I always love when I get to shoot a wedding or take family pictures for one of my fellow wedding vendors in Myrtle Beach. Jake Hallonquist is one of the best DJs in Myrtle Beach, and I’ve worked with him and Andrea hundreds of times now. It made me feel really good that he trusted me, out of all the photographers he could have chosen, to shoot his own wedding at 21 Main Events in North Myrtle Beach.
Getting ready pictures at 21 Main Events
When I arrived, the Holly Gritti Glam crew was finishing Andrea’s makeup. I actually like when the bride and bridesmaids get ready in the entrance area to the ballroom. They have a beautiful bridal room at 21 Main Events at North Beach, but it’s small for a large group. I have so much more light and room to move in the open entryway area.
Andrea is such an easygoing bride, so she didn’t have a lot of requests. I skipped the typical flat lay shots with the invitation and other details. Since they’re both world travelers, I put my main focus on getting pictures of all the tables highlighting their world adventures. Jake has actually helped me realize I need to travel more. My wife and I are going to Japan next week! Follow my Instagram for lots of pictures.
My wife was there helping me at this wedding, so she focused on pictures of the groomsmen. I made sure to take a picture every time Jake was helping JP from Southern Flair Entertainment set up DJ equipment instead of getting ready and relaxing like he was supposed to at his own wedding.
After we hid the guys away, I had some time for shots of just Andrea in her dress, along with pictures with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The couple's travels were the theme for each reception table.The rings resting among the white flowers.Her solitaire nestled into a white flower.The wedding rings ready in their little blue box.Each table was named for a place they had traveled together, like Iceland.Sweden was one of the table names at the reception.A collage from their trip to Dubai marked another table.Amsterdam made the list too, complete with tulips and wooden shoes.The dress hanging in one of the tall arched windows at 21 Main Events.The back of the gown with its long train.Finishing the bride’s makeup before getting dressed.A little lip color under the neon Events sign.Careful work on the eye makeup.First look in the mirror and a big smile.A spritz of setting spray to finish the look.White roses and eucalyptus for the whole bridal party.The bride with her dress before getting ready.The DJ setting up in the ballroom while everyone got ready.A little help with the collar.Lots of laughs while the guys got ready.Getting the collar just right.Final touches while the groom gets ready.Buttoning up the tux jacket.The groom helping one of his guys with his bow tie.Groom portraits along the columns outside.Buttoning up for a few portraits in the courtyard.A relaxed smile from the groom.Leaning on one of the big columns at 21 Main Events.The groom with his guys under the colonnade.A classic portrait of the groomsmen.The groom with one of his youngest groomsmen.A handshake before the ceremony.A handshake before the ceremony.The guys walking together under the colonnade.A little help fastening the back of the dress.Adjusting the off the shoulder sleeve.Help with the pearl necklace.Everyone helping fluff the train.Earrings on and a big smile in the mirror.Ready and glowing.Shoes on and almost ready.The bride with her crew before the ceremony.The bridal party lined up under the colonnade.The whole bridal party with their white rose bouquets.A fun line-up with everyone peeking out.Bouquets out for a playful bridal party shot.The bride with her bridesman.A formal portrait in the colonnade.A smiling portrait with her bridesman.Bouquets out with one of her bridesmaids.The bride with one of her bridesmaids.A playful pose with two of her girls.A happy hug before the ceremony.Bridal portraits in the long colonnade.The colonnade makes a perfect frame for bridal portraits.A look back over her shoulder in black and white.Classic bridal portrait under the covered walkway.A portrait with the bride before the ceremony.Two bridesmaids back to back.Custom cake toppers dressed in hockey jerseys.
Courtyard ceremony and couple’s portraits
Jake went all out for the wedding. Darrell with D G Senter Designs set off flower cannons not only after the ceremony, but also when Jake and his sister made their entrances. My wife got some great shots of the flower cannons from the balcony as well.
After the ceremony, we got all the family pictures done, followed by pictures with the wedding party. I thought it was funny because Jake got to experience what it’s like to be the groom taking all those pictures on a really hot summer day. I think they were starting to get pretty exhausted, but we got plenty of great shots.
They didn’t want to go down to the beach for pictures. That’s always an option at 21 Main, but it can be difficult in the summer with the late sunset and the time it takes to get to the beach. We were able to get some beautiful pictures of them right there in the courtyard, and they were both more interested in getting the party started and enjoying cocktail hour.
I’m always fine with that. I can take many pictures if a couple prefers, or we can get a few really great shots in a short amount of time so they can enjoy cocktail hour as well.
