Courtyard Wedding at 21 Main Events, North Myrtle Beach

It’s almost time again for the busy season in Myrtle Beach, so I wanted to make one last blog post about a unique wedding last summer. This wedding was on July 3rd, 2022, at my favorite wedding venue, 21 Main Events at North Beach. This wedding was unusual in that we did everything in the courtyard. I usually take at least the bride and groom down to the close-by gazebo and beach, if not the whole wedding party. Because of the circumstances and timing of this wedding, we only took pictures in the courtyard. This gave me an even better appreciation for the fantastic images that can be captured without leaving the venue.

Lots of details, getting ready pictures, and a first look with the bride’s father

I had my wife Lizeth assisting me on this wedding. The groom Taylor and the other guys hadn’t started getting ready, so she helped me with the detail shots and pictures of the dresses. I was working with Eyecon Films this day. We always help each other set things up and get great photos and video clips. I especially liked the ring box that was monogrammed and filled with flowers and elegant, modern table decorations. Everything had muted earthy colors with flowers and dried grasses.

After this, I started taking pictures with Kayla and the bridesmaids as they got ready, and my wife went with Taylor and the groomsmen. The remodeled getting-ready room for the bride has a lot of mirrors that I always make use of. The hard part is clearing the room clutter so it isn’t distracting in the reflections, and keeping myself out of the mirrors as well. It’s a beautiful room with great lighting, white walls, and a cute couch for pictures with the girls.

Kayla wanted a special first look with her father in the courtyard. There were a lot of emotions from dad as he turned around to see her in the wedding dress for the first time. After this, we got everyone back inside as the guests arrived for the ceremony.

Bride's lace wedding dress hanging in the window - 21 Main Events — Bride’s dress hanging in the window – 21 Main Events

Wedding dress and light blue bridesmaids' dresses hanging in the window - 21 Main Events — Bridesmaids’ dresses hanging in the window – 21 Main Events

Wedding dress and light blue bridesmaids' dresses hanging on the courtyard wall - 21 Main Events — Bride and bridesmaids’ dresses hanging in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride getting makeup - 21 Main Events — Bride getting makeup – 21 Main Events

Ring macro in box and flowers - 21 Main Events — Ring macro in box and flowers – 21 Main Events

Bride's details with ring boxes on stone - 21 Main Events — Bride’s details – 21 Main Events

Bride's rings - 21 Main Events — Bride’s rings – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom's rings in a glass ring box - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom’s rings – 21 Main Events

Bride's dress and reception jacket - 21 Main Events — Bride’s dress and reception jacket – 21 Main Events

Bride's shoes - 21 Main Events — Bride’s shoes – 21 Main Events

Bride's hair styling - 21 Main Events — Bride’s hair styling – 21 Main Events

Bride smiling as her hair is finished while bridesmaids get ready - 21 Main Events — Bride’s hair styling – 21 Main Events

Shoes and rings - 21 Main Events — Shoes and rings – 21 Main Events

Bride's shoes and bouquet - 21 Main Events — Bride’s shoes and bouquet – 21 Main Events

Bedazzled jacket - 21 Main Events — Bedazzled jacket – 21 Main Events

Wedding bouquets - 21 Main Events — Wedding bouquets – 21 Main Events

Instant cameras for reception - 21 Main Events — Instant cameras for reception – 21 Main Events

Wedding cake - 21 Main Events — Wedding cake – 21 Main Events

Custom cake knife - 21 Main Events — Custom cake knife – 21 Main Events

Table details in the ballroom - 21 Main Events — Table details in the ballroom – 21 Main Events

Round reception table set with glassware and a dried flower centerpiece in the ballroom - 21 Main Events — Table details in the ballroom – 21 Main Events

Reception tables with pampas grass centerpieces in the ballroom - 21 Main Events — Table details in the ballroom – 21 Main Events

Bride's dress hanging in the dressing room - 21 Main Events — Bride’s dress hanging in the dressing room – 21 Main Events

Bride and bridesmaids on the couch - 21 Main Events — Bride and bridesmaids on the couch – 21 Main Events

