Where do you begin when you are writing a blog post about your best friend’s wedding? About your first destination wedding? About the first wedding you were both in and photographed? About a week spent with your husband and some good friends in Key Largo, Florida? It is really hard to start- but I know I will have to break this experience up into a few different posts!  But the most important one? The one where my best friend, one of my own bridesmaids, the woman I lived with for longer than anyone but my mom, brother, and just now this year husband, married the love of her life.

Amy and I went to college together (Go Big Blue!) in 4 of the best years of our lives.  We traveled many times to many places, including the Dominican Republic and Italy, both for school and fun. That month in Italy was completely life changing and maturing for both of us.  We have been through so much together, witnessed so much, loved each other through so much, that I am so thankful my job here isn’t to sum up a friendship because it would be impossible. I love her like a sister, and she will always be a huge part of my life.  Amy got a teaching job a little over an hour away from me a few years ago and I was thrilled when it became clear she loved it, because to our best guesses, we are both where we will stay- and that is such good news for our lives!! Closer than we knew we would be.  Shortly after she got there, she quickly made a very solid group of friends and I was so thrilled for her. In addition, shortly after she got there, she began talking about Seth.

I am not exaggerating this, friends…she thought years before they got together that she was going to marry him. And while they are silly, and fun, and a down to earth and I’m not sure they would describe themselves as “romantic”, you cannot tell me there isn’t romance in that!  Seth finally figured it out just over two years ago, proposed a year later, and here we were, 2 years later, on the beaches of Key Largo watching them say I Do to forever together. To the future with their doggies.  To always choosing each other. To starting a family together. To loving each others great, and each others mess.  To a life with each other.

It was an absolutely beautiful weekend.  Their wedding day was cooler than the other days we were there (much to our happiness!), but gave us a little wind and a little rain, and we loved it all regardless.  They were surrounded by just under 60 people who adored them, who know them very well, who traveled from all over the country the week before Christmas to be with them.  It was such a labor of love, and it was just absolutely stunning to see. I was so struck by how much the people in their lives adore them.  Through all the fun and the party, it was so clear that they are so abundantly loved.  And you couldn’t want anything more for your best friend than that.

Seth and Amy, we LOVE  you guys so so much and are so thrilled for you! We were so honored to be a part of your day in many ways, and are grateful you chose us! We cannot wait for the next many many years of friendship with you guys- congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Lemons!!!
These colors Amy chose were perfect for the beach! I could not get over the beautiful pop of the coral and the fun of the gold- it was just perfect!Gotta admit…I loved this idea of ours!Gotta get the nails painted! 😉I snuck in a few of these pictures here and there!  This seems like the appropriate time to mention my Michael, who assumed main photographer responsibilities for much of this wedding, and did an AMAZING job! I am so honored to get to photograph with him, and beyond that just LOVE the time together- he has grown into such an amazing photographer this season and this was such a good final showing of his creative strength!  I love this passion that we share.Amy, my friend…you are STUNNING!  You truly made just the most beautiful bride!!!First look time…some of my favorite moments!!It started to rain moments after this, but we made the most of it! Amy, I love how he makes you laugh. All.the.time.Favorite!!This one too…love it!Loved the stunning flowers by Flowers by Gerardo.Love!All Michael here, obviously, since I am in these!!Love these!Favorite!Just for you, Amy, because I know you will love this!I don’t usually post these images that I make sure to take of every bride and her girls…but this time, I just had to!! 😉Stunning, Amy!!Loved the detail of her jacket to accompany her Maggie Sottero gown- she had dreamed of a gown by Maggie since we were in college, and I loved it that she found one! Ceremony time!

Sunset portrait time- we got some pretty peeks of light! Love!!Loved getting to grab a few of them in their reception space too!
These reception details were GORGEOUS- they totally blew me away!  Her coordinator, Laura from the Key Largo Conch House, who also catered, went way above and beyond!A Gold Ombre Wedding cake?! Ok by me!!!Had to share these favorites!!! 🙂LOVED playing with flash a bit- I’m entitling these “love in the palms”!LOVE you two, hope you enjoyed these favorites! Enjoy your first MARRIED Christmas!!!