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Jenna and Cameron | Downtown Indianapolis Skyline Club Wedding
Jenna and Cameron contacted me only about two months before their wedding to ask if I was available to photograph it, and I’m SO glad that I was available on such short notice. I just have to give MAJOR props to these two and their families for planning an amazing, beautiful, and special wedding in just 11 weeks. Can you even believe it? Jenna and Cameron were married at the Skyline Club in downtown, Indianapolis, and the incredible staff there helped them pull everything off in such a short period of time.
Jenna and Cameron are two beautiful souls who have been together for longer than Andry and I even though we’ve been married for over 3 years. They’re high school sweethearts with the sweetest love story. They were in the process of planning their wedding when they found out that they have a sweet little one on the way, and decided to move up their wedding date because of the wonderful news. They had the most adorable intimate wedding with their closest friends and family there to celebrate with them.
They decided not to have a bridal party and just include their dearest friends in special moments in the wedding instead like readings during the ceremony and speeches during the reception. Cam and Jenna really wanted everyone to feel like if they were invited to such an intimate wedding, they really meant a lot to the couple and had a special place in their lives. That’s one of my favorite things about intimate weddings.
Cam and Jenna, enjoy a few sneak peaks from your wedding day! I can’t wait to edit the rest of your gallery!
A huge thank you to the incredible vendor team who made this wedding possible:
Indianapolis Wedding Photographer: Rakoteet Photography
Venue: Skyline Club Indianapolis
Florist: Laurilyn Farms
DJ: DJ Rakobeat
Cake: Heavenly Sweets
Bridal Gown: PinkBlush
Rings: Diamonds Direct and Qalo
Men’s Attire: Indochino
Kelsey's Flower Filled Wedding Day Bridal Portraits
Kelsey’s wedding day bridal portraits were filled with amazing florals, which is my favorite type of bridal portraits! Intrigue Designs did an amazing job with this floral installation on these beautiful stairs at the venue, 2400 on the River. Also, check out the vintage car filled with flowers designed by Cece Designs, LLC. Can you imagine a better backdrop for your wedding photos than tons and tons of flowers?! I certainly can’t! I also loved the bride’s adorable, romantic bouquet.
Kelsey was amazing to work with! She was so sweet and just a joy to be around during her bridal portraits. We has so much fun taking these photos! I loved Kelsey’s unique look. Her “high fashion” stye of hair and makeup went perfectly with her dress and her overall vibe. She was SUCH a stunning bride! I’m such a lucky wedding photographer that I always end up getting to photograph the sweetest and most beautiful brides and grooms! Kelsey was just the perfect bride, and I loved getting to photograph these stunning bridal portraits for her!
I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photo’s from Kelsey’s wedding day bridal portraits filled with beautiful florals!
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rakoteet Photography
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Are you engaged to the love of your life and looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Katie and Justin's Engagement Session at Holiday Park in Broad Ripple
After a rainy few April days this past week, we ended up with PERFECT weather for Katie and Justin’s Engagement Session at Holiday Park in Broad Ripple yesterday evening. It was 70 degrees with only light clouds in the sky. We could not have had a more ideal situation for our engagement session. Our golden hour session made for the most beautiful, soft, glowy light for all of our photos. Holiday Park was a great location for our session, because it provides a wide variety of background options, which is just what these two asked for for their engagement session.
Katie and Justin are SO sweet together, and they are so much fun. I just LOVED the way they interacted naturally together. They were such natural models in front of the camera, so I know their wedding day is going to be so amazing. I can already imagine how beautiful their wedding photos will be!
I was already so looking forward to Katie and Justin’s wedding at Finely Creek Vineyards in June. I fell in love with Finely Creek Vineyards when I shot a beautiful fall wedding there last November. The outside of the venue provides so many amazing spots for photos such as the vineyards, the fields, the string lights, the arbor with a chandelier. The inside of the venue is very classy with white walls and beautiful chairs that they provide for the wedding guest tables.
Katie and Justin, enjoy these sneak peaks from your engagement session while I edit your full gallery! I can’t wait to send you the rest of the photos, and I’m already looking forward to your wedding day, which will be here before you know it!
