Bold and Breathtaking: Leah & David's Bora Bora Elopement at the St. Regis

Some weddings don’t need a hundred guests to feel complete. Leah and David’s Bora Bora elopement is proof of that — just the two of them, a flower arch overlooking Mount Otemanu, handwritten vows, and a candlelit dinner on the beach as the sun disappeared into the lagoon.

Photographer Damien Gobron captured every quiet, breathtaking moment of it. We’ll let the photos do most of the talking — but Leah was kind enough to share the full story, from how they chose Bora Bora to what she’d tell every bride considering an elopement.

Why Bora Bora?

Leah and David had always been travelers. Beautiful beaches were a given — but they wanted something that felt genuinely once-in-a-lifetime.

“I wanted a destination that offered the most beautiful turquoise waters, white sand, and a beautiful focal point,” Leah says. “Bora Bora had always been a dream destination. I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for our wedding.”

For the aesthetic, she kept it intentionally simple. “I wanted the decor to give off a natural and serene feel because I wanted all the focus to be on the scenery. I wanted to keep the flowers neutral — I didn’t want color to take away from myself or the scenery. The soft touches of white were just the right amount to really tie everything together.”

Planning at the St. Regis

The St. Regis Bora Bora handled nearly everything on-site, which made the planning process far less stressful than a traditional wedding.

“Having a destination wedding took a lot of the stress out of planning all the fine details,” Leah says. “The St. Regis made it all so easy. They are truly the experts.”

The couple chose from five on-site ceremony locations, five flower arch options, and around eight bridal bouquet styles. Leah landed on a crystal lei flower arch — “simple, yet elegant” — draped over the arch for the ceremony. Local flowers filled out the arrangement, chosen for their sophisticated island feel. Some options were limited due to COVID, but Leah didn’t stress over it. “I didn’t put too much emphasis on the flowers. The focus was to be on the mountain.”

The Looks

Dress shopping took time. Leah knew she wanted something tropical but still sophisticated — and she found it in a Made With Love gown.

“I love that it wasn’t all white and had a bone-colored lining. It helped bring out the details of my dress under the bright sun.” The lower back and fitted lace were a deliberate choice, as was the length — no long train for an island elopement. For shoes, she went with Sophia Webster heels laser-printed with “Wifey for Lifey” on the soles. “They made for a fun photo op.”

David wore a Brunello Cucinelli oatmeal linen suit with a striped shirt — relaxed enough for the heat, refined enough for the occasion. “We wanted it to have some aspects of traditional wedding attire but more relaxed. We didn’t want black because it would be too harsh — we wanted the overall palette to be neutral.” The pairing was perfect: his suit and her dress complemented each other without being matchy.

The Vows

The most personal touch of the day was one they gave themselves: handwritten vows.

“We took time on our outdoor bungalow to take in the scenery and write our vows,” Leah says. “Dave had been stressed about them, but they were perfect.”

The ceremony was followed by a candlelit dinner on the beach. “It was perfection and really ended our day on a high note. The St. Regis surpassed every expectation I had. I’d do it all over again.”

Their Story

Leah and David met in August 2009 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — first on a dance floor at a local dive bar, then again at a college football tailgate. They dated for eleven years before the proposal, which came quietly during the COVID shutdown when David suggested they start looking at diamonds together.

“We ended up building the ring together, which was special and exactly what I wanted.”

Advice for Couples Considering an Elopement

Leah is candid about the pushback she got from family — and equally clear about why she has no regrets.

“Everyone will have an opinion of how your day should look. It is important to do what makes you happy because it is your special day. Most of my family was upset that I chose to elope, but I knew that is what I wanted and what would make me the happiest.”

Her practical advice is just as honest: “Don’t stress over the small details. Time literally flies by and it all becomes a blur. I think photographs and videos are the most important part of the day. I look at my wedding photographs daily, to relive one of the best days of my life.”