meet the team
Meet the Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements Team!
Just like your marriage is a partnership, so is our business. We couldn’t do this work without our team of Partner Officiants who make our weddings wonderful experiences. We’re also proud to have a team of trusted Partner Photographers who will capture the joy of your day so you can remember it for decades to come.
Collectively, we’re a team of powerful women with life experiences spanning entrepreneurship, motherhood and artistry who believe in our shared mission to marry all the people in a way that’s fun, inclusive and focused on you!
Buffy Nelson
Owner/Lead Officiant
Shannon Vaughn
Resource and Operations Manager
Shannon has been with our team since 2017 and is in charge of all of our scheduling and client support and keeps us organized. Shannon is a military spouse and mom of 4 and has worked for us from various spots around the world. We couldn’t do anything without her help!
Officiants
Regina Morgan
Partner Officiant | Savannah, GA
Regina has a unique perspective on the Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements team as the mother of one of our former brides. Her experience going through this process from both sides, on top of her spot-on maternal instincts and organized nature, make her a wonderful fit for our team.
Tara Kelly
Partner Officiant | Savannah, GA
Tara, a New Orleans native, has called Savannah home since 2002. She brings a unique background to her role as a wedding officiant, having spent over 26 years using her theatre degree to create pieces for numerous TV shows, movies, and performing artists. She has joyfully officiated hundreds of weddings with Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements (SCWE) and loves being a part of every couple’s special day. When she’s not officiating or sewing, Tara is a busy mother of three, married to her high school sweetheart (a graduate of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College!). You can often find her at the ice rink, either working on her spins and jumps or cheering on her favorite local hockey team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Let’s Go Pirates!
Cassie George
Partner Officiant | Savannah, GA
As someone who has eloped herself, Cassie realizes that no matter the size of a wedding, the excitement and joy are just as big and that the details help to create meaningful moments. She is a lover of all things Savannah and loves to share suggestions on things to do in the area. When not officiating, you can find Cassie and her husband downtown, enjoying one of the many restaurants!
Photographers
Bronston Photography
Partner Photographer | Savannah, GA
Bronston Photography has an impeccable reputation in Savannah for their elopement and wedding photography. Their owner, Tori, has a down-to-earth style that will make any couple at ease in front of the camera, and her skill extends to her entire team.
Kenzie Morgan Photography
Partner Photographer | Savannah, GA | Hilton Head Island, SC
Kenzie Hamby of Kenzie Morgan Photography is not only a talented wedding photographer, but a fun & creative spirit who you’ll love having around on your wedding day. She is ready to take you on an photography adventure during your elopement or intimate wedding!
5D Photography
Partner Photographer | Savannah, GA
Lisa has been a professional photographer for over 20 years. She is a native Savannian and loves to help couples navigate our beautiful city on their wedding day. When she’s not photographing a special day you can find her spending time with her family, snuggling with her adorable pup or buying way too many plants!
Ashta Harler
Partner Photographer| Hilton Head Island, SC & Savannah, GA
Ashta is an experienced photographer with an artist’s eye for creativity and detail. She works with couples to create a visual story that captures the most special moments of their wedding day. Ashta is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design and her style uses contrast and natural tones to create images that visually pop and are full of emotion.
Buffy Nelson
Owner/Lead Officiant
Buffy Nelson is the heart behind Savannah Custom and Elopements, bringing nearly a decade of passion, experience, and local expertise to every celebration. What began as a side hustle—quickly blossomed into something much bigger. Buffy joined the journey in 2016 and helped transform the business into a thriving full-time company dedicated to creating unforgettable wedding experiences.
In 2022, Buffy stepped into the role of Brand and Operations Manager, where she refined the company’s concierge service for destination couples, elevating its client experience, and helped guide the company’s continued growth. Her dedication and leadership led to an exciting new chapter in 2025, when she officially became the owner of Savannah Custom and Elopements!
A Savannah resident for over 30 years, Buffy brings a deep local knowledge and a genuine love for the city to every couple she works with. Over the years, she has helped marry thousands of couples, each with their own unique story, ensuring their special day is seamless, meaningful, and truly memorable.
When she’s not out marrying people, Buffy is a proud mom to her four-legged companion – a rescue pup named Birdie. She also enjoys spending time with her two-legged, nerdy companion named Adam while embracing the charm, and the people of the city she calls home.