Olivia and Zach : Sandestin Wedding : Miramar Beach, FL

Sandestin Wedding ©Ashley Nichole Photography-23.jpg

Olivia and Zach tied the knot at the beautiful Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, just off the beach at the Beach House Restaurant poolside deck! They had the most perfect November Florida weather with not a cloud in the sky. With a dress full of beautiful beading, and a sharp navy suit, these two shed some tears sharing their vows, but cheered each other on to not get too soft about it. “Buck up” Olivia said as she wipped a tear from her eye and began to read her vows. It was a moment that seemed so genuine and to their friends and family probably explained their relationship dynamic perfectly.

Their first dances had a magical after sunset sky happening behind them that made the moment feel so romantic with the bistro lights, which is a great way to illuminate a dance floor for the perfect ambiance.


Venue : Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Videography : Silver Shade Studios

Hair and Makeup : Destin Mobile Makeup Box

Wedding Cake and Sweet Treats : Sweet for Sirten


The Weather Channel Crashed a Wedding! : Taylor and Austin : Destin Florida

Taylor and Austin's wedding is one definitely for the history books! It is not every weekend that The Weather Channel crashes a wedding. This in fact, was the very first wedding they crashed and it was an amazing experience to be a part of. We found out just weeks before the wedding that the couple had been picked out of hundreds of others. This laid back duo are huge fans of the weather channel, Taylor is even studying full time to be a meteorologist. And when they are not hitting the books for their education, they are both full time Paramedics, helping people everyday.

The morning of the wedding, all the wedding vendors had the opportunity to be interviewed on LIVE on The Weather Channel in their show called Weekend Recharge. We were asked about their field of work in the wedding industry and how the weather can effect how we handle a wedding day. Needless to say, I was absolutely nervous but once it began, I did my best to whiz right through it. I'm pretty sure my nerves showed, but in the end, knowing I am not great at being on the spot, everything went pretty well. The Weekend Recharge

Below is a super cute little film produced by The Weather Channel of Taylor and Austin talking about their everyday lives, how they met, and the excitement leading up to their wedding day. Below that see just a few of the highlights I captured during from their wedding! And a huge thank you to Desiree Gardner for being a second photographer capturing the Groom and Groomsman preparations as well as being another camera for the ceremony!


 

Wedding Venue : Surfside Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida
Reception Venue and Catering : Royal Palm Grille Private Event Room, Executive Chef Mark Hall
Wedding Coordinator : Island Sands Beach Wedding
Cake : Kim's Cakes
Hair and Makeup : A Grand Occasion Wedding Artistry
Officiant and DJ Entertainment : DJ Diamond Dan


Mr. and Mrs. Rettig : St. Rita Catholic Church : Eden Gardens State Park

Having known Aubrey for a few years now, by far the happiest I have ever seen her, is glowing in her wedding dress  standing next to her new husband, Zach. I was in awe as I flipped through their images of their first dance, their smiles are endless. There is just an ease these two have in the spirits. Perhaps this is what it looks like to marry your best friend. Whatever it is, I cannot recall a time I saw a couple that seemed to be floating on cloud nine on their wedding day as much as these two. Weddings are hard. So many people are involved in planning, so many details make it all come together and because of all this, so many things can go wrong. Some brides let that show all over their face. But if a single thing went wrong on Aubrey and Zach's wedding day, you never would have known. They truely were happy in every moment.  They created the wedding and celebration to fit their personalities so well. They dedicated their love together formally at St. Rita Catholic Church and then had a little laid back fun with a backyard crawfish boil, fitted with a live band, a patio style dance floor and a DIY photo booth area. These two simply enjoyed having their friends and family there and the love for each of them seemed very abundant by how in awe everyone was for their new marriage. It is amazing to see how supported this couple is in love and in life. And that I know, is a testament to the kind of wonderful people Zach and Aubrey are.

