I just loved this wedding - it’s everything you could want from an intimate beach ceremony with close friends and family in attendance.

What I saw when I first arrived:

Getting ready:

Lovely Jana:

Quick background - we were working with the bridal party and family members out on the beach about an hour before the ceremony - shooting the formals prior to ceremony, as we often do - when three beach cruisers start heading our way, moving pretty fast. I started walking towards the vehicles when one of the officers yells out “do you have a permit to be out here?” I fumbled for words and he repeats “do you have a permit to allow y’all to conduct a wedding on this beach?” I replied “Sir, I’m not certain, but I can locate someone who might have an answer for you….” (It was all I could come up with). He says “I’d like to speak to whoever is in charge.” I spin around, scanning the crowd and see Judy, the mother of the bride. She walks over, visibly upset - having overheard our conversation - and they begin a back and forth over whether it is or is not legal to have the ceremony on private property without a permit. I wasn’t sure what to do - but something told me to shoot. (I’m a little ballsy like that!) About two minutes into the debate, the officers begin laughing - and Judy looks stunned for a moment until it hit us all - they were totally yanking our chain! It was scary for a minute and I’m so glad it was a joke - but I can’t believe they did that! In retrospect, it was pretty funny and having the photo series makes it even better. So, there’s the story.

Ceremony set-up:

Here comes the groom:

I like the sweet look between Jana and her dad:

Newlywed Bliss: