Willem + Christina // Neptune Beach, FL

Christina and Willem had not only a long journey together in their relationship but also quite a journey leading up to their wedding day. The pandemic got in the way of their original wedding plans for October 2020 and they decided to push it to April of 2021. Not only did they decide to change their date but they basically reworked their entire wedding from their original plans and decided on an intimate 40 person beach ceremony and reception in the backyard of their home in Neptune Beach, FL. Their new date also happened to fall on their 9 year anniversary together so it was extra special.

I woke up on the morning of April 11th to dark skies, thunderstorms and pouring down rain. I did my normal morning routine before a wedding day and refused to accept it would be raining all day for these two despite the radar saying otherwise. I literally was eating my lunch looking outside shaking my head like “Nope, not today”. I had plan B and C in place if needed for their photo timeline but I wanted them so badly to have their dream day especially after so many obstacles. As I drove to the beach the rain poured down even heavier and as I got to One Ocean Hotel where Christina was getting ready the rain started to lighten up and the skies were trying so hard to turn blue.

By the time we did their first look, the rain had stopped and when it was time for their beach ceremony… the sun even came out accompanied by a perfect breeze and no humidity. The best part? Because it had been such bad weather all day, the beach was deserted of people so they basically had their own private beach to get married on at 5:30pm on a Saturday which never would have happened on a regular pretty day.

Their wedding was effortless and filled with love and joy surrounded by their closest people and It was worth the wait.

I am so happy I got to be apart of this amazing day with these two.

So much thanks to their vendors as well as the family and friends that made their day as special as it was:

Assisting Photographer: Sarah Cebulski

Assistant and Behind the Scenes: Roxanne Duer

Ceremony Venue: Neptune Beach

Reception Venue: Bride and groom’s backyard

Coordinator: Jeff Smith & Sharlene Greene

Makeup: Makeup by Paulina Perez

Hair: Jaclyn Magoon

Flowers: Liz Stewart Floral Design

Catering: The Bearded Pig, Orange Blossom Grazing Company & some homemade