Caleigh & Eric’s wedding in St. Augustine was one we’ve have been literally counting down the days to!! We have a very coincidental history with them…we live in the same city, met in a different one, and both ended up with wedding plans in Florida! We first met them in August in Bluffton at a venue while we were photographing a bridal session. It was POURING rain that day so we were hiding out on the covered porch and Caleigh and Eric were walking around the property. We can spot a cute couple from a mile away and were secretly hoping we’d get to connect with them! We did end up chatting with them and realized we were all from Greenville and heard about their potential plans for a Florida wedding in St. Augustine, where Caleigh grew up. We bonded over our homes in Greenville and talked about Laura and Alan considering a Florida wedding as well! Fast forward to this fall and we got an inquiry from Caleigh hoping we’d come to Florida to photograph their wedding and we said heck yeah!!
We didn’t see them again until January when we were randomly seated across from Eric on a flight (after our seats got switched right beforehand!) home from New York back to Greenville and he leaned over and said, “I think y’all are photographing my wedding!” Given the circumstances, it took a minute to connect the dots since we’d only briefly met in August and it’s not every day you’re on a flight in New York with someone you know haha! Needless to say, we’ve all agreed that we were meant to be their photographers because God put us all in the right place at the right time!!
Their wedding day in St. Augustine was AMAZING. We spent the day before wandering allll around the city looking at locations, learning that phone service is non-existent, and finding the best parking spots haha! So when their day rolled around we were so thankful for smooth logistics and the sunniest Florida weather. We had planned to do their first look and some photos at the Lightner Museum which is a St. Augustine icon but also an area with lot’s of people which we realized as we walked around on Friday. There is a LOT of thought that goes into every photo location on wedding days, ESPECIALLY for emotional moments like first looks. Not only do we think about the background and light, but also what is happening around the location. There were tram tours that frequently stopped at the front of the museum, as well as lots of tourists, so we opted for the side where it was shaded and much more private. It worked perfectly!! We avoided the people, the trams, and all the distractions nearby. We care so much about making these moments special for our couples!!
There were quite a few tears shed during their first look as they read each other vows and took in the moment. We definitely chose WAY too many photos from this moment and had to seriously narrow it down! Caleigh had a handkerchief from her grandmother that was put to good use and we love that it was with her the whole day. After photos at the Lightner Museum, we headed to the Fountain of Youth, with a pitstop on Magnolia Avenue for photos under the INCREDIBLE oak trees!! Caleigh said this was her favorite street in St. Augustine so obviously it had to be documented! We had to dodge some pedestrians and more tours, but with all the traffic also came lots of cheers and well-wishes for Caleigh and Eric 😉
Their ceremony was on the water at the Fountain of Youth and it was beautiful! Y’all, we LOVEEEE outdoor ceremonies!! It allows us to sneak up a bit closer on either side, and capture so many more reactions of friends and families when we have the space to walk around! We love all those angles!
Their ceremony was right behind the Magnolia Room so all the guests had a short walk (in the glowy late-afternoon light…dreamy!) to cocktail hour on the patio! All the palm trees surrounding it are a dead give away of the Florida destination! 😉 We’re big fans. They hung out with their guests during cocktail hour after a few just-married portraits on the dock, ate dinner indoors, and then danced the night away outside!! Caleigh and Eric met in Texas in a small town before ending up in South Carolina, but obviously they needed a Texas detail at the wedding!! Insert some cowboy and cowgirl boots!! Eric wore his the whole day and Caleigh put on some adorable white cowgirl boots from Lucchese for their reception…I mean, HOW CUTE?? She showed them off the whole evening and our country girl hearts loved it!
We are HONORED that we got to be your photographers!! We loved every second of it and would do it all over again! Have the best time on your honeymoon and we’ll see y’all back in Greenville!! 😉
Venue | Fountain of Youth
Planner | Brittany Jones at Uncorked Occasions
Dress | Lovely Bride Charlotte
Florals | Jade Violet Wedding Floral
Groom & Groomsmen attire | Suits: Indochino Ties: Tie Bar
Hair & Makeup | Maureen at the Parlor
Band | Chillula
Catering | Blue Sage Cuisine
Cake | Creme de la Cocoa
Rentals | St. John’s Illuminations
Invitations | Zazzle
Cowgirl Boots | Lucchese
Bride’s Earrings | Olive & Piper
Floral Ring Box | Mrs. Box
View other Destination Weddings:
Greystone Inn Wedding | Lake Toxaway, NC | Lauren & Herb
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April 18, 2023
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