Jessica and Jordan | Stunning Lesbian Beachfront Wedding | December 11 , 2021
BAKER’S CAY RESORT in Key Largo, Florida
SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY
Jessica and Jordan’s picture-perfect lesbian wedding was simply put, a day in paradise. Literally, we were in paradise. This same sex couple wedding was held at Baker’s Cay Resort in Key Largo, FL. After a terribly wet wedding season so far this year, we were graced with the most beautiful weather in The Keys the weekend of Jessica and Jordan’s wedding. This celebration incorporated traditional grace and elegance with a load of love and laughter. One second everyone was tearing up watching Jess and Jordan’s First Look in the lush green walk alongside the beach, and the next moment we were all laughing hysterically as the maids told some stories about their drunk friend from the rehearsal the evening before. This destination wedding was set up start to finish to be such a laid back and enjoyable experience for everyone involved, which made the day even that much more special.
They got married December 11, 20121, after being together for six years. Jessica and Jordan wrote their own vows that they exchanged during the wedding ceremony that was officiated by Jessica’s Aunt. Jessica was escorted by her brother and Jordan her father. It was an intimate family affair, and there was not a dry eye on the beach that day. I absolutely loved that both of the beautiful brides wore the sweetest and most romantic lace embellished gowns. They actually looked quite similar, which was so funny since neither had any idea what the other was wearing. The unique ceremony on a private part of the beach at the resort was filled with touching stories, many were so funny I had trouble not laughing out loud. There was a lot of attention given to Jessica’s late father, who passed a year earlier. Their sweet goldendoodle was the ring bearer and stole the show. I can look at the photos from that ceremony over and over and never get tired of them.
After the ceremony we took some time for some sunset photos and then everyone partied the night away inside the resort ballroom. I’m not sure I have ever seen a couple more in love. As Destination Wedding Photographer, it’s such an immense privilege to be invited along to capture the most special day in a couple’s life. Congrats to the brid
Jessica and Jordan, you deserved your fairy tale wedding in paradise. It was a day we’ll never forget. Thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy, and love, and laughter was contagious, and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness! Love it? Then ‘Like’ us on Facebook & never miss a thing!
Any other questions? Just give us a call or send us an email and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have! If you have any questions regarding your upcoming Wedding or just want to chat to discuss your options, we are happy to help in any way we can! Just CONTACT US here and we will discuss your vision and questions in more detail!
Nikki and Cody + Better Late Than Never | September 19, 2020
The Island House | Charleston, South Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA and FLORIDA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY and BEYOND| SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY
Nikki and Cody’s Wedding at The Island House in Charleston, SC this past weekend was one I won’t soon forget. Nikki and Cody are a part of the unlucky group of couples who were planning on having their wedding back in the spring when Covid-19 was shutting everything down and forcing all of us to adapt to the “new normal”. With the help of an amazing Wedding Planner, Sparkles, Events Décor & Design and delightfully laid back couple, the wedding was rescheduled from May to September…and here we are! The wedding was originally set to be a church ceremony with a reception to follow at a separate venue, but that all changed once the wedding was rescheduled for May. The Island House in Charleston, South Carolina was the new venue, and while we know the couple loved their original venue, we knew they would love The Island House just as much! We have photographed many weddings at this venue and just love the beauty and ease of it. The Island House sits on a private island on the banks of the Stono River. It has the most stunning sunsets, a perfect view of the river, and a delightful island breeze that just adds to the comfort and charm. It is also a venue that you never have to leave! It has a floor for the girls to get ready, a separate floor for the guys to get ready, several beautiful options for your outdoor ceremony, and then a huge white tent with fun lighting for the reception. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
The day started in the big white house on the property where hair and make-up was done, the guys hung out, and the girls had a blast just hanging out. Nikki was surrounded with so much love from her girls, her very sweet daughter, her mother, and mother in-law to be. I’m pretty sure her heart was exploding with anticipation and excitement at this point, because they waited so long to get married and they were SO close at this point! After hair and makeup was done, she got her dress and everyone stood in the doorway in awe of how beautiful Nikki looked. She was jaw-dropping and looked straight out of a magazine.
Then comes the groomsmen. Our second photographer, Ramsey, had such a blast with them as they took pictures overlooking the property. These guys were so much fun to be around and pretty much laughed through all their portraits. Then Nikki and Cody read the letters they wrote to each other and I swear there was not a dry eye among us.
We ended up with a really pleasant, overcast day, which as a photographer you just love. The weather was a perfect 76 degrees with little humidity which was such a treat compared to the 90+ degree weddings I’ve been shooting lately! The only hiccup was the wind…it was BLOWING! Betty Anne and her crew with Sparkles, Events Décor & Design worked so hard at controlling the mayhem from the wind and they did an amazing job. I don’t know how they did it! For all the future bride and grooms reading this right now, here’s a bit of a wedding planning tip… hire a Wedding Planner if you can (even if just for the day). They are worth their weight in gold.