Bride and bridesmaids in matching robes hugging on the couch - 21 Main Events — Bride and bridesmaids on the couch – 21 Main Events

Groom looking at gift from his bride - 21 Main Events — Groom looking at gift from his bride – 21 Main Events

Guys getting ready pictures - 21 Main Events — Guys getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Groom straightening a groomsman's tie - 21 Main Events — Guys getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Groomsman helping the groom with his tie - 21 Main Events — Guys getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Bride's getting ready pictures - 21 Main Events — Bride’s getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Mother of the bride buttoning the wedding dress in the bridal suite - 21 Main Events — Bride’s getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Mom buttoning up the dress - 21 Main Events — Mom buttoning up the dress – 21 Main Events

Bride and her mother reflected in the bridal suite mirror - 21 Main Events — Bride’s getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Bride putting on earring in the mirror - 21 Main Events — Bride putting on earring in the mirror – 21 Main Events

Mother of the bride placing the veil in the bride's hair - 21 Main Events — Bride’s getting ready pictures – 21 Main Events

Groomsmen in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Groomsmen in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride holding custom Vans sneakers - 21 Main Events — Custom Vans – 21 Main Events

Fun pictures with the groom and brothers - 21 Main Events — Fun pictures with the groom and brothers – 21 Main Events

Groom and brother striking a fun pose in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Fun pictures with the groom and brothers – 21 Main Events

Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride walking up behind her father in military dress uniform - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Father in dress uniform turning to see the bride for the first time - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride holding hands with her father in his military dress uniform - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride hugging her father after their first look in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride pinning a boutonniere on her father's uniform - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride and her father in military dress uniform posing in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Emotional first look with bride and father in military dress uniform – 21 Main Events

Bride and bridesmaids in custom photo area - 21 Main Events — Bride and bridesmaids in custom photo area – 21 Main Events

Bride and a bridesmaid in front of the green wall and neon sign - 21 Main Events — Bride and bridesmaids in custom photo area – 21 Main Events

Bride with her bouquet in front of the green wall and neon sign - 21 Main Events — Bride in the custom photo area – 21 Main Events

Custom corks - 21 Main Events — Custom corks – 21 Main Events

Beautiful table flower decorations - 21 Main Events — Beautiful table flower decorations – 21 Main Events

Close-up of a dried flower and candle centerpiece on a reception table - 21 Main Events — Beautiful table flower decorations – 21 Main Events

Bride with little nephew - 21 Main Events — Bride with little nephew – 21 Main Events

Courtyard wedding arch - 21 Main Events — Courtyard wedding arch – 21 Main Events

Emotional Ceremony in the Courtyard

You can see the happiness on Taylor’s face in the pictures below as he watches his bride walk towards him. Kayla even had to wipe some tears away from his eyes. I always like to walk around and get different angles of the bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes during the ceremony. With such a large bridal party, it’s a little more difficult to sneak around, but I got some great shots. I also always keep in mind the videographer when a wedding has one, and I try to stay out of his cameras as much as possible. You can see us getting up close and personal for shots of the first kiss. It’s nice to work with a videographer I know well. If you are looking for one, let me know. I can give you great suggestions.

After family pictures, I would typically take the bridal party and the bride and groom to the gazebo and beach for photos. With the wedding schedule, this wasn’t going to be possible. The courtyard at 21 Main Events has a lot of beautiful plants, columns, lights, and brickwork, so even without the beach, it’s an excellent spot for pictures. The summer sun was still intense, so we tried to stay in the shade for bridesmaids and groomsmen pictures. I knew Taylor and Kayla planned to return later for sunset pictures, so I took just a few with them before going into introductions and first dances.

