Kathryn Cooper Weddings | U.S. Virgin Islands Elopement | St. John Wedding Photographer
When Crystal and Shane reached out about wanting to elope on a deserted island in the Caribbean, they asked if I would be their St. John wedding photographer. As you can imagine, I had to think about it. KIDDING. Of course I want to be there for their wedding on St. John and capture their day!
As 2020 would have it, their wedding day got pushed around multiple time, but finally they picked a date and were allowed, in between quarantines, to have a perfect day. This adventure elopement was planned through Island Bliss Weddings, my favorite wedding planner I’ve worked with for years and years. In fact, I originally moved to St. Thomas to become a St. Thomas/St. John wedding photographer because of them! But anyhow…ask me and I’ll tell you all about it.
For their St. John wedding, Floridians Crystal and Shane just wanted to get on a boat and be taken to a deserted beach to say their vows. They then wanted to spend the day swimming, sitting on the beach with drinks, and enjoying time to themselves with no one else nearby. Well, Janelle and Stu of Island Bliss Weddings (wedding planner) gave them exactly that.
After getting ready on St. Thomas, we (the couple, me, officiant Stu, and the boat captain) took a charter out of Red Hook with See & Ski, boated along the gorgeous waters in between St. John and St. Thomas (no ferry this time!), and picked a small (and secret) little island beach with not a soul on it. A quick set-up and the ceremony started. No audience to be worried about, nothing to memorize…just them, the sand (yes, they were barefoot), and the gorgeous aqua sea.
Following their vows and a few photos, the boat puttered back and the couple was whisked off to another private beach—this one part of Caneel Bay. Any St. John wedding photographer knows how great Caneel Bay was pre-hurricane, so I really hope it comes back to life soon. Aside from a few snorkelers within sight, we had the beach all to ourselves again!
And yes, Shane dunked Crystal in the water…and she didn’t mind (?!). In fact, they went in again and again. The rest of the day the couple spent taking photos, drinking Corona (yes, for real), swimming, and chilling without Netflix.
It was the perfect St. John wedding, even in crazy Corona times. Yes, I had my N95 on, and yes, of course I stayed safe! Plus, I got to spend a little time snorkeling on my favorite beaches and witnessing some other small weddings. I saw rays, turtles, and so much more. Being a photographer in the Virgin Islands—whether it’s a private island, St. John, St. Thomas, a wedding on Honeymoon Beach over at Water Island, or something else (The British Virgin Islands, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico are all close by!)—is truly an amazing experience. And the couples who decide to get married here get to saw their vows next to the most gorgeous waters on earth (in my humble opinion).
Congratulations, Crystal and Shane!
St. Thomas/St. John Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Planner: Janelle Scott of Island Bliss Weddings
Flowers: East End Flower Shop
Hair and Makeup: Sugar & Spice Salon
Officiant: Stu Scott of USVI Services
Boat Charter: See & Ski
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Suit: Something Blue Bridal Boutique, Bradenton, FL
Her Shoes: Yellow Box Premium Collection
Engagement Ring & Shane’s Wedding Band: Jess Jewelers, Bradenton, FL
Crystal’s Wedding Band: Cumbie Jewelers, Inverness, FL
Kathryn Cooper Weddings | Virgin Islands Wedding Photographer | St. Thomas and St. John Wedding Photographer
[…] post on where to get married on St. John at some point, but in the meantime, you can check out this 2020 St. John elopement I did on a boat. So, there you have it: St. Thomas wedding venue tips for how to plan a destination wedding in the […]