AN ELOPEMENT

Elopement

“It is one of life’s richest surprises when the accidental meeting of two life paths lead them to proceed together along the common path as husband and wife. It is one of life’s finest experiences when a causal relationship grows into a permanent bond of love. This meeting and this growth bring us together today.”

An excerpt from the vows shared between husband and wife Joe and Chasidi Webb, takes us all into a place to enjoy the love stories shared with those around us.

A Cassville area bride, Chasidi Webb and her husband Joe Webb, recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary on December 31, 2021. Why did this couple decided to take their ceremony on the road and celebrate their love in an unconventional way, and what did that look like?

Chasidi said she and Joe met on November 6, 2016.

“I travelled to the Northeast,” she said. “[That was] where Joe was living at the time, for work. We both worked at the same company, but had never met.”

Chasidi and Joe worked alongside each other, and a version of a work place romance began to emerge.

“He and I instantly hit it off,” she said. “On our day off we decided to go hiking at Mount Greylock in Massachusetts.”

Man and wife Joe and Chasidi Webb got married at Joshua Tree National Park in southern California on December 31, 2020.

The Webbs continue to celebrate that day as their “hikeaversary”. “I can easily say that hike was my most life changing,” Chasidi said. “Not from spectacular views, but from our conversation.

“Things between us clicked, everything seemed so easy. A few weeks later he came down to his home state of Missouri to be with his family for the Holiday, and we were able to get together for dinner.”

After that holiday dinner, the couple decided to try their hand in a long-distance relationship, that connection they felt should easily stretch across the country.

“He, living in Connecticut, and I, living in Missouri,” Chasidi said. “That in itself of course can be seen as a challenge, but for me, it was the best thing for my life.”

The absence made the heart grow fonder and the Webbs grew closer despite their distance.

“The planning of weekend trips was so exciting, but it was also an opportunity for myself to grow as I was entering my mid 20s,” she said. “Over the next 11 months we enjoyed a few long weekends together, and a two-week vacation hiking in the beautiful state of Maine.”

If one thing can be said of the Webbs, nature is a big part of their relationship, but building their family was the key.

“Over the course of 5 years we have swam in crystal clear oceans, hiked through forests, we have learned to parent together, we have made big future plans, and most importantly, we have laughed together,” Chasidi said. “There are always challenges in a relationship, but nothing has ever seemed too big.

“Sometimes the hardest part of a relationship is two indecisive people picking a restaurant... haha.”

Even so, Chasidi said marriage wasn’t on their radar.

“We knew our lives would still be the same so we weren’t in any hurry to make something ‘official,’” she said. “Joe isn’t the world’s biggest romantic, so when he mentioned getting married I didn’t think he was serious.

“Finally, I realized he was being serious about eloping on a vacation we had planned, and I became elated.”

In another modern day twist, the couple went ring shopping together, and picked out a “lovely set.”

“He has excellent taste,” she said. “So, I didn’t have to do much other than get all googly eyed every time he said, ‘What about this one?’”

After five years, the butterflies were still very much there as the couple began to plan out the wedding day, and they began to discuss why they wanted an elopement.

“We knew we didn’t want a large wedding for multiple reasons,” she said.

“We also knew a small wedding, or a micro wedding, would never work because both of our families are so large.

“Weddings are supposed to be about the bride and groom, and it felt to us that planning for a wedding becomes impersonal and more about meeting everyone else’s expectations.”

The couple also looked at the financial aspect, as they had just purchased a home in June 2020.

“Even though we plan on slowly remodeling we knew the next spring we would be doing some major renovations,” Chasidi said. “We love to travel together, the idea of spending money on a trip seemed more appealing.”

After making the final decision to elope, the wedding day quickly approached.

“We reached out to my brother, Coby, to see if he would officiate our day for us,” Chasidi said. “He happily agreed and his wife, Laura, was more than willing to take our pictures.

“The tough part was, ‘Oh hey, by the way we’re keeping this a secret, so don’t tell anyone.’”

