This past weekend’s wedding was another special one, near and dear to my heart. Sweet Rebekah and Christian – two very young souls, on FIRE for the Lord, tied the knot! (Church family weddings are becoming a regular thing and I am here for it! Inquire about your date!! ahahah) I could not be more honored to have been chosen to document their beautiful day.
From the elegant, very classy “Audrey Hepburn-ish” dress Rebekah picked out to the really fun and clever table games to the hand written thank you cards given to every guest in attendance *even me and shuli :’)* to the tear jerking vows that would knock your vocabulary socks off from Christian; Rebekah and Christian are the epitome of genuine, Jesus loving – people. Who were both patiently waiting for God’s best.
I am so incredibly happy they have found each other and to watch all they will continue to do now that they are married; I pray increase and blessing over everything your hands touch and that even when the tough times come you lean extra hard on that third cord that strengthens you.
Here are some highlights from the day I just loved and had to pull from first! Enjoy ❤
What a special, family centered wedding I got to witness this past weekend! Claire and Dawson; Thank you so much for allowing Dylan and I the privilege of being your wedding photographers! You both have come from amazing families and it shows through in every aspect of who you both are.
Most people know or have heard before that “Tying the knot” is a reference for getting married and that rain on your wedding day is suppose to mean good luck in your marriage…for one reason or another, I had always thought rain meant good luck in fertility specifically, that if it rains it was suppose to mean you were going to have a lot of children. Not a hundred percent sure where I came up with that lol. Some time ago I came across a video that said according to the Irish, rain on your wedding day is a great omen because “A wet knot is much harder to untie” and regardless of what rain on your wedding day actually means if anything at all because only God truly knows – I’m going to always, forever now look at it in that positive light.
I believe that to be especially true for Claire and Dawson, what started as being a very gloomy, rainy morning turned into the most gorgeous wedding weather ever! 70 degrees, bright and sunny – complete with 90% caterpillars hahah.
No matter how many weddings I get to attend there is always a few things that are specific to every one of my couples that just make my heart skip a little bit. One of these was when Claire told me that she and Dawson didn’t attend the same school but actually met in Youth group and would exchange notes to each other on Wednesday nights when they would get to see each other.
So now you can only imagine how much sweeter that made their little private note exchange/hand holding moment they had pre-ceremony.
Another was the thoughtful handkerchief gifts that both momma’s gave to their babies for happy tears. Dawson’s mom had a sweet little note embroidered into his and Claire’s mom gave her and her sister a handkerchief that had pieces of their grandmother’s robe, their mother’s wedding dress and all the dates of their weddings embroidered into it. *cue the happy tears* there for sure!
What a beautiful day, to watch beautiful souls get married!
Enjoy these sweet sneak peeks and check out the other vendors at the bottom!!
Thanks for reading and be blessed!!
XO Taylor
This was Dawson’s “Trying not to cry exhale” LololIn love with this shot Dylan got from the back!!! ❤
Nestled deep in Inverness Florida there is a gorgeous piece of property that is Kara + Chris’s own slice of heaven, surrounded by greenery, animals and glistening sunlight it is actually a dream place to live and furthermore the most epic residential wedding spot I’ve gotten to photograph yet.
How sweet it is to find a love like Chris and Kara! These two kindred spirits were just made for each other in a special way. I got the privilege of meeting them for engagement pictures and they were a country dream, delight! The first thing I ever learned about them and I do think it is one of the most important; is how much they love their animals! The engagement pictures we took were either around their animals or on horseback and I honestly just love them so much for it. So of course, the only absolutely needed, and highly requested photo I take at their wedding would be one with their animals. I love the shots we got of Kara and her horse (whose name escapes me right now…) And the image of Macy the *golden child* retriever…. It was just darling in so many ways and you just can’t get that unless you have a wedding at your own home. There’s so many beautiful photos, that it’s really hard to choose what to share for the sneak peek without giving away ALL the magic hahah.
