Andrea and Alex: Two Cultures. Two Weddings. One Day.

Andrea and Alex had the most unique wedding day I've ever seen. They didn't just have one wedding; they had two! To celebrate their different heritages, they had two weddings: one Catholic and one hindu. Andrea and her girls got ready at Post Card Inn on St. Pete Beach. Because the Catholic wedding was first, Andrea put on her white dress, and all the girls got henna tattoos on their hands and feet, knowing that the hindu ceremony was coming later.

Because Alex grew up Catholic, their first wedding of the day was at the beautiful St. John Vianney Catholic Church on St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Their second wedding of the day was the hindu wedding to celebrate Andrea's heritage at Tampa Bay Watch in Tierra Verde, Florida. I had never shot a hindu wedding before, and I have to say the colors were dazzling. I loved the vibrancy of everything, especially considering what a contrast it was to the Catholic wedding they had just had. Andrea's ensemble was absolutely amazing in its intricacy and detail, but Alex also had a very cool outfit. I especially loved his shoes with the pointy toes!

Matthew and Laura's Wedding Photos

I had the privilege of taking Matthew and Laura's engagement photos, so I knew that their wedding photos were going to be amazing. They got married at the stunning Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa. This is probably the most beautiful church I have seen in the Tampa Bay area, and of course Matthew and Laura's love made it all the more beautiful.

After the ceremony, they went to one of the most fun locations I have ever seen for their reception: Lowry Park Zoo! I thought their wedding cake was adorable with the little monkeys dressed as a bride and groom. Also, Matthew and Laura and all of their guests were allowed to get up close and personal with a giraffe and actually feed it! How cool is that?

 

Carla and Tom: Wedding Photos at the Grand Plaza on St. Pete Beach

Kaitlyn and John: Wedding Photos at Heritage Village

I love it when couples are willing to do a "First Look." It gives me more time to work with them and make sure I get a good variety of shots and exactly the right look. Plus, it makes the rest of the day a lot less hectic. I took Kaitlyn and John right next to where we took their engagement photos at The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. We took their wedding photos at Heritage Village, right next door.

Julie and Andrew: Wedding Photos at The Resort and Club at Little Harbor

Julie and Andrew were a really fun couple to work with. They had a small, intimate wedding at The Resort and Club at Little Harbor in Ruskin, Florida. It was a quaint ceremony full of emotion, and I love the photos I was able to capture for them.

Ashley and Scott: Wedding Photos at the Don CeSar

Ashley and Scott came all the way from Texas to the sunshine state to get married in paradise. They are one of the most beautiful couples I've had the privedlege of working with, inside and out! The Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach is one of my favorite locations, and I had a great time shooting this wedding.

Stacy and Steve: Bilmar Resort Wedding Photos

I photographed Stacy's and Steve's fun beach wedding at the beautiful Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island, Florida. When I first showed up, Stacy asked me, "Do you remember me?" I couldn't say that I did. Apparently, she grew up across the street from my grandmother's old house, and we played together when we were little. I thought that was pretty cool that she even remembered that!

Lara and Tim: Wedding Photos

Lara and Tim got married in a sunset ceremony at the Sailport Resort in Tampa on Rocky Point on a very lucky day, 11/11/11. Congratulations and best of luck to you two!

Mackenzie & Jeremy

I actually met Mackenzie and Jeremy on a cruise and have kept in touch since then and became really great friends. I flew up to South Carolina to photograph their wedding at the Pawleys Island Plantation. It wasn't just a wedding day but a whole wedding week. It was one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to!

Cara & Matthew

Cara and Matthew were high school sweethearts who lost touch and found their way back to each other. I thought it was a very sweet story. They were definitely fools for each other. Here are a few photos from their April Fools Day wedding.

Jonathon & Candice: Married

Jonathon and Candice had a small, beautiful wedding in Ybor and a reception at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion restaurant.

Sara & Alex: Married

Their engagement photos were on the beach, so it only makes sense that Sara and Alex's wedding took place on the beach. They got married at the beautiful Bilmar Resort on Treasure Island.

Jacque & Dwayne: Married

Jacque and Dwayne had an intimate wedding with just the two of them, so we took it to the studio for their wedding photos. The pure joy in Dwayne's face as he threw the rose petals in the air is the reason I love being a photographer.

Lolly & Scott: Married

This was definitely the most fun wedding I have ever photographed. It is always nice to photograph people you know, and I have known not only the bride but also most of the bridesmaids for 20 years. Lolly and most of her bridesmaids grew up with me since the first grade, and many of us participated in sports together. In fact, her officiant was one of our track coaches in high school. It was so great to get to know Scott, and I know that he makes Lolly very happy.

The Don Cesar Resort is one of my favorite locations in the area, and I had great help from my friend John Kantor. Big thanks to Don Shepherd for the videography and Moriah Milliken for Lolly's hair and makeup.