Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables and the Keys Wedding Photography & Videography

Durham Wedding Photographer | Fort Lauderdale Anniversary Session | Fíonna + Madeline

8/16/2018

Here Come The Brides - One Year Wedding Photo Redo

Fíonna and Madeline contacted me a year a go to talk about retaking some photos from their wedding. They didn't have a professional photographer but still wanted special hand made details captured, including her wedding dress her mom made! I was so thrilled when the timing finally worked out and we met at the park they got married. Laura Ward Park in Fort Lauderdale has a small green area, colorful benches, and a beautiful beach. I so treasured getting to know them! They're active and out doorsy, but also love a cozy night in. Just texting with them I knew there were special. Genuine, caring, easy going. Their proposal story is just as perfect:

Madeline planned an "impromptu" trip home to Puerto Rico giving Fíonna a days notice to pack for a 3-day weekend. On day two they ended up in a small body of water, with its own little waterfall, after hiking a 40 minute trail in El Yunque National Forest, where Madeline proceeded to hurry Fíonna over to her to show her what "she found". Dumbfounded to see a ring in Madeline's hand, Fíonna did say, "YES!" when she came back to Earth! A complete, complete surprise! After returning home Fíonna had her own little surprise of an engagement pendant waiting at home for Madeline, which she presented to her on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

Fíonna says of Mads, "I have only fallen more deeply into "US" in this last year and I am so grateful I'm married to my best friend!"

Like gaaahhhhh!! Just beyond beautiful!!! We laughed and had an amazing time taking photos and chasing the sun. I loved their energy, their delight in each other, and their details. Here's some of the special things they put together:
Dress: Fionna's mom hand made her dress!!
Flowers: Fionna's favorite flower is the calla lilly and Mad's is the Bird of Paradise so she created her own bouquet for the session
Shoes: Fionna wrote "Just Married" and their date, 7-27-17 on the bottom
Rings: Fionna made her own wedding band from beads
Tie Clip: Special family heirloom Madeline wore

These are clearly just two special people, see their overflowing love below!! Thank you F+M for letting me celebrate with y'all!! <3

And because I'm silly and I had soo much fun with them (and I love my drone) I had to hop in too!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Miami, Florida Engagement | Maureen + Gerald

8/9/2018

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Coral Gables Bohemian Field Love Story Perfection

I first met Maureen & Gerald at my favorite place in Miami's Art District, Wynwood's Salty Donut. It was like love, I mean, super friendship at first sight. We talked, laughed, Gerald pointed out celebrities, I ate like 4 GF donuts, and we made plans to all hang out again at the new riverside bar, The Warf. Miami has soo many amazing places to explore that it's helpful to have a guide like Maureen. She's an incredibly talented writer (check out her site HERE) and I frequently come across her articles when I'm Googling about where to eat in Miami. And then I feel really cool and proud when I see her name at the bottom! Her fiancé is just as kind and loving with a heart for service. He was a science teacher with a goal to provide interactive education and build up his students. Now, he's starting his journey as pharmacist! If this faith centered, high school sweet hearts, power couple love story isn't already making you swoon, just check out these photos!!

We adventured to a field in Coral Gables, prayed for dry skies, and skipped through the tall grass to chase the dipping sun. She looked radiant in her black v neck dress with orange and peach complimenting hair piece and bouquet from the talented Sara Rose Coulored Florals. I also loved Gerald's light gray jacket, their hilarious felt letter board sign, and just their genuine and pure love. I'm so honored to have made life long friends and overjoyed to be a part of their wedding celebrations!

Love y'all!!!!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Miami Beach Engagement | South Pointe Park | Ryan + Sara

7/31/2018

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North Carolinian BFFS Travel To See L+D In Miami!!

Where to even begin!?! Drew and I have known Ryan since high school in Raleigh, NC. Ryan and I took tons of classes together, survived (ish) Spanish, and then he and Drew became room mates for 3 years of college! Ryan was in our wedding and has made so many trips to Chapel Hill to see us. We have so many good memories together over the past 10 years! We're beyond grateful for his friendship! Ryan is witty, smart, and caring. I always know when Drew giggles at a text that Ryan probably sent some clever gif. When Ryan moved to Charlotte for his engineering job he started playing volleyball with a group of friends. Sara was also in that group and the two hit (ha) it off. Ryan is insanely athletic, I watched him and Drew play lots of soccer in college and we played ultimate with him, so when we started hearing about this amazing girl who dominated the courts we were intrigued. We couldn't wait to meet Sara at a friend's wedding. We danced, and laughed, played bocce ball, and had a blast together. Drew and I got in the car to head home and immediately said/knew they were going to be together forever. Truly, we knew they were the perfect match in so many ways. Sara's just as bright, energetic and thoughtful. She's an educator at a local state park and has lived and traveled all over the world.

Over Christmas, they ventured to South Africa and went on a safari. After an amazing day seeing wild dogs, and the big 5, Ryan organized a tent side romantic dinner for two where he proposed. Just beyond perfection. He even custom designed her engagement ring!!! Just the level of romance and thoughtfulness makes my heart so full!

