A Wild & Unforgettable Wedding at The Packing House at Sugarcane Farms | Crystal River, FL

Some weddings are elegant. Some are romantic. But this one? Julie and Cody’s wedding at The Packing House at Sugarcane Farms in Crystal River, Florida was an absolute blast from start to finish. It was the perfect celebration of two adventurous souls doing things their way.

I’ve had the honor of photographing Julie’s family for nearly a decade, starting with her first daughter’s newborn session. (How is she almost eight already?) Since then, I’ve captured just about every milestone in her life. From maternity photos in a street-legal golf cart in St. Augustine to a wild airboat engagement session, to her mom’s wedding, family photos and more. Every shoot with Julie and Cody has been something fun, fresh, and full of personality.

So when she told me she was planning to wear a black wedding dress and throw a party that broke all the traditional rules, I knew it was going to be unforgettable.

First Time Shooting at The Packing House at Sugarcane Farms

This was my first time shooting a wedding at The Packing House at Sugarcane Farms, and I hope it’s the first of many. The venue is tucked away in Crystal River, FL, and it’s a true hidden gem. It blends rustic charm with natural beauty, and the entire day was filled with joyful, hyped energy. Secretly hoping these photos make it on to their gallery page of their website because I would love to book more weddings here.

The weather was breezy, and a little moody but without a drop of rain, (Thank goodness) which matched the couple’s black, beige and terracotta vibe perfectly.

Ashley, the venue owner, was amazing to work with. Such a sweetheart, that truly loves helping couples have their dream wedding days. She’s created a space that feels both down-to-earth and thoughtfully designed with eclectic, antique style. But really every vendor was a rockstar at this wedding. The hair and make up was done ahead of schedule, which always significantly impacts me. Alexis the wedding coordinator was so helpful every step of the night. It was the ideal setting for a wedding that threw tradition out the window and focused on fun.

A Wedding Full of Personality

From the moment I arrived, the entire vibe was pure fun. Julie and Cody didn’t want the traditional “white glove” wedding day – they wanted a party, an experience, and a celebration of who they are. Truly a night that friends and family will be talking about for months.

Instead of a candle-lighting or sand ceremony, these two took a shot together as their unity moment (how perfect is that?). Later, they made their grand entrance into the reception by shotgunning beers, setting the tone for one of the most energetic and laughter-filled receptions I’ve ever photographed.

And if that wasn’t enough? They each got tattoos at their wedding. Yep, you read that right. Julie now has a letter “C” and Cody has a letter “J”—a permanent, inked-in celebration of their love story.

Why I Loved Capturing This Day

As a wedding photographer in Florida, I live for weddings like this. Weddings where the couple makes the day completely their own. Weddings filled with laughter, inside jokes, belly-laughs, hugs, and a whole lot of dancing.

Julie and Cody gave me so much to work with. Candid moments happened around every corner. Friends filled the dance floor, drinks in hand, under the glow of chandeliers. The energy never dropped — just pure celebration, start to finish.

There’s something powerful about seeing a couple toss tradition to the side and celebrate in a way that actually feels like them. It’s the kind of wedding that reminds me why I do what I do.

Final Thoughts

Julie and Cody, thank you for letting me be a part of your story again. Watching your lives unfold in front of my lens over the years has been one of the biggest honors of my career. Your wedding was full of heart, joy, and completely unfiltered fun. You inspire everyone around you to live boldly and love loudly. I love you both with my whole heart and while this in some ways feels like the perfect ending to our relationship as client to photographer, I really hope it isn’t and you keep inviting me back into the legacy of your lives over and over until one of us dies. Hahah.

If you’re planning a wedding in Crystal River or anywhere in Florida, and you’re dreaming of a day that breaks the mold and truly reflects you, let’s talk. I specialize in capturing weddings that are real, raw, and anything but traditional. Whether you’re shotgunning beers at your reception or rocking a black wedding dress, I’m here for it — and ready to document every wild, emotional, unforgettable moment.