The ceremony overlooked the river and their pink and white linens with gold touches, tons of beautiful greenery, and all the other personal touches were so lovely. It was so elegant, simple, and perfect for the location. After the ceremony we took family and wedding party photos in front of the vibrant wild flowers and then it was time for the bride and groom portraits!! We took some really fun portraits using Nikki’s veil, which ended up being my some of my favorite portraits from the day. We wrapped up with some portraits around the property and then went to the reception tent to get the party started!! The wedding party led the party and the dance floor was hopping all night.
Together, Nikki and Cody completely compliment one another. He is always smiling (as is Nikki) and you can easily tell he loves her deeply, and quietly. They are, indeed, a perfect match, and I just feel so lucky that we got to document their love.
Nikki and Cody, no one deserves this perfect day more than the two of you. I am so happy that we got to be there to witness the beginning of your next big adventure. Thank you a million times over for being so fun and easy to work with. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness!
Any other questions? Just give us a call or send us an email and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have! If you have any questions regarding your upcoming Wedding or just want to chat to discuss your options, we are happy to help in any way we can! Just CONTACT US here and we will discuss your vision and questions in more detail!
FLORIDA BEACH WEDDINGS + HOW TO GUIDE FROM A LOCAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
SOUTH FLORIDA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY
So you’re thinking about having a Florida beach wedding?! That’s exciting! A nice, romantic, and intimate ceremony with beautiful sunset photos to follow? LOVE it! Sounds simple enough right? Hahahha WRONG.
Having a beach wedding in Florida is a very popular idea among couples planning their wedding and can be just perfect. We have shot a lot of Florida beach weddings and have some of the most beautiful photos and videos from these weddings. But I can for certainty that planning and pulling off a beach wedding is never as easy and straightforward as most couples expect it to be.
So let me share my years of experience and wisdom (a big LOL at the wisdom part) with you, and give you some tips and things to consider if you are planning a beach wedding or trying to decide if a Florida beach wedding is the right idea for your big day! But first, a pretty pic to keep your attention!
There are lots of things to consider before setting your sights on the ocean, from permits to personal beliefs about sand (yes, that’s a real thing). There are a number of things to check on, plan for, and time correctly. To help with all of the details and logistics that are behind a beach wedding, I would consider one or both of the following if your budget and/or vision permits:
Hire a coordinator who does beach weddings. There are coordinators who actually specialize in beach weddings and they offer specific packages just for beach weddings. Getting married on the beach is just like a regular wedding, but with a ton of unexpected things you probably never considered. So if it’s within your budget, I recommend working with someone who is experienced in planning a beach wedding in Florida. They’ll know their way around the local ordinances and get any permits you may need, take care of organizing all your vendors and their unique needs that may arise because of the beach venue, and they can act as your wedding bouncer if friendly passersby try to walk through your ceremony photos.
Get married at a beach resort: You know who does those private picturesque beach weddings really well? Destination beach resorts. And there are often a bunch of perks that come with it when you book one. Understandably leaving the country may be out of budget for you and your guests, but there are plenty of beach resorts here in the United States that offer a similar level of inclusion, with cheaper airfare costs (think: Florida). Beach resorts that offer beach weddings will most likely provide a wedding coordinator that will assist in the planning and execution or your wedding. It will be included in the package you purchase at the resort to have your wedding on their beach.
Now if either of the above suggestions will not work for you, here is a list of things to consider when you ae planning your own Florida beach wedding.
1. Public or private beach wedding
Most beaches in FL are open to the public. There are some though that belong to private residents or even some resorts have their own private beaches. So if getting married on a private beach to avoid bystanders and regular beach traffic, then you will need to get started early looking for a private beach with availability for your wedding. Having your wedding ceremony on a public beach is just going to be a lot more practical for most couples. Yeah, you may have some beach-goers who walk by during your ceremony or some kids yelling in the background. You can’t control that, so if that is something that might irk you then you should start your search for a private beach. But really, we have photographed so many beach wedding on public beaches and we rarely saw moments that the other people on the beach really interfered with the ceremony. And the small amount of times that it did happen, it was actually kinda funny and gave everybody a good laugh.
