Beach Lighthouse Elopement

This young couple combined all of their favorite things into one amazing elopement day! They started their day getting ready at the 1950's Florida Motel in St. Augustine. The décor there will really take you back to the 50's, but you won't feel like it hasn't been updated since then with all of the amenities and upgrades to the hotel. The hotel also provides a bike rental and his and hers bike helmets to guests. The groom (Mason) even helped the bride (Kalinda) to put her eyelashes on like a pro, and they had so much fun doing a first look in front of the hotel and then riding bikes around the parking lot! Keep reading to see the lighthouse!

After leaving the hotel they headed to Anastasia State Park. This park is located on Florida's coast and has a beautiful view of the light house just minutes away. Permits are required to get married on the beach so please have your elopement photographer secure those for commercial photography before going. We stopped on the access road to help a turtle cross the road safely and kept a look out for all of the wildlife in this park. Many of the sand dunes here are off limits due to the fact turtles like to nest here every year, and if you're lucky you might see one at sunset or sunrise. After a tiny bit of hiking, they found the perfect location to say their wedding vows with sand dunes behind them and the beautiful Atlantic ocean waves crashing on the beach.

We explored the beach all the way to the pier and drove to the nearby famous lighthouse and maritime museum of St. Augustine. The current lighthouse stands at the north end of Anastasia Island and was built between 1871 and 1874. The breeze at the top of the lighthouse felt so good after climbing the steps, and Kalinda and Mason were able to gaze at the spectacular view of the beach that they just got married at 165 feet up in the air! Be prepared to walk up 219 steps to the top of the tower, and spend at least 1 or 2 hours here enjoying the climb and sights! We ended the day with lunch nearby at Salt Life Food Shack just outside of Anastasia park, a first dance in colonial music park, and a night on the town at the many bars and restaurants in the historic downtown of St. Augustine. There are SO MANY great places to eat here, but Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille is always a hit with us and well worth the wait for an outdoor table with live music on the patio!

St. Augustine Florida beach wedding

Many of you know that my partner and I own a tattoo studio in Winter Park Florida, and after this amazing day Kalinda and Mason came by the shop before heading back to their home in Washington State. They took home the most amazing souvenirs from this trip....matching tattoos to commemorate their elopement day! Kalida chose the lighthouse the climbed after saying I do, and Mason chose a ship that the light house is lighting the way for. I truly hope every time they see these and sit side by side with their tattoos that they are taken back to perfect afternoon in St. Augustine, Florida!