Kathy and Willie got married out at Ponte Vedra at a place called The Driftwood House. I had never heard of it, but it’s right near the Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club. It’s a two story house with a backyard space and right on the beach.

We’ve been getting lots of requests for “First Looks” at weddings. This is where a bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. I’ve had many brides ask me my opinion on this. Honestly, I like it.

The wedding day can be full of emotion, anxiety and stress. The first look is a great way to see your significant other before the walk down the aisle and possibly ruin your makeup for your ceremony photos.

We line a photographer up on each side of the couple so that we get the full emotion of the turn. Sometimes it’s hard to see a groom’s face if the first time he sees you is walking down the aisle. Plus he might be less inclined to cry in front of all those people. But a first look is very intimate and breaks the tension.

If we’re doing the first look on the property of the wedding ceremony, we usually do them about an hour or so before the ceremony starts. Either a photographer or someone from the wedding party will help bring the groom to the bride (typically). In the above case, we found a long white napkin we were able to use as a blindfold. I’ve also had a bride bring a party mask. This is an additional chance to make your wedding unique and to add special touches.

I usually use this time to take the bride and groom photos without the stress of being rushed into the party. It also breaks the photos up a little bit so you don’t have to do all the group photos AND then the couple photos. Makes it a little more relaxing.

Speaking of group photos. Both Kathy and Willie had sons from previous relationships. And I just loved how close and sweet Kathy’s photo turned out with her sons:

They had their reception in the backyard of The Driftwood House and had a tent set up. This is a time lapse shot from the balcony of a bedroom upstairs.

There was an interesting moment during this wedding where whales surfaced in the water. I heard some guests talking about it afterwards. My secondary and I were so focused on the bride and groom we never saw it. I know that Jacksonville is along the path for migrating whales but I’ve never seen them.

I searched my photos and couldn’t find the whales in the background of ANY of them.

When Kathy went upstairs to have her dress pinned, I let her know about the whales and also forewarned her that I was so focused on her I didn’t get any photos of the whales. I can’t remember what exactly she said, but I remember laughing, because she said that basically my eyes were where they were supposed to be and that everyone else should have been watching the wedding too.

Venue: The Driftwood House

Tent: St. Augustine Rentals

Cake: Publix & 3 Sisters Chocolate

Ceremony Music: Violinist Beverly Chapman

Other Vendors: St. Johns Illuminations