It’s been a couple of years since I’ve photographed a wedding at what used to be called the Reserve Harbor Yacht Club in Pawleys Island. It seems like they have changed their name. It’s now the Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Marina Clubhouse. This location highlights the beauty of the Pawleys Island area, with the ancient oak trees covered in moss and a boardwalk through the forest that goes out onto the Waccamaw River. I love these Pawleys Island scenic spots where you can get that warm glow of the sunset filtering through the mossy trees in the background.
Hurricane Ian changed the wedding plans
Cathy and John had the original plans for their October 15th wedding thrown off by Hurricane Ian. Even though it was only a Category 1 storm when it hit Myrtle Beach, it flooded many coastal areas and devastated most of the dunes along the beach. I’m so sad how the dunes in the Pawleys Island area almost thoroughly washed away. The wedding was originally supposed to be at the Pawleys Island Chapel. We planned to take some beach pictures and then head to the Reserve Harbor Marina for photos at sunset. Because of the damage and flooding around the chapel, the ceremony moved to the lawn behind the harbor clubhouse.
I think Cathy and John ended up happy with the ceremony location changes. The spot they picked backs up to an old brick wall and giant towering oak trees with lots of shade. While the Pawleys Island Chapel is at a pretty site on the marsh, it is dated and not that beautiful inside. I much prefer an outdoor ceremony in a beautiful location with lots of trees. Time is always tight at a wedding, and having everything take place in the same area saves a lot of time and makes everyone more relaxed.
Beautiful sunset pictures on the boardwalk to the Waccamaw River
After the ceremony, we took all the usual family and bridal party pictures. The bridal party was a bit unique and fun as well. If I remember correctly, two groomsmen and one bridesmaid were the groom’s brothers and sister, and then two bridesmaids and one groomsman were the bride’s siblings. So the whole wedding party was family. We ended up just taking the pictures right near the ceremony location. It was ideal, with the great shade and pretty light filtering through all the trees in the background.
The Reserve Harbor Yacht Club has a unique feature. A long boardwalk heads out through the forest and along the edge of the Waccamaw River. This boardwalk is a beautiful picture area with all the moss-covered trees surrounding the well-cared-for path. I loved some of the shots of Cathy and John on the boardwalk with the sun in a perfect spot to create excellent out-of-focus light filtering through the trees and moss in the background.
We then walked a bit further down the boardwalk to the area that goes out over the Waccamaw River. I also love all the moss hanging over the walkway with the river heading off in the background. I even got a fun shot with the groom lifting the bride up into the air for a kiss. We were running short on time by this point, so we headed back to the clubhouse to start the reception.
I hope you enjoy the pictures below. Please let me know if you plan a wedding at the Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Marina Clubhouse ( Reserve Harbor Yacht Club ), and I can show you some other beautiful weddings from this location and give you more information. As always, it was great working with Ash Events and DJ Broadway Jake Productions at this wedding.
Friends are like seashells - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Custom M&M for bride and groom - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Hangovers only last a day - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Wedding invitation details - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Thank you gifts - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sweetheart table - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom arriving at the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom helping groomsmen with thier ties - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom helping groomsmen with thier ties - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Helping bride with her dress - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Putting on the bride's necklace - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride standing in the light of the doorway - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and mother - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridesmaids before the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride laughing with bridesmaids - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sand ceremony container - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Guests having fun at ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridesmaid walking down the aisle - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom walking to the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom first look with the bride - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and father walking to the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom looking into eyes of the bride - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Beautiful ceremony under the mossy oaks - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sunset filtering through the moss hanging from the trees - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom holding hands during the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride looking at groom during their vows - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sand ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom giving their vows - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom giving their vows - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Putting on the ring - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
First kiss - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
High fives after the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Family pictures after the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Family pictures after the ceremony - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride with father - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and her sisters - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridesmaids holding the bouquets - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridesmaids laughing with each other - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride walking with the bridesamaids - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridesmaids peeking out from behind the bride - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride with her sister - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride with groom's sister - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride with her sisters and brother - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bridal party under the oaks - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom kissing with bridal party cheering - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Dipping bride back in front of the bridal party - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groomsmen standing under the trees - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groomsmen lifting up the bride - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom hugging his brothers - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom with sister - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom with brothers and sister - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom smiling at each other - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Embracing under the oaks - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Big smiles under the mossy oaks - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
So much happiness in front of the sunset filtering through the trees - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom on the marsh walkway - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Big smiles on the walkway - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Kiss in the sunset - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom standing on the boardwalk over the marsh - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Holding hands walking into the forest - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Couple holding hands walking down the marsh boardwalk at sunset - Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Leaning together against the railing - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Kiss on the boardwalk - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Kiss on the cheek - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom holding hands on the boardwalk on the Waccamaw River - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Boardwalk on the Waccamaw River - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom looking into each others eyes on the marsh boardwalk - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Kiss on the Waccamaw River - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom pulling bride in for a kiss on the boardwalk - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Closeup kiss on the Waccamaw River - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Holding hands walking down the boardwalk - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Holding hands walk down the boardwalk on the Waccamaw River - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Holding flowers behind the groom for a kiss - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Lifting bride into the air on the boradwalk - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Bride and groom introductions - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
First dance - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
First dance - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Brides ring on the flower - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Groom photobombing the groom picture - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Kiss the sweetheart table - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Cake cutting - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Cake cutting - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Fun dancing during the reception - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Fun dancing during the reception - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Fun dancing during the reception - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Fun dancing during the reception - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Fun dancing during the reception - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sparkler exit - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sparkler exit - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club
Sparkler exit - Safe Harbor Reserve Harbor Yacht Club