Cory and Julia’s elopement took place at the beautiful outdoor location of North Straub Park in St. Pete. The couple wanted their wedding to have a garden-inspired feel and be surrounded by trees. North Straub Park provided the intimate and romantic atmosphere that they desired. Plus, it was dog-friendly, allowing their beloved dog Bella to be a part of their special day.
The couple’s planning process began soon after their engagement, and they were eager to get married as soon as possible. Since a big wedding was not feasible given their timeline and long-distance friends, they decided on two small engagement parties in each of their hometowns. To simplify the planning process, they enlisted the help of Elope Tampa Bay. With our assistance, they were able to have their dream wedding without the stress of coordinating all the details themselves.
There were so many memorable moments throughout the day. Julia incorporated her Guatemalan heritage into her accessories, donning a “cinta” belt from her family’s home town. She wore jewelry made by Guatemalan artisans with Jade beads, a precious gem in Mayan culture. Julia and Cory were thrilled to have Mariachi Guadalupe de Tampa perform during their processional and recessional, as well as throughout the rest of the celebration. It felt like a piece of Guatemala had been brought to St. Pete, and everyone had a great time dancing to the Mariachi music. And a little bit of an unexpected gift, but exciting anyways, was having people in the park celebrating and watching their wedding, creating a festive atmosphere.
Julia and Cory’s advice for other couples planning their own small wedding: reach out for help, as even an elopement can still require coordination. They highly recommend working with a planning team, such as Elope Tampa Bay, to alleviate stress and ensure the day is focused on the joyful union. Additionally, they encourage couples not to compromise on their dream aesthetic, even with a smaller budget. Finally, they emphasize the importance of including both partners in the planning process to share the workload and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
We were so honored to be there to assist Julia and Cory in having their perfect elopement in St. Pete!
St. Pete Elopement Vendors
Officiant: Josh Allen Jones (couple’s friend)
Photographer: Mariah Lacy Photo
Videographer: Imagery Wedding Films
Coordinator & Permit: Elope Tampa Bay
Venue: North Straub Park
Floral: Jennie’s Florist
Cake: Sweet Divas Cakery
Musicians: Mariachi Guadalupe, LLC
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