Lindsey and Keith | Key West Butterfly Conservatory Wedding
Key West is well known for drawing people from far and wide to get married under the island sunshine, and while there is something magical about a large ballroom transformed for 200 people, I have to say that my favorite days are those spent with a loving couple and a few close family members. This was what was planned when Joan, the Mother of the Bride, reached out to me about her daughter Lindsey’s wedding.
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Funny enough, I realized I had spoken with her before, and through our conversations, came to learn that her daughter and future son-in-law Keith had been together for years, but had always wanted to get married in Key West, and the timing had to be pushed back a few times. Now they were finally getting hitched, and wanted me to be there to document it.
Keith and Lindsey had met in Austin Texas 1989 in Kindergarten, no less! They went to school together until second grade, when Lindsey moved to a different school and Keith moved to St. Louis Missouri. Fast forward TWELVE years (!!!), and Keith reached out on Myspace (clear proof that they have INDEED been together for a long time, Lol). Phone conversations turned into romance and he flew Lindsey to St. Louis for New Year’s Eve. Only a month later, they knew it was true love, and both moved back to Austin.
Marriage was never a rush, but when they landed in Key West 10 years into their relationship, they knew this was where they wanted to get married. Keith would eventually pop the question during a New Year’s Willie Nelson concert, having snuck in a private request to her father earlier that evening. :)
The wedding day came at last, and I met the family at Marriott Beachside where the bride and groom were getting ready. We captured some quick portraits of Keith out on the balcony, Lindsey in her stunning gown, and Joan her mom. We left there and met her dad to head over to the ceremony, which was being held at the magical Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, meeting up with Peter from Milan Events to get the bride’s flowers, and Elizabeth Weinstock, the “Southernmost Reverend”, as she would be officiating the ceremony.
The team at the Butterfly Conservatory had set up a beautiful “Mr and Mrs” tray with champagne glasses, and the couple were treated like VIP’s from the moment they walked in the door. After a quick briefing on how to interact with the butterflies, what to watch out for and how to safely enter and exit, it was time to go in. And oh the beauty that awaited us! Among the guest list were Monarch butterflies, colorful birds, and the resident flamingoes, Rhett and Scarlett.
After the vows were exchanged and the rings given, Rhett and Scarlett “honked” their approval during the wedding itself, then graced us with their presence for photos under the gazebo, delighting everyone with their “pitter patter” feet dance, and checking out the tulle on Lindsey’s dress with their beaks.
During the family photos and pictures around the location, we were lucky to have several pretty butterflies land on the dress. It made for some very squeal-worthy photos…this is not something you get to see everyday!
After the ceremony, we were off to Fort Zachary Taylor for some lovely nature-inspired wedding photos by the fortress and on the beach. The gorgeous warm glow of the evening Key West sunshine made a stunning backdrop for the newlyweds.
We then headed from the fortress and wooded area over to the beach. The blue skies, pink clouds, and epic sunset were so romantic, I am so glad we were able to squeeze this stop into the schedule!
After the beach, it was time to head to dinner, but we stopped off quickly at the famous Key West banyan tree on Front Street, which was not far from where the couple would be enjoying their meal.
The final stop was to A&B Lobster House. The couple strolled along the boat docks, taking in the sights and sounds of the marina and the buzz of the downtown eateries awash with the scent of fresh lobster and Key West Pinks, making their way to their table with a few stops along the dock and taking in the beautiful spanish stairs as well.
The final - pun intended - icing on the cake, was the gorgeous wedding cake, which was decorated with all things “Key West”, from the southernmost buoy to local flowers and foliage, to the Mile Zero sign.
It was a beautiful day with beautiful people, and I was so honored to be part of their celebration. Congratulations Lindsey and Keith!