Florida Spring Elopement | Rowan + Liam

Rowan and Liam’s elopement day was everything you’d want in a Florida spring elopement from the crystal clear water of Kelly Park Rock Springs to the laidback (yet adventurous) tour of King’s Landing. Read through their story and their actual elopement day for some inspiration of your own!

Psst…and if you and your partner want to elope in one of Florida’s natural springs, but have zero idea where to even begin, then I invite you to learn how I can help plan and capture your Florida elopement!

Their Story

Rowan and Liam met in college in an online chatroom that Liam had made for students. During that time, they spent time talking in the chatroom. Eventually Rowan moved to Sarasota, but they still kept in touch. Over time, Liam would just find reasons to text Rowan. As fate would have it, they went on a Taco Bell date and unintentionally planned their wedding. R+L are the epitome of “when you know you know”.

During their fateful Taco Bell date, they had discussed getting married and how that would look. Liam even went as far to ask what kind of rings they would like. It was never a question about “when” or “if”, but how and I’m totally here for that kinda love.

While Rowan described their proposal as “mutual and relatively unceremonious discussion that was more about what we were going to do for our wedding than whether we would be getting married”, there’s still something overly romantic about how their paths would only lead to them being married.

Their Elopement Day

R+L planned a two day elopement. The first day would be them exchanging private vows and enjoying nature while the second day would be a formal ceremony with their family followed by a celebration at an AirBnB.

When I met up with R+L on at their Apopka AirBnB, it was a quiet, slow morning. They had just finished up having pancakes together. As part of their elopement vision, R+L wanted to get ready together in their cabin-y AirBnB. Liam helped Rowan get into their dress and button all the buttons. Rowan then helped Liam perfect his suit look.

Before heading to Kelly Park Rock springs for their vow exchange, R+L cut the cake. It was the cutest little cake that said “us” on it. Liam did the honors of the first slice and – in true wedding fashion – they both fed each other a piece of it. Honestly, cake for breakfast is always a good idea…especially on your elopement day.

Descending the stairs towards the perfect spot for their vows, it was a perfect overcast day. There weren’t many people at Kelly Rock since it was a Thursday. R+L exchanged vows on one of my favorite places within the park (it might even be the best spot for a spring elopement TBH).

After their vow exchange, Rowan changed into a fun, whimsical dress for them to get into the water. While in the spring, R+L spent time taking in the crystal clear spring water and enjoying those first moments as a married couple.

Being in nature was a huge part of R+L’s elopement vision. To really soak the beauty of the spring, R+L took a canoe through King’s Landing and Emerald Cut. There were a number of people during the trip, but it didn’t detract from the beauty of the cypress trees or the serenity of the spring.

Before we said our goodbyes for R+L’s first day, we headed back to their AirBnB for a quick hot tube soak and comfy cozies in the living room. They played one of their favorite video games together and totally crushed their first game married.

On the second day, R+L went to the Hillsborough courthouse to get legally married surrounded by their family. The courthouse was busy for a Friday morning, but it didn’t take away from the excitement. To celebrate their union, their family headed to a brunch at Boulon Brasserie in downtown Tampa, but the real party started when R+L met up with their friends at their epic AirBnB in Tampa.

When I look back on this elopement, R+L’s elopement was the perfect mix of intimate and laid back while still being able to include friends and family in their celebration.

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

Day 1: Springs Elopement

7:00 am Details & Getting Ready
8:00 am First Look & Private Vows
8:30 am Portraits at the springs
9:00 am Hang out at Kelly Rock springs
9:30 am Canoeing adventure at King’s Landing
12:30 pm Hot tub & video gaming at AirBnB
1:30 pm End of day

Day 2: Tampa Courthouse Ceremony

9:45 am Courthouse ceremony
10:45 am Family Portraits
11:00 am Celebratory lunch at Boulon Brasserie
3:00 pm Hang out with family and friends at AirBnB
5:45 pm End of evening

Are you totally inspired to elope at Kelly Rock and ready to start planning your own Florida spring elopement? Click here to let me help you craft a day that’s totally unique to who you are as a couple.

Vendors

Photographer: Anna Holden Photo
Apopka AirBnB: Chic Cabin
Tampa AirBnB: Waterfront Resort
Hair & Make Up Artist: Faces by Shannon
Brunch Reception: Boulon Brasserie

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