Key West Catamaran Elopement | Vanessa + Harry

Vanessa + Harry’s Key West catamaran elopement was a total tropical paradise dream! From the moment we stepped on the catamaran until we said our goodbyes on Duval Street, the entire day was filled with the good vibes that one would expect from a laidback Key West elopement. Read through their story, their elopement decision, the planning process, and their actual elopement day.

Psst…and if you and your partner want to elope in Key West, but have zero idea where to even begin, then I invite you to learn how I can help plan and capture your epic Key West catamaran elopement!

Their Story

Vanessa + Harry’s love story is the real life version 101 Dalmatians (and if you’re not familiar with the plot – the dogs brought them together). Here’s how Vanessa retold their story:

“I moved to Athens for school and Harry lived in Athens for most of his life. We were both at the dog park just a couple minutes from where we live now on the same day. Our dogs really enjoyed playing together, so we started talking. The next day we were both at the park again, and that’s when Harry asked me out for a coffee date and the rest is history as they say. [When Hiarry proposed], we planned a big two week trip for my 30th birthday: one week at Disney and the second week down in the Keys. I had hinted a year ago when I booked the AirBnB in the Keys that it was such a perfect place for a proposal. I really didn’t think he was even listening. But sure enough, one night at sunset, he proposed at the end of the dock.”

After hearing how V+H met, it was such an amazing moment to have met the two that brought them together during their north Georgia engagement session, where Louie and Allan stole the show 😍.

Their Decision

Deciding to elope was easy for V+H since they didn’t want a big audience when they exchanged vows and wanted a day that was truly an adventure together. After getting engaged and realizing that there’s so much left to do in the Keys, Vanessa and Harry knew they wanted to elope there. From their original inquiry, they envisioned getting ready together, exchanging vows on a boat with Harry’s father marrying them, spending some time on the water, and ending the night on Duval Street.

Outside of their elopement vision, they wanted a photographer that could bring their dream to life AND make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. During our initial consultation, Vanessa said “all your couples look like they’re actually having fun!” Vanessa had always known she wanted to exchange vows on a boat, but had a hard time working out the details. That’s where I came in to help 😉

The Plan

Vanessa and Harry’s elopement vision was simple with a day filled with celebration. In their planning questionnaire, here’s how they envisioned their elopement day:

“Sleep in. Get Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and head back to our AirBNB to shower/lounge around. Hair and makeup comes to our AirBNB. Once all dolled up, we head out to the boat dock and meet Harry’s mom and dad. Board the boat and head out to a great location to stop and exchange vows. We could then have our first dance, have some drinks, eat dessert/snacks, then cruise around sight-seeing, looking for turtles/dolphins. We stop at a sandbar and get out to swim and/or head to a secluded beach. We get off the boat, head back to the AirBnB to change if needed. Then we can head out to Duval St for dinner, then soak up the night life, before heading back to our AirBnB for the night.”

Their Elopement Day

Their elopement day was almost perfectly aligned with their original vision. I met up with V+H at their cute bungalow AirBnB. Vanessa was perfectly glammed up ready for their first look. There were some really amazing banyan trees on the property so we used those as the backdrop for their first look and intimate vow exchange.

After soaking in all the promises to each other, we caravanned to the boat dock on Stock Island. There, we met with the crew of the catamaran and set out for their ceremony location. Positioned between two islands to keep the tide and the wind down, V+H were married by his dad and witnessed by his mom. It was the perfect boat ceremony overlooking the ocean.

After their ceremony, V+H hung out on the boat soaking in the scenes, enjoying the blue water, snacking on Publix subs and local donuts, and making Jack and cokes. As we said our goodbyes to the crew after sunset, we headed to Duval Street to change outfits and grab some slices of pizza from Angelina’s Pizzeria and got drinks from Durty Harry’s.

When I look back on this elopement, V+H’s day was the low key, laid back Key West elopement that dreams are made of.

If you’d like a sneak peek into how their day flowed, here’s the timeline:

2:00 pm Details & Getting Ready
3:00 pm First Look & Private Vows
3:30 pm Travel to Boat Docks
4:00 pm Catamaran adventures (ceremony, champagne, snacks, etc.)
8:00 pm Head back to docks
8:30 pm Travel to Duval Street for pizza and drinks
10:00 pm End of evening

Are you totally inspired to elope in Key West and ready to start planning your own Key West elopement? Let’s create something epic! I’m here to help you craft a day that’s totally unique to who you are as a couple.

Vendors

Photographer: Anna Holden Photo
Videographer: Mogue Films
AirBnB: Atlantis House Palm Suite
Boat Company: Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
Hair & Make Up Artist: Casa Salon
Donuts: 420 Eaton Street Glazed Donuts

Looking for a Key West Elopement Photographer?