Drew and I were over the moon when they texted saying they booked their flight to come see us in Miami!! It had been too long and we couldn't wait to properly celebrate their engagement in person and show them around our city before we take off on our own adventure. We went to the art district, floated all day in the ocean, played games at yummy sea food by the marina, and just laughed and told stories and dreamed about the future. This engagement session was a joy to photograph. While I can't wait to be back in Raleigh photographing families, engagements, and weddings, I love being a wedding photographer in Miami because we can run around in the sand and sea and catch amazing sunsets! They were just authentically them! We got a few romantic moments and classic poses in there but I just love the energy and joy in them too!

We are so grateful to both of y'all and can't wait for next July in Asheville!!!

Sara's just going to be my second photographer now, thanks Drew, haha. She just picked up the camera and now we know how it feels to be on the other side for a hot awkward second! Is there anything you can't do Sara?!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Miami Beach Maternity | Bethany + Brad

7/24/2018

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Destination Baby Moon Family Photos

Bethany + Brad are fellow North Carolinans who found me, a Miami Beacher, through my dear friend and fellow photographer Jen Gallardo of The Wild Bloom. I had no idea of this beautiful connection until I arrived at their Fort Lauderdale hotel. Jen and I met in Raleigh through a workout group. Drew and I also had the honor of having her take our anniversary photos too (see her blog post of us here)! She then moved to Charlotte and met beautiful Bethany through the same group! Such a small and incredible world!

B+B chose to have their baby moon at the same hotel they got married at. I love this idea and how they chose to commemorate each mile stone with a special get away with a focus on quality time. Bethany was a stunner in two amazing dresses and just glowed next to her supportive and fun husband. I loved the laughs, snuggles, and candid in between moments.

Talking with them about home was just what I needed too. There's an ease and welcomeness that fellow southerners have, and it was so life giving to be around kind, genuine, and considerate people. While I love being a wedding photographer in Miami, sometimes being in a big, transient, and South American city can have it's tough moments. These two wonderful souls reminded me of all we have to look forward to going home in just a few weeks! We are so ready to touch base in Raleigh and be with family and friends before our move to Rome, Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden!

Thank you three for the most wonderful sunset maternity session on Miami Beach! Truly a favorite!

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Durham Wedding Photographer | Vizcaya Elopement | Niklas + Marjo

7/17/2018

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A Love Story From Finland to Miami

Niklas and Morjo met online and from their first date to an amusement park, they knew it was the last first date they would go on. Both of them have hearts of gold. He is in public service and helps manage road projects and she is an elementary school teacher for kids with special needs. They love visiting Miami and when they decided to get married they wanted a simple and stress free celebration. Their ceremony was a heartfelt exchange of vows on the beach and and followed by elopement portraits at the amazing Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. We talked about their love story, their passions, and travel!

Drew and I love traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing all cultures. Next year we're so excited to begin our year of adventure in Rome, Italy! If you're traveling and our dates match up, let me know! We'd love to show you around our new city and of course take pictures!

Now - Sept. Miami, FL
Sept.- Oct. 10 Raleigh, NC
Oct 10-Jan 8 Rome, Italy
Jan 19 Miami Wedding
Jan2 24- Feb 24 Christchurch, NZ
Feb 8-15 Chiang Mei, Thailand
Feb 24-April 21 Queenstown, NZ
April-June Trollhättan, Sweden
July-Sept 2019: Raleigh, NC

Thank you and congratulations again N+M! We can't wait to meet up when we're in Sweden!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | South Pointe Park Engagement | Maggie + Derek

6/19/2018

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All White South Beach Engagement

I am always so humbled when my friends/clients refer other friends/couples my way! Andrea and Jeff (view gorgeous wedding HERE) so kindly set us up and mother nature responded in kind with dry skies! Summer in South Florida can be unpredictable with lots of afternoon storms. I was so thrilled to capture a few photos in celebration of their engagement and upcoming wedding in France! Derek is in aviation so it I was happy to capture a plane in one of their shots and also break out the drone! M+D rocked the all white and the wind provided the most romantic feel to the evening. The spins, dips, and lifts were magical as the sun set over South Beach! So happy we got to meet and laugh, and I can't wait to see their stunning wedding photos!

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Durham Wedding Photographer | Downtown Miami & Brickell Key Wedding | Isabella + Drew

6/18/2018

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Historic Church Ceremony & Mandarin Oriental Portraits

Isabella + Drew got married in one of Miami's oldest buildings in downtown which is now home to a church. The most beautiful thing about this church is that Isabella's parents and her grandparents were married at the same place! It was such an honor to be a part of a 3rd generation saying vows in such a personal location. As a native North Carolinian, I was thrilled to hear they had ties to the south. Drew lived in Charlotte and they met in college in the mountains of Virginia. This wedding was so uniquely them and lots of friends and family came together from all over the world to make their day special! I loved their first blind look as they held hands around the corner and they started off their ceremony with a slide show entitled "The Story of Drew + Bella". After their incredible breakfast buffet, we ventured to Brickell Key's Mandarin Oriental Hotel and took photos on their oasis surrounded by water, palm trees, and the skyline.

