Florida Cracker Trail Elopement

This Florida Cracker Trail elopement brings Florida’s history to light and intertwines it with a modern day elopement. The Florida Cracker Trail (FCT) was a styled elopement shoot to help showcase that Florida offers more than just sandy beaches for your elopement. Our bride grew up riding the trail and her family serves on the board of the Florida Cracker Trail Association. They were literally the inspiration for this shoot.

If you’re not familiar with the FCT, it’s a week long ride on horseback from Bradenton to Fort Pierce. It’s a tribute to the Florida cracker days when cattle were moved from one side of the state to the other to ship out. The term “cracker” comes from the sound a whip, which is used to move cattle and Florida cracker was coined for those who worked cattle. During the ride, there’s many stops on ranchlands where riders are able to recharge and revitalize the spirit of the FCT.

The vision behind the shoot was to show off a couple that was able to participate in the trail ride, arrive at camp, get married, and enjoy being in nature. The shoot involved mixing up hot toddies, eating Florida’s state sub – The Pub Sub, roasting marshmellows, and playing some card games.

Here’s The 6-hour Timeline:

Ride into Camp (30 minutes)

Getting Ready at the Campsite (2 hours)

Ceremony (15 minutes)

Bride and Groom Portraits (1 hour)

Campfire Cocktails, Card Games, & Marshmellows (2 hours)

Tips for planning your horseback elopement:

1. Work with your HMUA to ensure they’re able to do hair and make up on-site or if you need to go into town.
2. If you’re planning to tent camp, have a shower plan!
3. Acclimate your horse to your wedding dress. If they’re not familiar with large fluffy white dresses hanging over them, the you’ll have to dedicate some time to getting them used to it.
4. Get boots that you can ride in and get married in to save space.
5. Last but not least, hire one of the below vendors to help you! They are totally up any all of your elopement plans. Bet.

Want to start planning your own Florida Cracker Trial elopement? Let’s rip it, sister.

Want to learn more about the Florida Cracker Trail or how to become a member of FCTA? Check out their website!

Amazing Vendors

Photographer: Hazography

Event/Host Organization: Florida Cracker Trail Association 

Models: Michaelah & Griffin Shultz

Horses: Lorida & Nevada

Florist: Fern and Curl Designs

Hair: Wild Tress Studio

Make Up: Laney MUA

Jewelry: JP Leather Brand

Dress: Olivia Bowen Bridal

Elopement Sign & Vow Books: Love Fern Design Studio