What emotions were apparent on the wedding day?
There was truly so much JOY. Ashley and Joe have an incredible story of what led them to meet each other, and the joy and excitement at marrying one another was palpable. They chose to begin their ceremony by having a soloist sing a beautiful song, and I was brought to tears (ugly, sobbing tears – not a delicate drop!) watching Ashley sing along with all of her might as she truly lived in the moment. This joy was evident throughout the day, and it made it incredibly emotional and gratifying to photograph.
What made the reception enjoyable?
First of all, it was a brunch reception, so that immediately makes it enjoyable (chicken and waffles and mimosas? Yes, please!). Sometimes, daytime weddings are quieter than their evening counterparts, but not with this group! The dance floor was full all afternoon long (even the band commented on the energetic awesomeness of the crowd). Their guests were friendly and thrilled to be there. Finally, as always, the WaterColor LakeHouse and pool deck were GORGEOUS. The soft watercolor floral linens were romantic and modern, the cream florals created by Fisher’s Flowers were stunning, and overall, it felt like I was photographing a magazine spread.
Was the exit exciting and unique?
Ashley and Joe live right here on the coast of 30A, and they share a love of all things outdoor – but especially, paddleboarding! As a surprise, Ashley had custom paddleboards made for each of them, featuring their vows and artwork reminiscent of our scenery. I loved getting to photograph Joe’s reaction when he first saw the boards (total shock, and maybe some tears!). At the end of the wedding, all of their guests lined the iconic white bridge in WaterColor, and Ashley and Joe paddled away from the LakeHouse on their new boards. As they passed under the bridge, their guests showered them with rose petals. Ashley wore a custom swimsuit (with her veil!), and Joe wore classic board shorts – and in 12 years of photographing weddings, I can honestly say they were the cutest couple ever (also, the first to ever exit in swimming attire!). It was incredible.
