GULF DRIVE CAFE WEDDING - Bradenton Beach

Oct 7th, 2017

LOCATIONS:

Gulf Drive Cafe – Anna Maria Island, Florida

Bradenton Beach

Capturing an intimate moment between Taylor and Sean during their Anna Maria Island wedding portrait session.

Introduction:

With a hurricane sweeping along Florida’s Gulf Coast, I was concerned about the effect it was going to have on Taylor and Sean’s wedding at the Gulf Drive Cafe. But they weren’t going to let it dampen their mood, with plenty of love and warmth to capture throughout their special day. Everything was happening on beautiful Anna Maria Island, with the girls getting ready in a private beach house while the boys had checked-in to a hotel.

Getting ready photos on Anna Maria Island:

We captured candid shots of Taylor as she made her final preparations, as well as some creative shots of the bridesmaids as they were getting ready in the mirror. We also grabbed details shots of her gorgeous bouquet, colorful garter and earrings, as well as a black and white as she shared in this special moment with her mom.

Once she was in her dress and looking absolutely radiant, we staged some portraits in front of the French doors of her private beach house and on the sweeping verandah. We also captured some more creative portraits of the bride with her bouquet and a gorgeous close-up shot featuring her engagement ring.

Meanwhile, Sean and the groomsmen were making their preparations in a nearby hotel. We captured a creative, reflective shot of the groom outside the hotel, then a few more playful shots with his nine groomsmen in the sand dunes behind Bradenton Beach.

Ceremony photos at Gulf Drive Cafe:

With the water having flooded up onto the beach, Taylor and Sean’s wedding ceremony had to be moved slightly further inland so they weren’t standing knee deep! But it was still a magnificent setting, with perfect diffuse lighting that really made the colors “pop”.

We grabbed a wide-angle shot as the couple and their wedding guests paused to pray, with thatched beach huts lining the backdrop. Then captured all the celebration as the newly weds embraced for a spontaneous kiss, surrounded by their elated bridal party.

Portraits on Anna Maria Island:

With the water having receded slightly, we were able to head down onto the white sands of Anna Maria Island for some bridal party portraits, illuminated by the blue and green-hued colors of the bridesmaids dresses. We grabbed casual shots as the couple walked hand-in-hand along the beach with their bridal party following behind, as well as some more creative angles in this picturesque setting.

We then moved on to photograph some romantic couple portraits of Taylor and Sean in this loved-up moment, capturing black and whites and close-up shots, as well as a whimsical portrait of Taylor leading Sean along the beach.

Reception photos at Gulf Drive Cafe:

It was then time for the reception to get underway, although we did manage to sneak in a bit early to grab a few details shots of the three-tiered wedding cake and creative sweetheart table first. Taylor and Sean were full of love as they danced and fed one another sweets, with around 160 of their closest family and friends there to celebrate with them.

During the evening, we managed to sneak out with the newly weds for a few romantic nighttime couple portraits, utilizing our off-camera flash. We captured a creative shot on the dunes with their elongated shadows, as well as a few more intimate embraces to end the evening.

Conclusion:

We really want to thank Taylor and Sean for selecting Fallbrook Photography to capture their beautiful wedding at Gulf Drive Cafe and wish them all the happiness in their married life together.

Wedding and Reception hall: Gulf Drive Cafe

Cake Artist:  Publix

Cosmetician and hair stylists: Krista Worth

Florists: Sally Teahan

Officiant: Kevin Kiser

Planner: Laura Snow

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