Eva and Howard | Key West Courthouse Elopement and Micro Wedding

When you’re planning a Key West elopement, you might think of running away with just the two of you, hand in hand, to take your vows on the beach with your toes in the sand. While that is certainly one way that couples celebrate their nuptials in the Southernmost City, another picturesque and slightly more traditional option is to get married at the Monroe County Florida Courthouse in downtown Key West.

This is exactly what Eva and Howard decided to do when they got married here, and instead of flying solo….er….duo!….they brought their 10 favorite people with them for a small and intimate event filled with love and a little bit of Key West adventure!

The morning started at the courthouse, where I caught up with the couple just as they were wrapping up their ceremony with the court officiant. The building is an old brick structure with massive columns, beautiful wooden stairs, and the iconic Kapok tree that sits out in the front lawn.

We made our way all around the grounds, incorporating not just the architecture, but also the shade trees and surrounding sidewalks, to give the couple a variety of photos for their wedding day.

Their family joined them as well, so we took some time to get some classic posed portraits with siblings, parents, and family friends in attendance.

After a quick stop off at the famous “Mile Zero” sign, the couple hopped in the car with my assistant and me to hit a few locations around Key West. Our first visit was to the lushly manicured neighborhood of Truman Annex, where soaring palms and white picket fences made a lovely backdrop for the newlyweds.

Next we took in the sights at the Banyan tree, Mac’s Sea Garden, and that always-requested “Welcome to Key West” postcard mural, painted on the side of the Cuban Coffee Queen building.

Next there was a quick stop off at the Kimpton Court (formerly known as the Lighthouse Court) where the couple’s family had gone back to hang out. The groom had had a super hero figurine made of the couple, and so we set about incorporating them into some creative images with the rings, and replicating the sculpture with the couple in matching attire behind it. I love it when couples have fun little details like this!

Eva changed into a colorful red dress and we headed out to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, where we started inside the fortress, utilizing the soaring arches, worn brick walls, and flattering side light to create some authentic portraits of the couple.

Lastly, it was time to walk over to the beach. Despite the midday timing by then, the beach was still quiet and the couple almost felt like they had the whole park to themselves! I captured romantic images of them walking along the paths, under the palm trees, and snuggling up under the sea grape bushes, before making our way out to the water for some final oceanfront images walking along the sand and swirling that magnificent red dress!