Until the next adventure,
Taylor | Wombs to weddings Photography
Florida Wedding Photographer | Crystal River, St. Augustine, and Beyond

Photographer | Wombs to weddings Photography

Venue | The Packinghouse at Sugarcane Farms, LLC

Wedding planner | Keep it Calm events (Alexis)

Dj | Elite sounds

Hair | The hair house

Make up | Alexis Young

Bakery | Jen’s sweet treats

Catering | Gourmet affair


Natalia + Enoch | A wedding at Black Diamond Ranch; Lecanto, FL

The wedding of Natalia and Enoch is a wedding I will not be soon forgetting. Natalia, the old country music loving, cow girl boot wearing, God fearing Christian woman that she is, is also a big time horse girl at heart so when she said she was going to have her horse Shaman in the wedding as a “bridesmare” my photographer heart was elated. I was also a horsey girl through out my entire childhood, so this was the coolest thing I had ever heard of and a first for me to document! Even though Enoch isn’t quite as much into horses as his bride, he was a fantastic sport about it, very supportive and truly valued how much it meant to Natalia.

Black diamond ranch is where the reception took place but because the horse being there was a special situation the ceremony was actually assembled at a soccer field next to the church they were getting ready at. The way they had this soccer field set up looked like it was straight out of a bridal magazine. Everything was meticulously hand picked, and put together. I absolutely loved the doors that framed the whole scene which was the initial vision that Natalia and Enoch had for this. It was just breathtaking in every way.

Could not have been blessed with a nicer family to work with, Natalia’s side and Enoch’s side both were so wonderful and made their day better than they could have ever dreamed. Enoch and his brothers were upstanding gentlemen but also hilariously fun loving and Noah, one of the brothers even referenced a verse out of Ephesians in his beautiful best man speech; noting that Enoch exemplified that character to him, it was very sweet. And one of my favorite moments from the night was after Natalia and her dad had their moment on the dance floor she came over to mama to thank her for being the best mom in the world even though there’s not a dance for it lol.

We took some absolutely stunning portraits on that soccer field with family and Shaman but the cherry on top for me was stopping at the gorge right at the entrance of black diamond and snagging a couple more of just bride and groom together. Everything together added up to be the most pristine day, filled with so much love, light, great weather and all of it glorifying The Lord.

I hope you love these sneak peeks and I’m wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

Be blessed xo

Taylor

Photographer | Wombs to weddings Photography

Dj | DJ Trae

Florist | Floral Architecture

Ceremony venue | Gulf to Lake Church

Reception venue | Black Diamond Ranch

Dress | David’s Bridal

Tux | Men’s Warehouse

Catering | Black Diamond Ranch

Sharon + Kyle | A wedding at the baughman center; GainEsville, FL

Sharon and Kyle, I’m not sure there could be a more loving, at peace or gentle pair in all of the world. I won’t go into all the details exactly but In the face of adversity, I have never seen anyone take on the events that happened with such grace as they did and especially Sharon. Her Christ like character that I already knew she carried from talking and meeting with her, was put on display that day. I’m proud but more so extremely encouraged by it; God bless you both! Sometimes the best thing you can do is just laugh through it and we all know it will make some memorable stories for grandchildren some day.

It has been an unbelievably long time since I have updated the blog but I am happy to jump back in with this gorgeous wedding I shot at The Baughman center in late October. It was the first big wedding I’ve shot since having Eden, the first time in all 9 months of her life that Shuli and I were away from her at the same time for longer than an hour. It was also my very first time I have ever gotten to shoot at the Baughman center in Gainesville, FL and what a treat that was for me!! From the stunning views of the lake outside to the exquisite architecture of the building that was filled with sky high curved windows letting all the scenery just pour right in the with the light; it was magical.

The day was beautifully planned out, set in three different locations with the most amazing people. Many of them were friends of Kyle and Sharon. I loved the fall colors they chose (Teal, orange and mustard) and the bohemian style influence that was weaved through out the whole day. It was decorative, elegant but simultaneously simplistic and the theme of nature really shown through everything in the most beautiful way.

Just being around them for a few minutes, It’s easy to see that Sharon and Kyle complete each other like puzzle pieces. What one doesn’t have the other does and what one needs the other provides. Kyle – the calm and quiet, Sharon is the fierce and strong. Maybe it’s an opposites attract situation but what I find more accurate and personally I believe, is that God didn’t make your perfect person to be everything like you he made them to be everything you lack, so that when you come together you help each other become more like Jesus; helpmates in every way. ❤

The day ended at the flow space where every one got to eat, mingle, dance their hearts out, watch the shoe game, the cake smash and finally to see Kyle and Sharon walk off as one right through their lovely bubble tunnel exit which has become one of my favorite wedding trends of all time.

