Niki and Brandie’s wedding at the Hyatt Place Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach was all about the candid and the crazy.

These gorgeous brides had one request: capture as many emotions as possible with as little posing as possible. They wanted all the in between moments. Lighthouse Cove is the perfect backdrop for capturing candids that are not only genuine, but aesthetically beautiful.

We had a gray sky, breezy winds, and warm rain— and it was glorious. It drizzled all day for these beauties, through their first look, the walk to the beach, their family photos. And then, it stopped just in time for their ceremony. The couple was married by Niki’s uncle in front of their closest friends and family, including a glamorous cardboard cut out of Niki’s sister. Covid, amiright?

The Hyatt Place and Lighthouse Cove staff made this wedding absolutely seamless despite the weather and the hiccups that come along with beach weddings and breezy winds. This was the most powerful ceremony I’ve ever witnessed.  A simple arbor camped out on Dewey Beach let the couple and their guests overlook the ocean as they exchanged rings. It also allowed me to capture every angle without being intrusive. Their script included a dialogue of their first messages to each other— read by both brides’ brothers—which had us crying laughing and also nods to civil rights achievements that left the hair on the back of my neck standing straight up. I don’t have the words to describe to you the joy that everyone around this couple felt watching them exchange vows. Just a few short years ago, these two would not have legally been able to wed. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, you should probably go read a history book or something.

Because they started their day with a first look, Niki and Brandie were able to head into their cocktail hour right after the ceremony.  By the time I pulled them out before dinner to do some gorgeous sunset portraits, we had a guitar strumming guy in a kilt inviting us into his VW van. Right as the sun set, the party outside the party was just getting started and before I knew it we were all getting chicken tacos and jello shots out of the bus. I can’t make this up, just scroll down.

We ended the night with an incredible sparkler exit and a very frigid dip into the ocean. Brides, I will follow you wherever you go. Would’ve been much less cold if I drank alcohol at weddings. Would’ve been nice if I’d packed a second pair of socks and underwear. Still worth it. Niki and Brandie are 100% my why— why I love to capture your moments, why I love my job, why I like creating, why I get excited about love.

 

Enjoy,

BP

Getting married at the beach? Happy to travel anywhere forsome chicken tacos.