Ancient Spanish Monastery Elopement - Maria & Christian

Elopement
Written by Ramses Garcia
Maria and Christian standing at the chapel altar under two round rose windows at the Ancient Spanish Monastery

Maria & Christian's Ancient Spanish Monastery Elopement

North Miami Beach, Florida

A small elopement with family and close friends

Maria and Christian had a small elopement at the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach, with family and close friends. Their Ancient Spanish Monastery elopement left us plenty of time for portraits around the grounds.

We started in the cloister, with its stone arches and tile floor. Maria wore a white gown and a lace mantilla veil, and Christian wore a navy tuxedo with a bow tie. The cloister is quiet and the light there is soft, so the first moments between them were easy to photograph. From there we walked into the chapel for portraits at the dark carved altar, under the two round rose windows.

Then we went outside to the lawn and the gardens. The ceremony was in a green corner of the grounds, with a stone niche behind the couple, red and white roses along the aisle and guests in white chairs. Afterward we did a family portrait in front of the stone arches and a few more portraits by the stone tower at the entrance.

If you're planning an Ancient Spanish Monastery elopement or a small wedding there, here is what I tell couples. Plan the day around the light: indoor spots like the cloister and chapel first, the lawn and gardens when the sun is lower. Keep the guest list small so nobody has to rush between locations. And leave time for portraits, because the monastery gives you stone arches, a chapel and open gardens within a short walk.

Photography: Ramses Garcia Photo (@ramses__g)

Christian in a navy tuxedo waiting in the cloister while Maria stands far behind him under the stone archesMaria and Christian standing side by side in the monastery cloister before the ceremonyMaria walking up behind Christian in the cloister, in black and whiteMaria in her white gown and long veil walking along the cloister toward ChristianChristian laughing with a hand at his face as Maria stands in front of him in the cloisterChristian kissing Maria's cheek as she touches his face, close portrait in black and whiteChristian touching his eye in an emotional moment while Maria rests her hand on his chestMaria and Christian sharing an emotional moment in the cloister, his hands holding hersPortrait of Maria in a white gown and lace mantilla veil, lit by soft window lightMaria standing by the stone arches of the cloister in a black and white portraitMoody portrait of Maria in her lace veil with soft light on one sideMaria and Christian standing close as Christian kisses her cheekMaria and Christian standing together in a shaft of light in the monastery cloisterChristian and Maria sharing a kiss in front of the dark carved altar in the chapelMaria and Christian holding hands and walking through the stone chapelChristian kissing Maria in the chapel in black and whiteMaria and Christian walking across the green lawn of the monastery gardensMaria in her veil on the lawn in golden evening light with Christian behind herChristian and Maria embracing and kissing on the lawn, in black and whiteChristian kissing Maria's cheek in warm light on the lawnChristian leaning on a stone wall while Maria stands in a stone archway behind himGuests in formal dress walking up the garden path to the ceremony, in black and whiteClose portrait of Christian in glasses and a bow tie waiting for the ceremony to startMaria carrying red and white roses as she walks down the garden path on the arm of her escortMaria and Christian facing each other in front of the officiant by a stone niche, in black and whiteChristian smiling at Maria during the ceremony in the gardensChristian reading from a card during the ceremony, in black and whiteMaria in her lace veil looking at Christian during the ceremonyMaria and Christian exchanging rings in front of the officiantMaria and Christian kissing in front of the stone niche with greenery around them, in black and whiteMaria and Christian walking back down the aisle as guests cheer on both sidesMaria and Christian standing in front of the stone tower at the monastery entranceSmall white wedding cake on a gold stand with a cake knife and platesGroup portrait of Maria, Christian and their family in front of the stone archesRed and white bouquet resting on lace beside Maria's white shoesMaria and Christian holding up their hands in a playful pose in the gardens

Planning a small wedding or elopement at the Monastery? Read my Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding photographer guide for photo spots and timing, and see Allie & Dillon's Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding. If you want something even simpler, my Miami courthouse wedding guide and courthouse wedding photography page cover elopements downtown.

I'm a Miami elopement photographer. If you want photos like these, let's talk about your story.

Ramses Garcia https://www.ramsesgarciaphoto.com
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