KELLY + CHRIS WEDDING PHOTOS

WEDDING DAY INFO:

Ceremony Location – Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant,  @casamarinahotel

Florist – Liz Stewart Floral Design

DJ – Brooks Colleton, insta @djbrooksc

Pies – Pie Heaven Bakery Cafe, @pieheavenbakerycafe

Dress – Love, a Bridal Boutique, @lovebridalboutique

Hair – Hannah O’Shae, https://osheastyles.com/ , @oshea_styles

Makeup: I did myself

Bridesmaids Dresses: Cicinia

Groom’s Suit: Men's Warehouse

Groomsmen’s suits: Men's Warehouse

Invitations/Save the date: Zazzle

Jewelry: untamed petals (earrings)

Shoes: Carvela-Dillards

Veil: Dareth Colburn Designs

Coordinator: Casey Davis at Casa Marina

1.  How did you meet?

We met at a Halloween party in 2013, so actually 9 years ago today! His friend from high school was dating my friend from college at the time and they invited us both to their halloween party. He was dressed as Neil Young and I immediately recognized him. I don't know about love at first sight, but from that point on being together was just as easy as breathing.

2.  How did he propose?

He proposed on Jax Beach in 2018 right after I was accepted into Graduate school and we planned on moving to Colorado later that month. 

3.  You originally were planned for a wedding years ago but had to reschedule for covid, can you tell me about that? 

We had originally made our deposit at Casa for a wedding 10/20/2020 and even had invites printed but then COVID hit and we had to postpone. We didn't feel comfortable asking family to fly across the country during a pandemic or to feel unsafe with so many people there. We also didn't want to downsize our guestlist because we had already gotten married, so the wedding was just going to be a big celebration with all our loved ones. Luckily Casa let us retain our deposit and we rescheduled for this year!

4. Did you get married back then and do your actual “wedding day” now? 

We ended up getting married in June 2019 right before my 26th birthday so I could get on his sweet sweet health insurance (not super romantic, I know!) But we always knew we would have our big wedding celebration someday.

5.  Tell me about your courthouse wedding. 

We went to the courthouse in Denver on 6/3/2019 and got married with my parents and brother there. It was not a big festivity, I think we both worked that day and went after work. My brother is also a talented photographer so we had a mini photoshoot afterwards and used those pictures for our wedding invites.

6.  Are you glad you did your wedding day at Casa Marina? 

I'm SO GLAD we chose Casa, it was absolutely gorgeous and they were so accommodating and helpful. It was absolutely perfect. We were not wanting a traditional wedding and I was never a little girl who planned out her perfect wedding day so we really started from scratch. We didn't hire a  wedding planner or florist (aside from the bouquet) so I made the centerpieces and decor. Even without a planner, Casa walked me through everything and made sure everything ran smoothly!

7. What drove you towards Casa Marina?

One of my good friends, Virginia Martin, works there as an event coordinator. She invited us to come take a look at the venue and we fell in love. We actually didn't even tour anywhere else. Virginia and Casey (wedding coordinator) were SOOO helpful and wonderful throughout the whole process.

8.  Who officiated your wedding and can you describe how that came about? 

My brother officiated - Evan McCandless! He and his girlfriend flew in from Canada right before the wedding. They moved there during the pandemic so I hadn't seen him in almost 2 years. We have always been really close; he is very charismatic and a musician so I threw out the idea of him officiating. He was really nervous at first but decided he would do it. We didn't even talk about the ceremony much at all until the night before the wedding. He read me what he wrote and it was so perfect. My whole family and my husband are musicians and he wrote about harmonies and melodies and counterpoint. It was so perfect. He actually was almost brought to tears the night before as he shared it with us.

Another fun fact - the night before, we sat down with my brother to go over the ceremony and our vows had been deleted/not saved. We spent 2 hours rewriting our vows less than 12 hours before the ceremony!

9.  Your dad had a little surprise for you during reception.  Can you explain?

THIS!! So my dad is a really talented musician. The day I was born, he was there at the hospital but had to leave soon after to audition for a choir ensemble. After the audition he drove home and wrote a song on the piano, "Kelly's Song," before going back to the hospital. He would always play it on the piano for me and he would talk about how he originally intended it to be a music box. However, there were no music boxes that were advanced enough to play the range of notes in the song and there weren't any good options available to get the music into the music box (they are built with the rotating drums and they have to be manufactured that way) This was the first one prototype that could take input from a phone. My dad actually got in contact with the manufacturers in 2021 when they were a kickstarter so he could make sure he knew the capabilities of the box. He got an early version that wouldn't work but he sent a list of what he needed in the box and they shared what they were planning on doing and asked for feedback on if it would work. They released a newer version earlier this year that he could make work!

I had NO IDEA about the whole thing and was completely blown away when he came up at the reception. We had asked for no speeches and I was preparing myself for him to come sing a song or show a slideshow of baby pictures but then this. I was just in awe.

10.  Anything else you care to add? 

We really wanted a laid-back, breezy wedding focused on celebrating with our friends and family from across the country. Christopher and I don't take ourselves too seriously so we were grateful to have vendors who matched our relaxed personalities. For example, instead of matching satin robes for the bridesmaids to get ready in, I ordered giant muumuus for us all. The hair stylist, Hannah, was really laid-back and created the most gorgeous looks for us. You and your assistant meshed so well with us too, it was like just another member of the bridal party.

Our main two reasons for having the wedding were to:

1. Party with our friends and family

2. To get some amazing pictures. We took care of #1 and you took care of #2!

THANK YOU!!!

Tonya Beaver Photography Studio Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL

318 First Ave N

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 

To view more Wedding Sessions, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/weddings

For more Wedding pricing, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/wedding

Hi, I’m Tonya, a Jacksonville Florida Photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and babies. I would love to hear all about your photography needs to see if we’re a right fit for each other. As a photographer, I get to capture the most exciting and life changing experiences in people’s lives. 

Not only in Jacksonville, but all over North Florida: Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, etc. 

I know there are quite a few photographers in Jacksonville so it can be overwhelming. But I invite you to check out my wedding, family, and newborn portfolio. Also, feel free to check out some of my reviews that my previous clients have given me. Jacksonville is one of the most beautiful areas for photographing engagements, weddings and family photos. From the beach, golf clubs, parks, downtown, gorgeous churches and so much more. I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you more!

tonya@tonyabeaverphotography.com

(904) 382-6354

Website: www.tonyabeaverphotography.com

Blog:  https://blog.tonyabeaverphotography.com/