Are you looking for a wedding or engagement session photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Lauren's Wedding Day Bridal Portraits on the River
Lauren’s wedding day bridal portraits were the perfect blend between a little bit a rustic vibe and a lot of a classic, romantic vibe. The choice of venue, right on the river was perfect for feeling like you were right in the middle of nature. The venue has acres and acres of beautiful land with amazing waterfalls and scenery. I loved the intricate floral installation over the stone fireplace. It was perfectly with Lauren’s stunning bouquet and romantic dress design. Lauren was so fun to work with! She was such a beautiful bride. She is so classy and down to earth. And isn’t she stunning?! I loved the look of her soft romantic curls since she chose to wear her hair down.
For these bridal portraits, we started with some photos in front of the floral installation. Then we went out on the terrace to get some of the beautiful blooming trees and the river in the background of our photos. I love when venues offer a ton of variety in backdrops for photos!
Enjoy a few of my favorite photo’s from Lauren’s wedding day bridal portraits on the river!
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rakoteet Photography
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Are you engaged to the love of your life and looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Anniversary Couples Session at Newfields | Christine and Caleb
Newfields, formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), is my absolute FAVORITE location in the Indianapolis area for engagement sessions, anniversary sessions, and couples sessions. Christine and Caleb’s anniversary session in the Newfields gardens certainly did not disappoint. Christine wore a beautiful flowy, lavender dress with was perfect for the romantic feel of the Newfields gardens. And I absolutely LOVE when my brides get bouquets for their engagement sessions or anniversary sessions. It adds so much to the vibe of the session, and as an added bonus, if gives you something to do with your hands for those of you that are like me who never know what to do with their hands while getting photos taken.
Unfortunately, we ended up with a cloudy and rainy day for photos, but that’s okay! We always make the best of any situation. Newfields offers such a wide variety of backdrops for photos including many places with coverings, so we didn’t have to worry too much about the rain. I brought my clear umbrellas, but we didn’t even end up needing them for photos. We only used them for walking between locations. We started out in the greenhouse. Newfields has the most adorable little greenhouse, and luckily we were the only ones in there. Next, we headed to the archway underneath the Lily house for more covered photos until the rain stopped. We ended our session on the stairs behind the Lily house and then in front of the Lily house. We had the most beautiful tulips in the background of our photos. All of the flowers are blooming at Newfields right now, and it made for an even more beautiful session.
I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite photo’s from Caleb and Christine's amazing anniversary session in the Newfields Gardens!
A HUGE thank you to all of the talented people who helped with this amazing session:
Photographer: Rakoteet Photography
Florist: Angel Stoffregan with Fleurish Floral Designs
Hair: Allison Williams with Rae Luxury Hair
Couple: Christine and Caleb Tate
Planning and Design: Lillian Rose Photography
Are you looking for a wedding or couples photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Wedding Day Bridal Portraits in a Green House
One of my favorite parts of a wedding day is the bridal portraits. I don’t usually have a ton of time to take bridal portraits on a wedding day, so that we can save most of our portrait time for bride and groom images, but I love to save around 5-10 minutes to take some special photos of just the bride in her dress on the most important day of her life. Lily’s bridal portraits were particularly beautiful, because they took place in this gorgeous green house with the most amazing natural light. Here’s a fun fact: This greenhouse actually came from Euro Disney in Paris! How cool is that?!
Lily was SO much FUN to photograph. I love when my brides are this excited and happy to be marrying the love of their life and they smile this big in every photo. I love how she danced around and twirled her dress out of pure excitement. Any time I gave her direction, she took it and ran wth it, making all of the poses entirely her own. It was absolutely perfect.
Enjoy a few of my favorite photo’s from Lily’s wedding day greenhouse bridal portraits!
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rakoteet Photography
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Are you engaged to the love of your life and looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Atlanta Engagement Session
How lucky am I as a photographer that I got to shoot two engagement sessions in the beautiful Cater Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia?! I always love getting to photograph weddings and couples in new cities all across the country and the world. Being a wedding photographer is already a dream job, but being a destination wedding photographer is the best job in the world. I don't have to shoot every wedding or session in an exotic location in another country. I get just as excited about shooting in new cities right here in the United States. And whenever I get to go someone a little warmer in the winter, well that's just a huge bonus!
Working with Emily and Trey for their couples session was especially awesome, because Emily herself is a wedding photographer in Atlanta, Georgia, and Trey works with her as her second shooter. I work with my husband, Andry, a lot in my business, so I always think it's fun when I meet other couples who work together as well. I'm always so honored when other wedding photographers choose me as their wedding and/or engagement session or couples session photographer. I know how picky us photographers are when it comes to hiring photographers for ourselves! These two were so comfortable in front of the camera, and they love to have tons of fun together! They were such natural models and were so good at taking my direction and running with it and turing it into cute poses that were so them!
Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from Emily and Trey's Cater Woolford Gardens engagement session!
Are you looking for a photographer for your wedding and engagement session? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I still have your wedding date available!
Cater Woolford Gardens Engagement Session
I first discovered Cater Woolford Gardens around a year ago online. I knew immediately that I wanted to shoot there the next time I was in Atlanta. Atlanta has so many amazing locations for engagement sessions. It makes me a little jealous of the photographers that get to shoot there all the time. Although, luckily, I have been getting to do weddings and engagement sessions in the Atlanta area more and more recently.
Cater Woolford Gardens provides such a wide variety of locations for photos. I love the elegant building with it’s white marble pillars, the woods with its blooming trees, the long staircase in the middle of the woods, and the garden area with its spring blooms. We chose the perfect time to visit Atlanta, because spring was in full force. There were beautiful flowers everywhere, and the trees were starting to get their leaves back. Jasmine’s choice of a light colored floral dress was perfect for the spring vibes of this engagement session.
I loved working with Jasmine and Karl. Jasmine is actually an Atlanta blogger over at http://nlovewithjasmine.webflow.io/. Her blog focuses on motherhood, fitness, relationships, and home decor. I would definitely recomend checking her out! Jasmine is SO gorgeous and was so comfortable in front of the camera. Her and Karl were just adorable together. It’s amazing when, as a photographer, I can tell how in love my couples are just by the way they interact with each other during their engagement session.
Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from Jasmine and Karl’s Cater Woolford Gardens engagement session!
Are you looking for a photographer for your wedding and engagement session? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I still have your wedding date available!
Garden Wedding with Gazebo Ceremony
Jefferson and Mikol were so sweet and fun to work with. Garden weddings, especially ones with gazebo ceremonies are particularly close to my heart. My husband and I actually had our wedding at a gazebo in a rose garden. I love the way Gazebos can be decorated lavishly with flowers.
I loved the soft pinks, oranges, and reds that were chosen as the color scheme for this beautiful, outdoor garden wedding. It was such a romantic addition to the already beautiful scenery. I also loved the uniqueness of Jefferson’s blue suit and Mikol’s strapless dress with a high slit.
Intrique Designs always does such a fantastic job with the flowers. Sarah’s specialty is flower installations, so I knew she would design some incredible flower arrangements for the gazebo. I’m also obsessed with the centerpiece designs for the tables. The vintage piece with overflowing flowers was the perfect choice for a romantic flower-filled look.
Aren’t these two stunning? Everyone was debating over whether they are Prince Harry and Megan Markle lookalikes or whether they are Chris Hemsworth and Hallie Berry lookalikes. What do you think?
Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from this beautiful garden wedding set up with a gazebo ceremony back drop.
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rakoteet Photography
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Are you engaged to the love of your life and looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Atlanta Wedding Photographer | Duluth, Georgia Country Club Wedding
Previously on the blog, I shared Sabrina and Sahir’s Atlanta engagement session. Today, I’m so excited to share their styled wedding couples portraits at a country club in Duluth, Georgia. Atlanta as well as the surrounding areas and suburbs has so many beautiful locations for couples and engagement sessions and weddings. The more wedding venues I have the pleasure of photographing in in the Atlanta area, the more I fall in love with the state of Georgia.
Sahir and Sabrina are just the sweetest, most charming, and impressive couple. Sabrina is an Atlanta fashion and lifestyle blogger over on Simply Sabrina Blog. She has some amazing travel hacks and beauty tips that I love. I highly recomend checking out her blog! Sahir is the founder of Greentek Energy Systems. Talk about a power couple!
I loved the all-white venue both on the outside and the inside of the house. The stunning architecture really helped to make for some amazing, classic couples photos. We started in the piano room which has beautiful natural light, a piano, amazing columns, and a fire place. We took some photos on the terrace in the back of the venue. Even though it was middle of the day with harsh sun, I loved the lighting on the covered terrace. We ended out couples portrait session in the front of the venue with the impressive archway and white doors.
Duluth, Georgia and the entire Atlanta area has quickly become one of my new favorite cities to photograph weddings and engagement sessions. I can’t wait until my next Atlanta wedding or session!
