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 year 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 trolley 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.
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 trolley and headed to the beach.
Engagement pictures at Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures in the palm trees – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures at Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State ParkCouple sitting by the dune – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures on the beach – Huntington Beach State ParkWe decided on forever – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures on the beach – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures on the beach – Huntington Beach State ParkEngagement pictures on the beach – Huntington Beach State ParkGiving her a ring pop for engagement – Huntington Beach State ParkWedding dresses hanging in the doorway – Pawleys PlantationBride’s dress hanging in the doorway – Pawleys PlantationBride’s dress hanging on the mirror – Pawleys PlantationPictures of wedding details with rings and invitation – Pawleys PlantationPictures of wedding details with rings and invitation – Pawleys PlantationPictures of wedding details with rings and invitation – Pawleys PlantationPictures of wedding details with rings and invitation – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom’s rings on the flowers – Pawleys PlantationGeorgia Bulldogs garters – Pawleys PlantationRing macro – Pawleys PlantationWing Wong finishing up the hair – Pawleys PlantationBouquet with dress in the background – Pawleys PlantationFinishing up the hair – Pawleys PlantationBest man helping groom with his tie – Pawleys PlantationWedding sign – Pawleys PlantationThe best day – Pawleys PlantationCheers with the bridesmaids – Pawleys PlantationBridesmaids in their pajamas – Pawleys PlantationDad helping groom with his tie – Pawleys PlantationMom buttoning up the dress – Pawleys PlantationMom helping bride with her veil – Pawleys PlantationMom helping bride with her veil – Pawleys PlantationMom looking at bride in the mirror – Pawleys PlantationBride putting on earring – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bridesmaids – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bridesmaids – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bridesmaids – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride in the light from the doorway – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride in the light from the doorway – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride in the light from the doorway – Pawleys PlantationBridesmaids holding custom signs – Pawleys PlantationBridesmaids holding custom signs – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bride and groom on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bride and groom on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bride and groom on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationFirst look with the bride and groom on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom touching foreheads by the fountain – Pawleys PlantationGroom helping bride put on a bracelet – Pawleys PlantationPortrait of bride by the lake – Pawleys PlantationPictures with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationPictures with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationPictures with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationPictures with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationPictures with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom on the back of the trolley – Pawleys PlantationBride 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 set up 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 HouseBridal party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBridal party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom’s dog walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom’s dog walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and father walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and father walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and father walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride looking into groom’s eyes during the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseGroom looking into bride’s eyes during the vows – Pawleys Island Beach HouseWide angle view of ceremony on the beach – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom holding hands during the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseWide view of the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseWide view of the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HousePictures from my wife of me working – Pawleys Island Beach HouseSand ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HousePutting on the rings – Pawleys Island Beach HouseFirst kiss – Pawleys Island Beach HouseThrowing petals after the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseThrowing petals after the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseKiss after the ceremony – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom with the puppy – Pawleys Island Beach HouseKiss under the wedding arch – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBig cheers from the wedding party – Pawleys Island Beach HouseLarge bridal party walking down the beach – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom walking down the beach with their dog – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom walking down the beach with their dog – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom with their dog on the beach – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom on the beach in the bright sun – Pawleys Island Beach HouseBride and groom on the beach in the bright sun – Pawleys Island Beach HouseWedding cake – Pawleys PlantationGeorgia Bulldogs cake – Pawleys PlantationTable 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 clubhouse – Pawleys PlantationWedding party in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset – Pawleys PlantationPortraits of bride and groom in front of the clubhouse in the sunset – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom in the sunset – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom looking into each other’s eyes in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys PlantationFamily pictures in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys PlantationKiss on the cheek – Pawleys PlantationLooking into each other’s eyes under the beautiful oaks – Pawleys PlantationBig smiles under the oaks – Pawleys PlantationCloseup under the oaks – Pawleys PlantationHappy bride and groom in the sunset – Pawleys PlantationTouching foreheads backlit by the bokeh of the light filtering through the oaks – Pawleys PlantationGroom hugging bride from behind looking into each other’s eyes – Pawleys PlantationHolding hands walking down the golf course – Pawleys PlantationTwirling on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationPortraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationPortraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationPortraits with the bride and groom on the marsh out on the golf course – Pawleys PlantationBig smiles with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationKiss on the marsh – Pawleys PlantationPulling groom in for a kiss – Pawleys PlantationHolding 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 PlantationFun introductions with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationFun introductions with the bridal party – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom introductions – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom introductions – Pawleys PlantationFirst dance with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationFirst dance with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationFirst dance with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationFirst dance with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationFirst dance with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationKiss at the sweetheart table – Pawleys PlantationM&M favors – Pawleys PlantationReese’s peanut butter cups – Pawleys PlantationGirls with a cowboy hat in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationHappy couple on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationToasts with the bride and groom coke bottles – Pawleys PlantationHaving fun in my photo booth – Pawleys PlantationFamily fun in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationFather and daughter dance – Pawleys PlantationSilly props in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationFather daughter dance – Pawleys PlantationWedding cake details – Pawleys PlantationWedding cake details – Pawleys PlantationCutting the cake – Pawleys PlantationCake cutting – Pawleys PlantationCake cutting – Pawleys PlantationCake cutting – Pawleys PlantationCatching the bouquet – Pawleys PlantationFun taking off the garter – Pawleys PlantationFun taking off the garter – Pawleys PlantationBridesmaids in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationBride with the girls in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationBride and groom with Disney hats on in the photo booth – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationPhoto booth fun with the bride and groom – Pawleys PlantationLots of fun on the dance floor – Pawleys PlantationPrivate last dance – Pawleys PlantationSparkler exit – Pawleys Plantation
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