I have been keeping busy lately with weddings at the Grande Dunes Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach. This wedding was the first of four weddings there just in the month of May! It’s always great working with the staff like Samantha Huff at the Ocean Club, I’ve gotten to know them very well and they always do a great job. This wedding was also organized by Stunning and Brilliant Events and the DJ was Scott and Company. I also got some nice shots of Wing from Salon 18 and Spa doing the bride’s hair before the ceremony. I’ve worked with them all many times and they are all great at keeping the wedding running smoothly and on time. Other vendors include Jen’s Invites, RSG Event Designs, and Croissants Bistro & Bakery.
The wedding ceremony was held in the courtyard near the pool and palm trees behind the Ocean Club. This now seems to be a popular spot at the Grand Dunes Ocean Club for weddings. It offers more room for people than up on the terrace, but guests still do not have to walk on the beach if they don’t want too. I also like that I can walk up the hill and get some nice overhead panorama’s of the ceremony. Something I’ve been doing a lot lately, when taking panoramas, is holding the camera vertically. If you think about it, it’s the same way you would hold it on an iPhone. Taking multiple images vertically you can get more height in your image and still get all the width you need, depending on how many pictures you shoot. Using something like an 85mm lens you can get a unique look shooting panoramas.
New Godox AD200Pro off camera lighting system
Godox AD200 Pro with AD-B2 Dual Flashbulb bracket
Something else I’ve been working with more lately is off camera lighting. I’ve gotten into the Godox flash system. They have some great studio strobe lights than can be used portably and outdoors, even on the beach. The also have wireless built in so I can finally rid myself of the unreliable Pocketwizards. For example, I’m using dual Godox AD200’s with the AD-B2 dual head adapter with Bowens mount. This gives me around 6 times the power of a Nikon speedlight. I can really overpower the sun if needed. The AD200’s can also use bare flash bulbs so I can really fill up a softbox with light. Then, when so much power isn’t needed, the AD200’s can be used separately during the wedding reception for fantastic dance floor lighting. I use a 3 light dance floor setup now that works great.
For this wedding, I use the flash for some subtle off camera lighting of the bride and groom. For example, when they are standing in front of the clubhouse backlit by the sun, you might not even notice but they have fill light coming from the off camera flash. It really makes a difference in separating them from the background and brightening up the couple and their eyes. I also use it for some backlighting effects on the greenery covered beach walkway. I’ll post more about my flash setup including thoughts on the new Godox V1-N round head flash in the future. A short summary is that it’s fantastic in every way but the overheating. I have to carry a backup flash to switch too if the first one overheats.
Wedding pictures after the ceremony
This bride particularly wanted detail shots of the venue and clubhouse so I made sure to take a lot of pictures. I got a really nice panorama of the cloudhouse at dusk lit up behind the pool area. The bride and groom chose to do a first look, so we were able to do a lot of the family pictures before the ceremony. After the ceremony we did some more family pictures on the patio, then I took the wedding party down to the beach. After taking some fun shots with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, I finished with pictures just of the couple. I got some beautiful shots of them on the beach walkway backlit by my flash as well as some great pictures in front of the Ocean Club and down by the ocean.
Having a great time with the photo booth
This bride and groom also added on my photo booth service. My wife, who also assisted me with the photography, ran the photo booth after dinner. She actually has a lot of fun running the booth because of how crazy the guests get when taking pictures, especially if there is an open bar! Wedding guests always seem to love the photo booth. The wedding party even grabbed some of my props for being silly with the reception introductions. If you look near the end of the gallery, my wife and I even got a cute picture together, when things slowed down later in the evening. I’m the one with the big camera. I hope you enjoy the pictures below!
Wing Wong working on bride’s hair Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Team Groom Gifts Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Team bride gifts Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Rings in box Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding invitation against the flowers Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and bridesmaid dresses having in the doorway Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Seating charts Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Table decorations in ballroom – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Table decorations in ballroom – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Table decorations in ballroom – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Best man putting on boutonniere Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Mom helping bride with dress Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Mom helping bride with dress Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Putting in the veil Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Mom looking at bride Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride putting on her earrings Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Detail shot of invitation with rings Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride standing in the doorway light Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride standing in the window light Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride looking out the window Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride smiling in the window light holding bouquet Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groomsmen gifts Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First looking with the bride and father Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First looking with the bride and father Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First looking with the bride and father Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First look with the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First look with the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First look with the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First look with the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First look with the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse columns Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the clubhouse columns Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride posing by the fountains Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Picture with bride and jr bridesmaid Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party cheering for the kiss Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party in front of the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Fun picture with the wedding party in front of the clubhouse – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom shaking hands with his father Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Welcome to the wedding sign Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride reading letter from groom before the ceremony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom reading letter from bride before the ceremony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss on the Ocean Club balcony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Details of ceremony schedule Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Trying out my photo booth props Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Table detail shot of location cards – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding cake Grande Dunes Ocean Club
In loving memory table – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom walking towards the ceremony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom watching bride walk down the steps Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and father walking down the isle Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom smiling at the bride Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Panorama of wedding ceremony by the palm trees and pool Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and groom giving their vows to each other Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride giving vows to the groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom giving vows to bride Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Vertical panorama of ceremony with 85mm lens Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride smiling at groom during the ceremony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and groom pouring sand together Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Exchanging the rings Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First kiss Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Cheers after the ceremony Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party on the patio Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss on the greenery covered beach walkway Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss backlit by Godox AD200 flash Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Very happy couple walking to the ocean – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Beautiful evening behind the clubhouse – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party walking down the beach Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groomsmen posing with girl’s flowers Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groomsmen striking a pose Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Perfect wedding weather – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and groom looking at each other in front of the ocean Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom touching face of the bride Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss by the ocean Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Windy day on the beach Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Flowers in focus with couple kissing in the background Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss by the ocean Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Holding hands walking down the beach Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Veil getting caught during a twirl Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Even behind the clubhouse Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss by the dunes Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party introductions using my photo booth props Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party introductions using my photo booth props Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Wedding party introductions using my photo booth props Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with bride and groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with bride and groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with bride and groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with parents Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with parents Grande Dunes Ocean Club
First dance with parents Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Sand ceremony container Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss at the wedding table Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Ocean Club plate detail shot Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Panorama of the ocean club from the pool Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Nighttime in front of the clubhouse – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Girls for the guests – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Dancing begins Grande Dunes Ocean Club
DJ Scott is getting the party started – Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Bride and groom partying Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Laughter during the toasts Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Kiss after the cake cutting Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Having fun with my photo booth Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Mother of groom having fun dancing Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Catching the bouquet Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Groom taking of the garter Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Catching the garter Grande Dunes Ocean Club
High five Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing during the reception Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing during the reception Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing during the reception Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing during the reception Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Lots of dancing during the reception Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Glow stick exit with bride and groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club
Glow stick exit with bride and groom Grande Dunes Ocean Club