Vendors:
Atlanta Wedding Photographer: Rakoteet Photography
Dress: Wedding Studio Carmel
Flowers: Knox Flower
Are you looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Atlanta (or any other location in the world)? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
European Inspired, Luxury Garden Wedding | Destination Wedding Photographer
Joseph and Luana were so sweet and a joy to work with for these European Inspired, Luxury Garden Wedding Photos. I’m so excited to share these photos with you! Wedding like these are why being a destination wedding photographer is the best job in the world. The stunning venue, 2400 on the River is so versatile with so many different looks. The garden is one of my favorite locations on their campus. Doesn’t it look like it came straight from the pages of a European wedding magazine? Were we in the middle of acres of land by the river in Atlanta or in the gardens of a Castle somewhere in Europe like Paris or Italy? Because sometimes, I really couldn’t tell.
The soft and romantic vibes of the stationary; Luana’s delicate yet fierce hair, makeup, and dress; and the beautiful luxury tablescape with an overflowing floral arrangement and chiavari chairs all came together to complete the upscale European vibes for these wedding photos. When love traveling and are obsessed with everything Paris, Italy, or event Scotland, a European Inspired wedding is the next best thing to actually having a destination wedding in Europe.
Check out a few of my favorite photos from this magical day! Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this wedding theme!
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Are you looking for a luxury destination wedding or engagement photographer in Indianapolis or anywhere else in the world? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Luxury Greenhouse Wedding | Atlanta Wedding Photographer | Kennedy and Michael
This might have been one of the greatest days of my photography career (yes, I know I say that about almost every shoot and wedding). Atlanta has quickly become one of my favorite cities for weddings with it’s beautiful gardens and luxury wedding venues. I’m such a lucky photographer to have so many amazing opportunities to photograph stunning and super sweet couples, details, florals, and weddings in the Atlanta area. Kennedy and Michael were such a joy to work with. And just wait until you see their luxury setup inside a greenhouse.
This luxury Atlanta wedding venue, 2400 on the river is so cool! It's huge and offers such a wide variety of aesthetics and backdrops. Some parts of the venue look European with winding paths and perfectly manicured gardens while other parts of the venue offer incredible views of the river and waterfalls. My personal favorite is the greenhouse. The venue owner actually bought this greenhouse from Euro Disney. How cool is that?! Other parts of the venue came from historic sections of Paris and Italy.
I also just have to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible tablescape and florals. Cece Designs, Intrigue Designs, and Thorne and Thistle always do the most amazing floral designs. I love how unique this design is. Have you ever seen anything like it? The Arabella chairs fit the luxury aesthetic of the greenhouse, tablescape and florals so well.
Scroll to the end to see all of the amazing vendor team!
CREATIVE PARTNERS:
HOST: Styled Shoots Across America
PLANNING & DESIGN: Heather Benge Events
VENUE: 2400 On the River
GOWNS: Enaura Bridal
FLORALS: Intrigue Designs, Cece Designs, and Thorne and Thistle
STATIONERY: Brown Fox Creative
CAKES: A Joy Cakes
HAIR: Bilgahmoka
MAKEUP: Makeup by Sarah Lord
LINENS: Nuage Designs
MEN’S ATTIRE: Generation Tux
FURNITURE & DECOR: Milieu Decor
RENTALS: Peach Tree Tents
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aeropexmedia
PROPS & SIGNS: Ten23 Designs
Bride: Kennedy Kapanzhi
Groom: Michael Kapanzhi
Are you looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Atlanta (or any other location in the world)? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Atlanta Engagement Session | Georgia Couples Photographer
One of my favorite things that I get to do in this business is travel and meet new people. Sabrina and Sahir were so sweet and amazing to work with during their couples session. We had originally planned to shoot at Chateau Elan, but unfortunately those plans fell through. I was actually glad they did, because we ended up shooting in the country club in Sahir’s parent’s neighborhood in Duluth, Georgia, and this place was a DREAM! There are so many beautiful locations in Atlanta for engagement sessions. As a photographer, I absolutely LOVE getting to photograph couples, engagement sessions, and weddings in Atlanta as well as the surrounding areas and suburbs.
Sabrina is actually an amazing fashion and lifestyle blogger over at https://simplysabrinablog.com/. She has some amazing beauty and travel tips that I love! Definitely check out her site! Being a blogger couple made these two much more comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. They are used to being models all the time, which made them so easy to pose and direct. These two are high school sweethearts that have been together for so long. They are such a charming couple, and just a pleasure to photograph.