Alas, Chasidi said they didn’t make a peep.

“We are so thankful,” she said. “The few months leading up to our trip was stress free and easy planning. The hardest part was keeping it a secret.

“Do you know how hard it is to try on your wedding dress and receive your bouquet and not share it with anyone?!”

Chasidi said the couple continued to remember why they were doing it this way.

“We wanted the day to be about us, and completely relaxed, and it was,” she said. “My brother and his family live in southern California, so we knew we were going to elope in Joshua Tree National Park.”

The night before, the soon-to-be Webbs, practiced their vows in the living room.

“Joe picked them out, and they are beautiful,” Chasidi said. “We shared plenty of laughs that evening and I think everyone was really looking forward to the next day. Joe and I decided on a wedding date of December 31, 2020.

“2020 was such an intense year globally, but it was also a big year for us personally. We were so thankful to end the year on such a positive note. The only thing that was against us on our special day was the desert climate, which was bitter cold winds and bone chilling temperatures — southern Cali is supposed to bewarm, right?”

Unfortunately, that is not the case in the desert at sundown.

“Still yet, I wouldn’t change the time or location,” Chasidi said. “Just look at our photos, we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful sunset.”

While the Webbs got a happily ever after, and rode on into the desert sunset, Chasidi does have some advice for a bride planning an elopement.

“Don’t forget what not only the day, but what the future is about,” she said. “It’s not just about an elaborate wedding, a trendy micro wedding, or even a quick elopement — it’s about the rest of your life with your partner.

“Weddings are fun, but the commitment to your person is what is special. Don’t stress about your wedding, if you’re stressing you’re doing it wrong.”

Her advice boils down to making the wedding about the marriage you will have, and not a show for the guests.

“The best piece of relationship advice I have, is something I heard when I was much younger and didn’t understand at the time,” Chasidi said. “If there is a problem, it isn’t you against your partner against the problem. It’s the two of you together, against the problem.

“When the two of you can focus on overcoming the obstacle instead of overcoming each other, you’ve got it figured out.”

From falling in love in a long-distance relationship to celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the Webbs have proved that they have in fact, got it figured out.

“Joe and I did enjoy our family vacation during the week of our elopement, but knew we wanted to take a trip for our honeymoon,” Chasidi said. “This past year, December 2021, we were able to travel to Hawaii.

“We spent a week adventuring the beautiful island of Maui. Our entire trip was nothing short of magical. I’m so thankful that my journey through life can be shared with Joe. I am most thankful for our ability to always laugh with one another. When you marry your best friend, every day can be a wonderful day. When you marry someone who is compassionate, and funny every day starts and ends with a smile. After all, isn’t that what life is all about, to be happy? To spread happiness? I’m glad I’ve got mine.”

In the Washburn area, another beaming bride decided to have her special day shared with her and her husband alone in an elopement in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, on June 12, 2021.

This is the story of Matt and Marissa Freeman, or self proclaimed, ultimate Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani love story.

Their journey started long before they fell in love with each other.

Marissa said the two worked together — sort of.

“We worked in transportation and we really didn’t meet until he started training for management,” she said. “I had worked nights and he worked days, so we didn’t know much of each other before. He was a quiet guy, but I did notice his smile.”

Over time Matt became less of a quiet guy and the couple grew to know each other.

Everything for your Valentine!

Roses of All Colors • Mixed Floral Bouquets Plush Teddy Bears • Candy For All Ages • Balloons Gift Baskets • Plants We Deliver to All Surrounding Areas!

Flowers Speak Wonders

200 W. 1st Street, Cassville Across from the Judicial Center 417-847-2363

Mon-Fri: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm & Sat: 8:30 am - Noon

Make Forever Memories!

Book your wedding now!