Aubrey I am lucky to know you as a friend and even luckier I got to be there to photograph your wedding day to your best friend. Thank you Zach and Aubrey for having me there and I hope these images allow you to relive the day over and over again for a lifetime to come.


Wedding Venue: St. Rita Catholic Church
Formal Portraits Venue : Eden Gardens State Park
Catering : Grayton Beach Catering
Live Entertainment : Max McCann Band


Family Heirloom Films : NOW AVAILABLE : Santa Rosa Beach and 30A

The funny thing about people of the creative mind, is that we always have a thirst to learn new things and express our creativity in different ways that keeps up inspired. Over the last 4 years I have had the fortune of my best friend being a Wedding Videographer. I have watched her create beautiful wedding films that will make you cry happy tears for people you don't even know because she can tell the story of a wedding day through film so beautifully.

One thing I love about our friendship, is that we can meet up for lunch to talk about our weekend plans or share the kind of stories that best gal pals share with each other, but by the end of lunch we are brainstorming new business ideas, we are advising each other on how to be more successful, or on how to keep motivated during our creative lulls. Friendships don't come along like this everyday.  During a lunch with her one day tossing around some new ideas, we both had a light bulb moment, and right there my new passion was born and some in depth mentoring began to take place for me to craft the new skill I would need. Right there, the idea of Family Heirloom Films was created. I love capturing families during a beautiful sunset at the beach in photos while they visit for vacation, but there is also a bigger story to tell. What about the moments the kids are splashing in the water, covered in sand,  or chasing their sibling along the water line and laughing so hard it hurts? What about the way they say "I love you" when they run to give you a hug and their little arms wrap around your neck. These moments as we imagine them are in motion.  These moments are not frozen in a picture. Family Heirloom Films provide a creative way to make these memories into a beautiful time capsule you can watch (and hear) over and over again. 

Not everybody has the same story to tell, a Family Heirloom Film can range from many different milestones, like a child's adoption or the birth of a new baby, I casual day in your home to show your everyday life, a day at the park, all sandy at the beach on vacation, or all dressy at the beach. No family is the same, and my role is to help you create the truest reflection of the story you want to have created into the most beautiful home video you will ever have.

Be sure to watch below the video of my sweet friend Avis, and her little family. Honest to goodness, I would put these little babies in my pocket if I could, they are so adorable!  CLICK HERE for more samples of work and information about the investment of your Family Heirloom Film.

 

 

 

Alice and Duvall : 30A Wedding : Villa Rosa in Blue Mountain Beach : South Walton Wedding Photographer

Alice and Duvall's wedding is one that stands out from my Fall 2017 season! Each time I go to post more pictures about it on social media, I ask myself why the heck I didn't blog about it! Alice was so beautiful in her laced back wedding dress and Duvall was a genuine southern gentleman dressed to the nines in his wedding attire.  The beach in Blue Mountain on 30A is South Walton, Florida provided a white sandy beach and an emerald water backdrop for their "I do" moment. Their wooden cross at their alter was hand crafted by family solely to provide for this moment, that is sure to be cherished a lifetime. I swoon at so many images, Alice and her mom embracing, Dad's first look, their black lab puppy as one of their groomsman, their dreamy sunset portraits, and an elegant cake set on it's on stage...seriously this wedding was a show stopper. Villa Rosa, a magnificent vacation home rental in Blue Mountain Beach held the reception complete with a live band, a romantically lite swimming pool and a gazebo specially filled with an Oyster bar, not to mention more than enough space for 100+ guests.

Alice nd Duvall, you were one of my sweetest couples from 2017 and I love watching your family grow already! I hope your wedding day was everything you ever dreamed of and that your love lasts a lifetime to come! Thank you for trusting in me to capture your wedding day!


