We have been looking forward to Jennifer and Alex’s Jekyll Island wedding ever since we first met them at their engagement session in Savannah which you can find here. They said they had always wanted a beach wedding and having Alex stationed in Savannah was a blessing!  Despite all the different beaches and beauty in the Golden Isles, it was Driftwood Beach that took their breath away.

We love how Jekyll Island can be a getaway, with the Spanish moss, driftwood giants, and southern marsh it feels like a summer escape. We were so excited when Jennifer told us she planned to get married on the actual beach in front of one of the fallen oak trees.

This wedding day was everything we dreamed it would be! From the moment we pulled up to the villas Jennifer and her bridesmaids were getting ready in, we knew it was going to be a picture-perfect day. We always start off with details. The sun was shining, which was only made better by the reflection of light on the white sand. We love nature’s natural reflectors and we were able to get the most whimsical pictures of Jennifer’s wedding dress under the boardwalk to the beach.

We loved seeing Jennifer surrounded by such loving women that morning.  They popped champagne and snacked on pizza before it was time to help her get into her wedding dress.

Alex and his brothers had their own fun down the street in their villa before he walked under the boardwalk with Isaac to see his bride for the first time. Alone under the boardwalk, they shared a private moment before the big day truly got underway. We think his face says it all. The rest of the bridal party followed shortly after and we all enjoyed some beach shade as they took their last pictures as bride and groom.

Our photographer’s hearts went pitter patter as we walked with the bridal party down the beach towards the driftwood giants for portraits. Jennifer and Alex looked like absolute models, between their sweet smiles and the incredible setting we were in heaven.

During these moments, we already felt like part of the family. As we got to know those closest to them (including Zulu and Jack – their pups) we got another peek into their lives and relationship. We love these little glimpses, outside of emails and phone calls, outside of busy engagement shoots, where we get to see our couples just be themselves.  Everything about the day was intentional, Jennifer and Alex made it all about spending time with their closest family and friends.  Even their officiant was a close friend of the couple. As we watched them tie the knot with the ocean in the background, we felt so blessed not only to shoot their wedding but to be a small part of their lifelong story.

After the ceremony,  the reception was right after in the Grand Oaks Ballroom at Villas by the Sea.  The guests gathered around the tables waiting for the newlyweds to enter.  Each table had lanterns and pictures framed from their engagement session in Savannah.

Alex’s brother Gary had the crowd laughing welcoming Jennifer into the Harbor family admiring her spunk.  Jennifer’s best friend, and maid of honor, Caitlin brought herself to tears describing just how happy Alex made Jennifer.  The couple was so loved as one after another stood to give praise to the newlyweds and just how much they loved them.  The night wrapped up with a sparkler exit.

We could not imagine a more perfect wedding day and are so grateful to have been a part of it all. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Harbor!

 

Ceremony Location:  Driftwood Beach //Venue:  Villas By The Sea, Jekyll Island // Caterer:  Gnats Landing // HMUA:  Paula J. Fields, Hair, Enchanted Salon  //  Dress:  Aurora Bridal, Melbourne Florida  // Officiant:  Malachi Taylor