Whenever I get asked what I miss about Florida the most, I always say sailing. So when Beka and Mike had the idea of sailing at sunrise for their engagement. I was all in! They are a super adventurous and fun couple, so this session was true to who they are and could not have been more up my alley. They cracked some beers on a private island as the sun hit the horizon and it was just about the coolest way to spend your morning. And, they get married in a week! So why not reminisce 🙂 Check out our sailing session below!
Enjoy!
KiKi
I wanted to live in Niki & Dan’s day forever. Seriously. Even though there were only 7 of us total, it was a blast to hang out and see two people that have never been to the states, enjoy such an awesome day. Especially with me as the tour guide. They had a ceremony on a secluded beach, kissed each other right as they say each other (couldn’t wait till i dos!), threw pebbles in the ocean with their family and friends after they tied the knot, sipped champagne and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset. But everything was not perfect from the start! Here is a little something I wrote the day after the wedding about everything up until the ceremony… Somehow thousands of miles away, Niki and Dan found me. They flew in from Britain to get married on Anastasia. The week they flew in, a huge tropical storm hit Florida. When they arrived to their air Bnb to get ready for their wedding, it wasn’t ready and they had to quickly relocate to a hotel. They booked an Uber to take them to their ceremony, which canceled moments before it was suppose to arrive. Once they got in a car and got half way to the ceremony, they realized they had forgotten the marriage license and had to turn around. It was also dumping rain when they arrived. Feeling helpless watching the radar, a huge gust of wind came in and blew the weather away. Opening up for a bit to take photos on what was now a completely secluded beach. What’s funny is that I’ve had couples break down over the smallest thing when they are getting married a few minutes from their home. But Niki and Dan, thousands of miles from home, having absolutely no idea where or what they were getting into, with what seemed to be everything working against them, were so incredibly happy. Hugging and giving me kisses on the cheek, making jokes, doing an American accent as I tried to do a posh British one. It was like nothing ever happened. I know there is so much that goes on during a wedding day. Whether you have 5 guests or 500. Its an emotional and well thought out day. But if all else fails, remember that you are one of those lucky ones that found someone who loves you rain or shine, Uber or no Uber, marriage certificate or not. You love them and damnit if a tropical storm is going to prevent you from shouting it from a secluded beach and putting a ring on that finger. You guys are seriously “totally awesome” (to be said in a posh American 1990s accent)
Enjoy! KiKi
Oh Claire and Mo. How I feel so special to be able to call you friends. I met Mo almost 7 years ago at the local watering hole, Mellow Mushroom. He is apart of my great group of friends in Jax. They are not only great because they are just so fun, but that group of a dozen plus people believed in me and my career, even despite some of the weird or novice ideas I may have had at the beginning of starting my company. 🙂 Mo was also one of the first people I went offshore fishing with, which still remains one of my favorite things to do. Needless to say, they have a very special place in my heart.
A few years ago, Claire Bear came into the group with her beautiful red hair and infectious smile. Claire is not just a beautiful woman, she is one bad ass boss. She started her company in her early twenties and already has an amazing store front, another stylist and countless clients that love her talents and personality. I am so impressed by her drive at such a young age and her ability to remain so carefree along the way. So to add that to the already fun loving and kind Mo, was pretty much perfect. When they got engaged it made our whole group so happy to see two close friends start their life together.
Ya know, I could go on and on about their day and them. But I will say one thing that I really loved and let the photos say the rest. While Claire was twirling around in her wedding gown on the dance floor, with literally the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face, I went up to Mo to ask him how he was doing. Mo, putting work on his cocktail and not some much on the dance floor was looking at Claire, also with a big smile. He responded to me and said, “I am doing great! As long as she is the happiest she can be, I am.” And that’s just the kind of guy Mo is. I can’t say I have ever heard him complain or talk about himself much. He just always seems to be the one that’s happy if everyone else is. A completely selfless guy. So, congrats you two! On not only getting married, but being genuinely kind and amazing friends to me. Enjoy the blog and check out a couple things Claire had to say about the day below..
“I had dreamt of the day I would get engaged to Mo, but once it happened I was overwhelmed with the idea of wedding planning. Fortunately, my mom knew exactly where to start. Her and I worked together to create my dream wedding and the best day of my life! My favorite memory of the day was getting to ride the trolley as a new married couple, just the two of us, to the reception. It was the only moment we had to ourselves in the midst of the crazy, wonderful day.”
I wish I could post photos from this wedding everyday. The ease and beauty in which Catherine and Ryan put on their South Dakota Mountain wedding was gorgeous. Even with rain almost the entire day of the wedding, we managed to adventure and photograph in some amazing spots.
I also love the adorable touches they had the day of. Their grandfather marrying them and their other grandfather, that had passed, recorded a message and blessing that they played before dinner. Catherine wore a two piece lace dress that her mother softly helped her button, while Ryan was dressed in a tux that his Father helped him straighten up. Only their family stood by their side as they were married. Catherine’s Sisters and Ryan’s Brother and Father. Where they were married, Ryan built a buffalo made of steel. And let’s just say he added an extra part to the “male” buffalo that was asked to be removed prior to the wedding day. That is only a testament to what a goofy and fun guy Ryan is. And how beautifully Catherine’s sweetness and wit compliments him.
Beyond that, Catherine and Ryan (and all of their friends and family) know how to party! I can easily say of all the couples I have photographed over 9 years, Catherine and Ryan were on the dance floor more than any other couple. And they looked damn good doing it. Twirling and dipping and at one point playing spin the bottle to who would dance next. At times they were dancing with cowboy hats on, whiskey in hand and a lit cigar in their mouth. And I am not just talking about Ryan, Catherine was doing it too. They’re just a bad ass, good looking couple. And I am pretty stoked to be the one to capture their outdoor, wooded, super fun wedding! Check out the amazingness of Catherine and Ryan below!
