Planning your Tampa Elopement
Planning your Tampa Elopement? As a wedding photographer, our work has been halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am dreaming of getting back to telling love stories. I am anticipating that, as things start slowly returning to normal, a lot more couples will be choosing to have a Tampa elopement.
Elopements aren’t what they used to be; couples sneaking off without permission to wed in the dark of the night. On the contrary, today’s couples are foregoing the expense of a big wedding and choosing to exchange intimate vows in small, romantic ceremonies. Brides are increasingly choosing to travel, often to fairytale locations, to tie the knot–one of the perks of saving money otherwise spent on a big ceremony!
Eloping in Tampa
Many couples are looking for alternatives as ceremonies and travel plans continue to be canceled during this pandemic. Although having a Tampa elopement isn’t quite like eloping in the Caribbean, it can still be just as breathtaking! Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Tampa Bay Area are located less than an hour away from Tampa International Airport. On the Gulf side of Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg, Redington, Fort De Soto, and Clearwater beaches all make breathtaking ceremony sites.
Our Florida beaches also have excellent hotels with equally fabulous wedding venues. Often, you can book these locations for just a few hours. They include special Tampa elopement packages. These are made just for brides who opt for a smaller day instead of the full guest wedding.
Planning your elopement
For any couple wanting to elope, we are recommending that they start the planning process with these three steps:
- Create a budget. Every wedding, even if an elopement, needs a budget. Consider the dress and/or suit, photographer, and cinematographer, as well as local housing if you are traveling for a destination elopement.
- Choose the location. Choose somewhere that speaks to you as a couple. Is there a particular city or landscape that is special to you? While international travel is limited during this uncertain time, there are beautiful places to elope within the United States if you are willing to get creative!
- Choose your date. This seems like a simple task, but remember to keep in mind the climate, time of year, and possible accommodations for any invited guests.
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