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Ocean Club of Amelia | Wedding


Congratulations to Gary & Gerri!

Date: August 3, 2019

Ceremony/Reception Venue: Ocean Club of Amelia Photography: Great Wide Somewhere Studios

Bride Hair/Makeup: Joni Durrance - A Janet Lynne Salon & Spa

Dress: BHLDN

Officiant: Robert Baldwin

 

The day started out as any other summer day in Florida...hot and rainy! As the afternoon arrived, I started biting my nails and praying that the rain would stay away for the outdoor ceremony later in the evening. Just when I began packing my car up with my gear, the clouds started to fade away, almost on command! I thought it couldn’t get any more perfect! So onward I went until I reached the beautiful venue, Ocean Club of Amelia.

This contemporary beach cottage venue is located in the heart of Amelia Island with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. It offers plenty of indoor and outdoor space, so guests have lots of space for mingling and socializing, plus it’s just a step away from the beach! For this particular wedding, the ceremony was held on the green turf that is located downstairs at the venue, however, the beach is a great option to use as well. Once I walked through the doors of the venue, I began capturing the small details and decorations. I just loved the coastal vibe of the whole set up! The venue staff worked tirelessly while I was there to make sure everything was perfect for the bride and groom.

Soon after, the guests began to arrive and it was almost time for the wedding to start! During this time, I like to begin prepping the spots I will be standing at for the ceremony to get the best angles. Once I was all ready to go, the bride and groom had asked me ahead of time to capture a “first look” photo. These are always so beautiful to me because it gives the couple a special moment alone to take everything in and reflect on the love they have for each other. They always make me tear up!

After the first look, it was time for the moment we had all been waiting for...the ceremony! Friends and family gathered around to witness the love between Gary and Gerri and we were all in awe of the beautiful couple!

And just like that, they were married! The ceremony couldn't have been more perfect. Cheers flooded the area and tears flowed to no end. Immediately after, Gerri and her mom shared a special moment together that I had the privilege of capturing. Gerri wore a beautiful bracelet that belonged to her father, so that a part of him would be there with them all during this beautiful time.

Let's not forget Artie who was just the cutest in his little bandanna that read, "I do, too."

Once we spent some time with the family for photos, we headed into the upstairs area of the Ocean Club and the couple had their big entrance, which lead right into their first dance to At Last, by Etta James. Seriously, is that not just the best song ever for a first dance? The song only lasted a few minutes, but we all felt like we could have watched them forever! The love between them felt so strong and radiated throughout the building. It was magical.

The food was brought out after the first dance, so we all dug in and indulged in the selections created by Sliders Seaside Grill. After eating, most of the guests began dancing and mingling. As sunset drew closer, I quickly grabbed Gary and Gerri and told them they just HAD to come walk out to the beach with me. We were not disappointed one bit! We captured some magnificent shots with the beautiful ocean as our backdrop. I am so grateful that the weather held up for us and that I had the opportunity to give them these priceless images.

Once all of our beautiful sunset faded into night time, we went back up to enjoy some dancing and fun! The reception was amazing and everyone was having a blast! The DJ knew just the right songs to play to get the whole crowd pumped and moving.

We ended the night with We Are Family, by Sister Sledge, and a conga line that wrapped the whole room along with laughter and excitement. It could not have been more fun!

The bride and groom's final exit included being pelted with mini beach balls by the guests as they left the venue. As the photographer, that meant that I, too, was right in the middle of all the action and ended up trying to dodge all the balls while they flew in a hundred different directions. This was definitely different for me, but I had such a blast throughout it. All in all, this wedding could not have been more perfect and I am extremely happy to have met Gary and Gerri. Being a part of their big day meant the world to me and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity of capturing these memories for them!

♥️ Cali Amber, photographer

Interested in chatting with Great Wide Somewhere Studios about YOUR special day? Contact us via email at info@greatwidesomewherestudios.com to set up a complimentary consultation. Based in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Available for travel.

Disclaimer: This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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