Eloping is exciting and romantic, especially if you're spontaneous like today's bride and groom, Stephanie & Eric.

But equally exciting, is that after you say your 'I dos', you get to share the happy news with your friends and family.

And because this loved-up pair do things in their own unique way, they chose to announce their elopement, (and their official party next year) with a cool picnic photo session in the desert.

And the very talented Melissa of A Traveler's Heart Photography was only too honoured to capture it!

Scroll down to check out this beautiful elopement session, but first up, read all about her and Eric's very special love story from gorgeous bride Stephanie...

From the Bride

I met Eric for the first time when he came with his older brother to the tattoo studio I worked at. He was only 17 and I was just beginning my career as a tattoo artist. We had no idea at that time we would be spending the rest of our lives together. We started developing a friendship over the years. His cousin worked at the shop so he was always hanging out and getting tattooed. Our first date was on his 23rd birthday. We went to the Superstition Springs Mountains to go hiking. It felt like a million degrees outside but I didn't care because I was so excited to go out with him. From then on we were inseparable. After a few months passed by I knew he was the one. I just kept thinking I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I didn't want to lose him. I actually popped the question to him. We're not a very traditional couple but it works for us! We were out at dinner and I mustered up the courage to ask him by the end of the meal and he said yes! We were so excited the next day we went to the court house with our two best friends as witnesses. We officially became Mr & Mrs on October 7th 2014! I remember that day the judge who certified our marriage gave us some personal advice. He said, 'in my 30 years of marriage I have come to find it's important to have at least one date night a week, it doesn't have to be fancy just time for the two of you. If you have a disagreement always sleep on it before you make any decisions. Lastly, Just doing the dishes isn't enough to show your love. ' We both cherish his advice and still honor it today.

So romantic. These two seem like a really cool pair, and I love that they're still going to celebrate in a big way, but just couldn't wait another day before becoming Mr & Mrs.

Thanks so much to A Traveler's Heart Photography, and of course Stephanie & Eric for sharing their desert elopement session with us.

Get more Unique Ideas for Eloping.