Atlanta may be one of my new favorite locations for engagement sessions and weddings. Atlanta has such beautiful gardens as well as well as historic venues with southern charm. I’ve been to Atlanta before to photograph a beautiful wedding at the Swan House. If you haven’t checked out the swan house yet, you have to see photos of this amazing location. It’s actually in a lot of movies. It’s President Snow’s mansion in the Hunger Games.
Are you looking for a wedding or engagement photographer in Atlanta (or any other location in the world)? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page!
Puerto Rico Destination Wedding Photographer | Day After Session in Old San Juan
Krystal and Luc’s wedding week in San Juan and Luquillo, Puerto Rico was absolutely a dream. After Amanda and Alex’s wedding week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, we flew straight to Puerto Rico for Krystal and Luc’s destination wedding. I am beyond thankful for these two for trusting me enough to capture their destination wedding and wedding week. Two days after their wedding in Luquillo where we took their bride and groom photos on the beach at Playa Azul, they opted for a change of scenery for their “day after the wedding” session. Krystal loves the colorful architecture of Old San Juan, so we met there for another session.
On the first day I arrived in Puerto Rico, I went and scouted all of Krystal and Luc’s locations they were using for their wedding including their getting ready locations, the church, portrait locations, and their reception venue. I absolutely loved Playa Azul and La Pared for their bride and groom and bridal party portraits. I also went to Old San Juan to scout all of the best locations for their “day after” session. I was so glad that Krystal is from Puerto Rico, because she also gave me some amazing ideas for locations that I didn’t know about. She knew about all of the historical locations of the city that have so much meaning for Puerto Ricans. San Juan is such a neat city with so much history behind it. While we were on our way between locations, we found some really cute architecture including an adorable street with colorful buildings and trees and greenery that I was obsessed with.
Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from Krystal and Luc’s next day session in Old San Juan after their destination wedding in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
Are you looking for a destination wedding photographer? I would LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I have your wedding date available.
San Juan Destination Wedding Photographer | Beach Wedding Photos in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
These past two weeks have been nothing short of incredible. It means the world to me when couples trust me to photograph their destination weddings. I’ve spent the past two weeks with my husband/second shooter traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and then San Juan and Luquillo, Puerto Rico for beautiful destination weddings and couples sessions. It has been amazing to be a destination wedding photographer in San Juan and have the opportunity to take wedding photos on the beautiful beaches in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. I cannot thank these couples enough for trusting me to capture their destination weddings. I’ve learned something about myself these past two weeks: destination weddings set my soul on fire.
Have you ever felt that feeling when you just know that you’ve found your calling and you’re doing what you’re meant to do with your life? Back when I was a financial analyst, I never thought that feeling was possible for me. But when I discovered wedding photography, I felt that feeling of finding my calling for the first time. I never thought I could love anything as much as I love wedding photography. But these past two weeks of shooting destination weddings, my soul was truly set on fire for destination wedding photography. Of course, I will continue to shoot weddings in Indiana, but my business is definitely taking a turn in a new and exciting direction with a huge emphasis on destination weddings. Up next, I’ll be heading to San Diego, Jamaica, Riviera Maya, and Charleston.
One of the highlights of my trip to Puerto Rico was meeting Kassandra and Luis. Before our session, we went out to lunch to get to know each other. It was so incredible, and I think I need to implement this into my business for every session from now on. This couple was so fun and taught us all about the local Puerto Rico culture and Puerto Rican food. After an incredible anniversary session which doubled as additional bride and groom wedding photos for this newlywed couple, we went out for drinks while they taught us about the local drinks (Puerto Rico is famous for its rum).
Kassandra and Luis were so fun to work with, and this was one of my favorite sessions of all time. Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from our session on the beach in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
Are you looking for a destination wedding photographer? I would LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I have your wedding date available!
Luquillo, Puerto Rico Wedding Photographer | Krystal and Luc's Wedding
Soft, sandy beaches; the blue Caribbean ocean, and the lush, green rainforest mountains make Luquillo, Puerto Rico the ideal little beach town for the the perfect wedding day. Krystal and Luc were married today in paradise. And for me, being a wedding photographer in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, one of the most beautiful places I can imagine, was a dream come true. I can’t thank the bride and groom enough for trusting me to capture their amazing destination wedding.