Caterering + Day of Coordination : Grayton Beach Catering
Florist : Hallmark Flower Shoppe
Cake : Bake My Day
Ceremony Violinist : Sand and Strings
Band : Nightfire
Hair and Makeup : Make Me Blush
 


 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Poland : Destin, Florida : Beach Wedding


Poland Wedding - Destin Wedding Photographer  - ©Ashley Nichole Photography-370.jpg

Jody and Jeremy had a September wedding that dreams are made of! The wind was calm, the temperature was cool, and the sunset was AMAZING! They chose a wonderful beach house in Destin, Florida with a backyard that doubled as their dance floor and dining. It was the perfect mix of sand between your toes and backyard fun!

One of the most special parts of this day was the beautiful flower girl, Jeremy's daughter. She stood up with them as they became a family. Jody shared some very special words with her that brought tears to Jeremy as he witnessed his two loves build on their bond together.

Another special moment included a first look between Jody and her grandparents. Seeing this sweet moment in person was so sweet! It was as if her grandparents saw their little girl, turn into a grown princess in an instant. The love is strong between this family!

Jody and Jeremy, thank you for inviting me into your special day to capture these memories for you! I see nothing but great things in your future.


Decor and Coordination : Island Sands Beach Weddings
Catering : Royal Palm Grille
Officiate : Pastor Neil Spencer
Videographer : Silver Shade Studios
Cake : Kim's Cakes


Robyn and Cole : Surfisde Resort Wedding : Destin, Florida

In the weeks leading up to Robyn and Cole's wedding I felt so much excitement the couple had about their wedding. Robyn would message me on Instagram saying "hello" and sharing the upcoming events for the big day! I knew without a doubt, this would be a such a fun couple to work with on their wedding day. But what I didn't know yet, was how absolutely GORGEOUS Robyn would be on her wedding day.

Surfside Resort- Destin Florida- Wedding Photograher ©Ashley Nichole Photography-302.jpg

For this couple, having a beach wedding was never a question "Cole and I have always had a love for the beach. We love being on the water. Being at the beach is so relaxing, and we love the atmosphere. We thought a beach wedding would be a perfect fit for us! One day we hope we are able to move to the water and start a new life there!"

She admits that the beginning stages of planning a destination wedding was stressful but once she found Surfside Resort as a venue, everything began to fall in to place. "At first I had no idea where to start. I did research on beach weddings, and tons of places popped up in my searches. I was overwhelmed and didn't really know what was best. So, I messaged a girl I went to school with that had recently got married at Surfside Resort. She talked highly of the place and Nicki!  I looked it up and noticed it was top rated one of the best places to get married, and the reviews were awesome. Best decision ever! I couldn't of picked a better place for our wedding!

She went on further to compliment Nicki, of Island Sands Beach Weddings as the planner and coordinator for the big day, "I could go on and on about Nicki! She is absolutely phenomenal! I could tell she loves what she does for a living. She is very caring and goes out of her way to make sure that your day is everything you dreamed of and more. I was so excited to finally meet Nicki. I swear I think I hugged her a million times on the day of the wedding . It was nothing short of perfect! My heart was so overwhelmed of joy. I love her dearly! She holds a special place in my heart for making my dream wedding come true."

Robyn, Cole and I began as strangers on their wedding day besides a few phone calls and messages but I think we left that day as friends. Of course since Robyn was so open about her planning process and review of the day, I couldn't help but ask why she chose me as her photographer. Her response nearly brought me to tears. " I loved your style! Nicki gave me many options but you stood out the most to me. The way you capture images is so beautiful. You capture all the precious moments that every bride wants to look back on. You also made it super fun, so I was so happy to have you with us on our special day! You will also always have a special place in our heart. You gave us gorgeous pictures that we will cherish for a lifetime!"

Thank you Robyn and Cole, as well as Nicki for a wonderful day!


Officiate: David Gardiner
Arbor Flowers: Bloom Girl
Cake: Kim's Cakes
Hair: Lenni Kelner
Bouquets/Boutonnieres: Islands Sands Beach Weddings
Catering: Royal Palm Grille