I’ve done many weddings and family portraits session on the beach behind the North Beach Resort (formerly North Beach Plantation) towers. These towers are located at the very south end of North Myrtle Beach across from Barefoot Landing. This wedding was unique for me, in that the reception was also held in the Blu Lounge inside the Indigo Tower. Most of my weddings at this location have their reception back at 21 Main Events. This reception in the Blu Lounge was still catered by the 21 Main Events staff, so of course the food and service was really good.
First look at the Gazebo
Carrie and Jeff were a very sweet couple that were a lot of fun to take pictures with. They decided to do a first look at the beautiful gazebo in front of the towers. This is a great spot for doing pictures earlier in the day when the sun is still high. The gazebo gives some great shade, and the palm trees and foliage in the background aren’t too blown out even in the bright sun. I do wish I could turn off the one fountain directly behind the gazebo. It can cause some issues popping up right behind their heads.
I love when I have a little extra, relaxed time for pictures like I did after this first look. I got some great pictures of the couple together, and then some portraits of them separately as well. Carrie had a beautiful dress and a unique bouquet. I believe you call this a dried flower arrangement, I seen it a few times before as well. The wedding arch and reception table had similar types of muted floral decorations as well. It all looked very classy and modern. I’ll update this post with the florist info when I’m able to get it.
Ceremony and sunset pictures on the beach
The ceremony was held on the beach right behind the towers. It’s always difficult, on a public beach, to not have some people walking in the background. Thankfully, for the first kiss and pictures of them walking down the aisle together, the ocean was clear of onlookers. Even if there are some people in the background, I can usually Photoshop them out if needed. Immediately after the ceremony, I took the family portraits, and then sunset pictures with the bride and groom.
We got some cute pictures sitting in the dunes right behind the resort. I always love having the bride lean over behind the groom and throw her arms around him. You might not realize all that is going through a photographer’s mind when taking pictures, but notice how the rings and bouquet are clearly being shown off. Right before sunset, the warm but harsh light makes the ocean look really blue. The strong setting sun can cause some harsh shadows but using some fill light from my off camera flash helps to soften and fill these in. This helps to get beautiful pictures like the one below of the dip back for a kiss by the ocean.
I love walking down the beach a little south of the towers. There is a spot where a creek runs out into the ocean and the sun sets right behind the water. This is a great spot to take pictures right as the sun sets behind the dunes and trees. My favorite this time, was the closeup of the groom touching his wife’s face and looking into each other’s eyes. I always take plenty of full body pictures to show off the bride’s dress, but there is always something special about a real close up capturing the expressions.
I hope you enjoy the pictures below. If you are planning a wedding at the North Beach Resort & Villas please let me know. Even though this is my first official wedding in the Blu Lounge, I’ve done many weddings at 21 Main Events I would be happy to share.
Ring details - North Beach Resort & Villas
Rings laying on the flowers - North Beach Resort & Villas
Finishing up bride's hair - North Beach Resort & Villas
Mom helping bride with her veil - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride standing in the balcony doorway - North Beach Resort & Villas
First look at the gazebo before the ceremony - North Beach Resort & Villas
First look at the gazebo before the ceremony - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride helping groom with his boutonniere - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom leaning against the columns of the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom leaning against the columns of the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Groom pushing back bride's hair for a kiss - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom embracing under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Touching heads in front of the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Intimate bridal party by the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portraits of bride alone under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portraits of bride alone under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portraits of bride alone under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portraits of bride alone under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portrait of groom under the gazebo - North Beach Resort & Villas
Groom helping best man with boutonniere - North Beach Resort & Villas
Table details - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and grooms wine glasses - North Beach Resort & Villas
Flowers on tables - North Beach Resort & Villas
Table place settings - North Beach Resort & Villas
Table details - North Beach Resort & Villas
Reception seating chart - North Beach Resort & Villas
Welcome to the wedding of Carrie and Jeff - North Beach Resort & Villas
Mask and sanitizer table - North Beach Resort & Villas
Locket hanging from bride's bouquet - North Beach Resort & Villas
Grandmother picture in bride's bouquet - North Beach Resort & Villas
Flower details on wedding arch - North Beach Resort & Villas
First kiss - North Beach Resort & Villas
Throwing flower petals while bride and groom walk down the aisle - North Beach Resort & Villas
Throwing flower petals while bride and groom walk down the aisle - North Beach Resort & Villas
Wedding party walking down the beach - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom laying together by the dunes - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom laying together by the dunes - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom laying together by the dunes - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride hugging groom from behind - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride hugging groom from behind and kissing on the cheek - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portrait behind the towers - North Beach Resort & Villas
Dip back for a kiss - North Beach Resort & Villas
Dip back for a kiss - North Beach Resort & Villas
Kiss in front of the ocean - North Beach Resort & Villas
Looking into each other's eyes - North Beach Resort & Villas
Sunset showing behind the dunes - North Beach Resort & Villas
Looking into each other's eyes in front of the sunset and water - North Beach Resort & Villas
Closeup of groom pulling bride in for a kiss - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom backlit by sunset - North Beach Resort & Villas
Portrait in the sunset by the inlet water - North Beach Resort & Villas
Silhouette - North Beach Resort & Villas
Sunset by the ocean - North Beach Resort & Villas
Big smiles in front of the ocean - North Beach Resort & Villas
Bride and groom's table - North Beach Resort & Villas
First dance with sparkler fountains - North Beach Resort & Villas
First dance with sparkler fountains - North Beach Resort & Villas
Champagne toasts - North Beach Resort & Villas
Cake cutting - North Beach Resort & Villas