Kaitlin and Blaine | The Reach Resort Wedding Day
Going to a friend’s for a birthday party might not seem like the start of a typical love story, but for Kaitlin and Blaine, it was the genesis of a beautiful relationship that started as they both arrived to the party, ended up on the same four-wheeler together, and the rest - as they say - was history! That chance encounter would turn into discussions about what they loved to do for fun….golf, travel, spend time with family, and a shared love of dogs.
In October of 2021, Kaitlin had her annual pumpkin patch and apple picking trip with her mom and sisters. Blaine showed up unexpectedly, and with the rest of the family present, surprised Kaitlin with a proposal.
Normally this is where I’d say to fast forward to the wedding, but in this case, I had the pleasure of working with the happy couple for their engagement also (something we don’t always get to do with a destination couple).
I knew they had something special that first shoot, as we had fun with scooter rides through Truman Annex and a variety of engagement photos through downtown Key West. Naturally I was thrilled to find out soon after that their wedding would also take place here in paradise, scheduled for The Reach Resort. And oh what a wedding day it was!
Press PLAY to relive the beautiful day!
Where normally I’m the first one in the room, this day we had to get a little bit creative. While a tragic accident en route to the venue found not just myself, but almost the entire vendor team, stuck in bumper to bumper traffic (quickly eating up the standard hour buffer I always leave myself), my photography assistant Chelsi Smith who was on with me that day took the reins on the getting ready photos and first look, while my colleague David Ambos of Studio Julie Photography stepped in to take care of the bridal party groups until my arrival.
After some beautiful bridal portraits, and setting up a lovely First Look moment for the bride and her father, they then went up to the rooftop balcony where the bride would see the groom for the first time on their wedding day as well. Additional photos at Mac’s Sea Garden, the Southernmost Point, and Bahama Village made for fun pictures around town, and then the trolley headed in to ceremony where I was capturing details and the guests being seated.
The ceremony was situated at the end of the long pier, inside the gazebo that is part of the iconic oceanfront landscape of The Reach Resort. The ceremony space featured lovely draping, an array of chairs for the guests, and of course the warm sunshine and gentle seabreeze Key West couples come to expect from their destination ceremony! Walking down the aisle, Kaitlin radiated pure joy, and Blaine smiled back at her, excited to finally complete this next chapter of their love story together.
They exchanged heartfelt vows, their wedding rings, and at the end were pronounced husband and wife, sealed with a kiss and walked exuberantly back down the aisle to the cheers and well wishes of the entire family!
With the newlyweds officially “Mr and. Mrs” and the family memories created with a series of group photos, I made use of the pier for photos of the couple as we made our way to the reception. Now it was time for the group to party! The evening began with speeches and toasts, a first dance as husband and wife, and some meaningful moments dancing with mom and dad. DJ Scott Gerke opened up the dance floor and everyone had a raucous time showing off their best moves with the married couple.
After sneaking away for a few minutes to take in the iconic Key West sunset in their wedding photos, Kaitlin and Blaine rejoined the party the rest of the event’s revelry that went well into the evening. Before leaving, however, we gathered as many on the dance floor as we could fit for one final farewell group shot, wrapping up the couple’s epic journey from that fateful first four-wheeler ride to finishing their love story in Key West, Florida
Congratulations Kaitlin and Blaine and here’s to many more adventures to come!
SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO THESE AMAZING WEDDING VENDORS, WHO MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE!
Planner: Simply You Weddings | Jennifer Perez
Venue: The Reach Resort
Hair and Makeup: Studio Marie-Pierre
Videographer: Che & Co
Florist: Milan Events
Officiant: Steve Torrence
Rings: Kay Jewlers & Roger & Hollands
Cake: Key West Cakes
Assistant Photographer: Chelsi Smith
Additional Photography Support by: David Ambos | Studio Julie Photography