In a world where love is often celebrated with grand gestures and large celebrations, Jackie and Josh chose a different path—a quiet, intimate elopement. Surrounded by breathtaking views and with only each other, they created a day that was uniquely their own. Their love story feels almost serendipitous, as if guided by an "invisible string." Though they grew up just a block apart, attended the same schools, and shared many mutual connections, their paths didn’t cross until years later, when the time was finally right. After dating, they got engaged, and Jackie expressed her desire to elope. She envisioned something simple and personal, while Josh initially wanted something bigger. After some discussion, they agreed on the elopement idea and began researching options, ultimately discovering Jim Thorpe Elopements.

Jackie Francisco recalls, “Initially, we reached out to them and immediately it was like the connection was perfect.” That connection led to an stress-free, beautiful day, thanks to the personalized experience offered by Jim Thorpe Elopements.

For many brides, wedding planning can be overwhelming, but Jim Thorpe Elopements made it easy for Jackie. The team offered a streamlined process that took the guesswork out of planning. “Basically, there’s like 3 choices—an A, B, and a C. They had packages, which I appreciated. Everything from the hair, the makeup, the flowers, the cake, and even the flavor of the cake was simple to choose from,” Jackie says.

Jim Thorpe Elopements is designed to offer a personal, intimate experience for couples who prefer eloping to having a traditional wedding. They focus on making the day special while keeping things simple, ensuring each couple’s vision for their day is brought to life. As Preston Christman from Jim Thorpe Elopements explains, “Every collection comes with photography by us, a cake, we actually team up with two bakers in the local area. We have a team of officiants, a florist, and a hair and makeup artist.” To add a celebratory touch, Laurette Christman, also from Jim Thorpe Elopements, shares, “And it also comes with champagne & champagne flutes, so they get to cheers and celebrate after their ceremony as well.”

Leading up to the big day, Jackie and Josh were able to participate in video chats with their officiant to discuss how they wanted the ceremony to flow. They were asked what type of officiant they preferred, whether they wanted a spiritual ceremony or something simpler, and whether they wanted to write their own vows. This personalized approach allowed Jackie and Josh to feel comfortable and in control of their day. As Josh Francisco recalls, “Based on what our answers were, they recommended Pastor Tom, which was an excellent choice.”

Pastor Tom Albright, from Pocono Weddings LLC, meets with each couple before their ceremony to ensure they’re a good fit and to incorporate special touches that make the ceremony personal. “We try to build special things into the service for them,” Pastor Tom shares. “One of the things that they asked for was, we called it a cord of three strands, where together as part of their service, they were braiding these three cords to show their commitment to each other. Then we bound that cord around them. It’s called a Celtic binding.”

In addition to the ceremony itself, Jim Thorpe Elopements helped Jackie and Josh find the perfect place to stay and have their first look. They recommended The Y on Broadway, a location that turned out to be exactly what the couple was looking for. Kate Troxell from The Y on Broadway explains, “They had a couple of requests. They got ready in a rustic room, and we were able to give them access to the balcony of our king suite, which is a private balcony overlooking Broadway, with magnificent views. They were able to do their first look there.”

One of the most touching moments of their day was when Jackie and Josh got ready in the same room but didn’t see each other until their first look. Josh recalls, “I was facing away towards the wall, and she was supposed to come behind me, which made for an awesome picture. He didn’t tell me to turn around, or if he did, I was so nervous. I’m really glad we got to do that.”

From start to finish, “Being a part of Jackie and Josh’s Day, everything kind of just fell into place,” says Preston Christman. Laurette adds, “It was incredibly perfect, honestly.”

When planning their elopement, Jackie and Josh wanted beautiful scenic backdrops for their photos, along with fun shots throughout the town. Preston and Laurette from Jim Thorpe Elopments and Christman Photography delivered just that, ensuring their memories were captured in the most stunning and meaningful way possible. Whether it was the intimate details of their ceremony or the way their personalities shone through every moment, it was clear that Jim Thorpe Elopements had truly understood and captured their vision for the perfect day.

For couples seeking a simple, intimate, and beautiful elopement experience, there are many beautiful locations in the Pocono Mountains that can offer the perfect setting. With its charming atmosphere, scenic views, and expert services, it’s a place where couples can create unforgettable memories. If you’re considering eloping, the Pocono Mountains may be the perfect destination to start your own love story.