In just a few days it’s going to be three years since these two had their first date (well…2nd first date)! I’ve kind of been holding out on this wedding because we were working on projects that got them featured in not just one, but FOUR blogs (and there may be more still to come)! This is going to be photo heavy compared to my other posts…just a warning!

It’s really crazy to write about because I remember Megan being a little kid and now she’s a wife! Megan is my cousin…well…my 2nd cousin, but who’s keeping track. Our Grandmothers are sisters, she grew up next to my older cousin and her children. It’s a tangled web of family 😉  Anyway, when I was 21 I lived in Orlando and visited my family in the small town of Venice just a short two hour drive away and watched my little cousin Breanna (Megan’s MOH) and Megan play together. AHHHH!!!! It’s so crazy…they were only 8! Fast forward to 2013 and she’s planning a wedding to her beau!

Megan and Ryan met through mutual friends the summer after 8th grade. They “dated” for a short time and then parted ways…nicely. Four years later Ryan asked Megan to prom and they’ve been together ever since. I remember the first time I met Ryan. It was in passing when I stopped my Megan’s parent’s house on a quick trip to Florida in 2011. It literally took a nano second for me to decide (and proceed to tell everyone) that they needed to get married ASAP. Megan is quirky and super fun to be around and she has truly met her match and it’s immediately obvious to anyone who sees these two together. As if their engagement wasn’t exciting enough, Megan asked if I could record their day. No brainer!!!

Megan had always dreamed about getting married at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL. She just loves the easy beauty of the gardens and the views of Sarasota Bay (truly, it’s beautiful). Ryan, like a true hero, took her there one afternoon and asked if she’d be interested in forever…and now here we are! With the help of her Mom and her amazing Wedding Planner/Designer/Coordinator Kim Frazer, an elegant, Floridian fall wedding came together in a spectacular way.

We start our day inside the Christy Payne Mansion where Megan and her Bridesmaids are getting ready…
Megan’s garters were made from her Mother’s wedding gown.Funny story…the guys were late to arrive to get ready. They had stopped off at Perkins for breakfast. According to the groom (who I believe…just in case you were wondering) the waitress was terrible and took forever to bring them the bill. Also according to the Groom, and I quote, “the pancakes weren’t even any good, they were $h!t pancakes!” They were about 45 minutes late so we did some lightning fast shots so as to not have to cut into the time allotted to his and Megan’s first look.This photo makes me laugh so much. Ryan is doing a groom boudoir shot for his lady! I just love his enthusiasm!I love these three shots my second shooter Christine got of Megan with her bouquet.The Best Man and the Groom…making it happen!I love the shot on the left of Ryan with his brother.The room downstairs at the Christy Payne Mansion had colorful artwork on display and made a lovely spot to get a few portraits. We also used this spot for Megan to have a first look with her father.The Bride’s happy parents share a moment. They’re so awesome. I just love them.After her first look with her father, we took Megan and the Bridesmaids outside where we did a few bridal portraits under the beautiful trellis across from the mansion, as well as some group arrangements around the mansion.
Breanna (the MOH, Megan’s “best cousin” AND neighbor growing up is also my cousin…and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding) and Megan sharing the sweetest moment. They’re so beautiful I can hardly believe they’re all grown up!
After the Bridesmaid photos we ushered Ryan over to the mansion to await his first look with his bride. I see some sappy Groomsmen up in the window trying to get a peek at the first look! No sooner did I see them then I saw the other two windows filled with Bridesmaids!I love these dreamy portraits under the Wedding Oak.After some formal wedding party photos we had a little fun. Megan and Ryan (and their entire wedding party to boot!) are really quirky and outgoing and I wanted to switch up the traditional wedding party portraits for some fun shots that really show off their fun-loving personalities. This is what we got!Their ceremony took place at the Schimmel Wedding Lawn and Pavilion with Sarasota Bay lingering just in the background. The weather was literally perfect with the gentlest breeze (and everyone’s makeup staying put) and a moderate temperature. Despite having a first look just an hour before, Megan and Ryan were both very emotional during her entrance. One of my favorite photos of the whole wedding is of Ryan wiping away at tear as Megan approaches the pavilion with her father. As the ceremony progressed the sun began to lightly set in the background.
I love this shot Christine got of the Bridesmaids (with Kim from The Perfect Settings) getting lined up for their ceremony entrance.
Look at the raw emotion on each of their faces! Tears well up in my eyes every time I look at these!
While we wrapped up some family photos, guests made their way to The Great Room by the Bay to share cocktails on the patio and watch the sunset over Sarasota Bay. The Best Man wrote and performed a song especially for Ryan and Megan.After the parent dances it was party time. The rest of the night was up tempo music. Megan and Ryan wanted it to feel like a party…no slow songs here!Somehow the Maid of Honor caught the bouquet!Just a few minutes later the Best Man caught the garter!In lieu of traditional favors, they opted for something that would step the party up a notch once the night was in full swing. Not only did these light sticks have the couple’s name and wedding date on them, they had multiple settings! The guests LOVED them and they made for some really fun photos!Venice Photo Booth just made everything so much more fun for these two!

Special thanks to my second shooter Christine Gosch for making the trip to FL with me and helping me capture every amazing detail!

Wedding Planner, Designer and Coordinator / Kim Frazer of The Perfect Settings

Ceremony and Reception / Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Florists / Kim Frazer of The Perfect Settings

Wedding Gown Designer / Sottero and Midgley

Bridesmaids Gowns / Bill Levkoff

Dress Boutique and Tuxedo Rental / The Perfect Dress

Caterer / Simply Gourmet

DJ / Jonathan Cortez Music

Officiant / Grace Felice of A Wedding With Grace

Makeup Artist / Tammy Gamso of Fresh Salon

Photo Booth / Venice Photo Booth

Cake Designer / The Cake Zone

Invitation Designer / Minted

Videography / Imely Video

Etsy Designer (hangers) / Two Broads Design

Limousine / Town and Country Limousines