Laura + Dan // Cemetery Elopement

Schvartze khasene, Black weddings: also known as plague weddings, were held by Eastern European Jewish communities during serious outbreaks as a way to protect the community. The wedding would take place in a cemetery as an attempt to ask God for pity, and to hopefully put an end to whatever pandemic was happening. Laura and Dan like many had to postpone their larger celebration because of the COVID19 pandemic. However, they decided they still wanted to get married on their original date. Throughout the quarantine, they spent lots of time in this cemetery on daily walks and decided its where they wanted to hold their ceremony. We were careful and respectful, choosing a small clearing for the ceremony itself, and Laura and Dan brought extra flowers to lay down on nearby gravesites to give thanks to the departed for allowing them to hold their ceremony there.

(It should go without saying that if you decide to elope or have a photoshoot in a cemetery, please be respectful!)