Also I wanted to mention the cutest thing that I have not seen a lot of yet; Was this clever text exchange that Chris and Kara did pre-ceremony. I got to see both of their reaction’s to each others love messages and it was the sweetest thing. To my knowledge it was kind of like a personal vow to each other but done privately.
Goodness what a lovely job Gloria with beautiful moments did with converting their property space into an outside reception and ceremony area. There were candle lit tables with beautiful florals, Warm market lights strung all over the space illuminating the dance floor, and all of this was under the stars outside in beautiful, non buggy weather. It was stunning. It was unforgettable. And it was a dream come true.
When the end of the night came and I said my thank you’s and goodbye’s to everyone; Kara’s mom Ellen, said to me:
“Kara was so adamant about having you as her photographer, she just would not consider getting anyone else – I just love the photos you took and thank you so much, you were wonderful.”
My heart melted, it’s just such an honor to serve people who value what you do that much. There’s so many photographers, so many truly talented photographers around even just this small little county and somehow God draws me to the right ones for me. In the words of my pastor and I’m going to apply it to me – I know it’s not biblical, but I think God loves me the most. 😛
Check out all the vendors at the bottom of the page!
Thanks for reading! And be blessed
SEIRRA! I’m pretty sure the horses name is seirra hahahah – I remembered!!!
Wow, what a stunning wedding and what a beautiful place to have it! This was my first time shooting at Indigo Harvest events, or Indigo harvest farms (I’m not sure which they prefer) which absolutely astounds me because it’s located in Inverness, FL literally right in my back yard and until this past weekend have never been booked by a bride who was using that venue. This wedding was also super special because I got to work along side one of my lifelong friends and colleague Dylan Todd, we are pretty much two people sharing the same brain when we work together and I LOVE it hahah.
So happy to have finally gotten to shoot at Indigo because it was incredible, it was everything I was hyping it up to be in my head. I’ve been excitedly awaiting this wedding for a long time! The planner – Eric Hart, with Hartfelt memories is just amazing in every way cannot say enough wonderful things about that woman and how on top of every little detail she is. If you lack direction in the wedding planning department and need someone to coordinate you – look no further, you will fall in love with her. (I’ll link her and the other vendors info below)
The venue is actually nestled within a working blueberry farm and the sweet owner Donna gives up her entire two story home for the day to let the bride and groom make use of it as their getting ready spaces. There was space and window light galore and I was in heaven!The reception space is a beautifully transformed barn designed with a double door epic loft, full of sparkling warm white lights and chandeliers attached to an adorable outside slab adorned with string lights perfect for dancing, tossing the bouquet and sparkler exit!
I had the best time getting to know Chelsey and Skylar on their wedding day! Chelsey even said, minutes into me starting to photograph her details “I trust you completely” which is just music to my photographer ears…Even though everything went pretty much according to schedule, I know if it hadn’t she still would have trusted me to do my job and give her the best of my abilities and that is my ideal client relationship with all my brides. I’m so thankful that such wonderful people have somehow found little ole me in citrus county.
In this industry I’ve heard of a lot of horror stories happening and I’m just really grateful to have the clients I do and get to serve them the way that I can. Honestly, my heart is so full in this season and I don’t know what’s next, I give it all to God to show me where he wants me – but I’m thankful for now, I’m thankful for this month of November, getting to spend time with my family, getting to travel, getting to have back to back weddings, having the motivation and focus to actually blog all of them! That’s a huge win for me.
On another note, PAISLEY – the bride and groom’s daughter, oh wait until you see those cute Paisley pigtails in this wedding and how she was feeling herself in the mirror after she got her dress on! She was a daddy’s girl through and through, so much so she got to join in to both first dances with daddy; She just wanted to be in his arms the whole time and it was adorable. Anyway, enjoy these precious sneak peeks of Chelsey and Skylar and until next time, be blessed.
