Not every wedding needs a large venue, a packed guest list, or an elaborate celebration. Sometimes, the smaller weddings are the ones that feel the most personal.
While family photography is the heart of my business, I also photograph a limited number of intimate weddings each year throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Jacksonville. My focus is on outdoor ceremonies with fewer than 30 guests, followed by natural couples portraits and family photographs.
I've always loved the simplicity of smaller weddings. From this rainy ceremony I photographed years ago in New York to a beautiful intimate backyard wedding, these celebrations remind me that you don't need a big production to have a meaningful wedding day.
A Small Wedding Ceremony With Just 13 Guests
This couple originally planned to get married in April 2020, but like so many couples that year, their plans changed.
They eventually decided to exchange vows during a small outdoor ceremony with just 13 guests, including their children and closest family members.
Their original plan was to marry on the beach, but permit restrictions led them to a beautiful park gazebo instead.
And then there was the weather.
Rain was in the forecast, but the bride wasn't about to let that ruin the day. She brought umbrellas, embraced the unexpected conditions, and enjoyed the celebration.
Sometimes the most memorable weddings are the ones that don't go exactly according to plan.
Beautiful Wedding Photographs, Even in the Rain
We began with family portraits near a small rocky beach, followed by photographs of the couple and their children.
The umbrellas became part of the photographs, and the soft, overcast light gave everything a romantic feel.
Once the officiant arrived, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by their closest family members. There was no elaborate production or long list of formalities. Just a couple getting married with the people they loved most.
I've always loved working with natural light, even when the weather isn't ideal. Recently, I photographed a couple in Neptune Beach after their intimate wedding, and the cloudy skies were actually one of my favorite parts of the session.
See their intimate wedding portraits in Neptune Beach, Florida.
It's a good reminder that beautiful photographs don't require a perfect sunset.
Intimate vow ceremony on the beach
Intimate vow wedding ceremony on the beach
Rainy Day Vow Ceremony
Photographer for small and intimate wedding ceremonies
Why I Love Small Weddings
One of the things I appreciate most about intimate weddings is the opportunity to focus on the people and moments that matter.
With fewer guests and a simpler timeline, there's often more room for genuine interaction. The couple can enjoy their ceremony, spend time with family, and have beautiful portraits together without feeling pulled in a dozen directions.
I love photographing the exchange of vows, the first kiss, the family hugs afterward, and those quiet moments between the couple.
It's actually very similar to what I enjoy about photographing surprise proposals in Neptune Beach. Whether it's the moment someone says yes or the moment a couple says their vows, the emotions are real, and those are the photographs that mean the most.
Small wedding in a park
Planning a Small Outdoor Wedding in St. Augustine?
St. Augustine is a beautiful place for couples who want a smaller, more personal wedding celebration.
Between the historic streets, coastal scenery, and outdoor spaces, there are plenty of possibilities for an intimate ceremony.
You might be planning a beachfront wedding, exchanging vows in a private garden, or celebrating with family at an outdoor property. You don't need a traditional wedding venue to create a beautiful setting.
I especially love the idea of keeping the ceremony simple and setting aside some time afterward for couples portraits. Whether that means walking along the beach or finding a quiet spot among St. Augustine's historic architecture, those photographs can be some of the most meaningful from the day.
small wedding in a park
wedding vow ceremony in a park
Intimate wedding photography
What Does My Intimate Wedding Photography Include?
I photograph a limited number of outdoor weddings each year, specifically for celebrations with fewer than 30 guests.
My coverage focuses on three parts of your wedding:
Your ceremony: The vows, ring exchange, first kiss, and the little moments that make the day personal.
Couples portraits: Natural, romantic photographs together, with gentle direction and plenty of room for genuine interaction.
Family photographs: A combination of traditional group portraits and more relaxed moments with your closest family members.
I don't photograph traditional indoor wedding venues, large weddings, or full-day receptions. Instead, my approach is designed for couples who want beautiful photographs of a smaller outdoor celebration without an elaborate wedding photography package.
If you are interested in a session, contact me.
Wedding Vow Ceremony in a park
