Nicole and Mike had an epic Casa Marina wedding in Key West with a fun group of people and man, they did it up right! I was introduced to Nicole’s father through the group of people I boat with. We spend a lot of wedding planning on a private beach in tropical paradise that is Key West.In the Keys we call this our “professional groups.” Most of my work comes from referrals, but I don’t take that lightly. Just because someone knows me doesn’t mean I’m the right fit for their wedding, but in this case, let’s just say we fit like a missing jigsaw piece.
Many discussions were had amongst the tropical foliage of the private islands of the Key West backcountry. Many of the vendors that you work with at Key West wedding venues, also hang out at those islands. So you could say many florida weddings are planned amongst the mangroves of the Florida Keys and Key West
The party started out two days before the wedding with a classic welcome party on a boat, 15 miles north of Key West’s island, pulled up to a sandbar and they hit it good! Beer, Rose, low country boil and tons and tons of fun in the sun. The wedding guests consisted of closest friends, family and the wedding party. This is one of the epic reasons you have to include island hopping for any Florida wedding in Key West. All there for a special day, Nicole and Michaels Key West wedding.
Maybe for Mike a little too much pre key west wedding reception fun because in a good-natured tussle with his future sister-in-law trying to dump her in the ocean, he got himself a shiner! Nicole and I couldn’t stop laughing because days before the engagement session that we did months before, he somehow had a burn mark on the other side of his face. I mean, what are the chances! Luckily it was more show than shine, and with a little ice, all was fine. Thus a typical beginning of many Key West Weddings
This is what I love about my couples. When Nicole and Mike told me they wanted me to come and hang out on the boat and party on the sandbar with them on Thursday I couldn’t say yes fast enough. But I also told them that on Friday, all I wanted them to do was chill, hang out by the pool and dedicate themselves to re-hydrating and that’s exactly what they did. Work hard, play hard! Saturday everyone was feeling great and ready to have a fantastic wedding at Casa Marina.
Casa Marina is a Key West wedding venue that is located just south of the main tourism area of downtown Key West. Its one of my favorite Key West FL wedding venues. Private beaches are hard to come by at many of the Key West wedding venues. The natural beauty of Casa Marina and its romantic setting, premium amenities, with dedicated staff in Old Town Key West FL is perfect for any beach wedding in Key West.
The first look between Nicole and her dad and Nicole and Mike were emotional ones and I had to work a little bit to hold it together during them. I’m a big fan of first looks, and if you think it diminishes the feelings during the ceremony, I’m here to tell you that my clients tell me it does not one little bit. In fact, it seems to calm the nerves all around and makes people more relaxed and able to focus a little bit on the marriage vows because they’ve got a good bit of that nervous energy out before the i-dos’. I mean, check out these photos of Mike during the ceremony, doesn’t look to me like he wasn’t emotional! If you’re trying to decide if you should do one or not for your wedding, talk to me. I can help you figure out if it’s best for your personality and your timeline of the day.
The white and green palette throughout the day from the ceremony to reception was sharp! I really liked the look of the tables at the reception because they keep the floral low and lush and then the tables had these beautiful tall tapered white candles which just gave it this pop of elegance with the goblets and plate chargers. They did such a great job with all the decor, start to finish.
Casa Marina Weddings in Key West are known for its private beach wedding ceremony, elegant ballrooms, but also its a key west wedding venue known for its sunsets. Another reason its one of Key West FL top wedding venues.
I like to use a lot of the natural elements of this key west wedding venue. There are details that allow you to tie in the southernmost point with the Atlantic ocean at a wedding venue in Key West FL. Usually after the wedding ceremony, you will see me scanning these elements, so that I can use the wedding venue in your wedding day portraits. Key West weddings have fun storylines, and always include the natural beauty of the wedding venue.
I feel like I am saying this in every blog post lately, but that dance floor filled up and the party didn’t stop until the night was over. I attribute that to my couples, and Nicole and Mike were no exception. They hired vendors with wedding packages they knew they could trust and then they just let ‘er rip. No holds barred, no worries, 110% giving it up all day long. When you surround yourself with wedding professionals who really care about your wedding, the results are stupendous.
VENDORS
Venue: Casa Marina – Waldorf Astoria Resort
Photography: Michael Freas Photography
2Nd Photographer: Filda Konec Photography
Wedding Planning: Destination Wedding Studio
Florist: Duarte Floral
Hair And Makeup: Studio Marie Pierre
Save The Date: Minted
Wedding Invitations: Shine
Dj/Entertainment – Courtney Henry Steel Pans
Band: South Florida Heatwave Band
Wedding Cake Bakery: Key West Cakes
Wedding Dress Designer: Essence Of Australia
Having a Destination Wedding and are looking for a photographer to document the emotion of your day? In that case, I’d love to talk to you more about your plans. My style of photography is best suited for people who are drawn to natural and honest moments and want their day documented unobtrusively. If that sounds like what you are looking for, let’s talk! Your wedding photos shouldn’t look like everyone else’s. A documentary approach means photos that are real and true to you and the day that unfolds. Some call it photojournalism, candid, or modern wedding photography. I am not concerned with fitting into a mold or genre, but instead, my wedding photography style is capturing the energy, emotion and love your day entails
Tell me about your favorite coffee shop, how good/bad of a chef you are, your favorite vacation and anything else that makes you unique as a couple. Nobody enjoys filling out contact forms, including me. Drop me a line. No Destination Too Far!
