It’s great to be getting back into wedding season in the Myrtle Beach area. I was a little worried that work would be very slow this year. This summer has been jam-packed with family beach pictures and even small weddings. It seems like most of my weddings, for the rest of the year, will take place with just some social distancing modifications. Some have had to reduce the number of guests, and some have moved the receptions outside to comply with venue requirements. So far, all my weddings have taken place without any issues.
For Rylan and Sarah’s wedding, the 1 pm ceremony took place at St. Michaels in Garden City, SC, with the reception following at the Atalaya Castle in Huntington Beach State Park. The bride chose not to have any getting ready pictures, so I just went directly to the church for location pictures and to take pictures as the groom and guests arrived. The ceremony went great. The minister didn’t mind me taking pictures during most of the ceremony as long as I was discreet about it. I used my 70-210mm lens so I could get some close-ups during the vows without having to stand in view of any wedding guests. Church ceremonies are the only time I pull out that long lens. For almost all pictures at a wedding, I’m shooting prime lenses, either an 85mm f1.4 or 35mm f1.4 lens.
After the ceremony, Rylan and Sarah signed the marriage license. In fact, one of my favorite pictures below was their big smiles as they waited to sign. We then took the family pictures and some pictures of the bridesmaids and groomsmen right there in the church. I was glad we did the family pictures inside. Being around 2 pm on August 1st, it was sweltering outside.
After the ceremony, the wedding party was dropped off at the Atalaya Castle. I was really worried about how the pictures would turn out in the extreme afternoon heat and bright sun. However, soon after we started, a thunderstorm began to roll in. We took some wedding party pictures around the Atalaya Castle and then quickly headed to the beach while the sky kept getting darker. One good effect of the storm, it did cool things off and blocked some of the harsh sun. However, it also gave all the pictures a dark and hazy look. I was able to improve the images a lot in editing later. Some off-camera flash, as well as the dehaze, highlights and shadow sliders in Lightroom, can really save pictures taken on a nasty looking day.
As soon as we finished pictures with the bridal party, it began to pour down rain, and we hurried back to shelter inside the castle. Thankfully, they had a large tent for everyone to gather under inside the courtyard. As the afternoon went on, the rain stopped, and everyone could dance on the lawn. I even took Rylan and Sarah down to the beach for some pictures around sunset time. While we didn’t have a pretty sunset on the overcast day, we still got some fun pictures down at the beach. The bottom of Sarah’s wedding dress got completely soaked by the end of the pictures, but I think it was worth it.
I hope you enjoy the pictures below, if you are having a wedding at the Atalaya Castle in Huntington Beach State Park let me know. I would be happy to give you some thoughts or suggestions to make things smoother at the venue.
Groom with family before the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Groomsmen in masks walking to the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Flowergirl getting ready to talk down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bridesmaids walking down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
One flower girl crying getting carried down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bride and father looking at each other as they walk down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Groom first look at bride – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Happy bride seeing the groom – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bride and groom during the wedding ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bride smiling during the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Groom giving vows to the bride – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Picture taken from a far distance with 210mm lens so I’m not noticeable during ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Groom smiling at bride during vows – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Putting on the groom’s ring – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
First kiss – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Just married – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Happy bride and groom waiting to sign marriage license – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Signing the marriage license – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Groomsmen pictures after the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Bridal party after the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SC
Wedding party of the path to the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom posing by the castle doors – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom leaning on the castle wrought iron windows – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom leaning on the castle wrought iron windows – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridal party behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridal portraits behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridal portraits behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Pictures with the wedding party as the storm approached – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Groomsmen picking up the bride – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridesmaids picking up the groom – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridesmaids walking together down the beach – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride being picked up by her sister – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Groomsmen showing off their suspenders – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Dip in front of the ocean right before the rain – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride standing on castle walkway – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Hiding from the rain with the bridesmaids – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Portrait of bride in castle courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun picture with bridesmaids leaning out from behind the trees – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridesmaids skipping together with arms linked – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom standing on the window light – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride looking into groom’s eyes – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Table centerpiece – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Table decorations under the tents – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Closeup of rings – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Custom drink mugs for guests – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom introductions – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Wedding Cake – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Wedding guests under the tent – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Wedding speeches – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
First dance in front of the lights on the trees – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Having fun during the first dance – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Cake cutting – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride smashing cake in the face of the groom – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Groom smashing cake in the face of the bride – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom standing under the palm trees –
Holding hands walking in the courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom by the palms in the courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Posing in the castle entryway – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Romance by the ivy wall – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom sitting on the back patio of the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride looking into the eyes of the groom behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom pose, you have to do one every wedding! – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Standing by the sea oats, it’s not a beautiful sunset but some Luminar 4 enhancements help. – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom on a overcast day in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom on a overcast day in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride and groom on a overcast day in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Groom lifting bride up just as the wave comes in – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Carrying bride down the beach – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Touching heads looking out at the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bride pulling in groom for a cute picture – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Flowers in focus – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Bridesmaids fighting for the bouquet – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park