Having spent the majority of my childhood + adulthood in the landlocked state of Montana, beach weddings (and the sunny blue skies that accompany them) have always been some of my favorites. Maybe that’s because attending one always feels like the best vacation ever, with family and friends joining forces with acres of sand and fabulous locales perfect for celebrating. This is one of those awesome weddings. A Key Largo affair with vibrant hues, gorgeous stylings and a bride and groom who couldn’t be more perfect. See it all captured by Elle Golden right here.
From Elle Golden Photography… When Kala contacted me about possibly photographing her Florida Keys wedding I almost fell out of my computer chair. A beach destination wedding with some of the world’s best sunsets as a backdrop? A stunning bride with an equally gorgeous bridal party who happened to be my friends? A love so strong Kala moved from one state to another just to be sure she wouldn’t miss out on it? Um… yes please! I knew a wedding hundreds of miles away would mean a lot of firsts for me (boarding a plane in Atlanta for a wedding with thousands of dollars worth of gear is some seriously nerve-racking stuff), but I was more than ready for the challenge. When the day finally arrived I couldn’t ask for a more perfect couple with whom to begin my official travels! Joe and Kala’s love radiates from within, making it oh so easy to capture in photographs. You’ll notice quickly how absolutely swoon-worthy Joe and Kala’s coral, mint, and sage colored beach nuptials were and then you’ll understand why I’m so lucky to document love.
Although they’re originally from Georgia, Joe and Kala are now Florida through and through. They were engaged and had their engagement session in St. Augustine. But when it came to their wedding they wanted something a little closer to home their home in Ft. Lauderdale yet a place that gave the feeling of being away from it all. Anyone who has visited the Keys knows it’s the perfect place to “get away.” Cue the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo!”
Kala opted to keep things simple by having a near all-inclusive wedding at the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort. The pair wed under a simple seashell-adorned arbor with the ocean in the background. They then moved to the reception inside the hotel’s ballroom. The central location made it easy for all their guests who traveled hundreds of miles to enjoy the wedding weekend to its full potential. Which speaking of the guests, Joe and Kala were surrounded by amazing friends and family who are a reflection of the type of people this couple is. Their charismatic officiant made sure the happy couple took time to revel in the beauty of their wedding ceremony. The best men gave me a better ab workout during their speeches than I could ever get in a session of crossfit! Kala’s maid of honor, a mutual friend, almost brought me to tears with her moving speech on their lifelong friendship. Even chatting with Joe’s mother after a more funny than inconveniencing hotel-wide blackout near the end of the reception was a special treat! Joe and Kala added a few personal touches by having a fun photobooth at their reception and a hand-painted canvas guestbook made by a bridesmaid.
These two are truly blessed and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for them. I want to thank both Joe and Kala so much for being my first official destination wedding couple and throwing a wedding celebration as beautiful as their love!
Photography: Elle Golden Photography | Floral Design: Petals With Pizazz | Wedding Dress: Sottero And Midgley | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Caterer: Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort | Makeup: Medusa's Mane | Entertainment: Vision DJs | Suits: Maggie Sottero | Hotel: Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort | Bridal Boutique: Maggie Sottero | Cake Artist: Cake Designs by Edda | Honeymoon: Thailand | Photobooth: Elle Golden Photography