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

Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Miami Beach Botanical Garden | Haley + Miyen

10/2/2018

Outdoor Pink and Navy Wedding With Vintage Touches

I first met Haley and Miyen at a cool coffee shop in Wynwood. We talked all morning about being student-athletes in college, working out, Argentina, Miami gluten free eateries, and their hopes for their wedding day. They wanted to throw an awesome party where friends and family from all over the world could join together and have an amazing time. Well, mission accomplished! Their day, just like them, was chill, beautiful, personal, and and a ton of fun. They met working out so of course they're both stunning models in every photo!

We started the day at the chic One Hotel with an ocean view as the ladies got ready in their pink flannels and mismatching pink dresses, complete with leaf crowns. Drew hung out with the guys and captured details like matching pink socks, floral ties, and personalized wooden tie clips. I was so excited when they told us they wanted to do a first look, we LOVE first looks! We love it because we get extra time to photograph the happy couple and sneak in a few family photos too. The rain moved us indoors to a gorgeous hallway with hanging orchids. Miyen surprised Haley with photo face cutouts of their adorable pup and puppy! It was perfect.

They also included their dog, Chase, the entire day!! Chase walked down the aisle, rolled around during the ceremony, walked back down the aisle with his parents, was in family photos, frolicking photos, and even dancing pics! They even attached a GoPro to him during cocktail hour!

They filled the gardens with bistro lights, vintage signs, a typewriter note station, floral napkins, book center pieces, and my favorite - a vintage truck turned into a working bar! She even had gold converses to match!

I so loved getting to know H+M and Drew and I really can't wait to visit them in Austin after our world travels! Thank you for including us, it was the perfect last 2018 Miami wedding. Love y'all!

Venue: Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Planner: Halo Event Design
Florist: Primrose Floral and Event Design
GF Cake: Bunnie Cakes
DJ: A Productions
HMUA: Celina Beach
Catering: Yummy Chori
Gown: Merlili Bridal
Bridesmaids: Brideside
Videographer: Alexa Caravia
Vintage Mobile Bar: Mac's Pubs

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Boca Rio Golf Club Wedding | Danielle + Zach's

9/4/2018

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Boca Raton Ballerina & Body Builder Wedding

Danielle & Zach's wedding was an amazing dream! It was the perfect combination of the most beautiful couple, my favorite weather, and stunning details. By day, she's a nurse and he's in insurance, on their time off she graces the world with her dancing and he hits the gym. The perfect pair! I was so ecstatic when we were taking portraits and he lifted her in the air! Their proposal story is just as wonderful:

"Zach took me on his family (mom, dad, twin brother, little sister) vacation to CA and we first started at Seal Beach where I met his aunt, uncle, and cousins. We had a blast at the beach, celebrating his little sister's birthday, and just winding down for vacation time. Then, we left and drove up the coast, stopped in Santa Barbara, continued on our travels to Carmel where we stayed for two nights. It was beautiful there! Then, we continued up the coast to our last stop in San Fran. The first day there, we checked into the hotel, got a bite to eat, and then we went to the Golden Gate bridge. It was beautiful weather and we were going to take pictures and Zach was acting a little funny and offered for our picture to be taken first in front of the bridge. We took like two pics, and then he turned toward me and said some beautiful things (about how he wanted the two most important women to be here on this day) and he got down on one knee and asked me, "Will you do me the honor and be my wife?" Of course I said uh huh! And then YES! And he got up to take more pictures, but started waving down below to where my (SURPRISE!) mom and sister were hiding in the brush. It was magical! He is the absolute best! I had no idea they would be there, and started crying like the typical Danielle would. This trip was the best of my life (so far)!"

Danielle looked radiant in her gown, fresh eucalyptus filled the space, and their interfaith ceremony was emotional with song and tradition. Zach's dad is the chef at the venue and the food was unreal! It was so neat to feel how everyone came together to make this day a success. We danced the night away and ended with a sparkler exit! I love these two and their supportive and enthusiastic families as well!

Thank you for letting me document your day!!!

Venue & Catering: Boca Rio Golf Club
Dress: Tara Keely
DJ: Romero Davis
Flowers: Connie - Whole Foods Boca Raton
Shoes: Betsy Johnson
Officiant: Pastor Paul Underhay and Rabbi David Degani
Second Photographer: Cortiella Photography
Videography; Hope Media

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Raleigh Wedding Photographer | Marquette, Michigan | Carp River Garden Wedding

8/23/2018

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Upper Peninsula Wedding | From Lake Michigan to Negaunee Woods

Drew and I were beyond excited when his cousin Jared and now wife, Emily, asked us to photograph their wedding in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We flew up from Miami for a much needed heat reprieve and family time. Drew's parents summer in Houghton which is a charming town a few hours away from the wedding. So we flew in early to be with family and explore the gorgeous nature. Then we drove down to college town, Marquette where the wedding would take place. It's our new favorite town! Lake side renovated downtown with shops and restaurants full of gluten free food! We even got to crash Jared's bachelor party!

Their wedding day was perfect. The rain stayed away and peaked out just for the ceremony. I felt like it was Emily's father shining down on us! Their details were put together by Emily's talented cousin and the coral dresses stood out beautifully against the greens. I so loved that we got to take lots of time for portraits. We wandered the venue's gardens and rock formations and then drove to Lake Michigan's shore for beach photos! This was so special to me that they valued quality time together and took a moment to breathe and take in their wedding day. Their reception was full of yard games and music and all the fun!

Thank you for letting Drew and I be a part of your day!! We love y'all!!!

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Durham Wedding Photographer | Miami Beach Elopement | Carolina + Diego

8/17/2018

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Navy And Red Tropical Beach Wedding Celebration

Carolina & Diego met at art school and fell in love while sharing their passion for creativity. Diego is a film maker and Carolina is a painter and make up artist. I'm always so humbled whenever other artists trust me to photograph their weddings! I was so thrilled hearing about their low key picnic style celebration. They eloped over winter break but still wanted to be able to include their family. So everyone flew in from around the world for the occasion! Carolina's tropical laceleaf bouquet was the perfect compliment with the navy, green, and gold touches. Intimate weddings are my favorite because the bride and groom gets quality time with everyone and I feel like I'm part of the family. They even sent me home with a plate full of home made empanadas! Thank you Carolina & Diego for including me!!

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

8/16/2018

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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!