Thank you so so much for trusting my team and I to capture your beautiful wedding day, we so enjoyed ourselves and we could not be happier for you. Keep being the fun loving light in this world! We hope you enjoy these sneak peeks and all the vendors from the day will be tagged at the bottom.

Be blessed xo

Taylor, Shuli & Cassidy

Photographer / Videographer | Wombs to weddings Photography

Ceremony Venue | Baughman Center

Reception Venue | The flow space

Hair | Evie Larsen

DJ | Ian Lee

Catering | Jennifer Hurtado

Dress | Catherine Deane

Tux | Tuxedo Express

Rachel + Erik | A wedding at citrus springs community center; lecanto, FL

Walking into the girls getting ready room on a wedding day typically makes me a little excited/anxious feeling – Kind of like walking into a brand new class at high school and you don’t know anyone yet, however when Shuli and I walked into Rachel’s house on her wedding day; we were greeted by faces we get to see every Sunday morning! (One of which was a bride I photographed last year!) and it was so wonderful to be surrounded by friends and get to celebrate another young couple in our church get married.

Even now as I write this, I’m listening to “dancing” by elevation worship which was their last dance song and I’m recounting how beautiful the entire wedding day was and how it didn’t feel like we were “shooting” a regular wedding but more like we got to attend a wedding with friends that we were also coincidentally enough shooting.

Rachel and Erik had an amazing traveling wedding; starting at her house to get ready, then to the ceremony which was held at Church of the Nazarene and the festivities came to a close at Citrus Springs community center in Lecanto, FL. Every carefully thought of detail was beautiful and intentional and the reception was an epic party with a ridiculously cool Photo Booth with video/audio messages, a jenga guestbook which will be a really neat future momento for family game nights, inside corn hole, and so much more.

The most heart warming part was the beautiful toasts that were given, from not two but six different people. There were tears and many laughs about that “old church van” but it couldn’t have been sweeter. You could visibly see the impact that Rachel and Erik have had on so many lives in their short years and to be able to capture for them the very beginning of their journey as husband and wife is such a blessing to us.

The night ended with the most gorgeous exit I think I have ever shot, in leu of sparklers they had bubbles and normally bubbles is what is used for day time weddings when sparklers can’t be seen but bubbles at night actually rock! So much so, I am now mentioning bubbles to every bride I have in the future because they came out so, so magical. Not to mention, you can have bubbles anywhere (inside, outside, no restrictions) it’s inexpensive and you can go through them multiple times! It’s absolutely genius.

I’m so thankful that we got to be the team they chose to document their very special day and that we get to continually see them at church, evolving and growing in their marriage. Praying blessing and wisdom over everything you do! The amount of things you will accomplish for the kingdom now as one flesh will be immeasurable. Enjoy these sneak peeks, and all vendors will be listed at the bottom!

Thank you for reading!

Be blessed,

Taylor & Shuli

Photography & Videography | Wombs to weddings Photography

DJ | Dj Trae

Photobooth | Own the moment

Reception venue | Citrus springs community center

wedding coordinator | creative touch party planner

Hair | Emmalee Paprzycki

Make up | Hannah Hendrickson

Groom’s attire | Vitali at Today’s Male in Ocala

Wedding dress | Oleg Cassini at David’s Bridal

Flowers | Sam’s club

Catering | Joe’s family restaurant

Cake | Publix

Audrey + Tim | A Lakeside Ranch Wedding; Inverness, FL

On March 25th, 2023 Audrey and Tim officially became one at Lakeside ranch, in the glistening and glamorous big white barn! This wedding was a beautiful roller coaster of emotion – and yes, every wedding kind of is but this one especially thanks to a jam packed timeline of events;

There were 4 first looks planned; Audrey revealing her dress to the bridesmaids, a first look with her father and grandfather, Audrey doing another reveal to the groomsmen and Tim doing a reveal to the bridesmaids (mainly his sister Shannon) and 2 completely unplanned but wonderful moments of a first touch between Tim and Audrey through a door and my personal favorite, the “something blue” moment that was a handmade handkerchief gifted to Audrey from her sister with their relatives handwriting saying “I love you” stitched into it. Oh my gosh, the tears! The feels! Once one special moment happened we came down for a split second and then went right back up into another. It was so, so special!

