Every couple has those moments while planning their wedding when running off to a beautiful island and eloping sounds like a really good plan. Well, if you’re prone to these moments of fantasy you may not want to look at this Harbour Island elopement shot by Patrick Moyer. You just might find yourself with bags packed, your honey in one hand and a plane ticket in the other. There is something so special and romantic about the quiet, intimate moments captured here. Immerse yourself in the full gallery and get your destination on.
We’re not ready to head home just yet. Take one last magical journey with this super 8 film by Patrick Moyer.
Click here to see the entire image gallery!
From the Bride… I feel like I’ve been to the moon and back. After a cumbersome few months of trying to coordinate a small wedding at home, we decided to elope on the intimate Harbour Island – a very small Out Island in the Bahamas, complete with all the rustic charm frequently found with small island living. We stayed in the Cricket Pavilion on Hibiscus Hill…. designed & owned by India Hicks, the Pavilion was perfection. Just steps from a beach of pink sand and an ocean of turquoise with gentle breezes – it was bliss at every turn. Even an evening of heavy tropical rain was enjoyed on the porch, by candlelight, with a glass of wine and a little David Gray.
We married in a little pink church on Dunmore Street – the oldest church in all of the Bahamas – it was beyond words – beyond all expectations on every level. My husband amazed me and I am forever grateful for what we experienced. After a very intimate ceremony, he surprised me with an over-the-top dinner for two, back at the Pavilion. Unbeknownst to me, in the previous weeks, Kevin had been working with a small team to bring this evening to fruition. A two-piece Bahamian band heralded our arrival. The stairs were flanked with floating candles and covered with white rose petals and hundreds of white blooms and candles covered the porch and interior. I was beyond amazed and surprised – and many tears followed. Not one detail was missed – a British-trained private chef, a table draped in linen, printed menu cards and name cards, a first dance, and our private band played as we dined by candlelight on the porch. Just us. I would not have wanted it any other way… those moments were ours, and ours alone and I wouldn’t trade any of them for a windfall.
Making the decision to elope was bittersweet – saying our goodbyes to family friends the week prior to our departure was emotional, and the final call to my mother from the airport really tugged on my heartstrings. But ultimately, I feel that preparing for our marriage privately, and experiencing it exclusively, created an indescribable bond of conquering this milestone together. We truly had the best of both worlds – our elopement and then upon our return, we hosted a small dinner party which was another evening of magic all on its own. We were blessed with the company of those closest to us, a dozen or so toasts, and an evening of many smiles and happy tears.
The Super 8 film, in hindsight, was one of the best decisions… it told “our story” in such a unique way and we will cherish it always. And I cannot say enough kind words about Patrick Moyer and his wife Rachel. They were a true asset to our elopement and were just as much as a support system as they were our photographers. Pat & Rach arrived on Harbour Island as our photographers and left as friends. I have thought of them often since our return and wish they weren’t on the opposite coast!
Being in the industry myself, I did have a leg-up on the planning process but it doesn’t mean that it didn’t come without its stresses – we were planning this excursion with very little lead time. For what it is worth, I do have some advice for brides that are in the throes of the planning process:
Choose a celebration which really represents you as a couple – whether that means eloping our hosting 500 guests, it will make your experience more “real” for both of you.
Select wedding professionals whose work you not only love, but who you really enjoy as people – it will make all of your interactions so much easier, ESPECIALLY your photographer as they’re with you every step of the way the day of your wedding. Also select wedding professionals that you trust so that you can simply let them do their job, there is much value in “letting go” – your “team” will appreciate it and you will be relieved of much stress.
Discuss your priorities & make them your “big ticket items” – you can be really creative with the rest to stay within your budget.
Take any “road bumps” in stride & don’t take your eye off the ball – as much as everybody loves a fabulous party, the bottom line is that it’s about your union, not the “stuff” on the periphery.
Slow yourself down through the planning process and especially the day of your wedding – this event happens once and it’s gone in a blink – embrace every fleeting moment!
Wedding Photography & Film: Patrick Moyer / Accommodations: The Cricket Pavilion / Bouquet & Boutonniere: DIY, The Bride / Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap / Post-Elopement Dinner Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher / Wedding Ceremony Location: St. John’s Anglican Church / Bride’s Dress: H&M / Bride’s Earrings: Chouettes / Elopement Announcement, Dinner Invite & Menus: Up Up Creative / Floral & Event Coordination: Prince Jay Jay Percentie of Dunmore (Princeofdunmore@gmail.com) / Bride’s Shoes: Nordstrom