Kayla and Greg | Hyatt Centric Key West Wedding
Kayla and Greg went to college together in Baltimore and shared a mutual group of friends, but it wasn’t until after graduation at a friend’s party that - over a game of beer pong, no less! - the spark of something more became apparent. A weekend together afterward revealed that they had a lot in common, and that they had both grown up not far from each other in nearby towns back home in Connecticut! Upon returning from the trip, Greg asked Kayla out on a date, and that was the beginning of the journey that would eventually lead them Key West, Florida for their wedding!
Press PLAY to relive the beautiful day!
But not before a few bumps in the road, as all good stories are bound to include. Job changes, a relocation, and other opportunities meant a hiatus for a while, but the friendship remained and after a few years, they found their way back to one another! Kayla would share with me later, “We realized there was no one else we'd rather go through all of life's experiences with. Our journey has been maybe not the most traditional, but we wouldn't have it any other way and we're so excited to be starting this new chapter in our lives together!”
I would meet Kayla as she was beginning her search for a wedding photographer, and after several long conversations by phone to get to know each other, I learned that when the duo aren’t relaxing at home with their dog Gracie, they enjoy game nights, traveling, festivals, and axe throwing….say wha!?….I’m always fascinated when people have unique hobbies!
As their life events were accented by beach days and brunches, comedy clubs and country concerts, and dinner date nights with an occasional Ravens game mixed in, it would come as a total surprise to Kayla when, on August 29th, 2019, on a birthday trip to Orlando, Florida, Greg got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! An enthusiastic “Yes!” was followed by an evening at Disney, complete with fireworks and amusement rides with their “After Hours” tickets.
As all big days do, Kayla and Greg’s morning started out surrounded by family and friends, as the couple each got ready in their respective suites at the Hyatt Centric Resort in Key West, Florida. I arrived to find hair and makeup in full swing with the girls from Key West Hair and Makeup Artistry by Elena Southcott.
There were sumptuous details-galore for me to dive into first though, so I set about creating photos of the bride’s magnificently-ruched dress, sparkly shoes, tropical flowers, and adorable gift bags she had gotten for the bridesmaids.
Once the girls were dressed in their soft mint-colored gowns, they set to work helping Kayla get into her dress. Everyone chipped in to buckle her shoes, fluff her train, smooth her veil, and make sure she looked perfect for her walk down the aisle.
Soon it was time to head over to the guys’ room, where I’d meet Greg and his groomsmen and parents. In literally the most Fave-Groom-of-All-Time moment, I glanced over to find not just an array of details, but Greg had thoughtfully pre-designed an aesthetic setup of the groomsmen’s gift bags, along with their included ties, cigars, and an all-important bottle of Don Julio (of course!). I’m pretty sure I told him I loved him in that moment! 😅😅. (usually I arrive to the guys to find what looks like a literal bomb gone off, and I often am tossing boxers and open bags of potato chips into another room before I get started….which I totally don’t mind, but that’s why this was such a 🙂🙏🏼 moment!)
Mom, dad, and all the boys made quick work of getting the groom dressed, from his jacket and boutonnière, to straightening his tie, smoothing his collar, and delegating all the details to get him dapper for the day. #Alliteration 😅
We had plans to take the couple around the island for some photos with just the two of them, but first, it was the big moment for them to see each other for the first time! Using garment bags - the only thing we could find in the moment! - to shield the bride from view as she made her way out of her suite, her girls led her to a quiet spot where Greg was waiting patiently for that “tap tap” on the shoulder.
Anytime we have a larger bridal party…in this case there were 11 altogether…it’s important to block out some time to do photos with them as well. Since we knew the photos after the ceremony would already eat up some of the cocktail hour, the couple wisely decided to have their party meet them for pictures beforehand. This allowed us to get an individual portrait of the bride with each of her girls, and the groom with each of his guys. After all, as your closest friends, siblings, and wedding day confidants, it’s nice for them to have a quick moment together with you, not to mention their own photo to keep as a memory of the day. So with that in mind, we used the beautiful palm foliage around the hotel, as well as the bubbling turtle pools that the resort is known for, as the setting for the bridal party images.
With the bridesmaids and groomsmen dismissed to go entertain the guests and get ready for the ceremony, it was time for Kayla and Greg to hop in the car with me and my team, as we headed to capture photos at the iconic “Greetings from Key West” Postcard mural on the side of the Cuban Coffee Queen, as well as stopping for photos at Mac’s Sea Garden, the giant banyan tree on Front Street, the picturesque neighborhood of Truman Annex, and the soaring brick structure that is the Key West Customs House.
During our scoot about town, we took a quick detour down Simonton Street to jump out at Casa Antigua. For years it housed the long standing “Pelican Poop” shop, and now is home to an Escape Room, as well as a historic private residence. One of my favorite parts of this stop is, of course, the aqua teal wall next to the adjacent print shop. If you’ve been hanging around me for more than 5 minutes, you probably have realized that it’s one of my favorite colors, and is also the key branding color for my studio. Given that it matched the colors of the wedding, it was a definite stop for photos!
Now that the couple’s photos were completed, it was time to return to the Hyatt for the moment everyone had been building up to for years since their engagement…the wedding ceremony! Guests were seated and families took their places. The bridal party were lined up for their processional, and the officiant Steve Torrence took his place at the front of the group, ready to welcome the couple in to their nuptial service.
Once the rings were exchanged and the vows were declared, the couple kissed and headed back down the aisle, officially “husband and wife”! In order to get everyone to cocktail hour, my assistant and I set to work immediately gathering the family members for their photos. We used a lovely spot on the dock overlooking the water, grouping parents, siblings and other significant guests together for their picture with the newlyweds.
The most challenging group photo, however, came in the form of a multi-level balcony shot. Kayla and I had discussed this ahead of time, and with the help of the planner Bernadette McCall and an announcement by the DJ Scott Gerke, we slowly and steadily managed to get everyone in attendance to the railing. This is easier-said-than-done. You have to consider not just the logistics of moving that many people, but also the settings and lighting (bright sun competing with shaded overhangs), and the angle, not just top to bottom, but left to right….remember, the hotel is on the water, so for me to get the correct vantage point, I have to climb out onto the narrow dock with two cameras, strobes, and a prayer not to fall in, while a group eager to get back to their festivities squish together and try their best to hear your directions and attempts at witty remarks in order to get a photo-worthy expression, and quickly. NO pressure! 😅😅
I took several of everyone looking at the camera smiling, but this one of them cheering the couple was my personal favorite and I have to share:
Finally it was time to party! DJ Scott Gerke of Visualize Entertainment emcee’d the introductions into the Marquesa ballroom, as the couple entered and celebrated with a first dance as husband and wife. The evening continued with speeches by the father of the bride, maid of honor, and best man, and of course cake cutting and revelry on the dance floor.
Naturally, no Key West wedding would be complete without the warm glow of the sun setting over the harbour, so we snuck the couple out for a few minutes to take in the epic hues and bright colors of the sky, as daylight faded over the horizon and the glow of twilight kissed the top ripples of the water while the couple snuggled, smiled, and reflected on their day together.
The end of the evening came too soon, and with their loved ones around them on the dance floor, we said our goodbyes and headed out for the evening. Congratulations to the happy couple and special thanks to all the vendors who made it all possible!
Planner: Bernadette McCall - A Family Affair
Flowers:
Hair and Makeup: Key West Hair and Makeup Artistry
Dress Designer: Paloma Bianca from Gamberdella
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Apparel: Jack Christoph Clothier (Chris Ahern)
Rings: Custom made by Infinity Gems and Diamonds
DJ: Scott Gerke from Visualize Entertainment
Videographer: Joanna Cooper from Soundwave Productions
Photographer: Karrie Porter
Photography Assistant: Chelsi Smith