What an adorable and genuine pair of souls Audrey and Tim make! I am so thrilled we got to be the team they chose to document their very sweet day. I loved the untraditional flower arrangements, the colors green and purple were absolutely perfect for what she had chosen – succulents – very fitting for a spring March wedding. Everything was just so amazing and came together perfectly from the weather and light to the heartfelt moments shared in the reception to Tim’s “Tennessee waterfall!” blowing in the wind for the getting ready pictures ahaha

It was fun, it was lovely and I hope it was everything they both dreamed it would be. Here are some of my favorites from the day and video will be following along soon! Woohoo! Thank you so much for having us ❤

You can find all the vendors listed at the bottom!

Be blessed,

Taylor, Shuli and Olivia

Photography & Videography: Olivia, Shuli and myself with Wombs to weddings Photography

DJ: Events done right Tampa

Venue: Lakeside Ranches

Wedding planners: Brea, lea, and lei with Keep it calm events

Catering: Hill’s BBQ& Catering

Cake: Publix

Wedding Dress: Davids Bridal

Grooms attire: Azazie

Florals: Waverlys

Officiant: Chris Priest

Hair: Trish miller, Laurrie Spivey, and Sarah Spivey

Make up: Hannah Hendrickson

Kessid + Jonathan | A wedding at Lakeside Ranch; Inverness, FL

Another beautiful lakeside ranch wedding is in the books and I was blessed enough to do it for a very special couple! I had known Kessid already from my church – she is not only our children’s pastor’s oldest daughter but she’s also been a leader at every kids camp/VBS event I’ve helped photograph in the last few years so I knew long before now what a sweetheart she is.

It’s the momma in me that makes me so elated she found a great guy like Jonathan to build a life with and the more time you spend with them the more perfect together they seem. P.S They met at church camp guys. I mean C’MON, it was meant to be!

While I’ve shot weddings at Lakeside many, many times this was actually my first morning/mid-day wedding; even with the very different lighting outside, I honestly loved it. Kessid and Jonathan had so many unique little spins on their day that just made it so cute and extra THEM.

Instead of dinner there was delicious coffee and brunch food. Because the first date they ever had was at a coffee shop. ❤ There was a flower girl but there was also a “rock boy” on account of Kessid having little twin siblings. An unforgettable donut cake. And one of the best wedding trends of all time; picture guest book with instamax polaroids.

Kessid and Jonathan’s joy and love for the Lord radiated throughout the whole day from her aunt, best friends and cousins praying with her before she got in her dress to my favorite part of their ceremony where they read personal vows and did communion together but then they had all their parents come up and lay hands on them and pray over them right before the ceremony concluded. Which I thought was just the most precious and special thing and I wish more people would do it!

It was a glorious day filled with so much love, I hope the love birds enjoy these sweet sneak peeks from their day and all the honeymoon cruisin’! I’ll list all the vendors at the bottom and thank you for reading!!

Be blessed,

Taylor

Photographer | Wombs to Weddings

Venue | The Lakeside Ranches

Wedding planner | Keep it calm events

Catering | Cattle Dog coffee roasters

Claire + Dawson | A wedding at Indigo harvest events; Inverness, FL

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” Lolol
In love with this shot Dylan got from the back!!! ❤

Photographers | Wombs to weddings Photography & Dylan Todd Photography

Videography | Mangione studios

Wedding Planner | Erica Hart

Venue | Indigo Harvest Events

DJ | Matt Gray

Caterer | Brick City Kitchen

Kara + Chris | A residential Wedding; Inverness, FL

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!!!

XO

Taylor

Photographer | Wombs to weddings Photography

Wedding Planner | Gloria McCoy with Beautiful Moments

Florist | Mary Weaver with Floral architecture

Chelsey + Skylar | A wedding at Indigo Harvest events; Inverness, FL

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.

Xo

Emily & Gavin | A wedding at Lakeside Ranch; Inverness, FL

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!

Vendor Team: