It’s great to be back in the busy wedding season for 2024. I haven’t posted a wedding from Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club in a while, even though it’s one of my most frequent wedding locations in Pawleys Island. I thought it was time I added a new post, as there have been a lot of changes to the landscaping around the clubhouse, and I always love the beautiful pictures on the golf course. We had a gorgeous day with perfect weather for this April 5th wedding with Taylor & Austin. I knew they would be a fun couple. They were the featured image in my recent blog post, looking back at my favorite engagement pictures of 2023.
Getting ready pictures at the clubhouse
Taylor & Austin’s wedding was somewhat intimate, with fewer guests, which is typical of many destination weddings in Myrtle Beach. But they had what I consider the perfect-sized wedding party with five bridesmaids and the same number of groomsmen. This is a nice size for lots of fun pictures without things getting overwhelming and everything running a little behind schedule. Of course, I love pictures of huge wedding parties, but couples should remember to leave some extra time in the schedule if they choose this.
When I arrived, I started with pictures of the dress and details of the rings and jewelry. I always like to hang dresses in the light of the doorway, and I especially liked the picture of Taylor touching and looking at her hanging dress. We also got cute shots in the robes with the girls wearing custom sunglasses. My wife worked with me as a second shooter, so once the guys were ready, she took them out in front of the clubhouse for groomsmen’s pictures. I especially like some of the candid shots she got of the guys sitting around smoking cigars together.
Something I don’t mention often, which I assume people realize, but perhaps they don’t. For example, this blog post has about 150 pictures, but we took over 2500 pictures at this wedding. I’m just trying to pick a few of my favorites, but I deliver many more images to the couple. If you are a future bride or groom and want to see an entire wedding, hop on a Zoom call or meet with me, and I can show you a lot more.
Rings laying on the vows – Pawleys Plantation
Dresses hanging in the doorway – Pawleys Plantation
Bride getting hair and makeup – Pawleys Plantation
Ring laying on the flower – Pawleys Plantation
Comfy shoes for the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Cigar box – Pawleys Plantation
Bride looking at her dress – Pawleys Plantation
Canvas for all the guests to paint – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids with their sunglasses – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids in their robes – Pawleys Plantation
Good helping father with tie – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids first look at the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Mom helping groom with boutonniere – Pawleys Plantation
Mother helping bride with her veil – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and bridesmaid individual portraits before the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and bridesmaid individual portraits before the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and bridesmaid individual portraits before the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and bridesmaid individual portraits before the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Bride outside the doors of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Detail on the bouquet – Pawleys Plantation
Groomsmen with cigars hanging out before the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
First touch – Pawleys Plantation
Bride helping father with boutonniere – Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bride and bridesmaids in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bride and bridesmaids in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bride and bridesmaids in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Pictures with the bride and bridesmaids in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Bride in the sun by the lake – Pawleys Plantation
Ceremony location on the lawn – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaid painting the canvas – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the groom and groomsmen in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the groom and groomsmen in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the groom and groomsmen in front of the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Bride with dress behind her standing in the doorway – Pawleys Plantation
Bride with dress behind her standing in the doorway – Pawleys Plantation
Bride with flowergirl – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids on porch steps – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids sitting on the couch – Pawleys Plantation
Bride putting earrings on in the mirror – Pawleys Plantation
My engagement pictures decorating the tables – Pawleys Plantation
Ceremony on the golf course
The sun was a little intense without a cloud in the sky, but we had nice, cool spring weather for the ceremony. The little flower girl didn’t make it down the aisle, but I got a cute shot of the maid of honor trying to encourage her to throw the pedals. You might have noticed something different with recent weddings at Pawleys Plantation. All the huge trees in the background are missing! They also cut down many old trees in front of the clubhouse. I loved some of those trees and don’t understand why they did this.
Finding shade for pictures before and after the ceremony is more difficult now. I found that if we went far enough over beside the lake, there were still enough trees to get shade. I’m just going to have to readjust my routine there for pictures. Remember that if you want to take photographs early in the day, there aren’t as many shade trees as there used to be, so you might have to deal with harsh sun. So, planning for pictures later in the day with the sun dropping lower in the sky is ideal.
After the ceremony, I took family portraits and the bridal party together. My wife and I had captured many pictures of the groups separately before the ceremony, so we just needed the all-together images after. I always love to take a shot of the groom dipping the bride with everyone cheering in the background. I also took just a few pictures with Taylor and Austin together. I knew we were coming out later for sunset pictures so they could briefly enjoy the cocktail hour with the guests.
