Fall Elopement at Wagon Hill Farm and Stage Neck Inn with Marika & Josh

There’s something magical about small elopements — the intimacy, the emotion, and the quiet beauty of a day focused entirely on love. Marika and Josh’s wedding was the perfect example of that magic, unfolding among the golden leaves of Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, New Hampshire, and ending by the sea at Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine.

A Ceremony Among the Autumn Leaves - Wagon Hill Farm is one of those quintessential New England spots that feels alive in autumn. On the day of Marika and Josh’s ceremony, the trees were glowing with reds, oranges, and golds — the very peak of fall foliage. It was the kind of backdrop that doesn’t need decoration; nature provided everything.

Marika’s family traveled from Poland to celebrate the couple’s union. Her mother and sister stood proudly by her side, while her father joined from afar via livestream — a touching reminder that love can transcend oceans and time zones.

What made this ceremony even more special was that Marika’s sister co-officiated the wedding, offering Polish translations throughout. It created a ceremony that was deeply personal, heartfelt, and bilingual in the most natural way — a true blending of cultures and family traditions.

As a fellow Polish photographer, this wedding resonated with me on a personal level. I loved seeing familiar customs woven into the day — small gestures, blessings, and smiles that carried so much meaning. It was an honor to capture those moments through my lens.

Portraits by the Ocean at Stage Neck Inn

After the ceremony, we made our way to Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine, where the salty air and ocean waves gave the day a whole new kind of beauty. The light was soft and golden, perfectly matching the autumn palette from earlier at Wagon Hill Farm.

Marika and Josh took their time walking along the rocky coastline, laughing and soaking in the moment before joining their family for dinner inside the inn. It was a peaceful, intimate end to a day filled with emotion and meaning.

This elopement was a celebration not just of two people, but of connection — across families, languages, and continents. Every part of the day reflected Marika and Josh’s story: genuine, emotional, and filled with love.

As a photographer, days like this remind me why I love what I do. The candid moments — a mother’s tear, a sister’s smile, a couple’s quiet glance — are what tell the real story. And for Marika and Josh, that story was one of love that reached all the way across the world.