone unturned. Whether it is related to work, politics, research, or relationships, she knows how to be mindful of every party and can empathize with people of any background. As a partner, this manifests in small ways like checking with me that I will be comfortable watching something she knows might be tough for me, but it also manifests in big ways.”
and JACKI:
“Sam is a bit of a contradiction. He’s very principled and has some very strong opinions about right and wrong. But he asks deep questions, does his research, forms ideas carefully, and isn’t afraid to change his mind with new information. I always trust his read on a situation.Sam’s also one of the most caring and considerate people that I’ve ever had the fortune of being around. He makes my coffee every morning.”
We agree. If they make you coffee in the morning….. KEEP ‘EM!
A Dream for a Northwest Indiana Photographer
These two eloped in Indiana’s very own, Samara house! It is absolutely extraordinary and compliments these two and their uniqueness so perfectly. The John and Catherine Christian House, more commonly known as the SAMARA house is one of the most complete Frank Lloyd Wright Homes in the entire United States.
Jacki and Sam’s pup, Fitzgerald, was also able to make a cameo in their West Lafayette, Indiana Elopement which made the dog lover in Bryt and I ECSTATIC! We loved hanging out with that little Pug! Check out those photos on their blog at the link above!
See their ONE YEAR photos at EmBers below!
EmBers Venue
The eMbers VENUE began in 2013 as a warehouse…. THEN turned into an event space! AMAZING. This place is one of a kind and so dang unique. After years of wedding receptions, reunions, baby/bridal showers, concerts, corporate events, and other private gatherings, they decided to – again – expand the space and created the STATION! Sounds ominous, right?!
It is a wood-fired, brick oven bistro eatery and craft bar that features local flavors and tastes… YUM! The STATION is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday 11am to 9pm and Friday/Saturday 11am to 10pm. Sign us up.
This gem is in downtown Rensselaer, Indiana! They say they chose the name eMbers to represent not only the rebirth to the abandoned warehouse we repurposed but also their philosophy and practice of special events!
The venue side of their amazing space is designed for individuality, creativity, and anywhere your mind takes you. As you can tell…. those ideas were SO LOUD in these photos! So individual, so creative, and perfect for a couple like Jacki and Sam!
Northwest Indiana Photographer: Final thoughts
PHEW! This blog was a goodie.
We love this couple and just how dang unique they are! You’ll never met another pair like Jacki and Sam and we are so grateful to have captured so many special moments for them… these in particular! Again, this was just a dream for a Northwest Indiana photographer couple. Little towns like Rensselaer have so much to bring the table if you just take a lazy drive through them to find their qualities! 😉
Did you see those records on the wall behind Jacki and Sam in some of the photos?! How cool? Do you still have/have you recently gotten into keeping records? It seems to be a trend coming back in hot! Tell us about your favorite records! And while you’re at it, if you are ready to book an anniversary session, contact us today!
XOXO
Sam + Bryt
