I’ve had many beautiful weddings in Myrtle Beach during 2023, but I had little time to post them to my blog. I wanted to highlight this wedding from May 5th for Susan and Chris at The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. It’s been a few years since I photographed a wedding here, so I thought it was time to feature this venue. The Marina Inn is a luxury hotel with beautiful views overlooking a marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, with the Grande Dunes golf course and bridge in the background.
This wedding with Susan and Chris was an intimate affair with close family and friends. They each had daughters they were bringing together in their newly blended family. When I arrived, I took a few detail shots of the flowers and jewelry and some getting-ready pictures with Susan and Chris. It’s always great to see Mary with Makeup Artistry on Location. She was doing the bride’s makeup. I had extra time at this wedding to take the bride outside for pictures with her daughters and a few bridal-style portraits on the compass pad and down by the marina.
Even though this was a small wedding, they picked some of the best vendors. Eric Hunt was the officiant, and Ryan with Globaltruth Entertainment was the DJ later in the evening. I always love working with them. The location for the ceremony was beautiful under the pavilion between two Crepe Myrtle trees that were beginning to blossom. Chris was very emotional when he saw his daughters and bride walk down the aisle. That is why I always turn around and get some shots of the groom’s face.
Since it was a small ceremony, I took a quick picture of the entire group after the ceremony, and then we took the family pictures. Even though it was still a while before sunset and the sun was still intense, I took some pictures with Susan and Chris, hoping we could come out for a few more photos at sunset. I always love the views of the boats in the marina, the intricate concrete railing, and the boardwalk down by the water.
Usually, my receptions at the Marina Inn have been in the main ballroom. Since this was a small event, they had dinner in a restaurant near the pool. The first dances were sweet. The bride danced with her father, and the groom danced with each of his daughters. I was able to pull Susan and Chris out after dinner for a few more pictures at sunset. Now that the light was soft, I got some beautiful photos with the Grande Dunes bridge in the background and a few more down by the water. After this, everyone went in for dinner, and they had me stay just long enough to capture some fun dancing before I left.
Returning to The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes for a wedding was great since it’s been a few years. I hope you enjoy the pictures below. If you are planning a wedding at this venue, please let me know. I would be happy to help!
Invitation and jewelry – The Marina Inn
Invitation and jewelry – The Marina Inn
Ring on the flowers – The Marina Inn
Bride’s Makeup – The Marina Inn
Helping dad with his tie – The Marina Inn
Daughter putting picture of mother in groom’s jacket – The Marina Inn
Daughter helping dad with his boutonniere – The Marina Inn
Groom on the balcony – The Marina Inn
Mom putting on daughter’s lipstick – The Marina Inn
Bride getting on her dress – The Marina Inn
Bride with her daughters before the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Portrait of bride under the Grande Dunes bridge – The Marina Inn
Pictures with bride and bridesmaids before the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Pictures with bride and bridesmaids before the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Pictures with bride and bridesmaids before the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Pictures with bride and bridesmaids before the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Bride with her father – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride by the water on the marina – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride by the water on the marina – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride by the water on the marina – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride by the water on the marina – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride by the water on the marina – The Marina Inn
Happy groom walking to the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Groom getting emotional watching daughters walk down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom’s daughters as flower girls and bridesmaids walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom’s daughters as flower girls and bridesmaids walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom’s daughters as flower girls and bridesmaids walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom’s daughters as flower girls and bridesmaids walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom’s daughters as flower girls and bridesmaids walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and father walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Bride and father walking down the aisle – The Marina Inn
Groom about to cry seeing bride for the first time – The Marina Inn
Can’t hold back the emotions seeing his bride – The Marina Inn
Wedding ceremony – The Marina Inn
Ceremony in a beautiful spot on the lawn – The Marina Inn
Bride looking at groom during the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Lots of laughs during the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Ceremony behind the inn – The Marina Inn
Groom giving vows to the bride – The Marina Inn
Putting on the ring – The Marina Inn
Happy bride and groom during the ceremony – The Marina Inn
First kiss – The Marina Inn
Big smiles after the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Kiss after the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Cheers with the all the wedding guests – The Marina Inn
Signing the marriage license – The Marina Inn
Signing the marriage license – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom under the ceremony veranda – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom under the ceremony veranda – The Marina Inn
Big smiles after the ceremony – The Marina Inn
Kiss on the grassy hill by the water – The Marina Inn
Kiss by the river – The Marina Inn
Happy couple on the compass patio – The Marina Inn
Kiss on the compass – The Marina Inn
Kiss on the head – The Marina Inn
Lift into the air for a kiss – The Marina Inn
Big laughs – The Marina Inn
Lifting his bride into the air – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom by the marina – The Marina Inn
Flowers in focus – The Marina Inn
Kiss by the marina – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom looking out over the marina – The Marina Inn
Couple leaning against the marina balcony – The Marina Inn
Kiss on the cheek – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom walking together having fun – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom walking together having fun – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom walking together holding hands – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom walking together by the marina – The Marina Inn
First dance – The Marina Inn
First dance – The Marina Inn
First dance – The Marina Inn
First dance – The Marina Inn
Bride dancing with her father – The Marina Inn
Bride dancing with her father – The Marina Inn
Bride dancing with her father – The Marina Inn
Groom dancing with his daughters – The Marina Inn
Groom dancing with his daughters – The Marina Inn
Groom dancing with his daughters – The Marina Inn
Sweetheart table – The Marina Inn
Sunset pictures with the bride and groom with boats in the background – The Marina Inn
Sunset pictures with the bride and groom with boats in the background – The Marina Inn
Looking out over the marina – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom sitting together by the water – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom sitting together by the water – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom sitting together by the water – The Marina Inn
Big smilies looking into each others eyes – The Marina Inn
Kiss on the cheek – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride and groom on the grassy hill with the Grande Dunes bridge in the background – The Marina Inn
Portraits of bride and groom on the grassy hill with the Grande Dunes bridge in the background – The Marina Inn
Kiss with Grande Dunes bridge in the background – The Marina Inn
Sitting together on the back patio – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom with sunset in the background – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom with sunset in the background – The Marina Inn
Bride and groom with sunset in the background – The Marina Inn
Lots of laughs during the toasts – The Marina Inn
Lots of laughs during the toasts – The Marina Inn
Lots of laughs during the toasts – The Marina Inn
Dancing with daughter – The Marina Inn
Groom dancing with his family – The Marina Inn
Having fun with dad on the dance floor – The Marina Inn
Having fun with dad on the dance floor – The Marina Inn