Modern Courthouse Elopement at Historic Ill Eagle Taphouse || Codi & Adam

It was a warm and sunny day the first weekend in February when Codi AND Adam SAID THEIR “I DO’S” AT their modern courthouse elopement.

They planned their elopement in three short weeks with the intent to make things official before their precious baby girl makes her entrance into the world later this spring. Codi and Adam selected a local and beautifully refurbished post office and courthouse that was transformed into a taphouse - and soon to be wedding venue, Ill Eagle Taphouse. It was THE PERFECT location for their intimate, monochromatic elopement.

Codi and Adam have known one another since they were children and both were raised on their families’ farms. They grew up together as neighbors and their families have always known one another and been super close. As kids, their families worked together on one another’s farms and they have truly always known each other. However, their paths went different ways after graduation. Codi moved to Palm Springs, CA and then later to Albany, NY to pursue her career as a massage therapist. But when she moved back (to her great surprise), she found herself gravitating to her “soulmate”. Let me clue you in here: There was an 8 year age difference between Codi and Adam! But when they finally embraced their connection for what it was, they had the easy decision to start their lives together. They decided to get married!

SINCE THEY WERE PLANNING A COURTHOUSE ELOPEMENT, THEY HAD A RELATIVELY SHORT DAY PLANNED - SO ONLY BOOKED ME FOR 3 HOURS. IT ALL STARTED WITH GORGEOUS getting ready PHOTOS.

Codi booked Ill Eagle’s stunning bridal suite for the morning, and once she was ready, we did a first look with her dad (literally the sweetest thing ever!) Once we finished photos with dad, we moved into the intimate and emotional ceremony between Codi and Adam. Surrounded by 18 members of their immediate families, they were married by Codi’s aunt - who she’d always had a special bond with and looked up to (love it!) After the ceremony was complete, the entire group went outside to do a “grand exit” with none either than… a bird seed toss! (Who knew that rice was bad for birds?! Lol!) Finally, we closed the evening with the sweetest reception that included toasts, dancing, and heartfelt conversation amongst the lifelong family and friends.

Ill Eagle was the perfect day for their modern courthouse elopement. Once known as “The Federal Building,” it was built in 1902 and was home to the local post office and courthouse. With old features of the post office and courthouse still intact, the new owners have made it a priority to maintain the beauty and architecture that the building was originally designed with. They’ve worked to ensure that the building maintains all of its historical architecture while creating a modern space for the community to gather and enjoy. It has= dark wooden features, white marble floors, and a monochromatic color palette that makes the building “wow” anyone who enters. It has a timeless, yet classic feel that made it the perfect place for their black-tie event.

Codi and Adam stand hand-in-hand in front of historic Ill Eagle Taphouse in Elmira, NY.

Equally as historic as ill eagle taphouse, Elmira is a historic town situated on the Chemung River.

This small town is a gateway to the well known finger lakes region, home to famous figures like Mark Twain and Tommy Hilfiger, and a stones throw to Corning Museum of Glass and Eldridge Park. Elmira has been working tirelessly on a revitalization project to restore the town’s shopping experience, arts culture, and more, and Ill Eagle has been a prime example of its success.

Codi and Adam did not spare any details when it came to planning the perfect day. Playing off of the charming architecture of Ill Eagle, they setup their ceremony and reception up on the first floor of the building, where the dark cherry wood and marble floor were the prominent features. The dinner table was set for a community style dinner, and it was accented with textured green and white florals put together by the amazing Kelsea Winchell. She also added gorgeous touches of gold to add a pinch of vintage elegance. One of my favorite touches to their day was the small champagne tower for the couple to toast to their special day. Ill Eagle catered their dinner, and the food was absolutely delicious - YUM! 😋

Because Ill Eagle has been striving to transform their space into a wedding venue, it was especially lovely for Codi and Adam’s modern courthouse elopement. Two features that especially stuck out to me as a wedding photographer were their spacious bridal suite and their vintage courtroom, both on the second floor of the building. The bridal suite has sooo much natural light, and it includes a full bathroom with gorgeous marble floors, a small kitchen with a large refrigerator, and a full suite of vanities, couches, and a dining table. It’s the perfect place for bridesmaids to relax, sip mimosas, and enjoy a slow morning before a day of festivites. The courtroom, on the other hand, is a large space that is perfect for larger parties and events, and the reception hall is a great size for large parties. Like the rest of Ill Eagle, this space has dark wooden features with gold highlights on the ceiling. Its beauty and history that is really stunning!

OVERALL, CODI AND ADAM’S day was THE EPITOME OF THE PERFECT COURTHOUSE elopement. THOUGH ONLY 18 people WERE IN ATTENDANCE, THE AMOUNT OF LOVE THERE MADE IT FEEL LIKE THERE WAS AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVED ONES.

I am so thankful for the gift of marriage and having the opportunity to tell a story as beautiful as Codi and Adam’s. God has so graciously designed us to be in community with other people, and their lives are interwoven with some of the sweetest, most supportive kinds. I am so excited to watch their marriage flourish, family blossom, and lives sweeten as they welcome their sweet baby girl this month. Congrats to Codi and Adam on becoming husband and wife!

For another of my most recent elopements, check out this NYC Rooftop Elopement with Rachel and Jerell. Their day was equally heartfelt and idyllic, and I’m in love with every one of their images!