Crab Orchard Elopement | Southern Illinois Elopement

The Couple

Sara McClusky and Allen Dunning from Harrisburg.

How They Met

We actually met in a Wal-Mart parking lot! I was with a friend who knew Allen and his friend, and she introduced me to them.

We spent several years as friends first. Eventually, we both realized that we had feelings for each other and chose to give our relationship a try. We knew that we loved each other shortly after.  

The Proposal

We knew that we wanted to get married, so one night we went and looked at rings together. Later, he went back and bought a ring and wanted to talk to my father before proposing. Allen was about to leave to go to the Department of Corrections Academy for six weeks, so we went to my dad’s house before he left to get a suitcase small enough that he could take it with him. He ended up asking my dad that night. When he spoke to him privately, I knew what it was about. On the way home, I excitedly asked him if that is what he was talking to my dad about and he said yes. Since he got my dad’s blessing, he asked me right then if I would marry him, and of course I said yes!

They Eloped

We got married at the Saline County Courthouse in Harrisburg, Illinois. For several years, I knew that I really didn’t want a traditional wedding. I wanted to elope or go to the courthouse. My grandparents snuck off and got married in Mississippi, and for as long as I can remember, I envied their type of love and the fact that they only cared about marrying one another. They didn’t care if it was fancy or not, as long as they got married. I had the same feelings about marrying Allen. I just wanted to be able to enjoy the moments with my husband instead of being too stressed out to enjoy it. Lucky for me, Allen also didn’t care about having a traditional wedding, so it was an easy decision for us.

Wedding Inspiration

Since we chose to go to the courthouse, I knew that the only regret that I would have about not having a traditional wedding would be not getting pictures of the two of us. I talked to Allen about that, and he agreed that we should get pictures to celebrate the day. After we got married, we had pictures taken at Crab Orchard. I asked my friend Britni to take the pictures, and I asked my friend Lindsay from Deliciously Ordinary to style the photos. I had a Pinterest board where I had inspirations for colors and florals for elopements and wedding pictures, and I shared that with Lindsay. Let me just say, I do not regret my decision one bit! Lindsay is incredible at what she does, and I trusted her completely. We did not have to worry about anything because she took care of it all.

Favorite Part

For me, my favorite part of the day was getting to say our vows with just us and the judge. It was such a special moment, and I will never forget Allen’s face while saying our vows or the kiss that changed everything!

Memorable Moment

One of the most memorable moments of the day was being so excited after we got married that I almost walked out of the courthouse without filing our marriage license first! Another moment that stands out was driving home that night after taking pictures and talking about how surreal it felt to actually be able to say that we are married now. (It still feels that way!)

Advice

Be sure to do what you want to do! Don’t feel pressured to do what your friends are doing or what your family expects. At the end of the day, it is about marrying the person you love, and that is more important than anything else! So choose to do what makes you both happy and enjoy every moment of your special day.

Vendors

Photography: Britni Woodworth Photography // Decor & Styling: Deliciously Ordinary // Makeup: Brea Feazel of LUSH