I have had the privilege of knowing this bride since we were 14 years old, and I was so honored when she called to tell me that she wanted me to be her photographer! I have only recently gotten to know her now husband, but the love that they have for each other is beautiful! Here's a quick sneak peak of their south beach wedding! 

Marjorie & Leo's day took place at the beautiful National Hotel that is perfectly placed on Miami Beach & has been their since 1939.

Not to mention everything from the hotel to the decorations all had a vintage feel including the brides beautiful lace dress, eco-flower bouquet, & touches of garnet and gold throughout the decor.

The reception was held on the pool deck at the national hotel where friends and family were able to dance the night away with Levine Events.

The Team that put it all together:

Venue & Catering: The National Hotel
Brides Bouquet: Eco Flower
Makeup & Hair: South Beach Makeup & Hair
Bakery: Edda's Cakes
Officiant: Madison
Dj: Levine Events
Rentals: PCS Events

It is a rare & beautiful treat when the stars align & magic happens in all aspects of a wedding ceremony & this was one of those ceremonies. Jessica & Dave ceremony was one of those incredibly specials moments. The clouds came out & played peek-a-boo with the sun just enough during sunset so we could have a stunning sunset sky without any crazy harsh orange rays on people's faces. These two have known each for a long time & life has not always been easy for them but some how they found their way back to each other & I am so incredibly honored that they chose me to document this new incredible chapter in their lives. 
       Before we get to the gorgeous sunset photos take a look at their intimate first looks with not only each other but also with their sweet daughter Emma.

While I love to be in the hustle & bustle of big weddings...there is something that touches me much deeper about the smaller, intimate ceremonies that I get to be apart of. Here are some photos from after the ceremony.

Thank you to some amazing vendors for a job well done:

Planning/Design: Elysian Events
Venue: Hakuna Matata House 30a
Minister: Kevin S. Tillman
Makeup: Morgan King Makeup
Hair: Erin Craig Hair
Catering: Chef Dawnelle
Dj:  B-Boy Productions, Inc.
Videography: Theory Y Design

I love trying out to new locations for shoots & jumped on the chance when this bride-to-be mentioned Seville Square & Pensacola Beach.  We wondered all over Seville Square & Historic District in Pensacola. We finished off our evening together at Pensacola Beach.  

Vendors: Amber with Beach Side Ceremonies & Events
      Jackie with Think Outside The Locks
       Morgan with Morgan King Makeup

Some weddings are full of tears of  joy & others are filled with constant laughter! Everyone handles big life events differently & this wedding was a prime example of that!  The moms cried sweet happy tears; the bride & groom smiled & laughed throughout their ceremony.  Afterwards the bridal party had us all laughing so hard some of us (namely me) had to stop to catch our breathe! Just take a look at this beautiful couples gorgeous beach ceremony.

& with the final rays of light the wedding party let loose....

Reading that title you are probably thinking one of two things-yes, please tell me how I can keep my kids clean, & happy & smiling at the camera, or pssshhh! there's no such thing! Truth is keeping kids "clean & happy & smiling at the camera" is a daunting task especially for that one specific moment during your whole entire vacation where you NEED them too & to the naysayers "pssshhh it is so possible" just maybe not your entire version of "perfect". 

Just take a look at this photo above...now to everyone that wasn't there for this session you should know something....this photo was staged.  Yes I purposely had the 2 younger ones running circles around their parents & sister.  Why?  well because they were already running around chasing each other so why not reposition them so that I could truly capture this "moment".  Will this photo ever get blown up to a 30x40 print & hung in their family room? maybe not, but then again to me this photo was what truly captured this family at this stage in their life.

I go into each & everyone one of my family sessions(weddings too) with a clear head & an open heart. MY goal is to make sure I capture real family moments, real laughs, & real hugs.

Our family takes family photos every spring so trust me when I say I have been in your shoes!  Our family photos this year included our FOUR dogs! Talk about absolutely madness but it helps keep everything in perspective for me as a photographer.  I have been in front of the camera I KNOW how stressful it is when your 2 year old decides today is the day they are NOT going to take a nap. (keep a look out for the next blog post with my family photos)