Savannah and Travaris' downtown St. Pete elopement featured an intimate evening for eight guests inside a chic plant nursery. Shades of red and pink florals popped against natural greenery from the venue while classic white touches added a flair of wedding day elegance.
“At the time of our wedding, we were living in the Middle East, Trey in Abu Dhabi and myself in Saudi Arabia. Due to the fact that we live overseas and all of the travel restrictions due to the COVID pandemic, we were not sure when we would be back home, stateside. So we got engaged, planned, and were married all in two weeks!” the bride revealed. “We were visiting our hometowns for the holiday season and decided to get married near Trey’s hometown of Tampa. We felt that it would have more options for spaces that felt right COVID helped with our desire of having a small and intimate wedding where the focus was on our love and the things that mattered most to us. We only invited our closest loved ones in person and extended an invitation to a few other friends and family members via Zoom.”
While visiting family during the holidays, the couple decided to quickly move forward with their wedding ceremony before returning home to the Middle East due to overseas travel restrictions. Elope Tampa Bay's intimate planning services effortlessly coordinated all the elements Savannah and Travaris had dreamt of including in a personalized ceremony.
“Due to the timing of it all, we were looking for a planner who had availability and was up for the challenge to plan and execute with about nine days of notice with Christmas smack in the middle of the date! It was also important to have someone who was a good listener with resources and connections around the area,” the bride shared. “We hired Elope Tampa Bay because of the connection that we felt after our first consultation. I talked to them on the phone and was smiling from ear to ear, so we knew it was a perfect match! With help from Elope, our wedding was planned and perfectly executed in five days. It was the best decision for us! They found everything for us! We gave them the vision, and they brought it to fruition! They were a godsend!”
After exchanging vows in front of a picturesque plant-themed backdrop, the couple commemorated with a traditional cake cutting and celebratory champagne toast. To create a wow-worthy photo moment, a vintage getaway car was waiting for the newlyweds.
“The most important element of the wedding was to just be present at the moment and revel in our matrimony; it was our perfect mesh of tradition with romance, a real, intimate, and classic vibe,” Savannah articulated.
As Savannah looked back on her wedding day, it was the moment she and Travaris locked eyes for the first time that truly made the day magical.
“Our day was perfect. Seeing each other for the first time in our wedding attire on the day that we would be ordained as husband and wife, in nature, was truly memorable. We can both recall it play by play and will be able to for our entire lifetime! The first look in front of the Banyan Trees at North Straub Park was unforgettable. We had both anticipated what that moment would be like, but it was certainly far beyond that. We felt love,” the bride beamed.
The Proposal:
The proposal took place in my hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, the day after Savannah received her doctorate degree from the University of West Alabama. When I woke up that morning, I just knew that it was time. I alerted Savannah's family and asked for her hand in marriage in their presence shortly after breakfast. It was short and simple, the “Thomas way.”
What did you look for in an elopement planner?
Due to the timing of it all, we were looking for a planner who had availability and was up for the challenge to plan and execute with about nine days of notice with Christmas smack in the middle of the date! It was also important to have someone who was a good listener with resources and connections around the area.
We hired Elope Tampa Bay because of the connection that we felt after our first consultation. I talked to them on the phone and was smiling from ear to ear, so we knew it was a perfect match! With help from Elope, our wedding was planned and perfectly executed in five days. It was the best decision for us! They found everything for us! We gave them the vision, and they brought it to fruition! They were a godsend!
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Elope Tampa Bay, for their tenacity and ability to pull off an epic wedding ceremony with only about five days of planning!
Our makeup artist who listened to my desires and made me feel natural, glamorous, and beautiful! She is incredibly talented with amazing energy. She did my hair in the most elegant pin-up style. The groom and I ironically ended up having the same hairstyle! Can we say, connected!?!
Our photographer and videographer both provided excellent service and quality footage while capturing us in our natural element. We cannot stop gushing over the images and video footage. They really captured feelings and emotions!
“With help from Elope Tampa Bay, our wedding was planned and perfectly executed in five days. They found everything for us! We gave them the vision, and they brought it to fruition! They were a godsend!”
-The Bride
