Maranna and Chris’ winter waterfall elopement in Lake Placid was the perfect example of knowing exactly what you want and actually doing it. They knew what they what since we first connected – just a special day in nature, a handful of their favorite humans, and their dog Diesel very much included in the plan (he definitely was the main character).

They kicked things off with a small ceremony right on a frozen lake with family gathered close, bundled up like the world’s happiest winter expedition team. Diesel made his rounds, adorably enjoyed the snowy landscapes, and posed like he’d been preparing for this day his entire life.

After the ceremony, we wandered into the surrounding woods for portraits among the tall trees they’d envisioned from the start. The forest gave them that tucked-away, just-us feeling while they soaked in those newly-married moments.

And then… the frozen waterfall. The showstopper. Layers of ice, dramatic textures, and the kind of backdrop that makes you pause for a second and go, “Okay yeah, this was worth the cold.”

Before wrapping things up, the sky decided to put on its own little finale. A gorgeous sunset rolled in, adding warm color to the horizon and giving them one last quiet moment to take it all in together—cold hands, happy hearts, and all.

Maranna and Chris didn’t want a big wedding day. They wanted their day. And that’s exactly what they created: a beautiful ceremony out in nature with their closest loved ones, and of course, a dog who absolutely stole the show.