I’m Calliope.

I’m just so glad you’re here. <3

It might not be obvious at first glance, but I’m a huuuuge nerd. DnD, Star Trek, Pokemon…all of the things. count. me. in.

I’m also more than a little passionate about leaving the world a better place than I found it, and strive to infuse kindness, empathy, and curiosity into the world around me. And I liiiiive for finding that energy in others, too. <3

hey you

:)

Rapid-fire facts about me:

  • Q: favorite animal?

    A: tbh i don’t think i could choose just one…however… dinosaurs, cockatiels, and koalas are all somewhere near the top of the list.

  • Q: who's your alter-ego?

    A: i guess in the darkest timeline i’m probably Preminger, from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper.

  • Q: no-skips albums?

    A: i don’t have a ton of those…i tend to get bored when listening to an entire album. the soundtracks from Hazbin Hotel and Mamma Mia seem to be the exception, though.

    i listen to those no skips, no shuffle, almost without fail.

  • Q: go-to midnight snack?

    A: i usually reach for eggo waffles or anything jimmy dean, if it’s late at night.

    i guess i’m a real “breakfast for midnight snack” kinda girl.

  • Q: song most on repeat lately?

    A: spotify says it’s take me home by ocie elliot, currently.

  • Q: a piece of art that's profoundly impacted your perspective on life?

    A: i’ve never read any of his books, but more than one of Father Greg Boyle’s lectures have for sure created new neural pathways in my brain. no one can tell me otherwise.

    see also: literally any of hozier’s work.

—

My own

elopement story

—

If I’m being 100% honest,

elopement was a concept that intrigued me for most of my life, but wasn’t something I’d given much serious consideration to.

In the back of my mind I always assumed I’d throw a massive wedding, with a pretty large bridal party, and an even bigger guest list (I’ve moved around quite a bit in my life, and have a pretty long list of people who are special to me). So when I found myself diagnosed with Lyme (after experiencing some real scary neurological symptoms) just months before I got engaged, I had to start rethinking every aspect of that big wedding my imagination had its sights on.

While I was grateful to finally have a diagnosis, the unfortunate reality of the situation was that my heart and nervous system were failing me, and harsh —but necessary— rounds of treatment were going to come with their own set of sh*tty symptoms…a long day, loud party, and hours on my feet were just no longer doable. Much less affordable; getting diagnosed with a mystery illness when your labs “look fine” is hella expensive, to say the least.

(lol I know my fellow chronic illness people feeeeeel me >-<)

So, while the circumstances that drove my partner and I to consider elopement were not so hot, the decision to pivot came pretty easily. We set to work planning and strategizing; as we sorted through options, we came across the idea of just renting a bnb.

The bnb idea would definitely limit our guestlist, but with my low social and physical battery levels, it felt like an okay fit. We bookmarked a bnb we liked, texted a tentative plan to a small portion of our loved ones, and waited to hear back. Most of my family lives overseas, but my sister, who lives stateside, said she could fly up for the weekend, three of my life-long best friends texted back that they were all in, and a few of my then-fiance’s closest friends who lived locally were able to make it; it all just came together. So we booked the bnb, cooked up some fajitas, and made a weekend out of it.

You guys…when tell you it was perfect, I mean…

it.

was.

perfect. :’)

There was music and laughter. There were soul-filling airport pickup/drop off runs. Freaking delicious food. The works.

We worked side by side with our besties on all our food for the weekend. We made brownies and popcorn and chicken alfredo and fajitas and garlic bread and our wedding cake and…soooo much more.

10/10 *would recommend* closely surrounding yourself with some real special loved ones the weekend of your wedding. Ours made us feel just so loved and known and supported; one set of friends showed up with my partner’s favorite beer, and another with my favorite wine. When I realized I forgot the bow I was planning to wear with my wedding up-do, they did my hair with a makeshift bow, and it looked even better than what I’d originally planned. Their names are on our marriage license. They washed so. many. dishes. and had the bnb clean by the time I woke up on the morning we had to check out.

It was cozy and intimate and felt, in so many ways, like some kind of too-good-to-be-true dream that I never had to wake up from.

It was truly the best weekend of my life, and was *in every way* just what I needed — I really don’t think I could’ve handled much more.

—

today

—

After having *the* elopement experience of my life,

I realized I wanted to be a part of making that special experience happen for others who also wanna do the whole intimate micro-wedding thing.

And so, after years of sticking in my lane of portraits for families, seniors, and couples, I’m looking to expand my services into the realm of sweet, intimate elopements.

I’m so freaking pumped. :)