Groom walking to the ceremony - 21 Main Events — Groom walking to the ceremony – 21 Main Events

Sleeping ring bearer - 21 Main Events — Sleeping ring bearer – 21 Main Events

Little flower girl getting help walking - 21 Main Events — Little flower girl getting help walking – 21 Main Events

Groom very emotional with his first look at the bride - 21 Main Events — Groom very emotional with his first look at the bride – 21 Main Events

Bride and father walking to the ceremony - 21 Main Events — Bride and father walking to the ceremony – 21 Main Events

Groom with tears in his eyes - 21 Main Events — Groom with tears in his eyes – 21 Main Events

Groom hugging bride's father - 21 Main Events — Groom hugging bride’s father – 21 Main Events

Father giving away the bride - 21 Main Events — Father giving away the bride – 21 Main Events

Father kissing the bride before giving her away - 21 Main Events — Father giving away the bride – 21 Main Events

Bride wiping tears from the eyes of the groom - 21 Main Events — Bride wiping tears from the eyes of the groom – 21 Main Events

Looking at each other during the vows - 21 Main Events — Looking at each other during the vows – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom holding hands at the altar with the groomsmen behind - 21 Main Events — Looking at each other during the vows – 21 Main Events

Ceremony wide angle panorama - 21 Main Events — Ceremony wide angle panorama – 21 Main Events

Ceremony in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Ceremony in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Parents watching the ceremony - 21 Main Events — Parents watching the ceremony – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom looking into each other's eyes - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes – 21 Main Events

Courtyard ceremony seen from the balcony above - 21 Main Events — Picture from the balcony from my wife – 21 Main Events

Bride giving her vows - 21 Main Events — Bride giving her vows – 21 Main Events

Putting on the ring - 21 Main Events — Putting on the ring – 21 Main Events

Looking at groom during his vows - 21 Main Events — Looking at groom during his vows – 21 Main Events

First kiss - 21 Main Events — First kiss – 21 Main Events

Photographer and videographer in the aisle capturing the first kiss - 21 Main Events — Myself getting a little close to Eyecon Films for a first kiss picture – 21 Main Events

Kiss walking down the aisle - 21 Main Events — Kiss walking down the aisle – 21 Main Events

Bride with bridesmaids - 21 Main Events — Bride with bridesmaids – 21 Main Events

Bride and bridesmaids in light blue dresses holding bouquets in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Bride with bridesmaids – 21 Main Events

Big wedding party in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Big wedding party in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Wedding party cheering for the bride and groom - 21 Main Events — Wedding party cheering for the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bridesmaids raising bouquets as the groom dips the bride in front of the columns - 21 Main Events — Wedding party cheering for the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Groom and groomsmen - 21 Main Events — Groom and groomsmen – 21 Main Events

Casual picture with the groomsmen - 21 Main Events — Casual picture with the groomsmen – 21 Main Events

Groom in front of the guys - 21 Main Events — Groom in front of the guys – 21 Main Events

Groomsmen trying to look cool for a picture - 21 Main Events — Groomsmen trying to look cool for a picture – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom portraits in the shade of the courtyard walkway - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom portraits in the shade of the courtyard walkway – 21 Main Events

Bride kissing the groom on the cheek in the shaded courtyard walkway - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom portraits in the shade of the courtyard walkway – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom smiling close together in the courtyard walkway - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom portraits in the shade of the courtyard walkway – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom looking at each other between the walkway columns - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom portraits in the shade of the courtyard walkway – 21 Main Events

After ceremony pictures of the bride and groom in front of the courtyard foliage - 21 Main Events — After ceremony pictures of the bride and groom in front of the courtyard foliage – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom looking at each other beside palms and greenery - 21 Main Events — After ceremony pictures of the bride and groom in front of the courtyard foliage – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom kissing in front of the courtyard plants - 21 Main Events — After ceremony pictures of the bride and groom in front of the courtyard foliage – 21 Main Events

Groom dipping the bride for a kiss by the courtyard greenery - 21 Main Events — After ceremony pictures of the bride and groom in front of the courtyard foliage – 21 Main Events

Fun wedding introductions - 21 Main Events — Fun wedding introductions – 21 Main Events

Bridesmaid and groomsman dancing into the reception - 21 Main Events — Fun wedding introductions – 21 Main Events

Groomsman tossing flower petals during the grand entrance - 21 Main Events — Fun wedding introductions – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom entering the reception with arms raised - 21 Main Events — Fun wedding introductions – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom celebrating as guests cheer their entrance - 21 Main Events — Fun wedding introductions – 21 Main Events

