Take two friends who have known one another several (5) years.  Each of these young (in their 40’s) lovers have flown around the world many times.  She is a former flight attendant; he worked with his father training pilots in many foreign countries.  Where in this world would be the ideal setting for their wedding? Thinking quietly to himself the soon to be groom spent weeks of study. (This is what pilots have a tendency to do when planning an adventure.) Quiet, romantic, water and mountains; just a short hop by airplane, of course it must be St. Croix!

One distinct problem presented itself almost immediately.  What about their respective families?  Bar, Loring Bar Eisenhauer, had family scattered across the United States including a son and daughter in New Jersey, a mother in Pennsylvania, a father and his new wife in Florida, and brothers up North too.  The beautiful bride, Danielle Trammel Schauerman also had family throughout the USA from California, to Ohio and Florida.  After much consideration they decided to elope!  Imagine two forty year olds sneaking out to the islands to be married. Truth be told, Dannie said to him one day, “I don’t want to be your girlfriend any more; I want to be married.”  Bar replied, “I thought we were?”

Most of the planning rested on the shoulders of our son Bar.  He arranged the travel plans and also managed to keep it a secret from his father, my husband, even though they were still in business together and spoke almost daily. There was some interference in the form of Hurricane Georges which swept through the Caribbean in late September just a few days prior to their scheduled departure. After consideration and weather updates they resumed their plans.

On September 27, 1998 the couple embarked from Tampa, Florida aboard the an American Airlines flight.  The necessary paperwork, visas and marriage certificate was a project in itself requiring the consulate in St. Croix and Florida customs to coordinate.  Flying over the azure blue waters and eventually arriving in Puerto Rico provided a peaceful change from their busy lives.  Unfortunately the hurricane had raised havoc with the electricity and thus the air conditioning at the airport.  It didn’t help to have Dannie’s suitcase missing for a brief time.  Undaunted, their excitement returned as they enjoyed a brief hop and the sea plane docking in St. Croix. Continuing their adventure they we stunned by their breathtaking “almost colorful” view of Cane Bay.  I say almost colorful because the inopportune visit of Hurricane Georges had also stripped the island of its fabulous display of exotic flowers. The groom spent a large portion of their wedding day searching through the foliage for some hint of a flower for his wife’s bouquet. When all else failed he became creative and substituted the colorful leaves of different shapes and sizes. Growing our of the sandy soil were long stemmed gifts of golden yellow, emerald green, royal purple and sunset orange, awaiting his touch to create a natural, priceless bouquet.

By now you realize that although this wedding party was small; it was the love that made it a dream wedding come to life. 

For her gown Dannie had selected a simple white sarong and golden sandals.  Her beautiful blond tresses were charmingly arranged in an ups weep of cascading curls.  Petite golden earrings framed her face. 

 Her groom, Bar, wore white.  He was relaxed in a collarless shirt and white slacks.  His lone adornment was an unusual small leaf boutonnière. And he gave the “flower girl” (the inn keeper’s daughter, a miniature leaf bouquet. She also scattered the bits and pieces along the path to the waters edge. Bar’s “almost” golden locks were pulled back to fall to his shoulders.

The longest hair in the group was sported by the Minister, Ray Komorowski, a local sculptor, when he wasn’t officiating at ceremonies.  The remainder of the wedding party consisted of the innkeeper, his wife and a lovely female guest who bought a camera and took photos. This was a perfect mix for this simple, simply wonderful celebration of love.

Adding to the vows and the almost unrealistic aura was the wedding band, designed by Bar, in the shape of an airplane, and created by a jeweler in their home town of Winter Haven, Florida.  The windows and engines set with diamonds.

St. Croix with its multi hued blue water and green mountains is the perfect setting for a late afternoon ceremony.  Their accommodations were at “The Waves of Cane Bay” which was at the time owned and operated by Susan and Ken Ryan from New Jersey.  The small party met at the surf’s edge where the water gently caressed the sand.  The music was supplied by the gentle breeze.  Just as the Minister completed the nuptials and they repeated their “I do’s” a single large wave washed up to their feet welcoming them to this new life.

After a brief sojourn in paradise the couple returned to their new home in Gulf Shores, Alabama where Bar owns and operates “The Bird of Paradise” a sightseeing antique bi plane out of Jack Edwards airport.  Stop by and visit with the newly married Eisenhauers and perhaps you will enjoy a flight over the coast of Florida.  You might even be one of the couples who choose to have their nuptials blessed at one thousand feet high over the Gulf of Mexico…..

Patricia Eisenhauer D.D.                                                                                                       

Author/Mother