Destination Beach Wedding: Rachel & Dave – Fort Zachary Taylor – Key West, Florida

You would think a Key West wedding on the beach in April would be mild, right?  Alas, it wasn’t meant to be that day – it didn’t rain, but it was HOT!  After doing a quick scouting trip to check out the lighting in a few spots around town, my sidekick Genevieve and I started the day at the air-conditioned Merlin Guest House, where Rachel, her mom, and her sister were getting the royal treatment from the ladies of Bella Luxe.

Rachel’s grandmother’s ring, bearing the words “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” in Hebrew, was Rachel’s “something borrowed”.  Her grandmother’s flower pin was right at home in her bouquet of peonies, roses, and succulents.

Two handkerchiefs were tucked into the back of her dress: one was “something blue” (from her grandmother), the other was a white handkerchief with embroidered wedding bells, given to her by the groom’s mom.  Since the ceremony was taking place on the beach, Rachel decided to skip the sky high heels and wore pearl Betsey Johnson sandals instead.

Over at Center Court, Dave got ready with the help of his brother, while little fur-kid Henry supervised until it was time for the first look (I admit, I was a little bummed that Henry couldn’t come with us).

After taking some pictures around town (with lots of bougainvillea of course), we made our way down to the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor, where the sun was slowly starting to dip behind the water.  Embroidered handkerchiefs sat on each guest’s chair to thank them for making the trek down to Key West, and to mop up tears, sweat, or both!

The Conch Train picked everyone up from the beach to give them a ride to the reception held inside the fort, which is a National Historic Landmark.  Decorated with strings of globe lights, deep pink/purple uplighting, and seafoam green accents, guests were encouraged to leave their marks on a thumbprint tree guest book.  Hors d’oeuvres were passed to help soothe growling stomachs, while a variety of drinks (including Florida Beer Company’s Key West Sunset Ale) quenched any thirst that may have developed in the Florida heat.

Rachel and Dave kicked off the reception with their first dance, then we snuck away for a bit because I had an idea for some super dramatic pictures in front of the fort (complete with a stack of cannonballs).  I moved a couple of spotlights around, then we made those pictures happen while listening to Huey Lewis doing a concert at the venue next door!

The wedding cake (created by the bakery at Publix) sat on a table in front of a Civil War cannon, and was decorated with succulents and a laser cut topper.  After the cake was cut and a little frosting was smeared, everyone danced the night away, including some familiar faces – years ago, I met Rachel when she was a bridesmaid in Melanie’s wedding!  Soon it was time for the newlyweds to leave under a shower of sparklers.

Thanks Rachel and Dave for letting me come down to the Keys to take pictures of all your funny faces. 😀  And special thanks to my sweet friend Genevieve (who happens to be a kick*ss photographer in Ohio) for coming with me and shooting her butt off!

 

Venue: Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Pre-ceremony Accommodations (bride): Merlin Guest House

Pre-ceremony Accommodations (groom): Center Court

Invitations: Minted

Hair & Makeup: Bella Luxe

Bride’s Shoes: Something Blue by Betsey Johnson

Video: Cineaverde

Transportation: Conch Tour Train

Cake: Publix