Category Archives: Beach Wedding
You may remember seeing Libby and Drew’s sweet engagement session from a few months ago. They are an unconventional couple who created a beautiful wedding day outside the traditional box. To borrow from their website, they set out have an event that “reflects who we are to each to other, our intentions in getting married, who we are to all of you, and the role we hope family and community will play in our lives.”
They borrowed from several traditions to create a moving ceremony that was both personal and meaningful not just to them but also to their family and guests, who literally circled them on the beach in support. My favorite part was that they included a reading from the Massachusetts State Supreme Court Ruling on Same Sex Marriage- signaling their steadfast support of all who wish to be married.
As a photographer it was nice to take a different approach. Honestly, it took some getting used to. Sometimes I get comfortable capturing the same elements of a wedding day over and over. Yes, each wedding is different, but usually there are key elements that stand out. Libby and Drew also had key moments but not always the “obvious” ones and for that I’m thankful.
There were times when Libby and Drew wanted me to be a bit more in the background than might be traditional, and since they were married just off the balcony of the beach house, it was perfect to shoot the ceremony from the balcony – I was able to capture the sentiment of the ceremony without interrupting the circle. And while they kept the details simple and focused on the time together with family and friends, I love the colorful and comfortable vibe displayed with beautiful live plants and fabric streamers blowing in the wind on the screened-in porch where they served dinner.
I hope their photos capture that outside-the-box, warm and as Libby told me the somewhat “bohemian” vibe they were going for. I also want to thank Christene Schaaf of C.S. Photography for second shooting the wedding with me. Several of her photos are featured below – shot by Christene and processed by me. Christene is one of my favorite photographers in the area and I am blessed that she gives me her time as a second shooter.
Christene captured these great photos of Drew just before their First Look.
Another great shot by Christene Schaff below – knew when I saw her snap this that it would be a good one!
Christene captured the first shot here while I caught the second from my perspective. Together they’re even better and that’s the power of multiple points-of-view. May seem odd to have two people photographing the same moment sometimes but it really does create great things.
I shot the photos below through the porch screens and love the soft, vintage effect.
venue | Seafarer House, Sandbridge, Virginia Beach
catering: Catering Concepts
band: Gypsy Roots Jazz Band
macarons | The Sweet Lobby, Washington DC
Libby’s Dress | Nicole Miller
by Amy Sandoval
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Matt and Casey’s beach wedding in Sandbridge was a great way to finish out my 2011 weddings. They kept it low-key and had perfect beach weather. I love the backyard of the home they rented and that they danced under the Christmas lights strung under the deck – that little detail made the photos that much more magical! Casey’s mom made her sweet dress and it perfectly highlighted her unique and colorful back tattoo. Her mom also made all of the table decorations and the shell bouquets the girls carried.
venue | Sandwolf’s Den, Sandbridge
cake | Emily, E and E Special Events
dj | E and E Special Events
hair/makeup | Ashley Hart-Lewis, Envy Salon
decorating and bouquets | Bride’s mom
chair rentals | Special Events
Casey’s mom, Debi, did such a good job making her dress. I loved the overlay of lace.
Casey’s mom also has incredible back tattoos.
This is a straight-out-of-camera crop and I love it – that adorable smile as they exchange rings.
Their dog, Doyle, served as the ringbearer!
Definitely a favorite.
They said they weren’t photogenic but I barely offered posing suggestions. They’re natural just wonderful together.
Love these, too.
Lest you think they are a serious couple, there were some really funny moments during the bride and groom photos, too.
They can even make mid-day direct light look good!
Another one of their little adorable moments.
But they do serious SO well, too!
For someone who says she isn’t good having her photo taken, I think she’s pretty good at it!
Their colorful cake.
Christmas lights hanging from the decking. See? Magical. Matt’s not bad, either!
by Amy Sandoval
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October 27, 2011 - 2:06 pm
SO beautiful Amy! Hope your season was great and you’re doing well:)
October 30, 2011 - 10:49 pm
Thanks Jenn! Hope all is well for you as well! Love seeing your photos on Instagram!