This Puerto Rico wedding was unique in that it brought together a blend of cultures. Krystal is from Puerto Rico but lives in Indiana where she met Luc. The wedding party and guests included a lot of Krystal’s Puerto Rican family and friends as well as the couple’s family and friends from the continental U.S. One of the great things about Puerto Rico is that when you’re coming from the U.S., you don’t even need a passport, which makes traveling here so much easier for guests.
The bride and groom decided on a travel theme for their wedding, which is perfect for the couple who love to travel the world together (they got engaged in Rome)! Check out their luggage tag escort cards! We started the day with the girls getting ready at Krystal’s family’s house before the wedding at a local church. After the ceremony, the bridal party took a limo to the beach for photos before their reception at La Casona. This reception was one of the most fun I’ve ever been to! Andry and I actually knew Krystal from the dance scene back in our dancing days, so we knew there would be fun dancing. We even got to practice our salsa after we were off the clock.
Krystal and Luc, you are such an amazing couple and so perfect for each other. It was such an honor and a blessing to be able to photograph your wedding day. Enjoy these sneak peaks while I finish editing your full wedding gallery.
Vendors:
Puerto Rico Destination Wedding Photographers: Rakoteet Photography
Florist: Zuazo Floristeria
Cake: Zulma Charneco
DJ: DJ Kidd City
Makeup: Lyneliz Ramos
Hair: Julietta Bejarano
Reception Venue: La Casona
Bridal Gown: Gretchen's Bridal Gallery
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Shoes: Macy's
Jewelry: Diamonds Direct
Men’s Attire: DC Tux Shop (Carmel, IN)
Limo: Raymond Toledo Limousine
Save the Dates: Shutterfly
Programs: Kyndra Ulrich
Planners: Lillian Velázquez and Gladys Rosario
Officiant: Pastor Miguel Mieles
Piano Player: Joel Hernandez
Are you looking for a destination wedding photographer? I would LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I have your wedding date available.
Wedding Reception in the Mountains of Puerto Vallarta | Alex and Amanda's Wedding Reception
The best way to extend your wedding day celebrations? Rent a luxury villa in the mountains of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for all of your friends and family to stay with you, share your first look the day before your wedding for some romantic time together and extra photos, hold a morning ceremony facing the ocean, take a boat cruise with all of your guests after brunch, then come back for a formal evening reception. Alex and Amanda’s wedding weekend was unique in all of the best ways. They thought of everything in order to keep the fun going all day and night.
In my last two blog posts, I shared their first look and bride and groom portraits on the beach as well as their morning ceremony, brunch, bridal party photos and wedding day husband and wife photos. We’ve now come to my last blog post about Alex and Amanda’s wedding weekend in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: their formal evening reception.
The table set up remained the same from the brunch earlier in the day, but the light and airy linens were swapped out for a little more dark and formal choice. I arrived to the reception early to photograph the reception set up before the sun set. I think I photographed the table from every angle possible, because how often do I get to photograph a gorgeous dinner with views of the mountains and the ocean?!
Amanda and Alex, your wedding could not have been more perfect, and I cannot thank you enough for trusting me to capture all of your wedding festivities. I can’t wait to finish your full gallery for you!
Vendors:
Destination Wedding Photographer: Rakoteet Photography
Planner: Magical Moments Event Planning
Florist: Mac Events
Tabletop Decor: Mac Events
Venue and Catering: Villa Magnifico
Hair and Makeup: Radiate 60
Gown: Luxeredux Bridal
Men’s Attire: ASOS
Stationary: Naomi Leah Designs
Officiant: Jon Wilson
Destination Wedding in Mismaloya at Villa Magnifico | Alex and Amanda's Wedding Ceremony
Alex and Amanda could not have chosen a more beautiful location to make their union official. Their destination wedding took place in Mismaloya, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at Villa Magnifico. It’s an incredible luxury mansion villa surrounded by the Mexican mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other side. It was the perfect ceremony and reception back drop for the wedding ceremony, reception, and wedding day portraits for Alex and Amanda’s laid back, whimsical, yet classy wedding day.
Since the bride and groom shared a “first look” and couples session on the beach the night before their wedding, they opted not to see each other until the ceremony on their wedding day. It’s a good thing they had a 10:30am ceremony, because this couple couldn’t have waited any longer to be together. Their ceremony was extremely intimate with less than 30 guests, who shared in the most incredible views as the couple exchanged vows. Then after group photos with the happy couple, all of the guests shared in a brunch meal together at one long table on the terrace.
