After that last year, I cannot tell you how good it feels to be photographing love again! As cheesy as it sounds, I just love documenting love, and being away from it for so long was HARD. This couple’s love story. This day. It’s absolutely beautiful and it was nothing short of incredible. Perfectly timed with pride month 2021, Jess and Kendi tied to knot across the country with a summer elopement at Ruby Beach (if you aren’t from the area, it’s still fairly chilly there along the Pacific Coast in June!).

Jess and Kendi committed to forever and to this next chapter of life with some of their closest friends and family. Despite all odds, the rain held off and I kid you not, I saw a rainbow driving home. From start to finish, the entire day was about them. It was truly the best.

Kate with Tapestry Event Co. coordinated the most magical day and together, the team of vendors helped bring Jess and Kendi’s vision to life. They started by getting ready at their AirBnB in Forks, WA and then we headed out to Ruby Beach. From the first look to the ceremony to portraits after, it was all a beautiful picture of love.

I’m honored to have been part of photographing Jess and Kendi’s elopement at Ruby Beach and ensuring Jess, Kendi, and their family will have this day to look back on for years to come. Keep scrolling to see and read more about their love story! 

Congratulations, Jess and Kendi! Cheers to a lifetime of adventure, challenging each other and remaining each other’s better half!

How did you two meet? Tell us the story and your first impressions of each other.

“We met while both of us were going through a rough patch in life. We both worked at the same place. Kendi was super supportive and brought me coffee to my office on a particularly terrible day. From there on out it was history. She remained my support and better half.” – Jess

“We met at work and knew each other for a couple of years before we dated. We didn’t know each other well. I was in the middle of a rough break up and Jess reached out. She was an incredible support to me through a really awful time. Jess was fun and kind and kept me grounded.” -Kendi

What made you fall in love with the other person for the first time? Can you describe that moment?

“I fell in love with Kendi because of her strength. She knew who she was and what she deserved. She was not going to settle for less than that. I fell in love with her over time. She was overcoming a terrible breakup and watched her pick herself up over and over again. I had never seen someone put their pieces back together so beautifully.” – Jess

“I can’t think of one specific moment. It was really just Jess being brave and showing me over and over again what real love looks like. She never ran and was always so steady. She always let me be myself and challenged me in all the ways I needed. She’s definitely my perfect balance and my other half.” -Kendi

Tell us a quintessential story that perfectly sums up your relationship.

Our relationship is one big adventure. Our trip to Washington and finding Ruby Beach is a great example of this. Kendi found a great flight deal. She booked it and planned the entire trip to this area we knew little about. It was the most amazing trip. We walked around Seattle and ate delicious food. We drove to Portland and got tattoos. Then we made our way up the coast. We hardly had cell phone service. We were able to just spend quality time with one another. It is one of our favorite trips to share with the people we love.

Every day is like this for us. We don’t know what is in store, but we wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. She is a planner, and I don’t need a plan as long as she is with me as we move through life.

If you had to pick just one thing that you love the most about the other person…what would it be?

“Her strength. I am a person who wants to make everyone happy, and Kendi is my balance. She is strong when I can’t be, and helps me see when enough is enough. Sendi has taught me how to be strong.” – Jess

“Jess is always so steady, patient, and forgiving. She always sees the best in other people and gives them the chance to be better. She leads by example and makes me proud every day.” -Kendi

Amazing team of vendors:

Officiant  + Planner | Tapestry Event Co.

Florist + Decor | Villanelle Floral Company

Hair and Makeup Artist | Crystal Jenkins

Videographer | Korbin Zvokel

To see more elopements photographed by MMP, click here!

Megan Montalvo is a PNW Elopement Photographer based out of Seattle, Washington. Megan offers intimate wedding and elopement photography to surrounding PNW destinations such as Tacoma, Olympia, Mount Storm King, Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, Mt. Rainier, Lake Quinault, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum, Suncadia, Leavenworth, Ruby Beach, Cape Kiwanda, Canon Beach and the San Juan Islands.