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.
Next, 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, SCGroomsmen in masks walking to the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCFlower girls getting ready to walk down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBridesmaids walking down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBridesmaid smiling as she walks down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCOne flower girl crying getting carried down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBride and father looking at each other as they walk down the aisle – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCGroom first look at bride – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCHappy bride seeing the groom – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBride and groom during the wedding ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBride smiling during the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCGroom giving vows to the bride – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCPicture taken from a far distance with 210mm lens so I’m not noticeable during ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCGroom smiling at bride during vows – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCPutting on the groom’s ring – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCFirst kiss – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCJust married – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCHappy bride and groom waiting to sign marriage license – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCSigning the marriage license – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCGroomsmen pictures after the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCBridal party after the ceremony – St. Michael’s – Garden City, SCWedding party on the path to the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom posing by the castle doors – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom leaning on the castle wrought iron windows – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom by the castle’s wrought iron window – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridal party behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridal portraits behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride sitting on the brick walkway behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkPictures with the wedding party as the storm approached – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkGroomsmen picking up the bride – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridesmaids picking up the groom – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridesmaids walking together down the beach – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride being picked up by her sister – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkGroomsmen showing off their suspenders – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkDip in front of the ocean right before the rain – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride standing on castle walkway – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkHiding from the rain with the bridesmaids – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkPortrait of bride in castle courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFun picture with bridesmaids leaning out from behind the trees – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridesmaids skipping together with arms linked – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom standing in the window light – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride looking into groom’s eyes – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkTable centerpiece – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkTable decorations under the tents – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkCloseup of rings – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkCustom drink mugs for guests – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom introductions – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkWedding cake – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkWedding guests under the tent – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkWedding speeches – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFirst dance in front of the lights on the trees – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkHaving fun during the first dance – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkCake cutting – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride smashing cake in the face of the groom – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkGroom smashing cake in the face of the bride – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom standing under the palm trees – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkHolding hands walking in the courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom by the palms in the courtyard – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkPosing in the castle entryway – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkRomance by the ivy wall – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom sitting on the back patio of the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride looking into the eyes of the groom behind the castle – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkProm pose, you have to do one every wedding! – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkStanding by the sea oats, it’s not a beautiful sunset but some Luminar 4 enhancements help. – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride and groom on an overcast day in front of the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkKiss at the water’s edge on an overcast day – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkSmiling at each other in front of the waves – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkGroom lifting bride up just as the wave comes in – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkCarrying bride down the beach – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkTouching heads looking out at the ocean – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBride pulling in groom for a cute picture – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFlowers in focus – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkFun dancing on the lawn – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkBridesmaids fighting for the bouquet – Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
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