They had met through mutual friends, through a Bible study, through church connections. And they connected over surfing, their love for Jesus, their time spent with friends. Last spring their connection turned to commitment: James proposed on top of a lifeguard tower on their favorite stretch of Ormond Beach. Earlier this month they solidified and celebrated that commitment with a wedding that brought together their friends, their faith — and even a little nod to their love of surfing.
For Steph, the beautiful day began with preparations inside Agatha’s Cottage.
Once Steph was decked out in her perfect Enzoani gown and bridal glow, she came down the stairs for one of the best moments of the wedding day — the moment when her daddy saw his daughter as a bride.
It was so sweet and so beautiful. And then came some bridal portraits that captured all of Steph’s excitement! Steph — you looked every bit as gorgeous and happy as you clearly felt!
Over in the train car, James and the groomsmen prepped for the wedding.
Looking good, guys.
As the morning rolled into the balmy afternoon, guests began arriving for Steph and James’ ceremony.
Side note here: In the past two years, we have now shot five weddings at The Estate on the Halifax — and not a single one of them has featured a repeat ceremony location. For an early afternoon ceremony, Steph and James’ choice to exchange their vows in front of Agatha’s Cottage worked perfectly!
I love how happy Steph looks in the picture above!
And I love what was happening at the same time just a few feet away. . . .
It is the best feeling!
And this — this picture just became one of my all-time favorite bridal party pictures! Easy, breezy, relaxed, and sun-splashed — it’s totally Steph and James.
This was such a great bridal party. And such great flowers! Steph chose well, and Shauna at Arrangements put together such rich and lush bouquets. It was such a lovely color palette for a winter wedding. And girls, you all looked fantastic!
Let the photo bombing commence!
As we headed across the property for Steph and James’ portraits, we crashed the cocktail hour lawn games for a quick round of cornhole, and Steph showed the kids how to work a hula hoop, wedding gown and all.
They had been so careful to ensure the day’s schedule would include portraits during golden hour, and the glowy light did not disappoint. But it wouldn’t have mattered if it had been rainy or gray or even snowing. These two couldn’t help looking so wonderfully in love, and so wonderful.
Favorite.
Another favorite! Well, let’s be honest, I had tons of favorites. These two knew how to rock their wedding day.
Steph got a quick bang trim to change up her hairstyle before she and James headed in to the reception in the Tavern. The reception looked so seasonally festive without looking overly Christmasy, with more of Shauna’s creative flowersmithing, kumquats scattered along the tables, and oil lamps and the twinkly lights warming the room. In other words — it was beautiful.
This was the sweetest cake table (pun maybe/not intended).
Has there ever been a couple who looked more overjoyed to celebrate their wedding?!
Just melt my heart. Moments like this are why we shoot weddings.
The father-daughter dance was where Steph and James brought in their love of surfing. She and her father danced, so appropriately, to the Beach Boys’ “Surfer Girl.”
And then — it was time for a party! Steph and James and their 200 guests knew exactly how to make that happen!
Glow sticks, anyone? Dance floors always go extra crazy when you mix in some sort of props!
The night wrapped up with a sparkler exit to send #thehollanders off to St. Thomas!
Steph and James, being a part of your wedding day was truly an honor — and so, so much fun! We wish you two the best of everything as your marriage grows and strengthens!
~ Laura
Vendors:
Venue: The Estate on the Halifax – Tavern & Chapel In the Garden
Bride’s Gown and Sash: Enzoani
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie
Hair & Makeup: KellGrace
Flowers: Arrangements Floral Studio
Catering: 4Rivers Smokehouse
Cake: Flourpress
Officiate: Rev. Robbie O’Brien
DJ: DJ Reid
Wedding Planning: Aletha Power and Erena Manis
Videography: Snap & Play and Rich Tidwell Films
Photography: Laura Yang Photography
Looks lovely!
These photos are amazing
These pictures are awsome, makes me wish I would have married you James, jk u did well my friend.
