![Skyline Ridge Picnic Elopement: Zhané and Riana stand on a small dock on the edge of a large pond; with their backs to us, they gaze out at the pond and at the Santa Cruz Mountains around them](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/09adc855-2a27-44f3-bcb4-f1d285d3b0a8/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_102.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
Zhané and Riana didn’t plan on eloping, but like many couples planning traditional weddings in 2020, they fell into it unexpectedly. It wasn't safe to hold the community wedding they’d intended during COVID, but the sweet couple couldn’t bear to wait for a year or more to say their long-awaited vows.
They held their legal ceremony quietly at home, via a webcam and without photographs. But they needed images to celebrate their love and commemorate the moment, so we planned a sunset getaway elopement photoshoot with them in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California along Skyline Ridge, with a pink lemonade picnic beside a pocket-sized alpine pond. After eating and toasting, the sweethearts trekked out to a rocky mountain overlook with sweeping views across the San Francisco peninsula and snuggled together as they watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon.
![A closer photograph of the couple: through the reeds growing on the water's edge, we can see the excitement on their faces as they stand together on the dock](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/47202372-70d6-437a-b787-0c6b0db8b456/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_104.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané smiles as Riana says something in her ear](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/a5903157-6dde-4b12-9c38-7287e97e7757/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_108.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![Riana looks down at Zhané as Zhané snuggles against her chest](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/767433ab-27c2-47f8-a2b5-b68909cb6212/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_114.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![A closer view of the couple: in celebration of their wedding, they've dressed up in a khaki suit jacket and a peach-colored silk dress](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/01b5b2eb-0214-4e2b-9369-b5cac9b8bc9d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_117.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![The two gaze into each other's eyes and Zhané reaches up to adjust Riana's hair](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/c1952cfc-0058-40bd-bfee-2f88753e59c3/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_120.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Riana gently dips her bride back as they dance a little on the swaying dock; both women laugh](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/0ded989a-3522-4c1a-bec5-7c346fc0a6fd/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_124.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![They pull apart briefly in a smooth dance move , still holding hands](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/2bc34765-c025-4600-a694-8447ef34f7bc/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_127.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Riana twirls Zhané under her arm](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/0be3f8ac-8f50-4bcb-b010-b0fc46ae02e2/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_131.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides pause in their dance to look into each other's eyes](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/5df114fc-19eb-4c52-b01b-aa4bb320c31b/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_133.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané looks down briefly, the sunlight shining through her hair](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/5bdbbdb2-d84d-4e0d-a4c4-3189c9187403/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_137.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides smile at each other; Zhané places a hand on Riana's shoulder](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/6bd63df3-1a4e-4f8a-8d50-91feaabf9f8a/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_138.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They slowly go in for a kiss; we see them just before their lips touch](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/e56f8fd0-4aba-4b87-933d-79fdfe3af1bc/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_143.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They kiss tenderly on the dock](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/920d0e08-67ee-4838-86e6-88b4a9936688/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_146.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Yup, still kissing](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/2bdf30e7-e745-426a-a1d4-86745036030d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_149.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As their faces separate, the two women look at each other lovingly](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/54d1b029-05bf-4391-84fe-bff4b2330d28/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_150.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![With their faces almost touching, they smile, about to kiss again](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/8f8f259d-1dec-41db-a32e-2c09f1799de5/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_154.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The couple switch locations to the balcony of a small building - the park's nature center - on the edge of the pond](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/456fe8b4-b244-4989-a59e-3db295d4476e/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_203.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two look into each other's eyes, thinking of their future together](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/0b2899b1-81b5-4d76-b5a3-7ec9c6b26e55/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_171.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As Riana whisper's something in Zhané's ear, Zhané laughs](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/7c929125-93d1-40af-8c32-5cf7c5dfe838/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_160.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides glow with the afternoon light as Zhané continues to laugh; they embrace closer](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/26d12f0e-de15-46c7-b08c-c2c249db4cd3/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_161.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![Zhané puts her hands under Riana's chin](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/c0853856-46be-44b7-ac5a-97174b98f66e/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_172.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two come together for another kiss](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/d59c215f-bacd-47b6-b122-1fad280c26ca/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_175.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They kiss, their eyes closed and faces full of emotion](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/2690e4ed-b895-496c-964a-06b895822f81/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_176.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![Zhané places her hand on Riana's chin, drawing her in for another kiss](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/00449d5d-3d95-4d7f-b086-981739f4b162/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_178.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They breathe each other in as their faces almost touch](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/b1d9f8d2-cd8a-4f01-a314-12acb151a843/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_182.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They kiss deeply](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/4747a7dc-0c41-459b-8f82-7d96ebc9c111/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_184.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Riana smiles shyly as Zhané whispers something in her ear](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/1ea89751-0ad4-464d-82e2-f91fd7fba128/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_189.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhane continues to whisper in Riana's ear; Riana lets out a small laugh](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/514a943d-6345-487e-94d7-6262eb13c897/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_186.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![In a more tender moment, the two brides duck their heads together](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/75f6e504-57e1-47a1-a5ad-5ceab20cd797/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_195.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As they pull their faces apart for a brief moment, we see Zhané's face glowing in the sunlight, her eyes focused on her beloved](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/cf1290d2-3de5-4572-a122-dd48c6a64f67/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_196.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![Riana looks into the distance as Zhané whispers into her ear](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/d00663a9-582c-4121-8127-a2c72d1a6b3c/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_198.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![The two move over to a wooden picnic table decked with a white cloth](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/5c4a8a84-f434-4d4a-a960-16b34b82d963/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_210.