What an incredible ride! I began my journey with Annie and Sam after meeting her at a bridal show in Springfield, Illinois. We then followed it up with photographing their chilly engagement session (HERE) last fall outside of her parent’s house and now capturing their silly yet unwavering love in paradise down in Sea Grove, Florida, which is about an hour away from Destin, Florida. Their destination wedding was simply magical to be a part of and I feel overwhelmingly honored to play such a big role in their day. Annie and Sam met while going to school at the University of Illinois Springfield and recently made a big move up to the Chicago area while Annie is in physicians assistant school. These two are ridiculously adorable together and have a blast no matter what the situation. Surrounded by about twenty-five of their closest family and friends they made the journey down to the sunshine state to tie the knot! 

Annie was of course in high spirits when I arrived at her family’s rental the Thursday morning leading up to Memorial Day Weekend. Due to the Saturday to Saturday rental timeframes, the pair decided to get married on a Thursday evening so they didn’t have to feel rushed on a weekend. She was running around with her closest ladies including her mom, sisters, grandmother, cousins and Sam’s mom and sister. I quickly got to work on the wonderful details of both Annie and Sam’s attire. Plus, Annie’s mom, Leanne, and her grandmother, Mary took it upon themselves to craft some pretty amazing bouquets for the ladies with fresh flowers and tropical leaves. They were a beautiful addition to the girl’s look for the day! When it came time for Annie to put on her lovely lace gown with simply criss-cross straps she was absolutely stunning! She finished her look with touches of flowers in her hair and sparkling earrings that reminded me of pineapples! So appropriate! Her bridesmaids complimented her effortlessly with breezy floral printed off the shoulder dresses to complete the beach look. 

Annie and Sam decided last minute they wanted to do a first look, which I think helped calm any nerves, which started to set in for both Annie and Sam. Under a pathway of palm trees, Sam got his first glance at his beautiful bride. Judging by his ear to ear smile, I would say he was pretty thrilled to see her! Sam didn’t let Annie upstage him too much in the style department as he sported a relaxed beach look with khakis pants, white button-down shirt with rolled sleeves, and a navy bowtie with matching suspenders. Annie and Sam took a few much needed moments together in order to fully appreciate standing in this gorgeous spot together before officially becoming husband and wife.

When the time came, we all kicked off our sandals and headed to the beach for the ceremony. It was the best setting for Annie and Sam to express their love and joy to one another. Oh, and Annie had a little surprise for Sam after they said their vows. The officiant told the story of when Annie and Sam started dating they went to Taco Bell a bunch because it was close to school. A while back, the restaurant served condiment packets that had silly sayings on them. He explained in one of their early meals, Annie happened to randomly grab a hot sauce packet which read, “I Do” on it! She jokingly handed it to Sam and said she was going to hand this packet of hot sauce back to him on their wedding day. Little did Sam know Annie actually saved the “I Do” packet for this exact moment! Sam had no clue that his fiancé had held onto this memento over the years! Then when it came to the end of the ceremony in the classic awesomeness Annie and Sam bring to the world, they shared a special handshake followed by their first kiss! Seriously…These two are the coolest! 

The bridal party joined the couple for a few more photos on the beach before ending the incredible evening with sunset photos of the new Mr. & Mrs. Notz. I had a blast capturing Annie and Sam’s unlimited energy and romantic glances as the sun went down over the ocean. Then to add to the already spectacular day Annie and Sam shared their first dance on the beach to a song Annie’s little sister, Bina wrote as their family encircled them by the light of a few tiki torches! It could have been right out of a fairytale! 

Working with Annie and Sam on the journey towards their destination wedding has been a fantastic experience and I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to capture their Florida wedding! And this isn’t the last you’ve seen of Annie and Sam! I have the honor of photographing their Illinois reception coming up Labor Day Weekend! I’m pumped I get to work with these two again as well as their families! Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Notz!

Warm Regards,
Lauren

Huge shout out to Annie & Sam’s AMAZING vendors:Videographer: Ron Middleton with Heart Crossed Films, Heart Crossed Films Makeup Artist + Hairstylist: Tiffany Vaughan with The Grove Salon, The Grove Salon Bridesmaid Dresses: Plum Pretty Sugar, Pretty Plum Sugar Music + Minister: Kim Cannon Music, Kim Cannon Music And a special shout out to the incredible employee from 30A Blaze, who stepped in and offered Annie and Sam’s guests chairs for their ceremony when their original rental company didn’t show up! I, unfortunately, did not get her name, but she went above anything she had to do to help out completing the experience Annie and Sam wanted to create for their ceremony! Thank You!