Some of you may remember that it rained all day last Friday.  ALL.  DAY.  And not just drizzles either – full on, balls to the wall, thunder and lighting and sheeting rain.  I watched the storms from the comfort of my kitchen window, constantly checking my watch and the weather app on my phone, hoping beyond hope that a miracle would happen in time for Rebecca and Clay’s beachfront wedding in Grayton Beach.  My windshield wipers worked overtime as I drive through Pensacola…then Navarre…then Destin…then on 30A…and when the downpour finally stopped, it was replaced by a biting, whipping wind that was just as bad (almost) as the storm had been.  Fifteen minutes before the ceremony, we decided to go for it outside, admitting that the wind might be an issue, but at least it wasn’t raining.  And then – as Rebecca opened the door to walk to her groom – the wind died.  Totally.  And the sun started to burn through the clouds.  And we ended up with the best sunset of the year so far as the backdrop to this lovely, elegant, and meaningful wedding.  (Teach me to be a pessimist!).  Here are a few of my faves.

So, Kristen and Joel from DeFYOOOniak Springs are tons of fun.  I think we were laughing by the second frame, and I don’t think we stopped until the sun went down (literally).  They were game for anything and handled obstacles – such as jellyfish and rogue waves – with aplomb.  I cannot wait for their backyard spring wedding…

Also, I didn’t enhance up the colors in the beach shots.  This might have been the most amazing sunset of the year.  I LOVE where I live!

Tracy and Joey are two of the warmest people I have ever had the pleasure of shooting.  We met over breakfast at the Coffee Cup last year (business over grits?  love it!), and you may remember their engagement portrait in the most awesome backyard ever.  Well, their wedding was filled with warmth and kindness and joy from all directions.  Big Lagoon is a gorgeous venue right here in Pensacola, and it was buzzing with laughter and happiness last month for their wedding.

Ceremony & Reception Venue |  Big Lagoon State Park

Gown |  The Bridal Loft (Pensacola)

Bridesmaids’ Dresses |  Katesy on Etsy

Flowers |  Kebbie Hollingsworth Floral

Food |  Apple Market

Music |  Matt Garner

I didn’t meet Mitch and Erica until the week of their wedding, so I didn’t know what to expect from this Iowa couple . . . but from the minute they walked into Bagelheads for a pre-wedding coffee pow-wow, I was so excited to be a part of their day (by the way, I have never written “pow-wow” before and had to look up the spelling – it can be alternately pow-wow, powwow, or pau-wau, in case you were wondering.  Weird.).  They are both sweet and genuine, and now I secretly want to be friends not only with them, but with their bridal party as well.  I’ve never laughed so hard!

ceremony venue saint anne catholic church in west pensacola

reception venue apple annie’s ballroom at seville quarter in downtown pensacola

bridal gown bridal suite

flowers blooms a million

beignets seville quarter

trolley  five flags trolley company

I love to travel.  I love Rick and Jennie.  I love weddings.  This equals one awesome destination wedding weekend!  I usually try to keep my blog posts to 40 photos or so.  This one tops out at almost 100.  I just couldn’t choose!  I think you can see why!

Also, Rick can do an outrageous Chewbacca impression.  It is particularly effective when done into a microphone at his wedding reception.

Beach weddings generally mean flip flops, which are super-comfortable but not particularly photogenic.  Louboutins are much better!!

This incredible steel drum band was made up of middle-schoolers from the local school on Turks and Caicos.  The proceeds went straight back to the school’s music program.  They were AMAZING.

Usually, the marriage license is signed in a corner somewhere as the couple rushes off to the reception.  I really appreciated that the officiant made the signing part of the ceremony.  Also, how much prettier is this backdrop than a dark corner somewhere?

No coloring books for the kids at this wedding!  Just the Caribbean…

So, I shoot destination weddings all the time, but usually, I’m the destination!  It was such a treat to have the opportunity to journey with the bride and groom to a destination far away from Pensacola Beach.  I wasn’t expecting to be as stunned by the Caribbean’s turquoise waters as I was (after all – we live on the Emerald Coast!), but they were SPECTACULAR.  Turks and Caicos – I will come whenever you call

On the morning of Jennie and Rick’s wedding, I set an alarm and had some photography fun during sunrise.  It was just me, tidal pools, and fishing boats.  These are a few of my favorite shots.

So, Maggie and Mike are from Missouri.  And you know what?  If you’re from a landlocked state, and want to get married on the beach, I’m pretty sure you can’t choose a prettier town than Seaside, Florida (it’s where they shot The Truman Show, folks!).  The waters and sands are breathtaking, and the town itself is picture-perfect.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of shooting in such a lovely location – with such a beautiful couple!

The tables were named after famous couples – you know, Romeo and Juliet and the like . . . I knew for sure that I was obsessed with this couple when I saw the “Zack and Kelly” table.  Shakespeare and Saved by the Bell attending the same party is pretty much my idea of perfect.

This shot was actually my last shot of the night!  Great end to a fabulous wedding.

It was so much fun to be a part of Keri and Mark’s wedding in Navarre last month.  I enjoyed being with them from start to finish – from the condo on Navarre Beach, to the limo, to the church, to the beach, to the party, to the horse-drawn Cinderella carriage that ended the evening.  Both families were incredibly inviting, and it was my honor to witness and record the love and warmth in the room

Congratulations, Keri and Mark!

So, I am scared of heights.  Not like, “hyperventilating-and-crying-scared,” but I definitely close my eyes and pretend to be elsewhere while the Ferris Wheel is moving.  I also love photography challenges.  The excitement at shooting atop a lighthouse beat out the panic, and here are the results.

Stephanie and Frasier had a lovely ceremony, witnessed by Stephanie’s three children and the setting sun.  The shoot was a joy – a bit of a family portrait, a slice of a wedding, and a smidge of a romantic couples’ shoot – and was a perfect way to spend the afternoon of such a beautiful day.  It was touching to witness the new family sharing in the sanctity and celebration.

This is my favorite photo EVER of a witness signing the marriage license!

Check out Stephanie’s daughter’s hand offering a handkerchief.  Love it.

You know the phrase “perfect weather?”  Well, I think it refers to last Saturday at Navarre Beach.  Here’s one of many beautiful shots from Keri and Mark’s wedding.  More to follow…