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As the sun begins to drop over the pond and trees behind them, they enjoy a pink lemonade picnic by the water](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/9addeea0-d3a7-479d-ad9f-ef8966358684/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_209.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané reaches out and places a hand on her bride's shoulder](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/7cb346ea-2497-4f7e-8443-2973882b5373/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_213.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![She feeds her sweetheart a madeleine cookie](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/7711bd3b-5bbb-446e-9f6d-90eab631b85d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_219.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Riana playfully takes a bite of the cookie](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/4de90a03-9ec7-47e0-b06c-51fdf3cd0fb5/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_222.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané opens the bottle of pink lemonade, carefully but full of excitement](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/17fc38f7-c309-4646-bbd9-7bbb55299081/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_224.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Riana pours her bride a glass of bubbling pink lemonade](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/b558fac4-fe9e-490b-88ac-381e792f3873/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_227.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![they say a quick toast to each other as they clink their champagne-style glasses full of pink lemonade](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/3bf4aa86-0ecc-4a77-a79b-44a4992ca50f/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_229.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané pauses as she drinks her pink lemonade, careful not to spill](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/aa09e114-1f3c-4c1d-a07b-46e1b7c9b384/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_233.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![We get a closer view of their picnic spread, which includes artfully-arranged grapes, candied oranges, sandwiches and croissants](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/00a7ecf4-c5cc-40c6-b2f4-ef58bfc457f1/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_234.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![Zhané's handmade wedding bouquet is draped across the table](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/c077f303-1f01-4b6c-8066-f80df25d55f2/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_236.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![The two brides clink their champagne glasses together](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/c6d54c66-8b3f-453c-aa5d-28082e589a54/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_237.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides drink their pink lemonade in unison](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/33111bcf-10e7-4c46-9937-83154aa3b022/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_242.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![They smile at each other as they toast to each other again](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/1a969aaf-3a14-4ab9-ae90-94a9d4aed120/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_244.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides laugh gently](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/3eab6864-290d-45a7-b555-ff8276c0583a/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_246.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané and Riana look into each other's eyes](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/c59e601a-a02e-49f1-bb8f-74791ba7ec2d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_248.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![We zoom in on their hands holding their champagne glasses, glimmering wedding rings visible](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/b97d1c45-d6f3-4568-b1f3-264ec23dae48/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_251.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They smile and laugh as a golden ray of early-evening light streams through the trees, warmly illuminating the pair](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/e0e1f03f-38bc-4e15-9397-02be7a1a230f/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_252.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Zhané leans subtly in towards Riana](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/e4ba4b14-3b22-4d33-9eae-34028276799d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_253.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They snuggle in just a little bit closer as they look into each other's eyes](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/b6b3d4ac-5cc7-4192-bf81-3b82e2b30084/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_255.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
![As the two brides and their photographer hike out to a nearby viewpoint, we spot a trio of deer running through the grass](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/1f3d7c5d-005d-48cd-89d5-f9ccf2c99a57/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_256.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![Two deer jump through the golden grass into the bushes](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/6cefc9e1-c7d8-4fc5-b472-4b875aba90f5/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_257.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As we reach the viewpoint, we see the light filtering through the trees as the sun approaches sunset](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/05f1dfaf-c49f-4e7b-8f50-7f6962475cfe/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_259.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two brides help each other adjust their wedding clothes as they prepare to pose for a few final photos while the sun sets](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/fc00c131-c150-41a7-8b8f-9bca4ed3e667/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_260.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![As the sun begins to set behind the mountains in the west, we can see the two brides glowing in its golden light as they stand on a rocky outcropping, overlooking the trees and hills below](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/b9b7b709-52d4-4033-9746-8b2ebe679ee1/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_261.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They snuggle together on the edge of the cliff, held safely in place by a railing at the viewpoint](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/2fe72bd0-d595-49bb-81d4-07111313fd9d/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_267.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The pair turn to us and look into each other's eyes; Zhané holds her bridal bouquet. We can see the mountains rise behind them](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/ba99083a-3f86-4b21-964a-868cbc9f3bc1/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_274.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![We zoom in closer on the couple's faces as they say sweet nothings to each other](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/79a324ee-0e4c-4831-a025-3cd8ef72fb96/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_280.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The two lean in for a long kiss; their faces almost touch](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/5b05bb97-77c1-4ddf-88d6-c3b4c0107d3b/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_283.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They kiss](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/2507acd0-81cf-48a4-adb9-dded656cf51b/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_284.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![The brides bring their faces apart, smile, and laugh](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/9089c882-88d5-4784-8c9b-597ae8705c55/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_287.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They look at each other thoughtfully](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/d6d488c1-0f30-4c84-88fd-8e11eb085eef/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_276.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![We see them gazing out from the rocky viewpoint once more, Zhané leans back into Riana's arms and tilts her head back to look up at her sweetheart](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/6768dbfa-de3d-443f-a45f-fb9155f4b866/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_295.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![They watch the sun dip behind the mountains](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,2500,1669,2500,1200/0-0-0/764a14e0-47e4-44e5-af1e-30514f4ed98c/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_299.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=f87bddac9b16e3bc7658a7892678bd376c2983ff23b3a9a5040527d0fcb78ae9)
![In the last rays of light, they turn to snuggle and look at each other again before hiking back to the trailhead at the end of this day's adventure](https://format.creatorcdn.com/85ce62c6-26ae-437d-ad19-60fe16a4fa85/0/0/0/0,0,1669,2500,1600,2500/0-0-0/5e96f541-439d-49e5-bbad-72311baf7543/1/1/Z_R_alpine_pond_elopement_shoot_304.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037504925~hmac=2c155992d73e62d93978bcdf2b2f5a632c741701f7d86e8f23c29a73a8ae3aaa)
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