Eloping in the Virgin Islands | St. John Wedding Photographer

September 28, 2020

Kathryn Cooper Weddings | U.S. Virgin Islands Elopement | St. John Wedding Photographer

Couple in St. John gets in the water in wedding clothes elopement virgin islands

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!

St. John wedding photos bride and groom on beach

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.

Wildlife St. John US Virgin Islands

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 John wedding photos photographer island bliss weddings kathryn cooper



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

Caribbean wedding photographer St. John trash the dress session

Kathryn Cooper Weddings | Virgin Islands Wedding Photographer | St. Thomas and St. John Wedding Photographer

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[…] 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 […]

Ohhhhh myyyy Goddddd!! These photos are amazing!! I can’t wait for things to go back a little bit back to normal so I can go here!! Amazing job!!

[…] you can do so on St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island, St. Croix, or many other small islands. Here’s a couple who said their vows on a deserted beach in St. John! Wherever you go, wake up early since it’s easy to swim with turtles and manta rays here. And […]

Oh man props to her! I don’t know if I’d be able to brush off being dunked in the water after having my hair and make-up done!

Seriously! She was in it to win it. No qualms.

I can think of no better way to celebrate marriage than with some coronas on a private island. What a dream! Love the photos, looks like you did a great job even in bright sunlight!

Hhaha right? And I didn’t even get sunburned!

Ah, these are beautiful, I’m sure you helped create their perfect dream elopement day!!

Holy heck this Caribbean island elopement is Perfection. Private beach? Hell yeah!

Right?? Definitely worth it. Extra effort = no random people gawking in the background.

Absolutely gorgeous couple and location! I love when couples celebrate their wedding day the way they truly want to — a beautiful day at the beach, relaxing, and toasting with a couple of beers? Perfection!

You are right! And they were fine with the wind whipping in their hair, getting clothes wet…heck yeah!

Man, I love this and it really makes me miss traveling. Great work!

Me too! It was a nice little slice of paradise during these crazy times.

What an epic location, amazing! Love how relaxed and fun the couple was!

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