Kari + Joe’s Sandbridge beach wedding was a marriage of personal and traditional wedding details and a laid-back beach party atmosphere. They rented “Escape to Paradise” from Seibert Realty and this is one of the most beautifully decorated wedding and event homes I’ve seen in Sandbridge (it’s new construction, too).
I love the way Kari combined both the more formal elements and informal elements to create a gorgeous but ultimately comfortable and fun wedding event. Kari is from Virginia Beach and although both she and Joe live in New York City, they wanted to create a family affair closer to home. You won’t meet two brighter and down to earth individuals. Together they are an adorable couple. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Virginia Beach area (and the east coast in general!) has gotten more than our fair share of rain lately. And though they’d planned an ourdoor ceremony on the beach, Kari and Joe were great sports about bringing their wedding indoors due to the rain.
venue: Escape to Paradise, Sandbridge
officiant: Dr. Alex Berger
dj: Jerome from London!
cake: Custom Cake Shop
flowers: Posh Petals
hair/makeup: Papillon
photobooth: Valentine Photo Booth
shuttle to house: Sandbridge Beach Buggies
They had strings of lights across the back deck where the dancing portion of the reception took place – it really adds a lot to the reception photos, which you’ll see further down. A great, inexpensive way to decorate for any wedding.
Kari and Joe’s dog decided to escape the beach house during the rehearsal and they stayed up until all hours of the morning hunting the little guy down. They found him, a little wet, a little covered in sand spurs but happy to be home. We found him sleeping in all kinds of spots during the wedding day – he had a long night!
This is Charlie, beloved dog of Kari’s mom and dad. Seriously couldn’t have a cuter face. (And that’s her cute sister holding him!)
Kari’s wedding purse – wow – love.
Love her sandals, too!
Kari and Joe did a “First Look” when the bride and groom take a few minutes to see one another before the ceremony. I love First Looks for a lot of reasons – and I love that a lot more bride and grooms are choosing to do them. We photographed their first look in the upstairs library area of the home and in front of a group of windows in a bedroom. Amazing how much natural light comes in even when it rains. Love that!
First Looks are such a powerful moment for the bride and groom. Tears and laughter and the groom gets to tell the bride right away how amazing she looks. I love how Joe is just in awe of Kari in her dress.
Kari’s dress is stunning. Love the way the back fans out.
They had a basket of sunglasses for all of the guests to wear. So what if the ceremony took place inside – we have some really fun shots of the guests wearing the glasses. It was a great add-on for a beach wedding even with rain.
Their custom fans also served as programs.
A favorite bouquet of mine all wedding season. Love the way it pops in front of the bridesmaids dresses.
Kari thew her hands up and clapped when they were pronounced man and wife!
Post-ceremony photo of Kari and Joe, her mom and dad and the wedding guests. I see Joe’s mom and dad just below them as well!
I learned that both Kari and Joe like to travel and have been all over the world already. They met a DJ that they adored while in London. So they invited him to DJ for their wedding. And he had everyone on their feet.
Guests lit sparklers for Kari and Joe’s first dance.
If you recognize a familiar face below on the left, it’s Kari’s mom, Virginia Beach City Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson – cutting a rug with her husband.
We slipped out and got a few misty shots on the beach around sunset.
Despite the rain, the sky lit up pink around their beach house as the sun went down. The last shot just felt like it summed up how happy they were to be together. Kari said several times that she wasn’t worried about the weather or anything else because she was so happy to just be marrying Joe. Can’t beat that sentiment. 
by Amy Sandoval
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Galen and Erin were married Saturday at the Old Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. It was a beautiful mix of the traditional and modern and couldn’t have been set in a more beautiful venue. I look forward to sharing more from their wedding and wanted to start with a first peek while I’m working on the rest of the day. Love the ones with the 1947 Woody, which we took a drive in for beach photos after the ceremony. More from their gorgeous day coming soon!
by Amy Sandoval
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by Amy Sandoval
no comments