This Key West Wedding was 12 Years in the making. Lara and Tyler’s Ernest Hemingway House Wedding was the perfect way to end my wedding season in Key West, Florida. This was my first destination wedding and I hope to have more in the future! December with palm trees, string lights and chandeliers hanging from trees, and perfectly (hot) weather. I took the details on a palm leaf (loveeee) and the neutral mismatched bridesmaids dresses were the perfect compliment to the tropical environment. The simple white and green florals tied the neutral, formal wedding theme together and the girls enjoyed their morning in the Hemingway Suite at the Lighthouse Court Inn while the guys got ready at the house next to the Ernest Hemingway House. We were so fortunate that everything was so close!
Ty and Lara have been together for 12 years now. That’s a record for one of my couples! They were high school sweethearts, went through the awkward stages together of high school dating and have made it through college at separate universities, two cruise ship contracts for Lara’s acting career, multiple marathon training seasons, Ty studying countless hours for his architecture exams, a semester of study abroad and more. Needless to say, they’ve been through everything together.
They started dating Freshman Year of High school and when Tyler went to Philadelphia University to study Architecture, Lara went to Catholic University to study Performing Arts. (THANK GOD) because she’s just incredible beyond words. Together, they compliment each others strengths and faults and are constantly putting everyone else before themselves. Family and friends are the most important things to them and I’m so honored I got to not only attend this wonderful celebration but also be the one to document these special memories!
I started out at the Hemingway Suite with the girls before we made our way over to the Key West Lighthouse for their first look. There were lots and lots of tears and almost the entire tissue box got used! It was one of my favorite first look to date, under the banyan tree near the lighthouse. After the first look we climbed all the way to the top of the lighthouse to take pictures with the view!
From the first look we went over to the guys house next door to the Ernest Hemingway House for the formal pictures with the wedding party and family! I’m so glad we had this quiet space for formals surrounded by palms and all things tropical!
After formals, we headed over to the Ernest Hemingway House for the ceremony in the garden under the palms!! It was short, sweet and absolutely beautiful. I think nearly everyone there was crying including me.
From there, we took night portraits around the house and then it was time for introductions and dances! The reception was under the chandelier and lights in the trees outside. It was my first fully outdoor wedding ceremony and I could get used to that! It was BEAUTIFUL.
Lara’s super duper talented friends sung songs for the special dances and then the big surprise happened after toasts. Once Lara’s sister Jana made her toast and made everyone cry once again, the entire wedding party got in formation to tell the love story of Lara and Tyler in song and dance. They rewrote the lyrics to all the songs from shows Lara has been in over the years including Grease, Little Mermaid, Oliver and more. There was a little snippet from Wicked too since Tyler proposed on the Broadway stage of Wicked! It was beyond incredible and they take the cake for the most talented wedding party ever!
They cut Key Lime Pie instead of cake and the dance floor continued all night long. We after partied at the Porch in Key West and everyone left with full hearts. It was the perfect cap to my wedding season!
Lara and Tyler, words can’t express how happy I am that you allowed me to be a part of this special day. I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed being there taking them. I couldn’t be happier that you have found your soul mate in one another and I’m so excited for everything to come for the two of you. I can’t wait to continue being a part of your life and adventures and wish you all the happiness in the world.
Thank you to these incredible vendors who made the day possible!
VENUE: Ernest Hemingway House
WEDDING COORDINATOR: Amy Lay of Catered Affairs
CATERER: Catered Affairs
CEREMONY VENUE: Ernest Hemingway House
BRIDE PREP LOCATION: Lighthouse Court Inn
FLORIST: Kutchey’s Flowers
CAKE ARTIST: Caroline’s Cafe
RENTALS: Eventually Yours
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Lara and Maria!!
HAIR ARTIST: Casa Salon
BRIDESMAIDS and BRIDAL GOWN DRESSES: Mixed
TUXES: Jos A Bank
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