This was the first time I’ve photographed a wedding at the Myrtle Beach Hilton at Kingston Plantation, where the couple had a ceremony on the beach sand. At many of my beach weddings, the bride ends up squinting from the sun. Because of the large Hilton tower in the background, this ceremony area was nicely shaded from the afternoon sun. This allowed me to take really nice pictures of the bride looking at the groom during their vows. The only problem with this area of Myrtle Beach is that it’s very crowded. We had a number of beachgoers standing in the background of the ceremony. Oh well, it’s usually pretty each to remove people from the beach in Photoshop.
This couple, the wedding party, and the family were a lot of fun. I always love when people are relaxed and goofy for the pictures. For example, the father-in-law photobombing the groom and father, the bridesmaids picking up the groom, or all the guests really getting into the dancing. I especially like the picture I used as the featured image above of the groom carrying the bride over the water. You can tell they were having a good time. This couple must have put a lot of work into their first dance. They seemed to have a whole choreographed routine that was fun to watch.
I’ve experimented with some new ring shot techniques. I had some extra time during this reception, so for a close-up macro shot, I used off-camera flash, gels, and water spray to play around with different looks. I’m also using a new layout for the pictures on my blog posts. Instead of doing a storyboard with a forced layout, each picture is fluid and will arrange itself based on your screen size. They can all be clicked individually to view full size. Let me know in the comments below if you like the pictures!
Bride working on makeup in mirror - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride helping bridesmaid with dress - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Best man helping groom with tie - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Please sign questbook sign - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Table seating cards with Hershey Kisses - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Airline pilot wedding cake topper - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Seashell and sand table decorations - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Table decorations - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride helping flower girl with makeup - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Lacing up bride's dress - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride's mom putting on her necklace before the ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride's mom putting on bride's earings - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride standing in balcony doorway - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Girls hanging out before the wedding - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom and dad getting photobombed by father in law - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Happy groom walking to ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and father with big smiles - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and father walking down the isle - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom listening to wedding ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom giving vows to bride - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom holding hands during ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom putting on bride's ring - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom holding bride's hand during ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
First kiss - Kingston Plantation
Couple portrait after ceremony - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom smiling at each other - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Father and son laughing - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom standing in front of beach wedding arbor - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Happy couple in front of beach wedding arbor - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride giving father a kiss on the cheek - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Carrying his bride over the water - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Wedding party walking together down a crowded beach - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride having fun with bridesmaids walking down beach - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groomsmen lifting up bride in front of ocean - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groomsmen lifting up the groom - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groomsmen looking cool in their sunglasses - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bridesmaids posing in line - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groomsmen posing in line with groom in focus - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bridesmaids picking up the groom - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Couple smiling in front of the ocean - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Closeup up bride smiling up at groom - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride with arms around groom holding flowers in the air - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom dipping back bride in front of the ocean - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom lifting up bride while she holds flowers in the air - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom in background with bouquet in focus - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom giving bride a piggyback ride - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Married couple walking down the beach holding hands - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Wedding couple sitting together in front of the sea oats - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride sitting between grooms legs smiling up at him - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride kneeling behind groom with arms around him - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride kissing groom on cheek - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bride and groom prom pose in the sea oats - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Finding a bit of sunset between the towers - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom lifting bride into the air - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
First dance in the top floor ballroom - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Gride looking up at groom during first dance - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Choreographed first dance - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
This dance must have taken a lot of practice - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
First dance - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Having some fun with the ring macros - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Ring macro on golden paper - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Cake cutting - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Father and daughter dancing - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Family having fun during reception - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Bridesmaid kissing husband during dancing - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Cute baby dancing with mom and dad - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Girls dancing with hands in the air - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Groom about to take off the garter - Hilton at Kingston Plantation
Sparkler exit - Hilton at Kingston Plantation