The flower cannon kicked off the processional with a bang.Petals everywhere as the processional started.What a fun way to walk down the aisle.A view from the balcony as petals filled the courtyard.Walking in on a carpet of petals.Plenty of energy for the processional.One of the groomsmen heading down the aisle.A big hug at the front of the ceremony.Bridesmaids heading down the aisle.The dog got to walk down the aisle too.A very good pup in the processional.The pup taking its walk down the aisle.Halfway down the aisle with the dog.The groom waiting for his bride.Here comes the bride.A view from above of the bride walking down the aisle.The groom's face as his bride came down the aisle.The moment she reached the front.Holding hands under the round floral arch.A view of the ceremony from the back of the guests.Even the pups were dressed up for the ceremony.The ceremony under the pavilion at 21 Main Events.Plenty of smiles during the vows.Holding hands during the vows.The first kiss.A kiss in front of the floral arch.Another flower cannon sent them back up the aisle with a dip.The bridal party heading back up the aisle.One lucky groomsman with two bridesmaids.The newlyweds with their little pup.Family portrait with the dog.The dog got the best spot.The bride with her favorite little guest.A kiss for the pup.A portrait together under the covered walkway.A portrait with one of the groomsmen.The groomsmen holding up the bride.Bouquet up while the guys held her.The bridesmaids returned the favor with the groom.The whole wedding party in front of 21 Main Events.Walking together in front of the venue.Portraits in the garden courtyard.Smiling at each other in the garden.A kiss in the garden.A sweet look in the garden courtyard.A garden kiss.Laughing together in the courtyard.A kiss on the cheek.So much laughter in the garden.Bouquet up for a kiss.One more kiss in the garden.A little dip in the garden courtyard.The newlyweds among the palms.Cheek to cheek among the palms.She couldn't stop smiling.A sweet kiss in the garden.Walking hand in hand through the courtyard.A classic dip in the courtyard.One more dip for good measure.Laughing through the dip.Just married and all smiles.A little paperwork after the ceremony.
A fun, all-out reception in the ballroom
Of course, Jake had JP of Southern Flair Entertainment pull out all the stops for the dance floor. They did the dancing-on-the-clouds effect and even had indoor cold sparks, which many venues don’t allow inside.
During dinner, I was able to pull Andrea and Jake back out for some more sunset pictures in the courtyard. It’s always beautiful right before sunset, when there’s still enough light to see all the colors and give the couple soft light, but it’s dark enough for the hanging lights to show up.
After a lot of fun dancing, they did an early cold spark exit before some of the guests had to leave. This was one of my favorites. They had double the normal number of cold spark cannons and set them off a bunch of times for some fun pictures.
The reception tables were ready.Everyone was on their feet for the entrance.The bridal party came in ready to dance.Things got going fast on the dance floor.Starting the first dance.Their first dance on a cloud.Dancing on a cloud at 21 Main Events.A spin in the clouds.Cold sparks and fog made this first dance unforgettable.Sparks flying, literally.A twirl during the first dance.Reaching for each other on the dance floor.Holding each other close.A dip to finish the first dance.A special dance with the bride.A big hug to end the dance.Group hug on the dance floor.A sweet moment between two guests.Everyone joined in on the dance floor.The groom dancing with one of the girls.A quick pose in the middle of the dance.Dinner at the sweetheart table.A kiss between bites.The newlyweds seated beneath the floral arch.A video message for the newlyweds on the big screens.One of the more memorable toasts I've seen.A big hug after the toast.Evening light in the courtyard.An evening kiss in the garden.Just married and loving it.One more kiss before heading back to the party.A sweet look in the evening light.A kiss under the string lights.He swept her right off her feet.A lift in the garden courtyard.Smiling at her new husband.Guests signed a wooden Hallonquist sign.A world map guest book fit their love of travel.Time to cut the cake.Cutting the cake together.Cake time at 21 Main Events.The first bite.A fun group photo on the dance floor.Another group photo with the newlyweds.The glow sticks came out and the party took off.A packed dance floor with glow sticks.The bride in the middle of the party.A playful pose behind the DJ booth.Purple lights and big moves.Lots of laughs on the dance floor.These two were having the best time.Glow stick dance moves.Getting low with the bride.Everyone got low for this one.A slow song under the blue lights.Slow dancing with the groom.A server making his way through the reception.Their signature drinks even featured the dog.The bride changed into a sparkly dress for the party.Sneakers on and ready to dance.The groom took over the CO2 cannon.CO2 blasts over the dance floor.The party was in full swing.A guest taking a turn with the cannon.Another blast from the CO2 cannon.Phones out for the CO2 show.A CO2 blast beside the sweetheart table.The newlyweds sharing a dance in the ballroom.A sweet moment on the dance floor.Lots of love on the dance floor.Dancing cheek to cheek.A cold spark send-off on the red carpet.A dip kiss between the sparks.A kiss between the spark fountains.One more dip for the guests.Posing between the cold spark fountains.Arms up for the grand exit.A twirl on the red carpet.A dip on the red carpet between the sparks.He lifted her up as the sparks went off.Lifted up between the sparks.A lift between the cold spark fountains.A sweet dance between two guests.Laughing together on the dance floor.
The wedding vendor crew
I hope I’m not forgetting anyone, but here was the crew for this wedding. These are some of the best in the business. If you stick with the vendor list at 21 Main Events, you’ll always have a great time.
Sorry that I haven’t posted anything to my blog in so many months. The summer was crazy with weddings and family pictures, and I’ve also been working daily on a new startup for photographers, ShootCal.com. It’s taken up all my spare time. But I’m going to start posting more now as the site gets more stable and complete.
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