Enjoy! KiKi
Venue: State Game Lodge in Custer State Park
Photographer: Kara Lamm, Kiki Creates
Dress: Gown Boutique of Charleston
Makeup and hair: Melissa Dykman, Love & Beauty Maui
Lee and Jean met me at sunrise on a Friday. It was a completely cloudless, windless, gorgeous day. With us were their parents and the officiant. It happened to be a quiet morning in Neptune Beach where we shared the dock with a single seagull and that is about it.
Directly after the Ceremony Jean’s Mother embraced them both in the biggest hug. It was a sweet moment as they were essentially getting hugged by 25% of their wedding guests. Which I always thought was sweet. Sharing a moment so important and lasting in their memory. The sun hit the horizon and we spent a quiet and happy morning by the sea before a beach front brunch. And although we only spent a little over an hour together, I feel I got to get to know and share more with Lee and Jean than you would think. Thanks for smiling the whole time and making an early morning feel not so early. 🙂
Check out their sweet elopement below. Enjoy!
KiKi
Rachel & Kevin are one of those couples you can sit down to have a beer with and end up having 6. Their easy going, fun, incredibly genuine, always have a smile on and are ultimately exactly why I began photographing weddings.
I think it is pretty incredible that I can meet someone for the first time on a day that is probably one of the most personal and emotional days of their lives and become friends with them immediately.
Rachel & Kevin did it up right for their wedding. They got ready at the beach, at homes across the street from each other. With a lace dress and a blue suit they had a first look by the river at one of my favorite wedding locations, the Ribault Club. They were married under a giant oak tree by a family friend and had confetti thrown as they were introduced for the first time as husband and wife. Their 26 person bridal party was the largest I have ever photographed and is only a testimony to how amazing and loved the two of them are.
At their reception, with flowers in her hair, Rachel was twirled by Kevin as he smiled at her non stop (my favorite moment). The sunset was perfect without a cloud in the sky. At the end of the night a cigar rolling station started and their entire bridal party put on a choreographed dance for them. It was a really magical and fun day and I am excited to see where Rachel and Kevin take their next journey to! They are absolutely wonderful and I can only expect absolutely wonderful things from them!
PS. Rachel & Kevin, I will come to California and we will get that Beer (or 6) together. 🙂
Enjoy!
KiKi
Many people prefer to meet their wedding photographers before the wedding. But sometimes it just does not happen. And that does not mean anything because you can still get along wonderfully with someone seconds after you meet them for the first time. And that is exactly what happened with Kelley, Colin and I.
They both live in Bangladesh and flew over to Florida where, their friends and family live, to tie the knot. The entire day was nothing short of magical. So much laughing and excitement from everyone. It was such an invigorating environment to work in.
I pulled up to Kelley’s parents house and I was greeted by her Dad cutting the lawn. I thought I was at the wrong house, but he quickly greeted me with a smile and a “come on in”. The girls were drinking champagne and giggling while getting their makeup done. The house was filled with bright window light and little Florida details scattered about. After the ceremony a beautiful Rolls Royce picked Kelley and Colin up and we went to a Preserve I have been wanting to photograph a wedding at for a while! Dutton Island was a perfect place to pop more champagne, throw confetti, and do a couple heel clicks (you’ll see below). The reception began with a song written by the best man for the bride and groom to dance to as their first dance. There were little details that incorporated their dog (who couldn’t make the long trek) and loved ones around the reception among the candle lit golden details.
As if the night was not perfect enough, right before we went to photograph the two of them underneath the full moon light, the best man grabbed his guitar, got the entire wedding in a circle and had one last acoustic dance for the two of them in the middle of all the ones the love. Holy Cow! What a wedding! I’ll stop blabbering on so you can see it for yourself!
Enjoy!
I love a couple that drinks Champagne straight from the bottle, and one who makes you feel like family. I love a couple who kisses before you even ask them to because they just can’t help themselves. I love a couple that smiles all day even if it rained out there beach wedding.
Who is this magical couple? Sam and Phil!
I cannot express the happiness I had photographing and editing this day. You would think there would be a couple downers because this beach wedding was completely rained out, but oh no! So many, many smiles and laughs, and forehead kisses (my favorite). I just loved all the love these two had and am so excited I was apart of there day. Check out all the laughter and love below. Enjoy!
KiKi
With a Hurricane warning flashing on the TV screen in Florida as I type this, I’ve decided to post a wedding that encompasses the exact opposite of the weather outside. Sun, Blue Skies, and a gorgeous beach. Elizabeth and David’s sunny Abacos Wedding was filled with tons of amazing surprises and moments. Including an underwater session, an emotional Chinese tea ceremony right before the traditional Chinese wedding games, two tiny doggie escorts, an absolutely stunning sunset, and to top it off, a private firework show on their own beach they grew up on.
It was a stunning way to get married and I feel so happy to be able to capture all of these loving moments. Check out this fun and colorful wedding below.
KiKi
Madalyn and Neal could have gotten married in jeans in an empty field with just their friends and family surrounding them and the day would have been just as gorgeous as it really was. I say that, because in the short time I have had the honor of getting to know Madalyn and Neal, I have realized they are the ones that light up the room, are the life of the party and make you feel special even if they don’t know you. We felt like family all day and we even each got a hug from 6 different people immediately when we walked in the door as they said “We are so happy you are here!”
They, along with everyone at their wedding, were an absolute joy to work with. I was even a little giddy editing the photos because I had such a great time! Anyways, check out one of the coolest couples I have had the absolutely wonderful pleasure of photographing below!
Congrats you two! Enjoy!
<3 KiKi
