2022 was a busy year with several beautiful weddings. In fact, this was my first of two weddings in a row at 21 Main Events at North Beach. Since this was a smaller, more intimate event, they had the courtyard set up for the reception instead of the main ballroom. I arrived a little before the bride, so I began with detail shots of the table decorations, wedding decor, and the bride’s dress that I found was already there. The groom’s daughter was the only bridesmaid at the wedding. I got many cute shots of them getting ready together in the bride’s room.
In 2022, they completely remodeled the room for the bride’s preparations. It has been expanded to have a secondary dressing area, and all the dark colors and wood are gone. It’s now clean and white with a light marble floor tile. Check out how it used to look in another recent wedding. This room is now a beautiful spot for pictures of the bride’s dress and her with the bridesmaids before the ceremony.
Table details – 21 Main Events at North BeachReception tables in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachCenterpiece details – 21 Main Events at North BeachEntrance to venue – 21 Main Events at North BeachDress hanging in dressing room – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom helping best man with tie – 21 Main Events at North BeachRings – 21 Main Events at North BeachRings lying on the flowers – 21 Main Events at North BeachHer vows – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride’s shoes – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride putting earrings on in mirror – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom’s daughter helping bride get ready – 21 Main Events at North BeachHappy bride before ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride in new dressing room – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride with groom’s daughter – 21 Main Events at North Beach
Ceremony in the Courtyard
I’ve mentioned this previously. I love ceremonies in the 21 Main Events courtyard because of the nice shade. It’s tricky to get shots of the wedding party as they move from the bright sun to the shade while walking to the ceremony. But during the ceremony, it’s so easy to get amazing shots of the bride and groom with no harsh shadows or squinting that you sometimes get with a fully outdoor wedding.
I caught some emotional close-up shots of the bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes during the vows. You can even see the big smile on the groom’s daughter as the bride gave special vows to her, letting her know how much she was loved and would always be there for her. Being a solo photographer at this wedding, I couldn’t get any balcony shots during the ceremony. But I went up after and got some nice overhead pictures of the entire group.
Groom walking to the ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachBridesmaid walking to the ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachHappy groom watching bride walk towards him – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride walking with parents to ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachCeremony in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachHolding hands during the ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachLaughing during the ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride looking at groom during vows – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom looking at bride during the vows – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom giving vows to bride – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride giving vows to groom’s daughter – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride putting on groom’s ring – 21 Main Events at North BeachFirst kiss – 21 Main Events at North BeachHappy couple after ceremony – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroup shot from the balcony – 21 Main Events at North BeachGuys lifting up the bride – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom with his wife and daughter – 21 Main Events at North Beach
Sunset on the Beach and Gazebo
After the ceremony, family pictures, and the first dance, I took a few photos of the bride and groom in the courtyard. After this, we went down to the gazebo near the North Beach Towers for more sunset portraits. I like to bring all the bridesmaids and groomsmen along with us for most weddings, but for this one, it worked out better to have just the couple.
After the gazebo pictures, we walked down the beach to my favorite spot, where the marsh flows back into the ocean. I always get some fantastic photos here, with the sun setting behind the dunes in the background. Then we finished up with fun pictures by the ocean before heading back to the reception.
Kiss in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride and groom in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachGuestbook board – 21 Main Events at North BeachBridal portrait in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachEmbrace in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss at the gazebo – 21 Main Events at North BeachTouching noses in front of the fountains – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss on the forehead – 21 Main Events at North BeachLeaning against the columns – 21 Main Events at North BeachPortrait in front of the gazebo – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss in front of the gazebo – 21 Main Events at North BeachSitting together by the dunes – 21 Main Events at North BeachPulling bride in for a kiss in the sunset – 21 Main Events at North BeachSunset by the ocean – 21 Main Events at North BeachBig smiles in the sunset – 21 Main Events at North BeachSunset by the inlet – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss in the sunset – 21 Main Events at North BeachGroom lifting bride into the air – 21 Main Events at North BeachDip back for a kiss – 21 Main Events at North BeachBride and groom walking together holding hands – 21 Main Events at North BeachRomance by the ocean – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss on the cheek by the ocean – 21 Main Events at North BeachCloseup at sunset – 21 Main Events at North BeachLooking back at groom – 21 Main Events at North BeachWalking together down the beach – 21 Main Events at North BeachSpin by the ocean – 21 Main Events at North Beach
Fun with the Sparkler Fountains
One of my favorite things at weddings is when the DJ brings cold sparkler fountains. Eyecon Entertainment, who I work with all the time, has these as an add-on option. He usually uses these for only the first dance and sparkler exit, but I asked him if we could set them up for a couple of posed pictures in the courtyard. I got a fantastic shot with the couple kissing with the sparkler fountains firing off in the background.
After a short time of fun dancing, the bride and groom did a sparkler exit. I again got some great shots with the sparkler fountains. It doesn’t matter if you have a huge wedding with a large bridal party or a small intimate affair. It will be a blast if you have a good crew of wedding vendors and a great location like 21 Main Events. If you are planning a wedding, please let me know. I would be happy to help you with recommendations of great vendors in the area.
Cake details – 21 Main Events at North BeachCake cutting – 21 Main Events at North BeachFeeding each other cake – 21 Main Events at North BeachFrosting on her nose – 21 Main Events at North BeachKiss under the cold sparks – 21 Main Events at North BeachDip in the sparkler fountains – 21 Main Events at North BeachDancing in the courtyard – 21 Main Events at North BeachGuests on the dance floor – 21 Main Events at North BeachHands in the air – 21 Main Events at North BeachDancing with the groom’s daughter – 21 Main Events at North BeachDip during the sparkler exit – 21 Main Events at North BeachSparkler exit with cold spark fountains – 21 Main Events at North Beach
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