I love the way Amanda and her mom, Lora (who are both wedding planners with Magaical Moments Event Planning), chose to arrange the ceremony and reception. It was so unique compared to other wedding photos I’ve seen at Villa Magnifico.
After brunch, the group headed out to have a day of fun on a “booze cruise.” Then in the evening, everyone came back together for an evening reception out on the terrace with a different look and feel than the brunch reception. The break in the middle of the day gave me enough time to edit all of these sneak peaks for the couple and have them ready in order to create a “same day slideshow” for the bride and groom and their wedding guests.
The morning wedding festivities of Alex and Amanda’s wedding day were incredible. Stay tuned for a blog post from their evening reception! In the mean time, enjoy these sneak peaks!
Vendors:
Destination Wedding Photographer: Rakoteet Photography
Planner: Magical Moments Event Planning
Florist: Mac Events
Venue and Catering: Villa Magnifico
Hair and Makeup: Radiate 60
Gown: Luxeredux Bridal
Men’s Attire: ASOS
Stationary: Naomi Leah Designs
Officiant: Jon Wilson
Puerto Vallarta Destination Wedding | Alex and Amanda's First Look on the Beach
Surrounded by the majestic mountains and serene ocean, Alex and Amanda shared an intimate first look and couples session on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Being a wedding planner herself and also placing a huge priority on photos of her destination wedding, Amanda knew that sharing her first look with her soon to be husband the night before their wedding day would help to make their wedding day timeline run more smoothly, provide plenty of time for bride and groom photos, as well as provide a special time that her and her new husband could share together on the beach surrounded by landscape that leaves you breathless.
When I arrived to Mexico a few days before the wedding, the first thing I did as a wedding photographer was scout for photo locations. The beach closest to us was Mismaloya beach, which is beautiful but a little bit crowded, and it doesn’t have as nice of a view of Puerto Vallarta’s mountains as I wanted for the backdrop of these wedding photos. I remembered that on the way to our airbnb from the airport, we had passed many, tiny, deserted beaches. So we drove back along the highway, keeping a lookout for the perfect spot. After driving for only about 5 minutes, I knew we had found our location. We parked by a turnout where local vendors sell crafts, walked for a few minutes along the side of the road, and then hiked down some large rocks. It was all worth it for what we found: a small private beach with the perfect view of the mountains. We hit the jackpot.
We brought Alex and Amanda to our little beach a few days later for these stunning wedding photos. I love that Alex and Amanda are so fun, laid back, and up for anything. We started out keeping them dry, but let them get completely soaked by the waves towards the end of the session. Enjoy a few of my favorite photos of this beautiful couple. I can’t wait to show your their amazing wedding day in the mountains next!
Are you looking for a destination wedding photographer? I would LOVE to work with you! Send me a message over on my contact page to see if I have your wedding date available!
Mommy and Me | In-Home Family Session in Broad Ripple | Andrea and Maverick
Lately I’ve been shooting a lot more than just the weddings and couples that I normally get to photograph. I get so many requests for family photography, maternity photos, or other types of sessions, but unfortunately during wedding season, I just don’t have time in addition to weddings on the weekends and engagement sessions on week days. One of the nice things about the wedding off-season is that I have some extra time to photograph sessions that I don’t normally have time to take on.
This morning, I met up with a group of four other photographers to swap photo sessions. It’s always nice to have more photos of myself for social media and my website. I like to share photos of myself on my business pages to help build trust with my clients. So every once in a while, I get together with other photographers to take photos of them and have them take photos of me in exchange.
Andrea rented out the cutest little airbnb in Broad Ripple. She’s an awesome photographer herself with Lillian Rose photography. She brought her adorable son, Maverick to get some photos taken with him in addition to some head shots of herself. Andrea and Maverick are so adorable. I love the outfit she dressed him in. And her outfit with her cute hat were a perfect match for the overall vibe of the house.
Photographing a beautiful mother and son this morning really made me consider starting to offer family sessions again! If you’re looking for a non-wedding related session during the wedding off-season, feel free to reach out to me!
Enjoy a few of my favorite photos that I took of Maverick and Andrea.
Are you looking for a photographer? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! Feel free to send me a message over on my contact page!