2. Ceremony on the Beach? Maybe the Reception too?
A wedding ceremony in the beach is usually what you think about when hearing the phrase “beach wedding”. Not often do you see a reception being held on the beach, but it definitely has been done and is possible. Permits and county/city ordinances vary depending on what kind event you’ll be having, whether food and drink, specifically alcohol, are involved, and if you’re requesting to block off a particular part of the beach. I will be honest and say I think a reception on the beach s just too hard. Even if you have the best case scenario and have a private beach to work with. You still will have the issue of sand, cause sand a food just do not mix, bringing enough electricity to the beach, having to lug all the rentals and food somehow down to the sand, etc. It’s just not the easiest reception venue So I would defintely recommend having the ceremony and portraits to follow on the beach, and then move the party somewhere that is better equipped to handle a large party. And you don’t have to travel far! There are so many waterfront restaurants, beach resort ballrooms, and even beach houses that are beautiful spots for nearby receptions. And the great thing about a beach house is that you can get ready for the wedding there beforehand and then pass out tipsy there when it’s all over! Win-win!
3. Permits and Ordinances
This is my least favorite topic ever. Ugh, so boring. But it is a must thing to consider and research when planning your own Florida beach wedding. Beach rules vary by state, county, and city. The best way to check to see if you need a permit and what are the rdinances to consider is a good old fashioned phone call. Call the local city office. Just by picking up the phone and speaking with somebody at the local government office can save you so much time and stress, and will ensure you are getting the right information. The internet on this topic is not always the most reliable source. There will be people telling you what they did, think, believe, suggest, etc. and unfortuntely none of those people are experts. Save some time and go straight to the source. Check with the local government to see what regulations they have regarding events and gatherings. Some things they may ask you are:
How many guests are you going to have? Some beaches have regulations about the number of people at one gatherings. Don’t be shocked if the beach you want to get married on has this restriction, it is somewhat common.
Do you want a more private ? While there here be options for roping off a section of the beach for the ceremony, this is not guaranteed and is something the local government office should be able to assist you on.
Will there be alcohol outside? If they ask you this, I would immediately say no. Many beaches prohibit alcohol on the beach, and even f they don’t, they may restrict your permit if they know a large number of people will be drinking together at the event.
4. Is Your Beach Wedding Accessible?
One of the reasons a beach wedding is so intriguing is because it can be so beautiful while being so simple? You don’t need a fancy aisle because the sand is beautiful enough! You don’t need to rent a bunch of chairs because the ceremony will be quick and simple so everybody an just stand and enjoy their toes in the sand. But what is Aunt Martha can’t stand very long? Are you going to have an option for her so she can sit? What if Grandpa is in a wheelchair these days, is he going to be able to get down to the ceremony site in the sand? The beach can add an element of challenges that other venues don’t, so just make sure to consider your guest list and figure out if any additional accommodations will need to be made.
5. Weather
So what’s your Plan B if it rains? Just with all other outdoor venues, you need to consider where you will have the wedding if it ends up raining. But at a beach, you can’t just put up a tent or run inside if the skies were to open up. So plan for the worst, hope for the best, and you will save yourself so much stress and running around the last minute if the weather forecast doesn’t look great. Also, consider when rainy season is. The best way to try to avoid rain is to book your wedding when it is not typically rainy. So in Florida, try to avoid the summer months for your Florida beach wedding because that is when we get the most rain. Which is actually a good thing because the summer months are so hot, who wants to get married in 100 degree weather?!Also, if you can, try to avoid hurricane season! I know that’s hard because hurricane season is pretty long, but if you have the option to avoid it then you should avoid it!
6. High Tide
You have got to check those tide charts! In Florida and every other beach on the world, the exact time for high tide is different every day so you must find out what that time will be on your wedding day and plan around it! You have got to make sure your ceremony start time won’t coincide with high tide or you very well may not have a beach to stand on.
5. Sound
The beach s noisy. Waves, wind, birds, people…it’s loud. Beaches aren’t usually equipped with power outlets so you may need to get creative so your guests can hear you. An experienced DJ should be able to assist with this, but make sure you discuss with them how it will be done and if they are experienced with beach weddings themselves.
6. The Sun
Oh the sun. A wedding photographer’s arch nemesis. In all seriousness, when planning your beach wedding you really need to consider what time the ceremony is going to start and where that darn sun will be during that time. Unless you are getting married near a pier, the beach rarely offers any type of shade for a ceremony. So you have to know where that sun will be and possibly adjust the ceremony time to account for it. You don’t want the sun to be too high. That is the most unflattering and harsh light. Sunset offers beautiful light but if it’s down too far it may be in your guests’ eyes or in yours. Also, you want to make sure you leave enough time to take all your family portraits, bridal party photos, and those beautiful bride groom portraits and following the ceremony! Your photographer should be able to assist is this so use their expertise to set the time of your ceremony and you should be in good shape.
If you have any questions regarding your Florida Beach Wedding or just want to chat to discuss your options, we are happy to help in any way we can! Just CONTACT US here and we will discuss your vision and questions in more detail!
Jessica and Jordan, you deserved your fairy tale wedding in paradise. It was a day we’ll never forget. Thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy, and love, and laughter was contagious, and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness! Love it? Then ‘Like’ us on Facebook & never miss a thing!