Stage • Kitchen • Bar • Dressing Rooms An Old West venue, right down to the saloon! Lil’ Boom Town Event Center, LLC

417-425-4233

809 N. Carnation Aurora, MO

New covered outdoor venue available! Matt and Marissa Freeman on September 15, 2020, in the Rocky Mountains, on the day they got engaged.

“It was over a year after we met that we actually started talking,’ Marissa said. “Once he started to open up more, I really noticed his personality. We would have lunch dates together by a pond and then we started taking our children out for family hikes on Sundays.

“It wasn’t just for us, but our love involved the children too.”

While a blended family is a beautiful thing, there are certain challenges involved in it as well.

“We did things a little backward,” Marissa said. “Becoming a blended family of 8, his three and my three children, so six kids total, was definitely one of the hardest if not the hardest thing that either of us have ever done.”

But, the family persevered and eventually Matt had a plan that Marissa knew nothing about.

“We took a week long adventure to Colorado backpacking in the Rocky Mountains hunting for elk,” Marissa said. “It was the opening day of deer season in Missouri, and we were in Colorado! I had never gone backpacking or been to the Rocky Mountains.”

On the first day the couple decided to hike a mountain 6 miles in and 6 miles out.

“He promised me beer and pizza when we were done with the eight-hour day,” Marissa said. “So, that is what I kept telling myself, pizza and beer, but I puked when we got to the end. I had never pushed my body that hard.”

There were a lot of people on that hike, so Matt was excited about the next day’s adventure.

“On our second day, September 15, 2020, he took me over 13,000 feet above elevation in Vail, Colorado,” Marissa said. “On top of White Mountain he asked me to be in his life forever.

“After the proposal, on the way back we saw a bear 10 feet from us in the trail. Things got intense, I have never been so scared.”

From a moment of love to a moment of fear, Matt and Marissa knew they would have each other to count on for the rest of their lives.

“It was so late by the time the hike ended we decided to sleep in the truck that night,” she said. “We hid our bows under the truck so they wouldn’t get stolen. But, in the morning he forgot they were there and when he backed up, he ran them over.”

In the stressful, yet slightly comedic moment the two worked together to get the bows repaired.

“All I could think about was our first trip together in Broken Bow, Oklahoma,” Marissa said. “I said, I think this is a sign that we should get married in Broken Bow.”

Matt found the sign less satisfying, but eventually agreed.

“I was talking to my co-workers and realized one of them was an ordained minister,” Marissa said. “I asked if he would marry us if we set him and his wife up in a cabin, and he said yes.”

The decision to elope was based in the love that the Freemans share together.

“We absolutely love and enjoy each other’s company and doing things together,” Marissa said. “Our love for the outdoors, hunting, and hiking are what keeps us going.

“My boots ended up costing more than my dress, planning the wedding didn’t seem like planning because everything just fell into place for us. When it is meant to be, it is just meant to be.”

The Freemans were married on June 12, 2021.

“Matt told me, ‘This is for me and you, it’s not for anyone else,” she said. “This was my first and only marriage and we wanted it to be perfect and private. We decided on Broken Bow, Oklahoma, because it was the very first trip that we ever took together when we first met.”

Marissa said Broken Bow, Oklahoma, is a hidden gem on the edge of the Ouachita Forest that is absolutely beautiful with breathtaking scenery.

“We got married in a cabin out on Broken Bow Lake,” she said. “We decided to do something a little different and special to us – we made our own wedding cake.

“This surprisingly turned out amazing. It was my husband’s idea, and I thought he was crazy. He’s the cook and I am not, but it turned out so memorable and perfect, and ended being the best part of our wedding day. It meant so much to both of us.”

When it comes to planning a wedding, it is clear both of these beautiful brides have some advice in common.

Make your wedding day about you and your partner, and the family you aim to build. Whatever that may look like, whatever journey you have been on together, the love shared is for you and your family.

“I, Chasidi, take you, Joe, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know, in all the ways that life may find us — I do.” •

Husband and wife, Matt and Marissa Freeman on their wedding day in Broken Bow, Oklahoma on June 12, 2021.