Nate and I are spending the weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida to see Dave Matthews Band live in concert for the second year in a row. (That’s a photo of us at the concert last year up above.) Nate has been a HUGE fan for years and this is his 8th and 9th times. This will be my 2nd (and 3rd, because we’re going to both the Friday and Saturday shows). We’re so excited to hang out with friends, lay on the beach, and listen to some of our favorite music. Hopefully I can coerce Nate into making me his homemade and oh-so-delicious mojitos. Nate was a bartender for a while and he has a special knack for mixology. In the summer, mojitos are my absolute favorite (maybe it’s my Cuban roots coming through) and I love when he makes them from scratch, without any pre-made mixes. I asked him if we could share his recipe on the blog and he said yes so here ya go…

The West Palm Beach coastline, and Nate’s homemade mojitos

Nate’s Homemade Mojitos

Ingredients:
1.5 oz rum
3-4 slices of lime in the bottom of the cup
2-4 mint leaves torn up finely
1.5 oz simple syrup
Sprite

Combine in a glass with ice and serve. Bonus points if you can find sugarcane! MMMMMM!

Since tonight I am watching Last Chance Harvey on Netflix, I figured I’d start here. Last Chance Harvey is a redemption story about a man that begins with him flying to London to attend his daughter’s wedding. The wedding is classy and warm with creamy tones and lots of ambient lighting but is surprisingly un-snooty. Warm cream and golden tones mixed with dripping foliage and the sophistication of black tie fashion. As we were watching I realized I was internally remarking on all the decor even though the wedding isn’t even the focus of the plot.

The first thing I love about this wedding is all the warm golden tones. There are gold Chiavari chairs, golden lighting from twinkle lights strung en masse behind cream colored fabric, the glow of candles, and floral arrangements of pale colored roses. I love the look of a single, fully-opened rose as a boutonniere, and the sophistication of classic tuxedos and black bow ties. But what I love most about this wedding is that while it is decadent and dressy, it is surprisingly soft and un-fussy. Adding unexpected touches like golden mercury glass on the tables and a beaded headband could do the trick nicely for real life bride to take the edge off of all the traditional decor. Also, allowing your floral designs to be a bit looser and more organic can help dial down the fuss…

Bow tie: J Crew | Votive: Golden Mercury Glass | Gown: Ann Barge | Beaded headband: Anthropologie | Flowers by: Saipua

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Be Inspired.

We met up with Melissa and Brian in St. Augustine for a few beers and a few photos. More photos than beers…I promise. I don’t even like beer. Except Cider. But I’m told (by beer snobs, I’m looking at you Griffin!) that Cider doesn’t count as beer. I digress… We met up with them on a steamy Florida afternoon for photos around the downtown area. Missy wanted a few dark and romantic shots inside Stogies, a little cigar and jazz spot off the main strip so we took a break from the heat and let Missy and Brian snuggle in the dark for a bit.

Missy and Brian came to us via our friend, Kylene. Kylene is a photographer herself and a close friend of Missy. So close in fact that Missy wanted her to be a part of the wedding instead of working at it. And Kylene was nice enough to put Missy in contact with yours truly. I’d like to believe it is destiny. Or some serious match making skills on Kylene’s behalf because just a few minutes after meeting Missy and Brian we knew that we were a match made in heaven. Missy and Brian are absolutely adorable together and we cannot wait to shoot their wedding just days before we leave for our own. (October shall hence force be known as the MONTH OF JUBILATION!)

The first shot of the day. They’re naturals…

This spot couldn’t have been styled better if I’d tried…

It means “the creek” for you curious souls out there. ;)

I ADORE freckles!

People ask why our clients wear sunglasses in our shoots. It’s because that’s some blazing 99 degree sunshine right there. ;)

GORGEOUS!

