This was one of the most authentic weddings I’ve ever filmed

I’ve been filming weddings for over a decade, and I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything quite like Kyra and Steve’s elopement in Okeechobee, Florida.

These two are horse trainers, and deeply connected to the Earth and the land surrounding them. They didn’t want anything traditional or fancy – they just wanted to get married surrounded by what mattered most to them: the land, their horses, and the people they love.

Why They Chose to Elope

From our first conversation, it was clear that Kyra and Steve weren’t interested in a traditional wedding. They’re both pretty private people who would much rather spend their energy on each other than on entertaining a crowd.

Meeting them at the property where they work, I could immediately see why they wanted to get married there. This was their world – where they spend their days together training horses, where their relationship deepened, where they feel most like themselves.

It’s so rare to meet couples who are this clear about what they want. Most people get caught up in what they think they’re supposed to want, but Kyra and Steve knew exactly what would make them happiest.

The Perfect Location: Ancient Earth

Here’s the thing about the property where they got married – it wasn’t technically theirs, but it felt like home. As horse trainers, Kyra and Steve spend most of their time on this beautiful ranch in Okeechobee, working with their client’s horses and caring for the land.

The property is absolutely magical. Vast plains, steady water, ancient oak trees, and horses and cattle grazing in golden light. But the most special spot was this incredible ancient tree that’s over 100 years old.

Kyra told me how special this location was–and you could feel the energy pulsing in the Earth all around it. I held my hand over my heart and could literally feel this ancient spirit sing to me. Of course they would hold a special moment here. This tree has held them in some of the most intimate moments of their story, and it continued there that day.

I get chills thinking about it. How perfect is it to exchange private vows under the same tree where your love story really began? And to do it on the land where they spend their days working together, building their shared life.

The Horses Had to Be There

Most couples worry about whether their dog will behave during photos. Kyra and Steve’s biggest concern was making sure their horses were included. These weren’t just pets – they were family members who had been part of their relationship from day one.

Watching them interact with their horses before and after the ceremony was honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever captured. Check out the scene in their elopement film when Steve gallops towards their meeting place like something out of a dream. You can’t do that in a church…

Sacred Moments Before the Ceremony

Before any cameras started rolling, I always do this grounding practice with my couples. It’s not just for show – it genuinely helps them transition from all the getting-ready energy into actually being present for their ceremony.

With Kyra and Steve, we stood under their tree and I guided them through some deep breathing. “Close your eyes,” I said. “Remember the first time you were both right here together.”

Watching them reconnect with that memory, seeing their faces soften as they remembered falling in love – that’s the moment I knew their film was going to be something special.

Then we talked about their hopes for the future. Where did they want their story to go from here? What were they promising each other? It wasn’t just about the wedding day – it was about their whole life together.

Vows That Were Actually Private

Here’s something that surprised me: Kyra and Steve wrote two sets of vows. One set for their small group of family and friends, and another set that was just between them.

After their official ceremony, they asked for a few minutes alone under the tree. I filmed from a distance, capturing the intimacy of that moment without intruding on their privacy. Those private vows were some of the most authentic moments I’ve ever witnessed.

This moment was a declaration that some promises are just between you. Making those moments sacred is everything I do this for.

I loved that. In an age where everything gets posted and performed, they created space for something that belonged only to them.

Celebrating Their Way

After all the emotional stuff, these two knew how to party. And by party, I mean cigars and tequila shots as the sun set over their property.

Was it what you’d expect at a typical wedding? Definitely not. Was it perfectly them? Absolutely.

Their friends and family were there, the horses were grazing peacefully in the background, and the Florida sky was putting on the most incredible light show. It was chaos and peace at the same time – which pretty much sums up Kyra and Steve perfectly.

Why This Approach Works

I think what made their elopement so special wasn’t just what they included, but what they left out. No stress about seating charts or vendor coordination or whether Great Aunt Martha would approve of the music.

They focused on:

• Each other
• The people they truly wanted there
• The place that felt most like home
• Celebrating in a way that felt authentic to them

That’s it. Simple but profound.

The Magic of Natural Light

As their videographer, I have to mention how gorgeous this timing was. They planned their ceremony for moments before golden hour, which meant everything was bathed in this warm, dreamy light and we still had time for a short portrait session with their animals afterwards.

But it wasn’t just about pretty pictures. There’s something about sunset that makes everything feel more sacred, you know? The day is winding down, nature is settling into evening, and there’s this sense of peace that you just can’t manufacture.

Okeechobee gave us these endless skies and open horizons. Every shot looked like a painting, but more importantly, the setting supported the intimate energy they wanted to create.

What I Learned from Them

Filming Kyra and Steve reminded me why I love this work so much. They weren’t trying to impress anyone or create content for social media. They were just two people in love who wanted to make a sacred promise to each other.

Their authenticity gave me permission to film differently too. Instead of hunting for the perfect shot, I could just be present and trust that the real moments would be worth capturing.

The result was a film that actually feels like them – not like a wedding video, but like a love letter.

For Anyone Considering an Elopement

If you’re reading this and thinking about your own intimate ceremony, here’s what I learned from Kyra and Steve:

Trust your instincts. If a big wedding doesn’t feel right, don’t do it just because you think you should.

Include what matters. Whether it’s horses or hiking or your grandmother’s ring or your favorite pizza place – if it’s important to your story, find a way to include it.

Create some privacy. Even if you’re having a tiny ceremony, consider having some moments that are just between you two.

Celebrate authentically. Champagne toast or tequila shots – do whatever feels like you.

Choose your team carefully. Make sure your photographer, videographer, and any other vendors understand that you’re creating something meaningful, not just throwing a party.

The Film That Resulted

Their film shows the gentleness between them and their horses, the way they naturally hold each other, the significance of their chosen spot, and the joy of their authentic celebration. But mostly, it shows their love – not performed or posed, but real and present and beautiful.

If This Resonates with You

I share Kyra and Steve’s story because it represents something I’m passionate about: weddings that honor who you actually are, not who you think you should be.

If you’re planning your own intimate ceremony and looking for someone who understands that your wedding day is sacred – not just an event to document but a moment to truly witness – I’d love to talk with you.

Because your love story, whatever it looks like, deserves to be seen and honored exactly as it is.

---

Thinking about an authentic elopement of your own? I’d love to hear about your vision and explore whether we might be a good fit to work together.