This time of the year, I love to look back at some beautiful weddings I didn’t have time to post on my blog. Elizabeth and Tyler were married last summer on May 29th. Their wedding was a little unusual for Pawleys Plantation. Instead of having the ceremony on the golf course, they wanted a wedding on the beach. So they rented a home on the beach in Pawleys Island and had a trolly take everyone back and forth from the beach. They even had their dog as the ring bearer during the ceremony, which I think is one reason they wanted it on the beach. They were such a happy couple, and everyone had a blast at the wedding.
I first met Elizabeth and Tyler in 2021 and took engagement pictures with them at the Huntington Beach State Park. I have included a few of their engagement pictures below. I always recommend doing engagement pictures if possible. It’s a great way to get to know each other. It can make you more relaxed at the wedding because you already know my personality and that I’m easygoing and fun to take pictures with. I especially liked the surprise ring pop “proposal” at the end of the engagement pictures.
Featured Vendors:
Planning – Cheers and Champagne
Videographer – Francis West Studios
Hair and Makeup – Salon and Spa 18
Officiant – Myrtle Beach Wedding Officiant
Getting ready pictures and the first look at Pawleys Plantation
When I first arrived, I met up with Elizabeth, and she was still getting her hair finished up by Wing Wong of Salon & Spa 18. I always love seeing him because he prepares everyone on time and does a beautiful job. After a few wedding dress pictures, my wife helped me collect all the bride’s details for some close-up shots. I always love when brides have a collection of small items for me to add to the pictures. They are big Georgia Bulldog fans, as you can tell from the engagement pictures, the bride’s garter, and the groom’s cake.
After pictures with the bride and her mother putting on her veil, we did a first look with the bridesmaids and then some photos outside the side clubhouse doors. I took some beautiful portraits of the bride standing in the doorway with her dress flowing from behind her. After this, Elizabeth and Tyler did a first look together. We knew the time would be a little tight later in the evening after the beach ceremony. So we wanted to get some pictures done before the ceremony. I always love having a big bridal party for photos. You just have to plan a little extra time in the schedule. After this, everyone loaded up on the trolly and headed to the beach.
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Couple sitting by the dune -
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
We decided on forever - Huntington Beach State Park
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Engagement pictures on the beach - Huntington Beach State Park
Giving her a ring pop for engagement - Huntington Beach State Park
Wedding dresses hanging in the doorway - Pawleys Plantation
Bride's dress hanging in the doorway - Pawleys Plantation
Brides dress hanging on the mirror - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures of wedding details with rings and invitation - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures of wedding details with rings and invitation - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures of wedding details with rings and invitation - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures of wedding details with rings and invitation - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom's rings on the flowers - Pawleys Plantation
Georgia Bulldogs garters - Pawleys Plantation
Ring macro - Pawleys Plantation
Wing Wong finishing up the hair - Pawleys Plantation
Bouquet with dress in the background - Pawleys Plantation
Finishing up the hair - Pawleys Plantation
Best man helping groom with his tie - Pawleys Plantation
Wedding sign - Pawleys Plantation
The best day - Pawleys Plantation
Cheers with the bridesmaids - Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids in their robes - Pawleys Plantation
Dad helping groom with his tie - Pawleys Plantation
Mom buttoning up the dress - Pawleys Plantation
Mom helping bride with her veil - Pawleys Plantation
Mom helping bride with her veil - Pawleys Plantation
Mom looking at bride in the mirror - Pawleys Plantation
Bride putting on earring - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bridesmaids - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bridesmaids - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bridesmaids - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride in the light from the doorway - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride in the light from the doorway - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride in the light from the doorway - Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids holding custom signs - Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids holding custom signs - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bride and groom on the golfcourse - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bride and groom on the golfcourse - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bride and groom on the golfcourse - Pawleys Plantation
First look with the bride and groom on the golfcourse - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom touching foreheads by the fountain - Pawleys Plantation
Groom helping bride put on a bracelet - Pawleys Plantation
Portrait of bride by the lake - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom on the back of the trolley - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom on the back of the trolley - Pawleys Plantation
Ceremony on the beach in Pawleys Island
As I mentioned, the bride and groom rented a beach house for the ceremony. I usually recommend a couple to have their wedding ceremony at Pawleys Plantation, it’s such a beautiful spot, and it takes so much extra time to get everyone down to the beach. However, Elizabeth and Tyler wanted a beach ceremony, so they planned the extra time needed. Eric Hunt, one of my favorite officiants, had a beautiful arch setup for the wedding on the beach. I don’t get myself in photographs often, but my wife got a nice shot of me working during the sand ceremony.
