My favorite kind of wedding is the kind when you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the couple is meant to be together. When the love is so evident, so tangible, that you can feel it not only between the couple, but between all their family and friends as well. It’s the kind of wedding when it doesn’t matter whether there are 15 mph winds or chilly temperatures, because you know the couple won’t even notice. The kind of wedding when the couple truly seems to soak in every single moment of love and happiness swirling around them. When you know that their wedding isn’t just an excuse for a party–it’s a day to commit their lives to one another, in the presence of all their favorite people. When it’s not just a day filled with beautiful dresses, lovely flowers, and gorgeous details…when it’s a day filled to the brim with love.
This lovely day began with the girls getting ready at the gorgeous Philosophie Salon & Apothecary…

The look on a mother’s face when she sees her daughter in her wedding dress for the first time is just my favorite.

If you’ve ever been in a wedding, worked a wedding, planned a wedding…you know that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. The boys were supposed to get ready in a swanky hotel room downtown, but there were some issues getting into the room. So, quick change of plans, and they ended up at the Best Western. Swanky? Not so much. But they decided to just roll with it, and to even further embrace the situation, we grabbed some photos in the parking lot. Because hey, why not? Embrace the Best Western! And don’t you just love how old school Florida cool these guys look?

Mark and Amanda decided to do a First Look, and the next few photos are exactly why I adore when a couple chooses to see each other before the ceremony.

Amanda, you are lovely, inside and out.

The Conservatorie Floral & Event Design created the most stunning bouquets…

The ceremony took place at the Fort in St. Augustine, and the view was epic.

It’s the little moments throughout the day that just get me…

Mark’s grandparents live in Germany and weren’t able to attend the wedding, so a friend let them watch the ceremony via an iPad and Skype, and then Amanda and Mark took a moment to share their happiness.

The chilly temps and crazy wind didn’t keep us from traipsing around the fort for a few more photos after the ceremony…and I’m so glad we did. Wedding photos + a fort = one very happy wedding photographer.

I wasn’t kidding about the wind….

Their reception at The Floridian was kitchsy-chic heaven…

World, meet Amanda and Mark’s cat, Charles Rose (known to his friends as Charlie). Since he couldn’t be in attendance at the wedding, he was there in spirit…

The toasts were some of the most heart-felt and funniest I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a LOT of wedding toasts.

Charles Rose even made a surprise last minute appearance on the gorgeous wedding cake. By the way, this cake was pistachio mocha flavored. Yep. Basically the best thing I’ve ever tasted. The stunning cake was created by Channi Higgins, baker lady extraordinaire at The Floridian/Florida Room. And fun fact: Channi and I went to high school together, and we didn’t know until afterward that we were both working on the same wedding. Crazy how life does that!

Thank you so much to all the talented vendors who made Amanda and Mark’s wedding day so lovely…

Wedding Planner: Laura Johnson, Jubilee Co.

Day-of Coordinator: Zoe McDaniel

Invitations + Paper Goods: St. Augustine Paper Co.

Hair: Mandy +  Alexis – Philosophie Salon & Apothecary

Makeup: Philosophie Salon & Apothecary and Laura Adams Wilson

Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander Sweetheart gown | purchased from A Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN

Florals: The Conservatorie Floral & Event Design

Ceremony: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Ceremony Musicians: The String Group

Ceremony Rentals: St. John’s Illuminations

Reception: The Floridian

Wedding Cake: Channi Higgins – The Floridian/Florida Room

Pedicab: Pedicab of St. Augustine

Photographer: Wendy Norman – Apt. B Photography