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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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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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!

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | The Bonnet House | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Andrea + Jeff

5/16/2018

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Neutral & Tropical Spring South Florida Wedding

Andrea and Jeff's wedding day in For Lauderdale, Florida was one of the most relaxed and easygoing Drew and I have covered. Their engagement photos with their pup was soooo much fun so I knew wedding day would be a breeze. I dropped Drew off at Jeff's amazing apartment with views of the skyline while I headed to the beach to capture Andrea getting ready with her bridesmaids and moms. Andrea glowed in her off the shoulder, classic lace, sweet heart gown and the pops of green were the perfect compliment to the neutral and spring time pallet. Their first look was so wonderful! If you don't know by now, Drew and I are huuuuge fans of first looks. Wedding days tend to be a hectic and the couple is constantly surrounded by people. The first look is a time where they can have that special and intimate moment together. Drew and I always like taking a few snaps of the reaction then stepping away so they can have a moment with each other.

The Bonnet House is the most beautiful location. You can actually go take a tour of the grounds! This historic 1920's ocean front home is full of color, textures, and plants. It's a little oasis in the middle of Fort Lauderdale! Their touching ceremony took place beneath the palm trees and was centered around their love story. It was so unique because the officiant went through how they met, funny side stories, who was important along the journey, and even recognized their parents during the ceremony. Their reception was a party! Drew and I have never seen so many guests stay until the end and dance the entire time. It was a clear testament of how much their friends and family love these two and continued celebrating long after we left.

We truly adore Andrea and Jeff and it was such an honor to dance along side them and capture so many special memories! Come visit us in Rome please!!!

Thank you to these amazing vendors:

Venue: The Bonnet House
Planner: Alma Event Planner
Officiant: Ceremonies By Cynthia
Flowers: Ever After Florist Design
Dj: Red Elephant Entertainment
HMUA: Faces By April
Gown: Lauderdale Bride
Catering: Bill Hansen Catering
Ring: Carrazza Jewlers
Paper: Minted for Invitations/Save The Date
Photo Booth: YP Photobooth Rental
Videography: Affinity Wedding Films
Ceremony Musicians: Master Musicians

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Raleigh Elopement Photographer | Oaks at Heavenly San Antonio, Texas Wedding | Laura + Tyler

5/4/2018

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Vintage Romantic Texas Hill Country Wedding

This wedding was so beyond special! If you follow me on Instagram you know I can't stop gushing about Laura and Tyler and the amazing weekend. Laura and Tyler are two friends I met in Raleigh, North Carolina before Drew and I moved to Miami, Florida. They're originally from Texas where they first met in middle school, starting dating in high school, went to college, and then were engaged! You can read all about their amazing proposal story on The Knot's How He Asked. I was sad to leave the Triangle so soon after befriending this amazing couple but we managed to stay in touch. I was blessed, humbled, and honored when they asked me to photograph their wedding. It was like my own proposal story! They picked me up from the airport when I flew back into Raleigh for a wedding, took me to my favorite tea house in Chapel Hill, and popped the question! Haha that is the kind of genuine, thoughtful, and loving humans they are.

I knew this wedding would be a dream come true and it exceeded anything I could dream up! Obviously they're a model status couple, the rustic chic details were lovely, and their locations were to die for. But the whole weekend was a gift! I was able to stay with Laura's group of friends, The Squad, go to rehearsal dinner, and be welcomed like family. I'm already ready for the next Squad gathering! I think Rome, Italy might be a contender location! (If you haven't heard, Drew and I will be moving to Rome from October 11-January 8 followed by a few months on New Zealand's South Island and Trollhattan, Sweden.)

I love how everything came together from the matching PJs, to the dried flower bouquets and mixed bridesmaids dresses, to the notes and first looks, to the handmade signs and the pizza bar! I adore the school pride photos too! I think the sassy wedding party are my favorite ever because it wasn't even my idea haha! I could go on and on about how joyful this celebration was and how much I love L+T. So please enjoy these sweet moments (I just posted like all the because I couldn't choose) and thank you times a billion Laura and Tyler for letting me join the festivities!!

Venue: Oaks at Heavenly
Second Photographer: Jessica Chole Photography
Videographer: The Crakes
Flowers: Honey Petals
Cake: Cakes and More Bakery
HMUA: Beauty Concepts 22
Catering: Heavenly Gourmet
Gown: BHLDN
Veil: Camilla Christine
Bridesmaid Dresses: Adrianna Papell
Paper Invitations: Science of Papercraft in Nashville

laura + tyler from The Crakes Photo + Video on Vimeo.

Amazing Video by The Crakes! San Antonio/Austin brides hire them! They're amazing!

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Miami Wedding Photographer | Thalatta Estate Wedding | Savannah + Todd

4/19/2018

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Coral Gables Pink & Navy Springtime Wedding

GSavannah and Todd overflow light and love. Their wedding day was no different. I had the honor of photographing their amazing day that the ocean side Thalatta Estate in Coral Gables. Every detail was so carefully planned and thought out. Savannah had personal notes and gifts for her bridesmaids, flower girls, father, and groom to be. Her bridesmaids and mom and mother-in-law had matching robes, t-shirts, and of course champagne glasses. Todd also had gifts for his groomsmen and bride to be. Todd received gifts in memory of his father from Savannah and his mom and the emotions waterfalled from there. Her first look with her dad brought me chills and Todd's first look of his wife brought tears. AH everything was perfect because their love for each other, with Christ at the center, is also clearly so perfect. I loved that I was able to take engagement photos of them (you can find them HERE) because wedding day was just celebrating two good friends. We caught sunset, toasted, and danced the night away. They were surrounded by so many supportive friends and family and it was the most beautiful party launching them into their new chapter together as one.

Thank you for letting Drew and capture your day!!

And thanks to these amazing vendors!
Venue: Thallata Estate
Desserts: Bunnie Cakes & Mojo Donuts
DJ: MPE Events
Gown: Merlili Bridal Boutique
Catering: Sandbar Sports Grill Cutler Bay
Videography: Anthony LaRocca of Eloah Films

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida Wedding Photographer | Modern Castle on the Middle River Wedding | Erin + Sol

3/23/2018

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Australian-American Union Celebration

She's from the US. He's from Australia. She's in insurance. He work on yachts. The universe brought these two love birds together from opposite sides of the world to create a perfect match! Before meeting, Erin didn't have a single stamp in her passport, but now with her remote job and his adventurous spirit, they get to travel the world together, hand in hand, sharing life and exploring new experiences together. Their wedding day was so unique and personal. They rented this beautiful modern castle on the Middle River and piled all their family from all over the world under one roof. Leading up to the wedding they truly became family cooking, cleaning, and hanging out by the pool. Their wedding day was filled with their closest friends and family, many of whom traveled all the way from Australia to celebrate Erin + Sol's big day. The ladies got ready in the green house atrium with views of the water while Drew hopped on a boat for a few hours and took a spin along the river. Their sunset ceremony on the rooftop was magical as the sun dipped behind the Fort Lauderdale skyline. I even took out my drone to capture all the guests and scenery! Erin is a singer and used to sing at weddings so she knows how to throw a party. Drew and I could't help but dance along! We felt immediately welcomed by their crew and loved every moment honoring Erin + Sol! Congratulations and can't wait to see where in the world y'all end up next :)