Emily and Gavin’s wedding day will be a Lakeside ranch wedding I won’t soon forget! From the beautiful dusty blue tones to the vibrant, fresh rain greens – you just have to see how beautiful overcast can be to believe it!
The day before Emily and Gavin’s wedding it was very rainy and that brought out the dark green colors that I love but thankfully what was forecasted to be 70% rain the day of turned into cloudy, windy and very chilly overnight, but NO rain! Grateful that even if it had rained the ceremony was completely covered so it wasn’t a big deal for one and two, it was so cold it actually probably would have snowed instead haha; and this silly Florida girl left her jacket at home – go figure.
However, even with the shivering cold temps Emily and Gavin lit each other up with love. Every time Emily saw Gavin there was a smile on her face that couldn’t be held in. The first look between bride and groom was like something out of a romantic comedy, Gavin said; “I will not turn around unless she calls me – Lord McCloskey” and he really didn’t, but it made it all the more heartwarming for them. Just look at his reaction! So sweet.
It’s rare that I show up and meet my bride and groom for the first time on their wedding day, but for Emily and Gavin it definitely didn’t feel like the first time. Emily was warm and kind hearted and so willing to do anything I asked of her. And Gavin was a goof ball who didn’t have a shy bone in his body lol. Both of them felt like old friends within minutes of meeting them and I’m so happy to have been chosen to photograph their gorgeous day! Even though we didn’t have the engagement session prep they were natural models and made it easy for me. Here’s some more beautiful photographs from their day, I especially love the images I took of their handsome little men, one of which at 5 years old gave a good little speech haha – I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks and make sure to check out the vendors listed at the bottom!
What a joy it was to be able to be present for this beautiful wedding! I thank God for the connections and relationships he’s allowed me to build in my community because in meeting Stephanie, Kayla’s sister at my home church – I’ve not only gotten to do a handful of family sessions for her, and watch her babies grow but then when her sister got engaged, I was suggested to be her wedding photographer!!
God is so faithful!
Tyler and Kayla were such a delight to photograph; I personally know they’ve had quite a few bumps and road blocks along their wedding planning process, so once the day finally came I had hope that the stress of getting there would dissipate into the background and they could just soak in every moment of their day together.
Looking at their couple portraits and every single time they went in for a kiss during the reception you can tell they were just elated to finally be wed.
There was so many things I loved at this wedding and here’s just a few I want to share;
For one, This was my very first wedding I’ve shot at Cavallo Estate Winery and the scenery did not disappoint. The blueberry fields weren’t quite ripe yet but in a few weeks they will be teaming with big fat blueberries!
The standard guest book that everyone who attends the wedding signs, was a big blank photo book where guests would take their own instamax mini polaroid photos of themselves/moments at the wedding ect. and secure them with pretty washi tape. Then they would write Kayla and Tyler a sweet little message next to the photos. I LOVE this trend and I wish it would happen more and more! What an adorable way to remember the night, through hundreds of little glimpses of the people you love.
And then there was kayla’s niece Laurel, or should I say Justin Bieber’s “youngest belieber” Bless her little heart, at one point in the reception Kayla put her favorite song on “Baby” by Justin Bieber and she was dancing and belting out every word. It was so precious.
Enjoy getting to see a little look into the highlights of the day – Kayla and Tyler I hope you enjoy all your sneak peeks and are having the best time together as husband and wife!
Interested to see all the vendors involved? All the links are at the bottom! And if you want to see more work by me head over to my website, click here!
Be blessed,
xo
Taylor
True story: I auto focused on them in this picture with my NOSE. The talentttt am I right?! Hahah Jk.
