November 8, 2017

Emily + Jon (Todd!) wedding {by liz}

We don’t necessarily market ourselves as destination wedding photographers, but we are totally game when the opportunity presents itself a couple of times a year! So when Emily and Jon wanted me to pack my bags and head to Jamaica I didn’t really need to think twice. Traveling with my good friend Amy Heater from Sweet Tea Media is always a good time, and we make a pretty fun team if I do say so myself. The wedding and reception both took place at Secrets St. James in Montego Bay…one of Emily an Jon’s favorite places! I would almost call them regulars. :) As with most weddings, not everything went exactly according to plan. But we were basically in paradise so we all rolled with it! Especially Jon who was a total trooper after a pretty major mishap…or should I say misstep?!

Welcome to Jamaica!

We arrived on Jamaican Independence Day. It was quite the party! Some of the wedding party clan was over at a green foam party. This guy was on stilts.

The girls decided to go for a fun tube ride – Amy was able to ride along to take some video but there wasn’t enough room in the boat for me. So when they got too far away I just started making friends with the local wildlife.
And then slowly but surely everyone fell off lol.

After the girls got back they spent some time in the pool while the guys went out sailing. The moment captured below is pretty monumental. Jon hopped out of the sailboat to help get it over the buoy…and stomped on a sea urchin. OUCH!

As Jon headed to the hospital in an ambulance, torrential downpour covered the resort. So no sunset cruise rehearsal dinner, but a great story to tell for years to come!

The storm gave way to a bright sunny day the next morning! Since they didn’t really get to rehearse due to storms and mean little sea urchins, the morning of the wedding day started with a quick little run through. This is my kind of rehearsal…no need for a fancy dress, just wear swim attire!

Now that everyone knows what they are doing, time to get this wedding day started for real.

The girls made Emily a sweet book of memories.

Selfies!

Gorgeous Em!

Jon and the guys were a little warm. After all, Jamaica. ;) At least he was getting top notch service from his best man.

Now this is the REAL Jon. Actually those feet are not lol! John did manage to get some sort of a shoe on his poor foot but not these shoes. Imagine having 20-30 prickly little buggers pulled out of the bottom of your foot! Total trooper Todd. ;)

Red Stripe cheers and we’re off for first look!

Huge thanks to wedding party friends for finding us this fun giant palm for our first look idea!

Go team!

Soooo…this afternoon storm thing might be a daily ritual? Fabric wrangling was underway when I arrived at the ceremony gazebo and the sky looked foreboding.

Jon gave the guys these cool little wireless speakers so they had their own theme music as they walked to the ceremony.

And just as we started…the rain began. Along with the tears. But everyone was having such a great time it didn’t even come close to dampening spirits.

Love.

And by the time it was over the sun started to peek out! And then people surprise pelted Emily with rice and she was NOT a fan lol.

Shenanigans.

That sky though.

Post wedding selfie!

I love simple logistics. We all took about 15 steps over to the reception lol.

A gorgeous sunset followed by a crazy fun beach party!

Learning how to Dougie.

We ended the night with a pretty lantern release. Bye Jamaica! We will miss you! Not you, you mean little sea urchin.

AND quick change of pace. Just a few days later…welcome to St. Louis! We took a few fun photos around downtown before Emily and Jon’s reception at the Ballpark Hilton.

New brothers lol.

Time for party number two!

LOVE this groom’s cake!

The 12 South Band was AWESOME! Packed dance floor all night!

Perfect streamer release to wrap up a whole week of merriment!