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WEDDINGS

WEDDINGS

August 27, 2025

For this inspiration elopement style anniversary shoot, Layce and Cameron were celebrating their real life first wedding anniversary! I wanted to showcase more of what’s possible for eloping couples on Galveston Island, so we planned a day that would make their first anniversary fun, relaxing, and special. It also gave them a chance to put their wedding clothes back on. Who says you only get to wear them once?! Since they live just north of Houston, the island was an easy getaway for them to also feel like they were getting a little vacation without all the travel.

This itinerary included 7 hours of photo coverage.

Island Time Anniversary Adventure

They started their day getting their hair and makeup done. Yes! Guys can get pampered with hair styling and skincare too! Once dressed, they took some time to enjoy the grounds and get photos at the historic hotel where they were staying, The Grand Galvez. Fun fact: the popular Taylor Sheridan show 1923 shot scenes for season 2 here!

We rented a Model-T style golf cart to take our exploring around the island. We headed to the East End Historic District where we parked and strolled the sidewalks admiring the gorgeous homes and all the vibrant spring blooms.

After working up an appetite we headed Sugar and Rye for an early dinner. This is a great spot for anyone looking for a moderately priced upper scale dining experience, with fun island vibes. Afterwards, we cruised the Galveston seawall to our final location of the day. As we were driving Layce told me about their early relationship, and their first date as Cameron chuckled at all the details.

Private Vow Renewal and Picnic

We arrived at a quiet beach on the eastern end of the island, where Layce and Cameron had a small guided “ceremony” where I prompted them to share memories from their first year of marriage, and goals for their future. For an elopement or vow renewal, I always highly recommend setting aside time to be very vulnerable with each other. It doesn’t need to be during a ceremony if you want the moment to be more private. We can fit this in during a first look, or anytime before or after your ceremony and I can shoot the moment with a lens that allows me to stand out of earshot. I can help you make this moment as private as you want.

Being a weekday, the beach was nearly empty giving them lots of privacy. Since it was just the two of them, and they were not roping off any areas or using a loudspeaker, no permit was required to use the beach. To end their day, they had a cushy beach picnic set up to enjoy cake and champagne to celebrate the start of their new year!

How To Have This Galveston Island Celebration

I definitely recommend staying on the island the night before and, if possibly, the night of. Choose a location with a backdrop you love, and that will be comfortable, and easy to get to your other activities. The Grand Galvez was a great central location for Layce and Cameron’s schedule and was a beautiful spot for photos.

The original itinerary I had planned for them included taking a helicopter tour of Galveston Island. Unfortunately, it was canceled the day before due to the forecast. Our backup plan to fill that time was the Model-T golf cart. When planning anything that hinges on the weather (helicopter/plane tour, boat charter, etc.) it’s important to consider backup options you would enjoy in case of cancellations. I give my clients a list of options to consider, and then we narrow down what sounds the most enjoyable for them.

Layce and Cameron celebrated this anniversary in late April. While we did end up having great weather, and it was not uncomfortably warm, this is typically a better itinerary for cooler months, due to how much time we spent outside. If it had been typical late April temps, Cameron would have been sweltering in his suit for sure! I would recommend structuring this day differently in the summer months.

A bride and groom stand next to a Model T style golf cart in front of an early 1900s pink hotel on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom stand on a green lawn with palm trees and the ocean behind them.
A bride and groom stand on a green lawn with palm trees and the ocean behind them.
A groom dips his bride on the lawn of The Grand Galvez with the pink hotel and palm trees behind them.
A bride and groom sit in front of a marble fountain. A bride and groom kiss in a Model T style golf cart with the pink Grand Galvez hotel behind them.
A bride and groom kiss in the backseat of a Model T style golf cart at their elopement style anniversary on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom walk in front of a pink and green historic home in the east end historic district with flowers spilling over the white picket fence.
A bride and groom stand on a sidewalk in the east end historic district with flowers spilling over a white picket fence.
A bride and groom wearing sunglasses playfully look at each other in front of Sugar and Rye.
A bride and groom wearing sunglasses playfully make rock and roll faces at the camera at their elopement style anniversary in front of Sugar and Rye.
Sugar and Rye, a restaurant with pink and green palm frond wallpaper, marble top tables, and wicker chairs.
A blue and white vase with pink peonies sits on a marble top table. The wood bar at Sugar and Rye with a mirror backdrop and white and gold bar chairs.
A bride holds the edge of her veil as the wind gently blows it behind her.
A bride holds a pink, purple, and orange bouquet. A groom wears a pink, purple, and orange pocket boutonniere.
A bride and groom stand on a Galveston beach in front of a floral display sharing a vow renewal.
A bride and groom share a laugh on the beach in front of a floral display during a vow renewal at their elopement style anniversary.
A pink, orange, purple, and turquoise floral display sits on top of a clear acrylic column on the beach, with silver and purple disco balls in the sand.
The ocean in focus, with a blurry bride and groom in the foreground at their vow renewal in Galveston.
A bride and groom share a laugh on the beach in front of a pink, purple, and turquoise floral display during a vow renewal on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom kiss on the beach in front of a pink, purple, and turquoise floral display with disco balls during a vow renewal ceremony at their elopement style anniversary.
Close up view of a hot pink, purple, and turquoise ceremony floral arrangement.
A bride and groom stand on a Galveston beach in front of a floral display during a vow renewal ceremony.
A bride and groom smile at each other on the beach in front of a pink, purple, and turquoise floral display during a vow renewal on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom walk on the beach toward an elaborate picnic with a yellow tent, beach chairs, rugs and pillows.
An elaborate beach picnic with a yellow canopy, beach chairs, cake and champagne table, rugs, and pillows.
A bride and groom pop a champagne bottle on the beach at their elopement style anniversary celebration on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom pop spray champagne on the beach at their elopement style anniversary celebration on Galveston Island.
A groom pours champagne for his bride.
A bride and groom share a kiss during a beach picnic on Galveston Island.
A bride and groom stand in front of a luxury beach picnic wearing sunglasses and holding up disco balls at their elopement style anniversary in Galveston.
A bride and groom walk on a Galveston beach at sunset.
A bride and groom embrace on a Galveston beach during sunset.
A bride and groom stand on a Galveston beach during sunset as the waves crash behind them.
A bride and groom stand in front of a luxury sunset beach picnic wearing sunglasses and holding up disco balls at their elopement style anniversary in Galveston.

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