Destination Weddings in Florida

{Niki&Dan | Elopement at Anastasia Island | KiKi Creates…

August 22, 2018

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
Niki&Dan_Bride+Groom_KiKiCreates-122 Niki&Dan_Details_KiKiCreates-005 Niki&Dan_KiKiCreates-001 Niki&Dan_KiKiCreates-015 Niki&Dan_GroomPortraits_KiKiCreates-002 Niki&Dan_Ceremony_KiKiCreates-008 Niki&Dan_FamilyPortraits_KiKiCreates-013 Niki&Dan_Bride&Groom_KiKiCreates-126

Destination Wedding Photographer

{Claire&Mo | Wedding at The White Room | KiKi…

June 7, 2018March 28, 2019

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.”
Claire&Mo_Bride+Groom_KiKiCreates-123 Claire&Mo_Details_KiKiCreates-107 Claire&Mo_Beginnings_KiKiCreates-123

Claire&Mo_GroomPortraits_KiKiCreates-101 Claire&Mo_BridalParty_KiKiCreates-107 Claire&Mo_BridalPortraits_KiKiCreates-109

Claire&Mo_Celebrate_KiKiCreates-127 Claire&Mo_Ceremony_KiKiCreates-143 Claire&Mo_Bride+Groom_KiKiCreates-103

Venue: Mission Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine

Reception: The White Room

Dress: The White Magnolia

Designer: Wtoo by Watters

Makeup: Gypsy at Studio Bride

Hair: Rachel Barnes at Mantra Hair Salon

Florist: Flower Works – David

Cake: Sweet Weddings

DJ: Billy Parry BPM Weddings

Caterer: The White Room

Officiant: Father William Kelly

Destination Wedding Photographer

{Kelley & Colin’s Wedding at One Ocean Resort |…

November 8, 2016

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!
kelleycolinwedding_bridalparty_kikicreates-091

kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-055

kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-063 kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-034

kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-036

kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-078

kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-014

kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-111

kelleycolinwedding_bridalportraits_kikicreates-007 kelleycolinwedding_familyportraits_kikicreates-017

kelleycolinwedding_beginnings_kikicreates-114 kelleycolinwedding_bridegroom_kikicreates-022

kelleycolinwedding_bridegroom_kikicreates-070 kelleycolinwedding_ceremony_kikicreates-003

kelleycolinwedding_ceremony_kikicreates-060

kelleycolinwedding_bridalparty_kikicreates-081

kelleycolinwedding_bridalparty_kikicreates-013

kelleycolinwedding_bridegroom_kikicreates-074

kelleycolinwedding_bridalportraits_kikicreates-021 kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-097

kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-148

kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-122

kelleycolinwedding_celebrate_kikicreates-049

kelleycolinwedding_details_kikicreates-109

kelleycolinwedding_celebrate_kikicreates-290

kelleycolinwedding_celebrate_kikicreates-095 kelleycolinwedding_bridegroom_kikicreates-119

Beach

{Lindsay + James Wedding at Casa Marina | KiKi…

June 11, 2015

My assistant and I reference this wedding as “The Ones that know how to Celebrate”. Seriously. It was the best party I’ve been to while working. And on top of everyone knowing how to have a good time, they were all so respectful and loving to all of the vendors. I think I received about 20 hugs from random people that were telling me thank you and can I get you a drink? It was a great environment to work in. And an even more beautiful one to grow your love in. Lindsay & James have such a wonderful support system of stability and genuine love around them.

Best Moments from the Day? 1. Their Adorable “First Touch” behind a curtain. 2. The entire Bridal Party Funneling a Beer Bong…and then I told them I didn’t get the shot and they had to do it again (lies!) 3. One of her bridesmaids catching the bouquet and getting engaged 8 hours later. 4. People Tunnel Exit…First Time, and you guys nailed it!

Thanks for a spectacular day! Enjoy!

KiKi

Lindsay&JamesDetails_KiKiCreates-076