Florida Backcountry Elopement | Cory + Ryleigh

Every elopement captured holds a special place in my heart, but this Florida backcountry elopement was even more so for one reason: Cory and Ryleigh are part of our family. Cory is my husband’s cousin, but honestly, they’re more like brothers. So when they asked if I would be interested in capturing their elopement, it was an easy yes.

As a Florida 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 Florida backcountry elopement. An elopement day that flowed at their own pace, included the experiences that matter most to them, and gave them the freedom to enjoy every moment. And that’s exactly what we did.

Why They Chose Florida Backcountry

When we started planning how Cory and Ryleigh wanted their day to look, the vision was a relaxed outdoor adventure. We went back and forth on the location from southern Georgia, to the Colorado rockies. But after I had posted some behind the scenes videos of a central Florida location from a turkey scouting adventure with my husband, they were sold.

As outdoorsmen (and women), Cory and Ryleigh spend most of their free time either in the woods or on the water. It only made sense that their elopement captured the essence of what they love to do together.

You may be wondering why I’m not disclosing the location. Since this particular area is open for seasonal public hunting and unregulated for elopements and weddings (i..e, permits are not required), it’s my job as a Florida elopement photographer to preserve the area as best I can by keeping it under wraps to protect this location for hunters and future couples alike. More often than not, once locations become well known (thanks, social media), the location can become destroyed by visitors that don’t follow Leave No Trace Principles causing park rangers to either regulate visitations or stop elopements all together.

Their Florida Backcountry Elopement.

Sunrise Ceremony at the Overlook

We started our day well before sunrise. I met Cory and Ryleigh at their cute Airbnb situated on a private ranch. I captured all the little details: Cory and Ryleigh helping each other get ready, their rings and vows, and the turkey feature bowtie that Ryleigh had made for Cory among other things.

The drive their ceremony was peaceful and quiet, the sky beginning to lighten as we arrived. There’s a bit of a walk to get to the overlook, but it’s filled with tons of ferns and Florida wildflowers that make this location so unique. Once we got to the overlook, they spotted a few turkeys off in the distance, which made starting these hunters’ morning even more exciting.

Exploring Florida Backcountry

After their vows, we started hiking through the swamp. This area is filled with tons of Florida Cyprus, which makes the landscape so unique. One of the absolute best parts of sunrise elopements is having the entire preserve to yourselves. There wasn’t a single soul in sight all day long really.

We stopped along the way for photos at different backgrounds and ended the day with a champagne pop along the bank. During our hike, we saw a few deer, but surprisingly no alligators.

Hangs at the AirBnB

After the morning hike, we all went back to the AirBnB to refresh and relax with coffee and breakfast. Cory and Ryleigh had a split to their timeline so we left them to hang out as newly weds before meeting back up for sunset photos, home cooked steak dinner, and cake cutting. After it was all over, I looked back and realized it was the perfect day – just two people enjoying the day together doing things they love in nature. And that’s what it’s all about.

Thinking About Planning Your Florida Backcountry Elopement?

If seeing Cory and Ryleigh’s day got you thinking about a Florida back country elopement, then I would love to show you how it can all come together. Whether you want to elope under cyprus trees, adventure in crystal clear springs, or hike through Florida wilderness, 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 helping you plan 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 Florida backcountry elopement? Click below to read about the experience and let’s start planning!

Florida Backcountry Elopement Vendors

Photographer: Anna Holden Photo
Wedding Dress: Rumored
Cake: Made by bride

Florida Backcountry Elopement Photography

Bonus Resources for Eloping Couples

• 50+ Florida Elopement Ideas
• Best Time to Elope in Florida
• 5+ Reasons for Eloping During The Week

Meet Your Florida Backcountry Elopement Photographer