After the first kiss, everyone threw flower petals at the bride and groom as they walked down the aisle, and they even stopped for another kiss under the petals. After a few beach pictures with the wedding party, family group portraits, and some cute ones with the couple and their dog, we headed back to the clubhouse at Pawleys Plantation just in time for sunset pictures on the golf course.
Wedding details in the sand - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bridal party walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bridal party walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom's dog walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom's dog walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and father walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and father walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and father walking to the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride looking into grooms eyes during the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Groom looking into bride's eyes during the vows - Pawleys Island Beach House
Wide angle view of ceremony on the beach - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom holding hands during the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Wide view of the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Wide view of the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Pictures from my wife of me working - Pawleys Island Beach House
Sand ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Putting on the rings - Pawleys Island Beach House
First kiss - Pawleys Island Beach House
Throwing petals after the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Throwing petals after the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Kiss after the ceremony - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom with the puppy - Pawleys Island Beach House
Kiss under the wedding arch - Pawleys Island Beach House
Big cheers from the wedding party - Pawleys Island Beach House
Large bridal party walking down the beach - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom walking down the beach with their dog - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom walking down the beach with their dog - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom walking down the beach with their dog - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom on the beach in the bright sun - Pawleys Island Beach House
Bride and groom on the beach in the bright sun - Pawleys Island Beach House
Wedding cake - Pawleys Plantation
Georgia Bulldogs cake - Pawleys Plantation
Table details - Pawleys Plantation
Sunset pictures on the golf course at Pawleys Plantation
I always love the summer sunset at Pawleys Plantation. The sun is at just the right angle to get the warm light filtering through the trees in front of the clubhouse. They always provide me with a golf cart to take the bride and groom out on the golf course. Some scenic spots are a little ways down the course, with ancient oak trees on the marsh covered in hanging moss. In the summer, I love the angle you see below with the light filtering through the trees. In the fall and winter, a different angle is also beautiful for framing the couple with the trees in the background. I’ve been to Pawleys Plantation so many times I know all the best spots, even depending on the time of the year and the sunset angle.
Wedding party in front of the courthouse - Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party in front of the courthouse - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom in the sunset - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom looking into each other eyes in front of the clubhouse - Pawleys Plantation
Family pictures in front of the clubhouse - Pawleys Plantation
Kiss on the cheek - Pawleys Plantation
Looking into each other's eyes under the beautiful oaks - Pawleys Plantation
Big smiles under the oaks - Pawleys Plantation
Closeup under the oaks - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom embracing under the oaks on the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Happy bride and groom in the sunset - Pawleys Plantation
Touching foreheads backlit by the bokeh of the light filtering through the oaks - Pawleys Plantation
Groom hugging bride from behind looking into each others eyes - Pawleys Plantation
Holding hands walking down the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Holding hands walking down the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Portraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course - Pawleys Plantation
Big smiles with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
Kiss on the marsh - Pawleys Plantation
Pulling groom in for a kiss - Pawleys Plantation
Holding hands walking on the green - Pawleys Plantation
Fun reception in the ballroom
The wedding party had a lot of fun with the introductions, even a little Gangnam Style on the way in. I haven’t seen that in a while. My wife was running our photo booth, and everyone had a great time with the silly hats and props. After a couple of hours of fun partying and dancing, Elizabeth and Tyler had a private last dance while everyone prepared for the sparkler exit. I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you are planning a wedding at Pawleys Plantation, please let me know. I’ve photographed so many weddings there over the last 15 years that I can help you with your planning.
Fun introductions with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Fun introductions with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Fun introductions with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Fun introductions with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
Fun introductions with the bridal party - Pawleys Plantation
First dance with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
First dance with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
First dance with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
First dance with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
First dance with the bride and groom - Pawleys Plantation
Kiss at the sweetheart table - Pawleys Plantation
M&M favors - Pawleys Plantation
Reece's peanut butter cups - Pawleys Plantation
Girls with cowboy hat -
Happy couple on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Toasts with the bride and groom coke bottles - Pawleys Plantation
Having fun in my photo booth - Pawleys Plantation
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Father and daughter dance - Pawleys Plantation
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Father daughter dance - Pawleys Plantation
Wedding cake details - Pawleys Plantation
Wedding cake details - Pawleys Plantation
Cutting the cake - Pawleys Plantation
Cake cutting - Pawleys Plantation
Cake cutting - Pawleys Plantation
Cake cutting - Pawleys Plantation
Catching the bouquet - Pawleys Plantation
Fun taking off the garter - Pawleys Plantation
Fun taking off the garter - Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids in the photo booth - Pawleys Plantation
Bride with girls in Photo Booth -
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom with Disney hats on in Photo Booth -
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
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Lots of fun on the dance floor - Pawleys Plantation
Private last dance - Pawleys Plantation
Sparkler exit - Pawleys Plantation