St. Augustine Beach Elopement Hair and Makeup: Mcklevey and Ryan

On the morning of August 26, 2023, Mcklevey and Ryan were married on St. Augustine Beach — and I had the honor of starting their day with them. I arrived at 5 a.m. to style Mcklevey for her elopement, with her mom, her sister, and the rest of her family gathered close. Getting-ready mornings like this one are quiet in the best way: coffee, soft light, and a bride surrounded by the people who love her most.

Their story took an unexpected turn to get here. Mcklevey and Ryan had originally planned to exchange vows in Maui that September, but when circumstances on the island changed their plans, they pivoted quickly and put together a beach elopement here in St. Augustine instead. What could have felt like a compromise became a day that suited them completely.

The look: bronzed, minimal, and true to her

Mcklevey came to her wedding morning with beautifully cared-for skin — she is faithful to her regular facials — and she wanted her makeup to honor that. We went with a bronzed, minimal, no-makeup makeup: warm skin, softly defined features, and nothing that would read heavy in early beach light. It is one of my favorite briefs, because it only works when the bride's own skin is the star.

For her hair, we chose a low, softly undone bun with delicate face-framing strands — relaxed enough for a breezy shoreline, polished enough for portraits. She wore pearl drop earrings touched with something blue alongside her simple solitaire engagement ring, and her gown was a clean A-line silk silhouette with a beautiful open back. Every choice was quiet, intentional, and completely her.

Vows at low tide at Ocean Hammock Park

The ceremony took place at Ocean Hammock Park, where a boardwalk winds through the dunes and trees before opening onto wide, white sand. They timed it for low tide, so the beach stretched out around them as they exchanged vows with family and close friends gathered near, the waves keeping time in the background.

Afterward, the couple wandered into historic St. Augustine for portraits — under the oaks along Magnolia Avenue and through the brick-laid back alleys filled with greenery and florals. It is one of the reasons I love styling elopements here: within a few miles you get shoreline, old-city texture, and canopy oaks, all in one wedding day.

Vendor credits

• •Photography: My Nguyen Photography
• •Ceremony location: Ocean Hammock Park, St. Augustine Beach, Florida
• •Bridal hair and makeup: Maureen Ella

Mcklevey and Ryan's morning is a reminder that an elopement doesn't ask you to give anything up. With a look that feels like you and a place that means something, a quiet beach at sunrise can hold everything a wedding needs.