Before they met, Michelle and Daniel had both decided they needed a fresh start and a change in their routine. After moving to the same small town their paths crossed and the rest is history! Both having a love of adventure they knew they wanted to go somewhere different to get married. They then decided they wanted it to be just the two of them! So the planning for their destination elopement began!

COUPLE: Michelle & Daniel

DATE: March 1, 2024

CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: Infinity Bay, West Bay Roatan, Honduras "We knew we wanted to do a destination elopement and that we wanted to get married in Roatan so I just googled resorts that could plan a wedding for us. Since it was already January when we decided where to go, we didn't have many choses to choose from on such short notice." - M

GUEST #: "We eloped, just the two of us!" - M&D

PHOTOGRAPHER: TKM Photography "Since we knew we were wanting to do a destination elopement and get married in Roatan, I googled photographers and found TKM Photography. I looked at the website and just fell in love with the way they would capture those natural moments without being too posed or staged. Neither of us like to be in front of the camera so this was a huge deal for us. Kat was quick to respond and we set up a zoom meeting to make sure we were a good fit. Thank goodness, we were. She was so comfortable to talk to and she just made us feel confident that our special day would be amazing.

She was in contact with us up till just a couple hours before the wedding and we were nervous but excited for this whole experience. Kat and her husband were there waiting for us and just started off the bat with just taking pictures of us while we just spent time before the wedding. It was very nerve wrecking at first with all the people on the beach but they ended up taking us to a more secluded beach where we could be alone and just enjoy being together. They went above and beyond and it was because. It felt more like friends taking our pictures than strangers. They were the perfect choice for our destination elopement." - M

COLOUR PALETTE: "The only colour palette that we cared about was the colour of the beach. Tan and Ivory. We wanted simple but classic and romantic." - M

BRIDE'S ATTIRE: June Bridals

GROOM'S ATTIRE: Men's Wearhouse

TELL US YOUR STORY: "I was ready for a change in my life and needed to get away from everything. After years of feeling stuck in the same routine, I finally decided to take the plunge and start fresh. I embarked on a new career and moved to a tiny town in northern Minnesota. I moved here in July, during the height of summer. Little did I know, a few months earlier, Dan had made a similar decision. He had decided to come back to his hometown, seeking the same sense of renewal and new beginnings. He, too, was starting a new career and was eager to build a new life.I am sure our paths would have crossed eventually, given how much we have in common. We both love the outdoors, have a passion for adventure, and share a desire to make the most out of life. By some twist of fate, Dan joined the same dating site the very same week as I did. Dan messaged me, and from the very first exchange, we hit it off. Our conversations were easy, filled with laughter, and a sense of familiarity that was both comforting and exciting.Our first date was simple yet perfect. We decided to meet for coffee at a quaint little café in town. As we sat across from each other, sipping our drinks and sharing stories, it felt as though we had known each other for years. After coffee, we took a walk through the town, exploring its charming streets and discovering hidden gems along the way.

One of our most memorable adventures was a cruise to the Bahamas. The crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and stunning sunsets made it a trip of a lifetime. Over time, we started our own traditions. Every Valentine’s Day weekend, we would go ice fishing through a resort, braving the cold and enjoying the serene beauty of the frozen landscape. It was during one of these magical trips to the ice land resort that Dan proposed to me. Under the shimmering lights of the northern sky, he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes, and we were both overjoyed.When we shared the news with our families, they were nothing but happy for us. By this point, we had been together for five wonderful years, and we knew we wanted a wedding that was meaningful and memorable, without being overly flashy. Some friends told us about Roatan, Honduras, a place that sounded like heaven on earth. Known for its stunning reefs and incredible snorkeling, it seemed like the perfect place to start our new life together." - M

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: "Our biggest challenge was to tell our families that we were doing a destination wedding alone. No family or friends were to be invited. Also, it was a little difficult to give up all control to the resort that was to plan everything for us. We were in constant limbo about our wedding but thank goodness it all turned out well." - M

BEST MEMORY: "The best thing that we did was decided to share this amazing experience with just the two us. We got ready together, walked the beach together, said 'Yes' together. It couldn't have been more perfect. The pictures that were taken were so amazing and beautiful that even after months of getting home, to look at them is like experiencing everything over again." - M

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: "Just make it simple. Think of the two of you and no one else. It is not about them, but the two of you and life and promises you share. Do what makes you happy and everyone else will understand."

You can find this destination elopement article in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TKM PHOTOGRAPHY | To speak with TKM Photography about your destination elopement and wedding options, you can reach them using the form below.