What made the wedding venue special?
Nicole and Clay chose Camp Retreat in Baker, Florida for their early winter wedding and I have to say, it was such a treat to photograph my last wedding of the year at a venue I had never been to before! It is an adorable, rustic venue in North Okaloosa county that offers absolutely STUNNING photo opportunities, separate bride and groom cottages for getting ready on-site, and indoor/outdoor spaces so weather need never be a concern! They really have thought of every little detail and it was truly such a pleasure spending the day there!
Were there any unique traditions that made the reception or ceremony memorable?
Unbeknownst to anyone but Nicole and their officiant, prior to their wedding day Nicole wrote vows to Clay’s daughter. After they said their vows to each other, Nicole went on to say her vows to Austyn. It was such a sweet, unexpected moment and there wasn’t a dry eye (including my own!) in the house by the time she finished!
Were there special details with symbolic importance?
I love when my couples incorporate heirloom items into their wedding days, and Nicole and Clay’s was no exception. The beautiful pearls she wore belonged to her grandmother, but my favorite was her earrings. As a wedding gift, Clay took four of the pearls from one of the strands to Beré Jewelers and had two pairs of earrings made – one for Nicole and one for her mom. When we arrived that morning and Nicole was showing them to me she explained that when their daughter got married, she would also receive a pair of earrings made from pearls from the same strand!
