Category: Venue

Now to share more from the happy day of the darling Kristy and Ben. Their wedding ceremony behind the Burroughs Home overlooked the river. Guests picked up programs from a bike basket and then grabbed vintage hankies to wipe their tears of joy. The rippled water provided a pretty backdrop for their marriage, and everyone in attendance threw in a shell for the newlywed couple. After a group photo on the front porch Kristy and Ben made their way down the stairs towards an evening of partying. (There’s something so dramatic about a trailing veil that sweeps around corners.)

The reception took place under twinkling trees. Kristy collected vintage milk glass to use for the centerpieces. The little lovebirds perched on the cake? Too charming. Everyone dined on good old barbecue! To say it was a great party would be an understatement. As for the fotobooth… let’s just say a good time was had by all. (By now, when it comes to the fotobooth, we like to say we’ve seen it all. At least we hope so!) Along with our friend Justin we also created a foto video for them. Some of Kristy’s family and friends knew about the foto video, and during the reception they started circling Kristy and Ben on the dance floor. The dancers became a blurry circle around the couple while they stood absolutely still, for minutes. What a surreal moment that must have been for the two of them! Kristy and Ben, it was truly a pleasure to be a part of your celebration.

Where do we begin? From the moment we met Kristy and her mom and sis, we knew something good was about to happen. Then we met Ben, and we were smitten. And what’s more, their Burroughs Home wedding was filled to the brim with stylish details. Have a look at their sweet engagement session (also at the Burroughs Home) by clicking here.

We started our day at Kristy and Ben’s Fort Myers home where the mood seemed light and spirited. Kristy, an emerging wedding and events planner herself, thought of everything down to the last creative detail. After the finishing touches, Kristy made her way downtown to meet Ben for their first sight. We loved the way her veil encircled them and moved around wildly in the wind while they took a few moments to themselves.

Weddings at the Burroughs Home in Fort Myers are so full of charm. The property and the home itself offer so many great spots to snap away to our heart’s content. The flowers, by Signature Florals, were composed of the prettiest hues and blooms. Love the sparkly brooch! I had fun taking a few photos of Kristy on the pink cushy chair. We had Kristy and Ben in the big claw foot tub too, of course! Next up: Kristy and Ben’s ceremony and reception.

Something old, something new.

Ben is waiting to glimpse Kristy for the first time on their wedding day. We call this a first sight or first look.

Sue Bain of Signature Florals does the most stunning work. That subtle color palette blows me away!

Photographing Alana and Alex’s beautiful wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota was a dream. Despite a busy work week, it was the kind of wedding that left us excited and energized. The wedding party started the day at the hotel in a flurry of suitcases and hairspray, as is so often the case. The sweet couple met each other for a first sight just outside the main entrance. (We love setting up a first sight! Just look at the pretty photos we were able to get.) After a few shots we then photographed the stylish wedding party before jumping in the limo.

Alana and Alex’s ceremony and reception took place at the Ritz-Carlton Bach Club on Lido Key. Grace Felice of A Wedding With Grace did a wonderful job officiating the lovely ceremony. The evening started off in full sun and ended rather cloudy, but cloudy skies provide very flattering light for photos. Cocktail hour happened on the top floor of the club. What a view! Their cake looked like it was covered in champagne bubbles. Guests danced the night away to some great music while making the rounds to the fotobooth and the bar. We had such a good time. Congratulations Alana and Alex! We were honored to be a part of your celebration.

At each wedding we photograph we catch candid photos like these while guests are chatting amongst themselves. They make for some great memories of the people you’re closest to. Our wedding photographer did this at our wedding, and ever since then we’ve made a point to do this for others.

These next two shots are so sweet. They look so at ease, don’t they?

We set up our fotobooth with our iPad near the bar. Fotobooth + bar = fun.

As promised we have part two of Kylie and Brad’s wedding at The Strand to share today. The mini photos were taken with their little instant film camera, snapped at key moments as the day progressed. Karl and I enjoyed playing with it so much that we ordered one for ourselves! Aren’t their initials nicely done? The K and B graced the venue doors as the guests walked to cocktail hour. The flowers were done by Grace Lakes Florist and Botanicals on the Gulf… two that we love to recommend! Some of our favorite photos that Karl and I capture at a wedding are of the bride and her father anticipating the ceremony, as well as the groom’s expression as he anticipates seeing his bride and then finally sees her walking towards him. The expressions on each person’s face are priceless. And then comes that soft and ephemeral light that just makes everyone glow. Just look at the way Kylie and Brad are smiling at each other. We love taking the majority of our photos in this before-sunset light whenever possible.

Karl and I see quite a few receptions each year. While most parties have their moments, this group partied and celebrated all evening long. We set up our fotobooth at the room’s entrance. On the restroom doors were hung some charming childhood photos. The entire room glowed with soft light from the sconces and chandeliers. DJ Ceron made sure that the party went non stop. That dance floor was slammed and the guests were loving it all! We really enjoyed snapping tons of dancing shots at this wedding. If you want a DJ to take care of your reception please look no further, the guy is awesome at what he does. Congratulations Kylie and Brad, we wish you the best.

