It was a beautiful clear day in Key West the day that Ashley and Robert shared their love with family and friends, as we took to capturing their wedding at the Perry Hotel.

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The day started out with the girls getting ready in the hotel suite, and the guys over in the Captain’s Lounge at the end of the dock. I stopped in to say hi and photograph Ashley’s details, then while she was finishing up hair and makeup, headed over to see the groom and get his photos getting ready and with his guys.

The wedding colors were a beautiful succulent green and dusty-rose pink. We had built sufficient time into the day’s events to allow me time to play with some fun macro shots of the jewelry and invitation, and I’m so glad we did. Those little things sometimes get deemed by some clients as unneccessary to photograph, but I think they really set the stage for the day.

When I made it over to the guys, they were hanging out and enjoying the view from their balcony overlooking the water. We set about to getting Robby into his attire for the day

Though we realized quickly that the suspenders - something we definitely wanted on the boys for photos - were not as easy to get on as we thought. It took me, my assistant, my second shooter, the best man, and several more of the guys, to get them out of their packaging, loosened enough to fit a normal person, and attached so that they were even, snug, but not too tight. We got them all on though, and proceeded to get some fun photos of the guys.

Back in the girls’ rooms, it was time to get dressed, and Ashley’s mom and grandmother helped her get into her wedding gown, with the two most adorable flowers girls you’ve ever seen looking on in wonder at the beautiful bride.

It was then that we set up a fun “first look” shot, but not with the groom… with the bridesmaids, and with the dads!

They were so sweet and I could feel myself holding back my own tears as Ashley got to see them each one by one, giving them each their own special moment, then pinning on their flowers before the rest of the day’s festivities got underway.

Wedding ceremony on dock at the Perry.jpg

Soon they were Mr and Mrs, and after the kiss and a celebratory walk down the aisle, we swept the couple and the family off for group photos out on the dock, with parents, siblings, and the bridal party enjoying a fun few photos with the newlyweds!

Couple walking down dock on wedding day at Perry Hotel.jpg

Of course when I found they had a happy yellow building, I had to use it in the photos, and with the wind blowing and the beautiful blue ocean behind them, there was definitely a need for some epic dress-flowing-in-the-wind shots too!

As we were making our way back toward the reception, there was a little alcove in one of the buildings that had a nice olive/sage green, and I thought it would make a nice background for some close-up portraits of the couple. The pretty side-light coming in from the walkway added a nice dimensional touch as well.

After sunset and a little snuggling on the dock, it was time to head to the reception, which was held in Matt’s Stock Island Oyster Bar. It has a lot of authentic maritime decor and a seafaring feel to it, perfect for a wedding on the water.

The evening concluded with cutting of their cake and a toast from their uncle, and as we wrapped up photos, I of course had to get one unique shot out of the front door of the Perry.