Kristy sat at the back of the limo, dancing in her seat with the flower girls as we neared Princess Place Preserve, where Nick and all their family and friends were waiting for her. And then Kristy saw the signs guiding guests to the preserve. She stopped dancing, but a wide smile stretched across her face, lighting her eyes. “It’s really happening. It’s really happening!”

Her bridesmaids chimed in, “You’re getting married!” — and then Jamie pressed her face into her hand, squeezing the tears out of her eyes rather than wiping them away. Her baby brother was about to marry the girl of his dreams. And when Nick saw Kristy emerge from the lodge and walk down the aisle to him in the oak grove — well, I can only describe his expression as absolutely, tenderly overwhelmed with love. Kristy had promised me tears at her wedding, and I saw only the very happiest of tears. We were worried we might have some not-so-happy tears, too, though: Like Amber and Daniel’s outdoor wedding, and like Nikole and Arun’s outdoor wedding, Kristy and Nick’s outdoor wedding was scheduled for an afternoon when the forecasters predicted rain. And like Amber and Daniel’s wedding and Nikole and Arun’s wedding, the rain stayed away. We just enjoyed some cloud cover to cool off the afternoon and cast a soft glow on the happy newlyweds.

The morning started at the Aliki Tower overlooking the Atlantic. A photographer could get spoiled shooting in such bright, airy, and well-appointed surroundings! And spoiled with beautiful gowns, like Kristy’s,  fresh and feminine Melissa Sweet design crafted from eyelet lace and satin. I was seriously swooning over this dress!Kristy made it so easy for me to photograph all her fabulous details, like her flirty Nina shoes (three cheers for Nina brides! I was one, too!) and the garter that Nick’s mother had worn when she married his father. As I suggested, Kristy had them all neatly laid out when Danny and I arrived, so we got right to work.Kristy got dolled up, with a little help from her sister Tasha, her flower girls, and gorgeous makeup from the extremely talented Betsy Smith.Then came the gown. Really, I can’t say that I’ve seen many gowns that have made me as giddy as Kristy’s — I would have worn it in a heartbeat — and I was so excited to see her step into it. Once it was zipped up, she turned and looked at herself in the mirror and broke into the broadest grin as she said, “It’s beginning to feel really real!”Kristy — you were nothing short of breathtaking.Oh, Kristy looked amazing, but her bridal party wasn’t slacking off either!Although Kristy and Nick opted against seeing each other before the ceremony for a first look, Kristy had a first look with her dad at the condo — with Betsy, the makeup artist, waiting in the wings to retouch Kristy’s makeup as soon as she dried her tears.Across town, Nick was getting ready at home with his groomsmen. And Danny was in heaven, because just like the condo where Kristy did all her prep, Nick’s home was full of windows that made the space bright and airy — and perfect for portraits showing off just how classy and dapper Nick looked in his Calvin Klein suit.And then it was off to Princess Place Preserve — one of the most scenic spots in this part of Florida. (It also happens to be where we got to shoot Nikole and Arun’s beautiful elopement two months earlier.)Nick simply couldn’t have been any happier to greet his bride under the oak tree at the end of the aisle.After the ceremony, as it began thundering in the distance, we hurried out from under the trees for some time to play with the new bride and groom — who looked stunning, as usual.Simply amazing. So was their reception at the wonderful Oceanside Country Club, where they danced and celebrated all night with their family and friends. And ate an amazing cake concocted by one of Kristy’s friends!Their owl cake toppers had to have been just about the most adorable cake decoration I’ve ever seen!Bow ties and beer, anyone?And then it was time for dancing — lots and lots of dancing. Almost all of Kristy and Nick’s guests hit the dance floor at some point during the night, and the kiddos never left it!And then, as the night wound down, we slipped out onto the pool deck at Oceanside, where Kristy and Nick got a quiet moment alone, and Danny and I got this shot across the pool.Kristy and Nick — we were honored to be there to capture your beautiful day, and we’re so happy for you two that you found each other, that you celebrated your love with such a joyful wedding day, and that you’ve enjoyed this first month of your marriage! May you have many, many more, each more wonderful than the last!

~ Laura + Danny

Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Princess Place Preserve
Reception Venue: Oceanside Country Club
Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet
Bridal Shoes: Nina
Bridesmaid and Flower Girl Dresses: Alfred Angelo
Bridesmaid Shoes: Nina
Bridesmaid Clutches: Coach
Hairstyling: Sister of the bride
Makeup: Betsy Smith
Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein
Flowers: The Village Greenery
Cake: Handmade by a friend
Catering: Oceanside Country Club