The dance floor stayed seriously packed all night long.

Of course every fun party has a fotobooth…

This beautiful Naples wedding occurred up the street at The Club at The Strand. It was our first time shooting at the venue and wow. We were impressed by the friendly staff and lovely grounds. Kylie and Brad were a dream couple to shoot… all smiles and head-over-heels in love. Romantic handwritten letters and all! The talented Hope Henderson of Hope Henderson Artistry did Kylie’s bridal makeup. The flowers were done by Grace Lakes Florist and Botanicals on the Gulf. Kylie has great taste evidenced by the classic feel of their celebration (the natural color palette, the personal locket tied to her bouquet) with a few modern touches (the guys’ patterned bow ties and her fabulous second dress.) We’ll post part two of their wedding soon.

A small second dress that made a big impact… perfect for dancing the night away.

Brad created a surprise movie for Kylie on their wedding day. Whatever the subject it had the girls in stitches.

We recently photographed Lindsey and John’s easy breezy wedding at Mediterra in Naples. They began the day at Mediterra where they did a first look before the ceremony. It’s a really pretty and romantic setting for photos. Lindsey herself is a Nikon shooter. What a compliment it is for us to shoot a photographer’s wedding! We then made our way to the Beach Club at Mediterra for the ceremony and festivities. Steve Farst provided music during the ceremony and reception. He’s good folks. Congrats Lindsey and John, it was an honor to be a part of your day. We wish you well!

It’s nice to get our feet wet…

Here are photos from the second part of Nicole and Steve’s wedding at the Naples Botanical Garden. We were delighted to hear the Star Wars theme played by violins as they walked down the aisle together as man and wife. These two are so sweet and they have the coolest family. I think Karl and I both cried a little during the toasts. As mentioned, Nicole and Steve considered the environment while planning their wedding by using organic locally grown wheatgrass centerpieces, recycled invitations, conflict-free diamond wedding rings (Brilliant Earth), and low-water plants as favors. These details made the festivities that much prettier and more personal.

Not to overlook the groom’s style, Steve wore some colorful Converse sneaks, how cool is that? Then there was the R2-D2 cake. It moved and blinked, I kid you not. To light up the dance floor, Nicole and Steve reused the LOVE sign from their engagement session. We liked the way it looked reflecting color off the floor between all the dancing feet. Nicole and Steve, congratulations! We are so thankful to have been a part of your celebration.

We also had the pleasure of shooting a foto video for them on their wedding day. We’ll share that in another post.

Remember this great engagement shoot? Nicole and Steve’s wedding at the Naples Botanical Garden was just as wonderful. Not only did they choose the local Gardens, which are a dream to photograph in, they also incorporated eco-friendly features into their wedding day. I’ll describe more of their handmade and eco details in part two of their blog post. Sir Daniel and Faces by Frohmberg did the wow hair and makeup for the day. Isn’t Nicole gorgeous?

Being kind to the earth is something that Karl and I keep in mind when making decisions in our home life and for Luminaire Foto. So much so that we offer couples like Nicole and Steve as much as 15% off our photography plans! We understand that weddings are expensive events, and by making responsible choices you’re often adding to the cost. It’s our little way of saying thanks for making a thoughtful choice. These weddings are extra beautiful and meaningful events as well as fun for us to photograph!

As promised, here are more photos from Jessica and Jeremy’s wedding at The West Bay Beach & Golf Club. It Must Be Love Weddings & Events did a beautiful job setting up the beach ceremony and poolside reception sites. Isn’t the mossy monogram a cool idea? Their ring bearer was too cute for words. He didn’t want to go down the aisle, but with his mom encouraging him from behind and his dad from the seats he managed to complete the all important task!

Karl and I loved shooting Jessica and Jeremy’s reception at the West Bay Club. The light-strung palm trees and the pretty centerpieces along with the setting sun made for a stunning scene. It was fun as always to work with the video team at iHeart Films. The Steve Farst Band provided fun poolside entertainment all evening. The couple made cool use of sparklers surrounding their first dance. It was absolutely beautiful. It turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the day, watching Jess and Jeremy descend the stairs to their sparkly first dance and the awaiting party. You could tell that moment, looking at all of their loved ones below, stole Jessica’s breath for a moment. We stole the couple for a few more photos on the surrounding grounds. Their party, fotobooth and all, went strong until the end. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Ridgeo!

Not expecting them to say yes, I suggested that Jessica and Jeremy roll down a hill. Not only did they agree, but Jessica clapped her hands at the thought! It was such a playful moment. Never hurts to ask, right?

I took these photos with a neat lens that turns the blurry faraway lights into little hearts. Fun!

While we’ve managed to catch up on quite a bit of blogging lately we’re still catching up from last fall. Kristy and Ben have been one of our favorite couples to work with, and we have so many of their photos to post! We met them for an engagement shoot at The Burroughs Home where their wedding was held last October. Kristy and Ben may have been my crush for 2010. More to share soon! Cupcakes by the always yum Sassy Cakes.