Nice. Best photographers I’ve ever met.
pictures look great! I miss you Stephen Bratcher
What a perfect day for a wedding. From family and friends to the beautiful weather. I have never seen such all encompassing photography before. I can see where it will be hard to choose. I knew the minute we met you James you were special. Steph can’t wait to meet you for the first time. May God bless you in your marriage.
Beautiful pictures!!
What a wonderful job you did capturing Steph and James’ beautiful wedding.
Beautiful photos…congratulations!
Great pics.
You look gorgeous Steph!
Awesome!
Beautiful pictures! Congratulations to all!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!! I can feel the love in these photos!!
Such a beautiful and fun wedding!! And I love these pictures! Congratulations Steph and James!
Looked like a magazine spread! Such a beautiful couple! You can sense how loved you both are, wishing you the same feeling 50 years from now!
Thank you so much laura yang photography for the awesome photos! It honestly has been the best experience working with the two of you!!!
So beautiful! Congratulations!
Very beautiful wedding! And complete blackmail on the little boy picking his nose. Very lovely wedding though.
Best day ever!!
Such a blast!! Love you guys – best wishes!!
Such a fun wedding! Love you two!!!
SO glad we were able to be there – the pictures turned out great! What a beautiful day – Love and miss you guys!
WOW! Beautiful Bride! LOVE the photos. Really amazing 🙂
So beautiful!
so pretty!!!
I enjoyed all the pictures! They did a great job.
Feels like I was there – wish we could have made it!! Love you!
These are gorgeous!
Ahhhh – so lovely! A perfect day!
Wish I could quadruple like this. ♡♡♡♡
Very pretty and perfect wedding 🙂
Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment. These pictures,truly show the beauty, love and compassion in both of you.
Great wedding, cuZ! And your beautiful wifey! Our family is blessed to know such an awesome couple!
Gorgeous setting, beautiful wedding, amazing pictures, but most important, the most lovely people!
Great pics… Job well done!! God Bless
These are so, unbelievably, pretty. Great captures!
What a beautiful wedding.. God Bless and congratulations.. Pictures where GREAT!
Such a beautiful wedding
Beautiful bride and pictures!
What a beautiful romantic wedding!!!!! The bride and groom make a very good-looking couple.
I love these! Such a beautiful couple and awesome wedding!!!
Sick pics! Congrats!
Beautiful!
Gorgeous pictures of a beautiful couple.
I love how the pictures tell the whole story from start to finish.
These are gorgeous!!!
You can see the love in each picture. Amazing!!!
Beautiful Pictures.
The beauty of the day shines through these lovely photos.
Gorgeous
The pictures are wonderful but how could they not be with such a beautiful bride!!
Seriously, I thought the pics were top of the line and I don’t know how you are going to decide which ones to keep. I suggest all of them. YOur photographer did a fantastic job and if I were there I would not hesitate to recommend her.
Congratulations once again on the wedding. Hope you and James have a wonderful life together.
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Gorgeous!
Stunning!
Beautiful!
Beautiful bride and groom love all your pics congrats to u both best wishes from us coakley’s
I love these so much! Wish i could have been there Steph and James. This loOked like one of the all times best weddimgs ever. Great photos, Laura!!!
A beautiful day, beautifully captured! Congrats on the start of your marriage, Steph!
One of the best wedding shoots I’ve ever seen. Beautifully done for a beautiful couple!
Amazing couple. Amazing location. Lenny and I were married there 10 years ago. It’s made of magic.
It was lovely to be able to see these beautiful photographs of Stephanie and her new husband. Congratulations to you both.
Beautiful pictures and memories that will last for a lifetime.
Love!!
Beautiful Steph!! Wish we could of made it!!!
Beautiful! Congratulations! Very nicely done.
I’ve never before seen airplants used in place of a lapel flower for the groom. Very clever and manly, and very much Florida! 🙂
All the Lord’s very best to you both, always.
Gorgeous!
Beautiful photos!
You guys have no idea who I am, but I hope you win this thing you’re trying to win. Steve looks straight out of GQ.
Love!!!!
Such beautiful wedding pictures. I wish we had this photographer back in MY day!
This photography for a special event is magnificent! I woudn’t recommend any other photographer but Laura Yang Photography!
