Crescent Beach Wedding: A Star Wars + Bourbon‑Filled St. Augustine Elopement | Natalie + Shawn

When Natalie and Shawn first reached out about their Crescent Beach wedding, they were crystal clear: this was not going to be a typical wedding. They had done the traditional thing before, and this time, they wanted something that felt simple, personal, and true to who they are: two self-proclaimed nerds who fell in love over Star Wars and bourbon, built a beautiful second chance together, and wanted to start their marriage with zero pressure.

As a St. Augustine elopement photographer, creating totally bespoke, adventure‑driven, stress‑free days like this is exactly why I wake up excited every morning. So together, we created the perfect Crescent Beach wedding. A St. Augustine elopement day that flowed at their pace, included the experiences that matter most to them, and gave them the freedom to actually enjoy every moment. And that’s exactly what we did.

A True Redemption Love Story

Natalie and Shawn’s story isn’t just about swiping right on Tinder. It’s about timing, second chances, and rebuilding something beautiful.

Natalie, working night shifts as an ER nurse, actually had a friend doing some of the swiping for her when Shawn’s profile popped up. His Star Wars tattoo, cool car, and “mysterious” job caught her attention. They started chatting at 3am, met up in person shortly after, and haven’t been apart since.

“We’re convinced our love story is our redemption story. So basically? We decided to spend our lives with a stranger we met online. (yikes!)”

Their story is proof that sometimes swiping right leads to exactly where you’re meant to go. From escape rooms and D&D campaigns to gaming and Funko Pop hunts, these two fully embrace their shared quirks. But at the end of the day? Their favorite thing is simply being home together, sipping bourbon, sharing a cigar, and hanging out with friends. And that mix of fandom, tabletop adventures, and cozy nights in? It all set the perfect tone for a Crescent Beach wedding that was fun, heartfelt, and totally true to them.

Why They Chose St. Augustine

Originally, they considered staying close to home in Tampa, but ultimately, St. Augustine held something deeper. A few months prior, they had taken a trip there. It was their first real vacation together after years of busy work schedules and heavy life responsibilities.

“That trip was the epitome of us: no schedule, no pressure. Just existing, exploring, and enjoying time together.”

That energy carried right into their elopement. St. Augustine allowed them to blend their favorite things: history, good food, incredible bourbon, nerdy fun, and zero stress.

Their Elopement Vision

Their jobs are high-stress (ER nurse + law enforcement), so a day that allowed them to just be together was the greatest gift. From the very start, Natalie and Shawn wanted a day that felt flexible and natural, while still celebrating everything that made them unique. Their Crescent Beach wedding day included:

• May the 4th wedding date
• Sunrise vows by the ocean
• Lightsaber portraits
• A Star Wars-themed cake
• Champagne on the beach
• Coffee + exploring downtown St. Augustine before the crowds woke up
• A cozy brunch with Bridgerton vibes
• Bourbon bottling at St. Augustine Distillery
• A pool-jump finale back at their Airbnb

No guest lists. No timelines packed with “shoulds.” Just them as their nerdy, sweet, laid-back selves.

Their Crescent Beach Wedding

Sunrise Ceremony at Crescent Beach

I met Natalie and Shawn before sunrise at their Airbnb, the perfect cozy bungalow right in historic St. Augustine. We captured all the meaningful little details: Natalie and Shawn helping each other get ready, their jewelry, and their custom D&D dice engraved with their elopement date (seriously, nerd goals).

The drive to Crescent Beach was peaceful and quiet, the sky beginning to lighten as we arrived. The beach was empty with soft gray skies giving us the most perfect even lighting.

As the sun came up and the waves rolled behind them, they exchanged vows privately with no one else in sight. No production. Just the two of them, their words, and the sea.

Afterward, we had some fun with their lightsaber portraits (because yes, Star Wars forever). Then came champagne and their incredible custom cake from Creme De La Cocoa complete with Star Wars-inspired details. At one point, Natalie even dropped a piece of cake into the sand, but it was too good to waste.