Thank you both for allowing me to document the next chapter in your love story and come see my Drew and I in Rome!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Intimate Fort Lauderdale, FL Riverside Wedding | Tenisha + Courtney

6/12/2018

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Pink & Navy Tarpon River Wedding

Drew and I love being hybrid photographer and videographers. So we love whenever a couple wants us to do both as we capture their wedding day. We brought in the talented Jennifer of Cortiella Photography to help photograph the day! T+C are so bright, full of energy, and clearly totally in love! Miami is turning into a small world, while T was trying on wedding dresses, she started talking with another bride who was in for her last fitting. It just so happened to be one of our friends and bride Andrea! (See out blog of her stunning wedding HERE). SO grateful Andrea recommended us because we adored this unique and intimate wedding. I knew the day was going to be perfect when T had the idea of having a pillow fight with her bridesmaids! I love seeing couples just have fun on their wedding day. That's what I treasure about intimate weddings. The groom was no different, he was striking poses and looked so Miami GQ with his cigar and jacket over his shoulder. He even had flowers delivered to her room with a special note before the ceremony. Gahhh how special and thoughtful!

If you want more proof of their adorableness, here's how he proposed, from the bride:

It was truly a total surprise. I was not aware that Courtney had asked my dad for my hand in marriage. All of our close friends and love ones were also involved with the proposal. I had recently graduated, and my parents were leaving to go back to Georgia the following day. Courtney wanted to take my parents out for dinner that night at Mai-Kia restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When we got to the restaurant and all of our family and friends were there. I was so surprised and wanted to know what was going on, but everyone just said "surprise it's your graduation dinner". I instantly started crying tears of Joy because I really was not expecting it. It was the last show of the night at Mai-Kai, Courtney and I plus others from the audience were chosen to participate. At first, I did not want to go on stage, but everyone at the table started chanting for me to go on. At the end of the show, they asked everyone to introduce themselves and there on stage in front of the entire restaurant he proposed.

They got ready at the Riverside Hotel and had their dinner reception at the Lobster Bar Sea Grille in downtown Fort Lauderdale. I loved taking photos down by the river with the river boats chugging along in the background.

Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your day!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Vizcaya Elopement, Crandon Beach Wedding | Miami, Fl | A+J

6/5/2018

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Palm Tree Ceremony & Venetian Love

One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer in Miami is the amazing couples I get to meet from all over the world! A+J met in DC, have been together for over decade, and both fell in love with this tropical city when A worked here. So it was only perfect they said their "I do"s beneath the palm trees. It had been raining what seemed like all month, but this Thursday morning, the rain stopped and the clouds provided my favorite photographing weather. We then ventured to the famous Vizcaya Gardens.

Vizcaya was created as James Deering’s subtropical winter home in the 1910s and today it is a National Historic Landmark and accredited museum.Vizcaya’s Main House was intended to appear as an Italianate villa that had stood for 300 years. Innovative building techniques and design styles were used, incorporating antique Italian marble with native coral rock. The landscape combined elements of Italian and French garden design adapted to the subtropical setting. Shells found in Florida and the Caribbean decorate many features in the gardens, including the grottos and bridges. On December 25, 1916, Deering celebrated the completion of the Main House.

It truly feels like Venice with the weather stone, bridges, water, and colors! A+J will eventually have two traditional weddings. One in honor of A's Sri Lankan heritage, and one Catholic ceremony in J's home country. I love that they wanted a micro wedding and intimate ceremony to celebrate the next chapter of their lives. I'll let their love and their amazing surroundings do the talking!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club Wedding | Andrea + Mike's Candid Love Story

5/29/2018

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Coral Gables, Florida Orange and Grey Wedding

Drew and I love being wedding photographers in Miami and it's sweet couples like A+M that will make us miss Florida when we move to North Carolina for a month before we head off to Rome, Italy! We actually have one wedding in Raleigh while we're there, and we're in the process of booking couples who want session while we're in Rome! This wedding was so super Miami, it was amazing. From the rain to the colors to the all night dancing! We were singing Despacito and Vivir Mi Vida all the way home.

From the newlyweds:

"It all started with a quesadilla and a pizza. Okay, that’s a little cheesy. But that meal at Sunset Tavern in South Miami was Mike and Andrea’s first together even though they grew up two miles apart and were separated by one year at the University of Miami. The distinctly South Florida couple fell in love in Miami, overcame the challenges of a long-distance relationship, and are now thriving in Connecticut; Mike teaching public relations as a college professor and Andrea helping Hartford’s youth as a social worker. Mike and Andrea may reside in Connecticut, but the couple calls Miami “home.” Returning to Miami is a special occurrence for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now, an amazing day."

The beautiful ceremony took place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church followed by a festive reception at Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club. Their loved radiated even in downpour. Thankfully we had a few minutes of dry and we ran out to the golf course for photos and to find some of the peacocks! Their wedding party was equally enthusiastic and supportive as we took some group photos in the drizzle. It was a first for us to have a mascot show up to the party! The crowd went nuts with the University of Miami Ibis walked through the doors.

We truly loved celebrating and singing with A+M and we wish y'all all the best!