Awesome pictures
Such a beautiful couple! The photos are gorgeous!
Beautiful pictures, beautiful memories Stephanie!
Best photos ever
looked beautiful! Loved the style idea. Steph looked beautiful too!! Will be stealing some of these ideas for my own.
What a beautiful wedding and a beautiful couple! These photos came out perfect!
Steph you look so gorgeous! I can’t wait to meet you and James. Such beautiful photos.
you guys did great with the photos and the photoblog is a great record of what half of us didn’t get to see – thanks for making the memories last forever!!
Beautiful photos, looks like it was a perfect day!
Stephanie and James.
Congratulations. The pictures are amazing.. You are a beautiful bride..
Thank you for sharing your day.
Tonja
Beautiful pictures. We are so glad we were there to share the day.
So happy for the both of you! The photographs captured the love and joy of “The James’ and Steph’s wedding!!” Memories to last a life time!
Gorgeous!
Just beautiful! It’s like a got to see a glimpse of the entire day! And did I see cream wafers on the sweets table?
The photographer captured beauty and elegance! Congratulations!!
The wedding was perfect and all of the pictures show how great it was! Congratulations you two and well done on the photos! You captured every single moment!
YAAA BUDDDYYY!!!
All I can say is WOW!!! Killer photos!!! They are all incredibly gorgeous! (Except maybe the one of the deranged-looking girl in a black dress who is dancing really cray cray! Was that me!? Oh my.) Steph, Dave pulled up these pics this afternoon and said, “Come and see these amazing pics! Steph looks so beautiful!” I couldn’t agree more! Holy cow, girl!!!! And those FLOWERS!!! And your hair!!! And those Palm trees everywhere! And your awesome dress! And that hula hoop pic of you! And that B&W close-up of you guys kissing! And those kumquats!! Basically, all I can is say is PERFECT day!!!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful!!
These photos are fantastic! They did an excellent job capturing the atmosphere and the beauty of the wedding.
Absolutely amazing in every way! These photos are so well done, it’s like I’m there, sharing in all the love, beauty and grace of this magical day. Congratulations again, Mr. and Mrs. Holland. Wishing you the most blessed and peaceful life together.
These photos are amazing ! Everything was capture perfectly ! I love you two !
James and Stephanie, this was by far one of the most joyful days in my life. I have so many memories of that day etched in my mind. We were all there to share, hold up, support, give, and bless but the more we gave — the more we saw the true you and the excitement and love you have for each other. You Stephanie and James you stole the show.
And to see it captured in awesome pictures we can relive the moment many times over again in our lives. Kudos to the photographers and crew. Not a moment was lost.
God bless you Stephanie and James, we love you and will share in your love for each other, ———– Mike
This was like reliving the day all over again – SO FUN! Love these photos and can’t wait to see them all!
These are so good!! What an amazing day to have been a part of 🙂
Every single shot is breathtaking! Absolutely beautiful!
beautiful pics, thank you for sharing – was an awesome wedding, wish we could have attended it – everyone looked fantastic
These came out absolutely stunning ! Love love love them all !
In love with these pictures Danny and Laura! Your work is beautiful and your subjects the same. You captured the day perfectly.
Wow! All of these are stunning!!! Stephanie Holland you have the most gorgeous smile! Congratulations!!
Laura Yang Photography – You are AMAZING! And we knew that when we were able to hire you guys to shoot our wedding, but definitely believe it even MORE so, now that you’ve shot both our engagement and wedding celebrations and have all of the photos back! You are so FAST too!! Man – what a beautiful, blessed day it was and you’ve captured it perfectly!! We are having the hardest time picking out our favorites – they all turned out SO WONDERFULLY! Thank you SO much – we are so very grateful for you! Thanks again for sharing your talents with us – we couldn’t appreciate it more!
Beautiful
Absolutely beautiful!! ❤️
Ama
Beautiful pictures that capture the whole day! Lovely, creative shots of the entire event! All the best to Steph and James!!
Beautiful wedding & beautiful bride! The pictures are amazing!