An Intimate Winter Elopement at the Wisconsin State Capitol
Chelsea & Riley | January 25, 2025 | Madison, Wisconsin
Chelsea and Riley got married quietly at the Wisconsin State Capitol, surrounded only by the people who mattered most—their moms and Pongo, their dog. That's it. Just them.
The Plan (And the Surprise)
Shortly before the wedding, Chelsea and Riley decided to surprise their moms with some big news: they were pregnant.
The Ceremony
This was a true elopement. No distractions, no expectations - just the commitment they were making and the moment they were sharing. (i felt SO blessed to tag along!) The Wisconsin State Capitol in January felt especially still. The architecture, the light, the history.
Simple. Monumental... And Cold. Very Very Cold!
After the Ceremony. Time for the Surprise!
This is Chelsea acting like she also doesn’t understand what Pongo-the-dog’s bandana means
hmmmm… Taking a second to register…
Surprise! Mouths agape! Grandma status locked in!
Her sweet baby is having a baby!
That’s a lot to take in on an already emotionally charged day!
I can’t believe I got to be there to witness and document it!
Portrats in the Capitol Building
After that little shock, Chelsea and Riley left the future-grandmas some time recover.. The three of us wondered around the Capitol a bit to take some quick portraits.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea and Riley's elopement proved that weddings don't need to be big to be meaningful. By keeping it small and intentional, they created something deeply personal—something they and their families still talk about nearly a year later.
In Their Words:
Vendor
Photography: Photography By Jill Emmer