In the middle of a vibrant city, there is a tropical oasis settled in the heart of Florida. Hidden under the tall branches of trees, Kirstin and Troy prepare for what will soon be known as a day they will never forget. Surrounded by flocks of flamingo, tropic waterfalls, and vibrant florals and trees as their witnesses, the two exchanged vows and officially became Mr. and Mrs.

WHAT WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING?

Simple, elegant, perfect, stress-free, and spiritual.

THE PROPOSAL:

After being together for 7 years we took a trip to Sandals Negril, Jamaica.  We went for our 7 year anniversary, but I wasn’t even thinking about a proposal…I was just excited to get away and go to the islands. He had the ring tucked away in the back of the safe for four days before he proposed and I never even noticed it.  Throughout the week, he kept going back to the safe to make sure it was locked, but I didn’t think anything of it because we were just in a hotel and our money was in there…so I thought.  

He proposed a few days after our 7 year anniversary.  We had a butler assigned to our suite that we were staying in, so when he went up to the room to “check on something” he took the butler phone with him, which I thought was odd, but I was just looking for the phone so I could call and get another glass of champagne…LOL.  Meanwhile, he went upstairs to call the butler to get a photographer on the beach to capture the moment.  While he was upstairs I was looking at vendor’s jewelry that was set up on the beach at the hotel.  When he came back down, he was ready to propose—and I was still clueless to what was going on.  I told him I have to run up and grab 20 bucks for a necklace I wanted.  

I came back down and purchased the necklace and he asked if we wanted to take some pictures on the beach.  I thought it was weird he didn’t want to take his tank top off.  We were back to back on the beach, and I was just posing away and he had the ring in his hand.  When the photographer asked us to turn and face each other, he was down on one knee…and the rest is history!

THE VISION:

Originally we were going to get married in Jamaica in a chapel over the water at Sandals Montego Bay.  After covid happened, we decided to put our wedding on pause, and then decided 3 weeks before our original date (11/11/20) to elope because more than anything, we just wanted to be married. We always wanted a simple wedding with our closest friends and family, but even with only having 25 people on the guest list, everyone had their opinions and the focus was taken off of us and our wedding day was about everyone else.  When we decided to elope, it seemed perfect.  It was simple, stress-free and everything we could have asked for…two people celebrating their love and spending their life together.  

THE PLANNING PROCESS:

I could not have asked for an easier process with planning our elopement with Elope Tampa Bay.  Everything was smooth, communication was consistent and all of our details came to life within three weeks.  I could not have dreamed up an easier process.

YOUR OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES

Troy’s suit was from Milano Exchange at International Plaza.  We are friends with the owner and he always has the most unique suits for every occasion.  
My dress was from Nikki’s Glitz and Glam Boutique in Wesley Chapel.  It was the first dress I tried on.  I told my stylist what I was looking for and after I told her she said “I have your dress!”  I tried many other dresses on after that, but always compared it to the first one.  The necklace I wore was very special to me.  It was my mom’s diamond from her wedding ring.  She doesn’t like to wear rings very much, so she had it made into a pendant and it was my “something borrowed”. My parents have been married for almost 40 years.  My something old was a pin from my grandmother.  It was handmade in her home country of Norway.  She gave it to me before she passed away when I was 4 years old.  I pinned it on my bouquet.  My something blue was my aquamarine bracelet and my something new was my tiara—it made the whole dress and completed the look.  

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Our original wedding day will always be one for the books.  We chose 11/11 as our wedding date and overcame so many challenged to get here.  When the day finally came there was a Category 1 hurricane coming straight for Tampa.  My hair was already done and I received a phone call form ETB saying we had to put it off.  I was devastated.  Thank God I had my mom and best friend over at the house with me.  They kept just staying “today is just not the day.” When I told my mom that the date will be moved to Friday, 11/13/2020, the first thing she said was that my grandparents were married of Friday 11/13/54.  My grandfather passed away when I was 15 years old from Hodgkins lymphoma.  We now share their wedding date, which is very special.
The night of our original wedding night, we still went to the Opal Sands in Clearwater, as planned and hung out in the hotel as the hurricane passed by, which was pretty cool.  We will never forget it.  
Our wedding day was so stress-free and spiritual.  It was just us at the ceremony and we just focused on each other.  It was so special.  

 ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES

Your wedding day is your wedding day, not anyone else’s.  Once the wedding planning process becomes about other people, it takes away from you guys.  Always stay true to each other to make each other happy.  Marriage is about compromise and team work and the wedding planning process is a true testament to how you two will work together in the future.  Your wedding day is the first day to the rest of your lives together and the beginning of an amazing journey.  Make the best of it and don’t sweat the small stuff.  Focus on each other and cherish every moment.  

Mariah Lacy Photo captured the energy and the sweet moments of Kirstin and Troy’s wedding.

If you are interested in having your elopement at Sunken Gardens in St. Pete, contact us for more information!