I'm a coffee loving, travel-obsessed, twenty-something based out of Central Illinois. I'm lucky enough to make a living doing what I love - photographing people! I specialize in weddings (destination + local), senior portraits, + boudoir.
October 28th, 2017
Holy. Cow. I am in complete awe at this entire last week, and if you follow me on social media you know why! Brandon and I had the opportunity to travel down to Florida to photograph Meredith + Jordan’s wedding day at the jaw dropping Don Cesar Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let me tell you, this will be a day we talk about for years to come!
We arrived Friday afternoon to do some location scouting and attend the ceremony rehearsal and welcome dinner. From the moment we arrived, we were like kids in a candy shop with all of the nooks and crannies we found to shoot in and around. The Don Cesar (aka – Princess Peach’s castle) is a gorgeous venue and right on the beach! Fast forward to the day of, and though the clouds were rolling in and it looked like a rainy day was ahead, everyone was still so very excited and anxious for the day ahead. We started with the beautiful bridal details while Meredith got pampered with hair and makeup. The pink facade of the Don was the perfect setting for Meredith’s blush colored bridesmaids dresses and metallic details, and I loved having a palm tree to hang the dress on, which is not something we see in Illinois!
After a slightly chaotic morning (hello fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and stuck elevators) it was finally ceremony time. I shed many tears listening to their pastor (shout out to Pastor Ricky!) who told their story beautifully and hilariously. We tried the best we could to avoid the rain for bridal party photos but they were all such troopers for braving the weather for a few shots before letting them go inside. And then, it was like a sign from above when we began the bridal portraits and tried to find every spot at the Don Cesar with some sort of cover for Meredith and Jordan to stand under, and it all stopped. Slowly but surely we made our way around the resort and little hints of the sun came out right over the horizon. We headed to the beach and I’m SO proud of how Meredith and Jordan were willing to walk through the wet sand to get some really epic photos of them on the beach at sunset. It was the perfect end to their day (complete with a light rainbow!) and I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to experience it with. They even wanted to step out during their reception for a few shots where there ceremony was supposed to be after dark, and I must say those portraits are my all time favorites!!
Meredith + Jordan, I hope you two are having a blast on your cruise this week with nothing but sunshine and smooth waters for you. You both deserve the best and from the bottom of my heart thank you for including Brandon and I on the most important day of your lives thus far. I hope you enjoy!
Thank you to all of the great vendors:
Ceremony Venue: The Don Cesar
Reception Venue: The Don Cesar
Caterer: The Don Cesar
Cake: The Cake Zone
Florist: Bruce Wayne Florals
DJ: Impulse Entertainment
Bridal Gown: Elite Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses: Elite Bridal
Tuxes: Jos. A. Bank
Wedding Bands: M.J. Reed Jewelers
Makeup: The Don Cesar
Hair: The Don Cesar
Officiant: Ricky
© 2019 - MAGER IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PRIVACY POLICY - BRAND + WEBSITE DESIGN CREDIT