Photography

Katie and Ed | Key West Sunset Ceremony + Mangoes Restaurant

They say the best relationships start out as friendships. Such was the case when Katie and Ed’s relationship first began as coworkers and eventually blossomed into friends. Over the years, this grew into a romance, and when she was least expecting it, Katie realized they were meant to be! Combining a love of travel, binge watching their favorite tv shows, playing tennis, and rowing classes, the couple had so much in common that it would naturally lead to their engagement.

Like something out of a fairy tale, Ed flew Katie to Paris, and under the Eiffel Tower, he asked her to spend the rest of their lives together! This is when they decided to invite their closest friends and family to join them in Key West for their romantic destination wedding!

Press PLAY to relive the beautiful day!

My day with them began at their private Vacation Rental. Katie was busy getting ready with her mom and the help of Lorri from Key West Hair and Makeup. Meanwhile, my team and I gathered all of her amazing details, from her diamond earrings, colorful felt ring boxes, invitation, and her gorgeous gown designed and made by Katie and her mom, Kim.

As Katie’s mom helped her get ready for her big day, Ed waited patiently to see his Bride. After some stunning Bridal Portraits and playful photos outside their colorful cottage, the team packed up to meet Ed in Truman Annex for their first look. I went ahead, spending a few minutes with the groom so we could get some portraits of him as well!

Then it was time for the big moment! Katie and Ed would see each other for the first time on their wedding day. Positioned underneath the shade of the overhead greenery, with the rush of the adjacent fountain bubbling in the background, Katie peeked over her shoulder at me for a quick second before tapping Ed on the shoulder for him to turn around.

The nearby “Building 21” historic architecture served as a lovely setting for some of their couples portraits, including some artistic silhouette shots and creative black and white images.

A short walk into the Truman Annex neighborhood gave us a lush and tropical setting to create some more lovely images of the pair. You could really see the love in their eyes as the couple held hands and walked together down the sidewalk, the rich forest-green leaves stretching over and around them as the white picket fence provided a classy streetside border.

Of course no custom gown can be fully appreciated until we give it some floofs and fluffs, some spins and swirls. Katie obliged as I grabbed photo after photo, trying to sneak a shot of the train in a perfect swoosh of flower-filled fabric!

After a quick stop by the historic Weather Station Inn (formerly the US Weather Bureau building) - a personal afternoon favorite of mine due to the way the sun dances through the trees that time of day - we headed over to Bahama Village and hopped out at the iconic Blue Heaven Restaurant, pausing for photos in the area’s colorful surrounding buildings, including the In One Era antiques building and the adorable La Creperie cafe with it’s happy lemon walls and quaint veranda bistro tables.

Finally it was time for the ceremony! We arrived to Smathers Beach to find the most stunning tropical setting, complete with a circular floral arch and bamboo-style ceremony chairs. The sand had been raked to a smooth finish, creating a picturesque surface for the couple to make their grand entrance.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds celebrated with hugs and well wishes with the family, then we got to work capturing the group photos of the couple with all their family and friends. We assembled groups large and small, arranging everyone with the beautiful ocean in the background and blue skies overhead. We were even able to allocate time to create photos of some of the couples in attendance, so that they could have their very own Key West memories from the day as well.

Once the family were done, the couple and I went out to the rocks to get some photos on the beach. They nestled together in the sea grass, snuggled up on the shoreline, and embraced with the sun setting in the background as they walked hand in hand in the sand.

We rode over to the reception at Mangoes Restaurant, where everyone had gathered for the evening. Flowers adorned all of the tables, and DJ Buggy gave the announcement as the couple made their entrance to the cheers and applause of everyone in attendance. I spent some time going around the room capturing impromptu candids of everyone hanging out, laughing, dancing, and sharing well wishes to the couple in a series of heartfelt toasts to the bride and groom.

After an evening of cocktails, cupcake sushi, delicious dishes, and getting groovy on the dance floor, the couple ended the evening with their final descent down the stairs, with a few heartfelt kisses under the twinkling lights of the banyan tree.

Congratulations to the happy couple on their romantic sunset wedding ceremony in Key West, and special thanks to all the vendors who made it all possible!

Real WeddingsKarrieMangoes Key Westkey west wedding, beach wedding, Smathers Beach Wedding, Mangoes ReceptionComment