I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

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July 16, 2014

2014 5K Runaway Brides Foam Run

This starts a very exciting new tradition for Stephanie Messick Photography! It was only just 2 years ago I took on my first ever mud run. Now, let me be straight forward … I am NOT a runner. I do it to work out. But of course, a piece of me needs adventure in my life! So this first ever mud run I did 2 years ago was a 10K with over 20 obstacles. What in the world was I thinking?! As my first run ever … while I don’t consider myself a runner? Really? It was actually a BLAST! I walked away … sore (let’s be honest here) … but ready to do more! I then took on just plain 5K runs but it didn’t give me that excitement I was looking for like I had with the mud run.

Last summer, I was sitting around looking through mud runs I wanted to consider running and thought … how am I going to schedule a mud run with the weddings I have lined up. That’s when I had an idea to make this an event for my brides! I remember leaving the 10K run I did back in 2012 empowered by teamwork. Why not bring together some girls who really don’t know each other (except by seeing photos) and allow them to bond through adventure! At that point, I was ready to make it happen! I’ve been having to hold in my excitement for this event for now a year! Now after the run, I’m ready for next years 5K run! 🙂 Now, there are a few things I would change from this year to next year … like, I want to have shirts made for all of the girls (so going to happen!) … try finding a mud run closer to home instead of being in Maryland … celebrate with ice cream afterwards (ohhhhh yes a must!) … and buy more fabric so the tutus/veils stand out more! I’ll want to spice it up every year to make it even more enjoyable than the year previous. Although, it will be hard to beat how much fun we had on Saturday. 🙂 These girls are so great!!!

Thank you ladies and Marcelo (Christina’s hubby and our photographer for the event) for making this work out for your schedules and making this happen! Cannot wait to do this again next year! xoxo

Since I could not carry around a camera (unless I wanted to get hit in the face from the running) … I had to be a little creative and make my own shirt with iron on letters. 🙂 In the midst of my creative time, I also made each of the girls tutus and little veils to go in their hair! My runaway brides. 🙂 Love it! Can you believe that what you see here below is 10 yards of tulle? Next year, I’m buying double!
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-1_webAbout to head out for our run! 🙂
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-3_webHere we are making our way to one of the obstacles … it’s a little terrifying at the top of the net getting over the top!
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-4_webYAY! We finished!!! After swimming through mud up to our necks and going down a HUGE slide amongst other random obstacles, we made it! 😉
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-6_web🙂
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-7_webThey are such an awesome bunch!!!
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-8_webOh yes, we have developed new muscles after the amount of climbing we did. 😉
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-9_webFOAM TIME!
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-10_webstephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-11_web<3
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-12_webDo you like their wedding dresses? Super stylish! 🙂
stephanie_messick_5k_foam_bride_run-13_web

Cannot wait for 2015 5K run!!!! 🙂

  1. […] a relaxing time because I did not stress about packing and running out the door. After running the 5K Foam Run with my brides, I came home and got cleaned up, did my laundry, slowly packed up my bags, deep cleaned my house […]

  2. […] are getting married next spring at the gorgeous Oxen Hill Manor, they love cats, Gigi attended my SMP 5K Runaway Brides (!!!!) and they are super down to Earth! This engagement session has been anticipated for a while […]

  3. […] met Jared & Kaitlin officially for the first time when I held my 5k Runaway Brides Foam Run … oh my gosh, I cannot WAIT until I can finally plan for 2015!!! Having the time to get to know […]

  4. […] * First Annual SMP Runaway Brides Foam Run!!! YAYYAY! * Invested in an Ona Bag! Best camera bag investment! 🙂 * Went on vacation while my […]

  5. […] you remember, last year I hosted the first annual SMP Runaway Brides 5k run with my brides and it was SO much fun that I decided to do it again! The first time we played in […]

  6. […] area! If you remember, every year I have tried to gather my brides to do a fun run. We have done a foam run as well as a color run, but I thought how fun for it to be a bigger event specially for brides and […]