Picture this: it’s the first day of spring, the sky is as blue as can be, there’s a breeze coming off the ocean, and you’re hours away from marrying your best friend. Well, you don’t have to picture it if you’re Avery and Sebastian. Their seaside wedding at The Embassy Suites St. Augustine was their dream come true.
Seaside Wedding at The Embassy Suites St. Augustine
Avery decided to get ready at a local Airbnb across the street from the hotel, while Sebastian had a room at the hotel with his groomsmen. I arrived, gave Avery and her pup some love, and grabbed her details to get to work.
I was obsessed with her details, and wanted to make use of the landscape at the Airbnb. I decided to hang her dress on a palm tree in the backyard, while using the deck for a simple background to photograph her shoes (a seaside wedding at the Embassy Suites St. Augustine needs to have as many coastal elements as possible!)
However, I did bring a handmade flatlay mat to lay out all of their stationary, rings, etc. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
Avery got ready in a bright corner of her room, with her sisters, mother, and sweet pup. Once her dress, veil, and shoes were on, it was time for first looks with her dad, and her bridesmaids. Both reveals were incredibly heartfelt.
They had the cutest little yard in the back of the Airbnb, perfect for portraits with the gals and Avery’s parents. It was clear how much her friends and family truly admired and loved her, it’s always one of my favorite things to witness on a wedding day.
It was finally time to cross the street to the hotel. The girls grabbed their bouquets, a bottle of champagne, and Avery’s train as they made their way to the hotel.
Bystanders cheered and shared their congratulations to her, cars passing by honked as passengers rolled down their windows, sending warm wishes from the road.
The walk sign turned and the girls began their strut across the street, cheering and waving their flowers and bottles in celebration and excitement. This was such a unique and exciting moment, and brought some of my favorite photos from this day.
My second photographer was finishing up portraits with the boys, and met me at the ceremony space to photograph details and the beautiful seascape. The sunlight seemed to make every color pop. Every shadow was crisp and clear, illustrating the time passing as the ceremony for this seaside wedding at the Embassy Suites St. Augustine drew closer.
Guests began to file into the ceremony, they mingled as they found their seats and took in the ocean views. The music began, and Sebastian made his way down the aisle––followed by his groomsmen, Avery’s bridesmaids, and their two dogs. Avery walked down the aisle with her dad, Sebastian grew teary eyed as she approached.
Their ceremony was short and sweet. The blue of the sky and the sea seemed to engulf their ceremony, they glowed from the sun and from within as they exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Their procession down the aisle as The Vallones was something out of a movie!!
As guests made their way to cocktail hour after family photos, we stole Avery and Sebastian away for sunset portraits on the beach before heading to their reception. Just like their ceremony, they were truly glowing from within, their love for each other was palpable and it made my job so easy.
The Vallones made their entrance into their reception with a bang, WHERE IS MY HUSBAND by Raye blasted from the speakers as they ran in with their bridal party, circling through the tables as guests whipped their napkins over their heads.
Toasts and speeches were made after dinner, and every single person making a speech had Avery, Sebastian, and crowd erupting with laughter. The evening was nothing short of spectacular, and being there was such an honor. This seaside wedding at the Embassy Suites St. Augustine was one for the books. Here’s to The Vallones!
Vendors:
Venue: Embassy Suites St. Augustine
Planning: Lulu Events
Photography: Casey Ann Photo
Videography: Rene Visuals
HMU: Studio Bride
Florals: Weddings JFM
Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations
I had to include this. My second photographer took the one on the left of Sebastian, and I took the one on the right of Avery. Our cameras are always time synced, so this happened at the exact same time. Talk about soulmates.
