Aimee & Zach – Wedding
Venue 142 & Harmony Gardens, DeLeon Springs, Florida
The couple opted for me to capture their rehearsal instead of an engagement session – which is totally fine in my book! I love capturing rehearsals because you get to meet all the family members and some of the guests before the big day. It sets the overall tone and helps with expectations for the following day.
The rehearsal was held at Venue 142 with its rustic vibe and red-brick walls which made for a good background. Everyone was all smiles during that day, and you can just feel the excitement and anticipation – from friends and family to the couple themselves.
I’ve never photographed at Harmony Gardens before, so you can only imagine my excitement at finding out how stunning the venue is! The staff is also very friendly and accommodating. As an animal lover, I loved that there were stables of horses around the location. Obviously, I couldn’t help myself and took some photos of the animals as well!
What was even more charming about the wedding is that the couple included their dog, Boone, during the ceremony! It was absolutely adorable, seeing the dog waiting at the end of the aisle with the groomsmen and excited husband-to-be.
Because of all the surrounding wildlife, the wedding ceremony almost captured like a woodland fairytale. I managed to take a lot of stunning photos of the couple with their dog around the grounds – a fantastic little family! The couple had a natural chemistry that made them a joy to photograph.
Reception was also held at Harmony Gardens. The first dance felt even more magical with all the greenery in the background. The outdoor location didn’t stop anyone from having the time of their lives. There were toasts to the couple and heartfelt speeches. Finally, they were sent off by a dome of sparklers.
Overall, an absolutely charming and enchanting wedding.
Kat & Leland – Wedding
Leu Gardens & 1010 West, Orlando, Florida
Preparations began with a toast with the couple’s respective groomsmen and bridesmaids. Then, Kat had to get into her gown before the ceremony. I suppose I shouldn’t really have any favorites, but Kat’s dress is definitely up there with some of my most favorite that I’ve photographed! It was the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance, and I must say, it really suited her.
Kat and Leland got married on their 10th anniversary of being a couple. It looked like the skies celebrated their special day as the weather was definitely in their favor. It was simply the perfect day for an outdoor wedding! I captured some great photos of the couple in the lovely gardens – with flowers in full bloom – and under the blue sky and white clouds – which you definitely don’t get to capture often. I also took some shots of the couple with their groomsmen and bridesmaids surrounded by the mini forestry. Leu Gardens offered so many options for perfect backgrounds. I managed to capture the couple’s genuine, ecstatic smiles all around the location. Their gestures with each other were really very sweet.
Reception was held at 1010 West, a unique event space in Orlando with an interior that almost seemed like a barn in the countryside – even though it’s actually an airplane hangar! The venue had a rustic aesthetic to it and the décor, such as fairy lights and antique chairs, added very cozy vibes. Photos taken during reception had warm tones to them. The guests enjoyed themselves on the dance floor and took advantage of the photo booth. You can just tell everyone was having a grand time.
My talented friend and fellow photographer, Cat Lemus, acted as a second photographer at the wedding. It was great to have her there with me, covering reception details and décor so I was able to focus on Kat and Leland’s images together post-ceremony.
This was definitely a wonderful day.
Jayna & Gracie – Engagement
Cocoa Beach, Florida & Monte Carlo Coffee
It was simply summer paradise for this beautiful couple.
The weather was perfect for a stroll on the beach, and we managed to take advantage of this fortunate blessing by taking tons of gorgeous photos along the shore of the lovely Cocoa Beach, Florida. While the sun wasn’t high up in the sky as it would during the late morning or early afternoon, it was completely ideal to capture the couple as the sun sets across the horizon.
The natural light gave us stunning photographs and wasn’t at all glaring, giving the couple the opportunity to pose as leisurely and naturally as they wanted without the worry of a bad photo. This session specifically reminded me of how much I miss photographing engagement sessions and weddings at the beach.
Their chosen outfits at the first half of the sessions showed both Jayna and Gracie’s distinct personalities and subtle differences. They stood out beautifully among the sand and sea with their lovely dresses. I also captured photos of the couple as they strolled along a wooden bridge, and had them relax together on the sand with their favorite books, easily incorporating their passion for reading into their session.