First dance with bride and groom - 21 Main Events — First dance with bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom smiling during their first dance - 21 Main Events — First dance with bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom kissing during their first dance in the ballroom - 21 Main Events — First dance with bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Sweetheart table - 21 Main Events — Sweetheart table – 21 Main Events

Guests laughing during the toasts - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom raising their glasses at the sweetheart table - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Guests raising their glasses during the toasts - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Bridesmaid giving a toast at the reception - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Bride laughing at the sweetheart table during a toast - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Guests at a reception table laughing during the toasts - 21 Main Events — Lots of smiles and laughs during the toasts – 21 Main Events

Sunset pictures of the bride and groom in the 21 Main Events Courtyard

As I mentioned, with all the greenery, lights, and columns, the courtyard at 21 Main Events is stunning for pictures. I would typically have the bride and groom down at the beach at sunset time. It’s beautiful beside the ocean at this time, which you can check out at my previous weddings. Sometimes limitations end up making my photography better, and it pushes me out of my comfort zone. It’s one of the reasons I like shooting with prime lenses. Not being able to zoom forces me into different angles and close-ups that improve my pictures.

Taking all the bride and groom portraits in the courtyard gave me a new appreciation for how pretty it can be. I loved where I had them positioned on the stones in the grass, the green plants on the sides, and the walkway between the columns fading off behind them in the distance. All the bridesmaids even returned for more fun pictures we didn’t have time for earlier.

Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom smiling on the garden stones in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Groom kissing the bride's cheek among the courtyard plants - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom embracing in front of the courtyard columns - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom nose to nose in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Kiss in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Kiss in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Close-up of the bride and groom kissing in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Groom touching the bride's face on the courtyard stones - 21 Main Events — Romantic portraits in the beautiful courtyard foliage of the bride and groom – 21 Main Events

Dip by the greenery - 21 Main Events — Dip by the greenery – 21 Main Events

Sunset portraits of the bride and groom in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Sunset portraits of the bride and groom in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom walking away hand in hand through the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Sunset portraits of the bride and groom in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom holding hands and walking toward the camera in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — Sunset portraits of the bride and groom in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Groom giving bride a spin - 21 Main Events — Groom giving bride a spin – 21 Main Events

Groom twirling the bride on the courtyard stones - 21 Main Events — Groom giving bride a spin – 21 Main Events

Lift into the air for a kiss - 21 Main Events — Lift into the air for a kiss – 21 Main Events

Lifting up the bride in his arms - 21 Main Events — Lifting up the bride in his arms – 21 Main Events

A few more pictures with the girls in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — A few more pictures with the girls in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride and a bridesmaid cheering with their bouquets in the courtyard - 21 Main Events — A few more pictures with the girls in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bride and a bridesmaid raising their bouquets in front of the columns - 21 Main Events — A few more pictures with the girls in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bridesmaids holding their bouquets out toward the camera with the bride - 21 Main Events — A few more pictures with the girls in the courtyard – 21 Main Events

Bridesmaids peeking out from behind the bride - 21 Main Events — Bridesmaids peeking out from behind the bride – 21 Main Events

Bride and groom holding baby nephew - 21 Main Events — Bride and groom holding baby nephew – 21 Main Events

Fun reception dancing and after-dark courtyard pictures

I always love working with Eyecon Entertainment at weddings. He is a great DJ, giving the reception a club-like feel with pulsing lights and great mixing. Everyone had a blast during the reception, and I got a lot of fun dancing pictures. I even took the bride and groom back out for a few more after-dark courtyard pictures under the hanging lights. I like to set up a flash behind the couple for rim lighting on the hair, and it separates them from the background and lights it up.

Tyler and Kayla did a private last dance at the end while everyone lined up for a bubble exit. Please let me know if you are planning a wedding at 21 Main Events at North Beach. I’ve done many weddings there and would be happy to help you with suggestions and planning. I usually recommend going to the gazebo and beach for pictures, but even if that doesn’t fit the schedule, you can have beautiful pictures like Taylor and Kayla right in the courtyard.