Mom and son dances just hit differently now that I’m a mom :’)
There’s guestbooks but then there’s cool guestbooks
As I left cattle dogs coffee shop the day I met Raeven, I couldn’t help but think: This is the type of bride I want to serve for every wedding I shoot. Her personality just made me so excited to deliver the very best I could for her and I was ecstatic she booked me! She explained to me how much she loved photography in school and was very aware of everything my job entails; The time I would need to create portraits in the right light and the vision for wanting multiple perspectives with a second photographer. *Insert happy tears* she was the kind, thoughtful, obsessed with pictures bride I love. Ironically enough, she found me through Ms. Boudreau which was our mutual photography teacher at Citrus high, give or take 10 years apart haha. I loved getting to meet her face to face in person because it really set us on a different level come wedding day. Normally, the first time I’m meeting with my brides is when I shoot their engagement pictures and in this case she had already gotten some done so it was an alternative meet up but just as great. Oh and did I mention she was pregnant?! I couldn’t really see Blakelyn that day at cattle dogs but by the time February 22nd, 2020 rolled around, oh my goodness she was sporting the cutest little baby bump!!
I had been to The Plantation in Crystal River, FL for a family shoot but I hadn’t ever shot a wedding there before Raeven and Garrett; so I knew what the basic layout was in front of the water but I was astonished by the incredible detail they put into the reception area “The Magnolia room” off to the side of hotel. The remodeling of the front entrance with the new fountain is amazing.
This wedding was such a dream to photograph. Beautifully decorated and coordinated, I had one of the greatest photographers I know shoot along side me, Dylan Todd of Dylan Todd Photography Fabulous real estate/fine art photographer also a dear long time friend from Daytona State College. Go check him out he’s killing it in St. Pete. The weather was wonderful the people were spectacularrrr, the venue and the other vendors were excellent (I’ll list them at the bottom) Raeven had sooo many precious, unique touches she wanted included such as the first look with her Dad and her beloved fur baby Kodah, The bridesmaids reaction to her dress, pictures of Garrett “shaving” with his very young little nephew, heartfelt gift exchanges, and of course an epic sparkler exit. All those small pieces of gloriousness factor into a really great wedding day and I couldn’t have been more honored to be the one responsible to capture it! I wish you both a long and happy marriage, be blessed. ❤
Feast your eyes on my highlight reel from the day…
New year, new me! I’m trying to stay on my blogging grind for 2020. So everyone say a real quick prayer I can stick to it! Thank you 🙂
Ok, BACK TO THE BLOG.
Amy and Kenny, Oh my word!! How sweet are they. Amy is truly the most laid back, go with the flow, happiest, kindest soul of a woman I’ve ever met. There is not a single person on this earth that could possibly not love and adore Amy. She was: no stress, no fuss x20. She told me she trusted me completely, and let me have my way where ever and whenever on her wedding day and there is only a few select people who can actually let that happen and she was one of them.
And dear Kenny, sweet as pie he must have said thank you to myself and the other vendors at least 5 times each. Thanking us for capturing the best day of his life for him and truly showing such appreciation for all the work each person put forth for their day. I’ve never witnessed a groom being more grateful than Kenny; and that just made me even more joyous to be there with them, and to give them the very best of what I could do as their photographer.
The two of them together just melts your heart…because you can feel that they love each other so deeply and they’ve just been through so much together in the years leading up to their marriage. They are unstoppable now as a united front, best friends who were just…destined to be.
I wish you both a lifetime of happily ever after!
This wedding was incredible, I had never shot at “Sweetwater branch Inn” in Gainesville, FL before but now I’m so happy to say that I have. I met some amazing new vendors that were easy to work with (List at the bottom of the post), I got to walk inside / photograph my very first Victorian style home, the weather was perfect, the garden was a dream spot for the ceremony and couple pictures. Everything was just so so magical, and historic and just filled with character I don’t think anything could have made it better. It was a really lovely place to get married. And hey, extra bonus. It’s also an Inn – so incase anyone of their guests had a little too much fun they could just rent a room to stay the night!
Thank you for reading now check out the PICTURES!!! 😀 😀 😀
You can view my other work HERE and get in touch with me if you’re planning a wedding or know someone else who is!