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With some people, you just instantly click. Travis and Kristin got married on New Year’s Eve of last year and we helped ring in 2010 with them as they started a new year as husband and wife. We felt an instant friendship with them after meeting them and they must have too because they were sweet enough to bring us gifts of a feathered headband and hot sauce the next time they saw us. (How thoughtful are they?!) So we were so excited to meet back up with them in the town of Gainesville where their relationship started to shoot an Encore session at all of their favorite local spots. They took us all around town to various places that held special significance for them in their relationship from the apartment complex where they first met to the restaurant where they’d cuddle in the corner booth, to the eclectic junk-shop-turned-pizza-parlor with the best pies in town. By the end we felt like we’d gotten an in depth history lesson on Mr. and Mrs. Gerke. :)

I really LOVE getting to see our couples again, post-vows. I feel like, for so many wedding professionals, it’s always about the wedding. And I get it, there’s a lot going on and a lot of planning and a lot of excitement. But for me, as an avid people watcher and lover or digging deeper into my friends’ souls, I adore the chance to see them again after all the hoopla is over. I like seeing them just living it all out. Life. Marriage. Dogs. Moves. School. Jobs. Boring every day life. It’s fun to see their marriage and their new relationship and how their level of comfortability with each other only grows. Maybe we should start offering complimentary 5 year anniversary sessions, just so I can see everyone again. ;)

We had a FANTASTIC time and we can’t wait to see them again next month to shoot them AGAIN in New York City where we are going to trash Kristin’s wedding dress. I’ve heard rumors that tattoos and fountains might be involved! Who’s excited? I’m excited. I’m also excited about these photos. I’ve been using a new editing technique that I’m kind of head over heels for. I love them all…

HAHA. Gotcha.

This is so 1970’s. I just love it.

This crazy contraption was a HUGE art installation/fountain made out of salvaged junk and bits of all kinds. Fantastic!

Not many people could pull off a wall of hubcaps. Just sayin’…

I am so very excited for this post today. Because I hope that this wedding forever changes how you envision a “Disney Weddding”. I know that before Nate and I began shooting them I had a complete misconception about what a Disney wedding looked like. I’d heard rumors, seen bad photos, and just assumed that all Disney weddings were created equally kitschy. But, our couples and the team at Disney Weddings has completely changed and blown my mind with the gorgeous, romantic, and sophisticated affairs that they put on and I’m so happy that Nate and I have been able to document so many of them.

And, I’m so very thrilled to show off Morgan & Jeff because their “Disney Wedding” may have been the most deeply emotional and beautiful we’ve ever been a part of. The day started off with a plan to say their vows at Seabreeze Point which is an outdoor location on the boardwalk. But thick, ominous clouds forced the couple (and the team at Disney Weddings) to change plans on the spur of the moment and Morgan and Jeff were set up in the lovely Wedding Pavilion instead. Morgan was as gracefull as ever as her plans were shifted and she kept smiling and laughing the entire day and the team did a fantastic job of assisting guests to the new location.

Their dinner reception was at one of Nate ’s and my FAVORITE restaurants in Central Florida, which happens to be in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the California Grill. And Nate and I were spoiled rotten with a complete dinner just like the guests of AMAZING food. If you live in Central Florida, please plan a date night to the California Grill right this minute!  The restaurant overlooks the Magic Kingdom and every evening the entire dining room empties as guests file onto catwalks outside to watch and listen to the Magic Kingdom’s “Wishes” fireworks show. It’s magical.

I hope the sophistication, romance, and fun of Morgan and Jeff’s day forever changes the way you think of “Disney Weddings”. And for all you Disney brides to be out there, I hope this brings you tons of inspiration and excitement for your own big day at the happiest place on Earth.

Getting ready at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Favorite shoe shot of all time. Not even joking.

Rain rain, go away…

Disney princess pins for each bridesmaid. Morgan kept my favorite, Ariel, for herself. ;)

We took the monorail. Everyone cheered for Morgan… Naturally.

The view from the California Grill’s catwalks…

Love the little nod to UP…

Jeff designed all the printed details himself. He used the Disney’s fast passes and park pamphlets as inspiration…

Can we talk about the food?! As self proclaimed foodies, Nate and I were in HEAVEN. Thanks for including us Morgan & Jeff!

That’s my meal on the left. Pumpkin tortellini = super happy vegetarian photographer.

*Swoon*

Is that… Justin Bieber?

They serenaded their guests with a love song that brought everyone to tears. Beautiful.

Wishes… the show’s music is broadcast through the restaurants speakers so you get the full experience. With an amazing view.

Special thanks to:

Ken Weaver of Disney Fairy Tale Weddings (Coordinator)

Beaute Speciale (Hair and Makeup)

TZTUDIO on Etsy (Bride’s earrings)

Kleinfeld Bridal (Bride’s Lazaro gown)

Laura Kidd at Disney Floral (Floral Design)

The entire staff at the California Grill for an amazing dinner and reception service.

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