Exploring St. George Street Before the City Woke Up

After the beach, we headed into the heart of St. Augustine for photos along St. George Street, one of the oldest and most charming parts of the city. One of the absolute best parts of sunrise elopements is having the historic streets almost entirely to yourselves. No crowds. No background noise. Just empty cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and early morning light.

We stopped for coffee at City Perks Coffee Co., right inside the historic city gates. With lattes in hand, we wandered down St. George, snapping portraits along the way. We even had a little run-in with a curious squirrel who almost became part of their day!

Bridgerton-Vibe Brunch at PK’s Roosevelt Room

Next stop? PK’s Roosevelt Room for brunch or as Natalie described it: “Bridgerton vibes.” 😍

We arrived right as they opened so we had our pick of the best table with this gorgeous window lighting. Truly the perfect, relaxed brunch atmosphere. Think mimosas, candied bacon, brisket rancheros, birria breakfast tacos, laughs about all kinds of crazy stories we traded.

Bourbon Bottling at St. Augustine Distillery

Outside of the May 4th date and Star Wars touches, the only other thing that was a requirement for their elopement day: bourbon.

We headed over to St. Augustine Distillery, which had just opened for the day. They toured the historic distillery, sampling drinks like the Florida mule, gin and tonic, and one of the house-made rum cocktails. But the real highlight was their private bottling appointment.

A distillery team member guided them through the bottling process where they hand-selected, filled, corked, and labeled their own bourbon bottles. This experience makes a perfect personal keepsake from their elopement day and a nod to their love story that started with bourbon.

Quick fun fact: after bourbon regulations changed in 2015, St. Augustine Distillery became Florida’s first legal bourbon producer outside of Kentucky, following every one of the strict seven bourbon laws. (Yes, they even took a class about it!)

A Perfect Elopement Finale: Pool Time

Just when we thought their elopement couldn’t get any better, Natalie and Shawn made a last-minute decision to head back to their Airbnb for a quick pool finale!

Honestly? This is why I love elopements like this by having the freedom to pivot, relax, and enjoy spontaneous moments. Their backyard pool provided the perfect post-elopement adventure and celebration.

Thinking About Planning Your Own Crescent Beach Wedding?

If Natalie and Shawn’s day sounds like your dream, you’re in the right place. Whether you want to elope on Crescent Beach, adventure in St. Augustine’s historic streets, end with poolside champagne…or level up with lightsabers and bourbon, I’m here to help curate and capture your day while making it feel completely effortless.

As a local Florida elopement photographer, I specialize in planning totally custom elopement experiences that are built around your vibe and vision. I help with everything from location researching, timeline creation, permit guidance, and vendor recommendations (I’ll even bring the champagne 😉). I’m here to make sure your day feels like a freaking adventure, not a chore.

Ready to create your own epic St. Augustine elopement? Click below to read about the experience and let’s start planning!

St. Augustine Elopement Vendors

Photographer: Anna Holden Photo
Ceremony Location: Crescent Beach
Cake: Creme De La Cocoa
Coffee: City Perks Coffee Co.
Brunch: Roosevelt Room
Distillery: St. Augustine Distillery
AirBnB: Downtown Charmer

Crescent Beach Wedding Photography

Want to See Other St. Augustine Elopements?

• Lighthouse Elopement – lighthouse vows, St. George exploring, coffee and picnics
• Lightner Museum Elopement – museum vows, distillery tour and bottling, and jumping in the fountain
• Castle Otttis Elopement – castle vow, beach picnic, and mini golf
• Washington Oaks Elopement – garden ceremony, beach vows, and the Rubby ducky bar
• St. Augustine Beach Wedding – intimate beach wedding followed by Night of Lights exploring

Bonus Resources for Eloping Couples

• How to Elope in St. Augustine
• Night of Lights Elopement Guide
• How to Elope at the Lightner Museum
• 50+ Florida Elopement Ideas
• Best Time to Elope in Florida
• 5+ Reasons for Eloping During The Week

Meet Your Crescent Beach Elopement Photographer