For the second half of their engagement session, the couple changed into more casual outfits, and we moved to Monte Carlo Coffee – the couple’s favorite coffee shop. This time, they incorporated their love for coffee into their session, showing more of their affectionate dynamic at the café as if simply on one of their coffee dates. It was an overall fun and unique session, especially after adding some of the things the couple enjoyed doing together.
Not long after this engagement session, the couple had their wedding a few weeks later – which I also had the honor of photographing. Jayna & Gracie are both very sweet girls, and it was such an incredible honor to be able to capture and share these beautiful moments of them together.
Damon & Tristain – Engagement
Ybor City – Tampa, Florida
Here’s a fun session thanks to an extremely fun couple!
I met Damon through my very talented photo friend, Laura Davis. The two of them have been friends for years. Damon also officiated a wedding I photographed a few years ago. I didn’t get to meet the lovely Ms. Tristain until they’re engagement session, however. But she was incredibly sweet, and her chemistry with Damon came naturally as I took photo after photo.
They’re so well-suited for each other. I might even say they’re just the absolute perfect match. They make each other laugh constantly, which made for really delightful shots. I captured a lot of fun, genuine moments between them, and found myself enjoying their company throughout the session.
The couple’s only request was to be photographed around their favorite bars and certain areas around Ybor City. It made for interesting and unique shots. The overall aesthetic of the photoshoot was generally warm tones in combination with their warm smiles and the distinct twinkle in their eyes. You can simply tell how much they adore each other.
For the first half, they kept it really casual. Despite the bottles of beer, the whole vibe was cozy – but that probably mostly had to do with the couple’s natural chemistry. We went around Ybro City and took some romantic shots at rustic sceneries, and a few wacky and candid ones at Centro Ybro.
During our barhopping session, Tristain added a little dazzle to their photos with her simple but lovely gold dress. She definitely stood out among the dark interior of the bars. Damon’s tattoos are also very eye-catching, and he didn’t shy away from showing them off in their photos. If there’s one thing I love about this couple, it’s that their smiles never left their faces the entire time they were together.
I can’t wait for their wedding next year!
Jayna & Gracie – Wedding
Getting Ready – Alfond Inn, Winter Park, Florida
Ceremony – First Congregational Church of Winter Park
Reception – Orlando Museum of Art
And it’s the officially the big day for Jayna and Gracie! Time really does fly by so fast. I am honored to be able to capture both the couple’s engagement session and wedding day, as well as their rehearsal the day before the wedding. All big events were absolutely wonderful experiences.
At the rehearsal, I had the opportunity to meet all the family members and close friends before their big day. I really like that capturing rehearsals is becoming more popular for couples these day. The couple kept it simple in their smart casual attire, saving their best ensemble for their very special day.
The next day, both girls got ready at Alfond Inn where they also had their First Look. I especially love that their individual styles and personality stood out just from their chosen attire alone. Right off the bat, the moment the couple laid eyes on each other, their smiles were unfaltering, making their first look (and, honestly, the rest of the event) such a precious moment.
After that, we jumped right into family and bridal party photos. Alfond Inn is a remarkably stunning location for photoshoots, so I was excited when the girls selected it for their getting ready images. It was also within walkable distance from their ceremony location.
The ceremony was an intimate one, with only their closest family and friends present. Instead of tears, there were huge smiles and laughter between the couple and their guests, which made for really great shots. They were welcomed into their new life together with bubbles just outside the wedding venue.
As art lovers, it was only natural for the couple to select the Orlando Museum of Art for their reception venue. It was another beautiful wedding location. The various art pieces in the background gave each of their photos a unique and colorful touch in addition to the golden theme of their chosen decorations. In contrast to the art that surrounded them, however, they couple settled for simplicity when it came to the actual reception area, giving it a distinct charm with the that suits them very well.
At the end of the night, the couple was sent off with ribbons attached to a light stick, giving the final photos of the day a lovely and brilliant glow. Cheers to this Jayna & Gracie!
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