Mom walking groom to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Mom walking groom to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Groomsmen hugging groom – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Trying to get flowergirl to throw the flowers – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and father walking to the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Father giving away the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Grandparents watching the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom holding hands during the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Ceremony on the golf course – Pawleys Plantation
Groom giving his vows – Pawleys Plantation
Bride listening to the vows – Pawleys Plantation
Bride putting ring on the groom – Pawleys Plantation
First kiss – Pawleys Plantation
Happy couple after the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss walking down the aisle – Pawleys Plantation
Find a shady spot for a few pictures after the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Find a shady spot for a few pictures after the ceremony – Pawleys Plantation
Family cheering for the bride and groom – Pawleys Plantation
Flowergirl and ring bearer – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party in the shade by the lake – Pawleys Plantation
Dip back for a kiss with wedding party cheering – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party in the shade by the lake – Pawleys Plantation
Groop walking together – Pawleys Plantation
Groomsmen lifting up the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding party in the shade by the lake – Pawleys Plantation
Bridesmaids checking out the groom’s ring – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom portrait in front of the clubhouse, all the trees are gone! – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Wedding introductions and dances – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss at the sweetheart table – Pawleys Plantation
Quick pictures with each table on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Quick pictures with each table on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Quick pictures with each table on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Quick pictures with each table on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Sunset pictures on the golf course and marsh
I love taking the bride and groom out for sunset pictures on the golf course and marsh in Pawleys Plantation. They have such a beautiful location overlooking the marsh on Pawleys Island. I typically start with a few pictures with the lake with the fountain as the backdrop for the bride and groom. I also have a little hill on the golf course I like to place the couple on, which gives a great view of the clubhouse and ceremony lawn in the background.
Annie at Pawleys Plantation always has a golf cart ready for me to take the couple out on the golf course. I like to stop at some old oak trees a little down the course for pictures in the sunset. We arrived a bit later than I preferred; the sun had already started to drop below the trees, so I didn’t get the intense sunlight filtering through the branches. However, looking at the pictures now, I can’t say which I prefer better. The warm glow is beautiful, and with the help of my off-camera flash, the bride and groom pop. Of course, as it gets into summer and fall, you get a lot more dense greenery, as you can see in this recent wedding, but at any time of the year, the trees and moss are still a great background.
Fun reception and sparkler exit
Everyone had a blast dancing at the reception. I have always loved working with DJ Wayne. We did the group dance floor picture, which he always does. It’s a great way to get everyone on the dance floor. It’s always nice for the bride and groom to get a picture with each table, but this can take a lot of time. One way to do table pictures quickly is to tell everyone we will complete it in a single song. They did a variation of this by putting some chairs on the dance floor, and each table had to run up for a quick, fun picture before going up to the buffet line. I thought this was a great idea.
After some dancing, Taylor and Austin wanted to do an early spark exit so some of the families with younger kids could head out for the evening. Then the rest came back in, and the party really got started. I hope you enjoy this latest wedding at Pawleys Plantation. If you are planning a wedding there, please let me know. I’ve done so many weddings there over the years that I can give you lots of tips and suggestions.
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – Pawleys Plantation
Portraits of the bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes with clubhouse in the background – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes with clubhouse in the background – Pawleys Plantation
Dip back for a kiss behind the clubhouse – Pawleys Plantation
Big smiles in front of the sunset – Pawleys Plantation
Pulling bride in for a kiss – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom in the sunset on the marsh – Pawleys Plantation
Holding hands in the sunset – Pawleys Plantation
Snuggle in the sunset – Pawleys Plantation
Bride and groom holding hands – Pawleys Plantation
Looking back at each other – Pawleys Plantation
Prom pose kiss with bride and groom – Pawleys Plantation
Portrait on the golf course by the marsh – Pawleys Plantation
Bride holding onto the arm of the groom – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss on the cheek – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss by the marsh – Pawleys Plantation
Lifting veil into the air – Pawleys Plantation
Looking out onto the marsh – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss with brides dress flowing behind her – Pawleys Plantation
Holding hands walking down the green – Pawleys Plantation
Groom spinning the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Groom having fun dipping the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Groom having fun dipping the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Groom having fun dipping the bride – Pawleys Plantation
Lifting bride into the air – Pawleys Plantation
Piggyback ride – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss under the tree – Pawleys Plantation
Groom pulling bride in for a kiss with the lights of the clubhouse in the background – Pawleys Plantation
Kiss with the lights of the clubhouse in the background – Pawleys Plantation
Fun on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Fun on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Toasts from the maid of honor – Pawleys Plantation
Toasts from the maid of honor – Pawleys Plantation
Cake cutting – Pawleys Plantation
Group portrait on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation
Fun dancing – Pawleys Plantation
Fun dancing – Pawleys Plantation
Bouquet toss – Pawleys Plantation
Bouquet toss – Pawleys Plantation
Bouquet toss – Pawleys Plantation
Groom taking off the garter – Pawleys Plantation
Groom taking off the garter –
Guys smoking cigars outside the reception – Pawleys Plantation
Guys smoking cigars outside the reception – Pawleys Plantation
Bride dancing with ring bearer – Pawleys Plantation
Sparkler exit – Pawleys Plantation
Sparkler exit – Pawleys Plantation
Sparkler exit – Pawleys Plantation
Sparkler exit – Pawleys Plantation
DJ Wayne and the Pawleys Plantation staff on the dance floor – Pawleys Plantation