Alli and Cam’s Whitewood Ranch wedding was the perfect example of something I tell couples all the time about Florida wedding days: the forecast may have opinions, but that doesn’t mean it gets to run the show.

If you’re planning a summer wedding in Florida, afternoon rain is almost part of the rhythm here. A perfectly sunny morning can turn into dark clouds, thunder and a quick shower later in the day, and then clear right back up again. For those of us who live here, it’s easy to forget just how normal that is; and for couples planning from out of state, seeing rain in the forecast can look much scarier than it often is.

There was thunder during Alli and Cam’s day. There were a few sprinkles. And there were still beautiful portraits outside Esme Lane Chapel, private vows, plenty of natural-light photos under cover, a beautiful ceremony and a packed dance floor.

More importantly, their wedding felt like them: laid-back, fun, emotional in all the right places, and centered around the people they love most.

Getting Ready at Whitewood Ranch

The morning started upstairs in the bridal suite, where Alli and her bridesmaids were getting ready alongside quite a few little ones! So many of the wedding party are parents, including Alli’s sister and maid of honor, who was there with her seven-day-old newborn. Major props to this whole crew for keeping kids happy while still fully showing up to celebrate their sister and friend.

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I love that the mother of the bride was so careful to smooth out Alli’s train, all while keeping the newest member of the family happily sleeping!

Alli had her hair styled by Kristy’s Artistry with soft curls and beautiful braiding along the side. We always love working with Kristy and her team, and they even finished everyone early… basically a photographer’s dream!

Having hair and makeup finished on time (or a little early!) gives the morning room to breathe. Instead of rushing from the makeup chair straight into photos, there’s time for Mom to help with your shoes, your bridesmaids to see you in your dress, and everyone to actually enjoy the morning.

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Meanwhile, Cam and the guys were hanging out in the groom’s suite playing pool, watching football, having a few beers and spending time with Alli and Cam’s beloved dogs, Luna and Willow.

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A First Look + Private Vows at Esme Lane Chapel

Alli and Cam chose to do their first look outside Esme Lane Chapel. Before the wedding, I pitched a new idea to Alli and Cam… to positioned Alli first so Cam could approach her from behind, building the suspense and anticipation, giving him a chance to take in the back of her dress and hair before she turned around for the full reveal.

Then they exchanged private vows.

There were tears. There were handkerchiefs. And there was apparently a groomsman who had bet one billion dollars that Cam would cry, so hopefully someone is currently figuring out those payment arrangements.

First looks are often talked about as a timeline decision, and they definitely help with that, but this is one of the reasons I love them. They give you a few quiet minutes together before the day really gets moving. Add private vows, and you have the freedom to laugh, cry and react without 100 people watching.

What If It Rains During a Whitewood Ranch Wedding?

As thunder rolled in and a few sprinkles started falling, we simply adjusted.

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When it was dry, we photographed outside. When it sprinkled, we moved underneath the chapel roof, where we still had tons of beautiful natural light for wedding party photos. Then we moved into the cocktail space with its gorgeous black-and-white checkered floor for a completely different look — with the bonus of air-conditioning!

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That’s one thing I really appreciate about photographing a Whitewood Ranch wedding: questionable weather doesn’t leave us without beautiful options.

We also got to spend the day alongside Brian of BR Focus Films! We always love working with Brian… photo and video teams spend a LOT of a wedding day working side-by-side, and having a team that works well together makes such a difference in keeping things relaxed and running smoothly.

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San at The Flower Studio in Altamonte Springs created the most beautiful soft pastel florals for the day. When they arrived, I overheard Alli say it was like San had taken the exact picture she had in her head and brought it to life. I can’t think of a better compliment for a florist and her bouquet and the rest of the florals that day was absolutely gorgeous.  

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It’s also why I build breathing room into wedding timelines. When we’re not already rushing, a five-minute Florida rain shower doesn’t have to become a crisis. We watch the sky, adjust the plan and keep telling your story.

A Wedding Ceremony With a Pretty Great Love Story

Their ceremony inside Esme Lane Chapel was officiated by Guy Thee Wed, who shared the story of how Alli and Cam met.

Alli cut Cam in line at a bar.

Cam essentially responded, If you’re going to cut me in line, at least let me buy you a drink.

The best part? Alli was apparently trying to avoid Marines that night and initially guessed Cam was a firefighter.

Nope. Marine.

He just happened to be a Marine wearing sandals, a T-shirt and shorts.

Cam eventually proposed on Alli’s birthday at the same restaurant where they had their first date. They went onto the balcony and asked a waitress to take their picture, which is when Cam surprised her by getting down on one knee.

Alli’s response was something along the lines of, “Wait…are you sure?”

Thankfully, he was.

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After exchanging vows and rings in front of the chapel’s beautiful cross and pastel florals, they came back down the aisle as husband and wife and rang the 200 year old chapel bell together.

A Relaxed Reception in the Grand Verre

The Grand Verre was set for around 100 guests, leaving plenty of room to move around and dance. The Flower Studio by San filled the tables with soft pastel blooms, with especially beautiful florals on Alli and Cam’s table and in Alli’s bouquet.

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One thing I especially loved about Alli and Cam’s day was how intentionally they honored their grandparents. Alli’s Grammy traveled all the way from California to be there, and Alli had told me ahead of time that, outside of photos of the two of them, photos with their grandparents were some of the most important images she wanted from the day. Their grandparents were even given the special honor of offering the blessing before dinner.

And because the best family memories aren’t always the serious ones, Grammy also gave us one of my favorite cocktail-hour moments when she accidentally used a serving tong to eat her hors d’oeuvres — then held it up laughing like, “Well, it’s already been in my mouth!” 😂 It was such a perfect reminder that the people you love — and all their wonderfully real little moments — are just as much a part of your wedding story.

The speeches brought all the emotions, especially Alli’s maid of honor, who had her laughing one minute, hiding her face in embarrassment the next, and wiping away tears before it was over. Those are some of my favorite reception moments to photograph—the stories and inside jokes that get everyone laughing, followed by the words that remind you just how deeply you’re known and loved by the people standing beside you.

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After dinner from Premiere Catering came the dances, cake cutting, bouquet toss, toasts and a dance floor that included everything from Taylor Swift to a room full of people singing Country Roads.

And those are often some of my favorite photographs.

Not because everyone is perfectly posed.

Because they’re not.

Someone is crying. Someone is doubled over laughing. Someone is being ridiculous. People are actually experiencing the wedding instead of performing for the camera.

Connection over perfection. Every time.

Wedding Photos That Feel Like Your Wedding

We made plenty of time for beautiful portraits throughout Alli and Cam’s Whitewood Ranch wedding… in front of the chapel, beneath the covered archways, inside the black-and-white cocktail space and outside after dark.

But I don’t want a couple to look back at their wedding gallery and only see a collection of pretty portraits.

I want them to remember how it felt.

The tears during private vows. The bridesmaids wrangling babies while cheering on their friend. The reaction to a toast. The ridiculous moments. The people who packed the dance floor.

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Alli and Cam, thank you for trusting us to capture it all. Your easygoing personalities, sweet families and seriously fun wedding party made this such a joy to photograph. 🤍

Planning Your Own Whitewood Ranch Wedding?

If you’re planning a Whitewood Ranch wedding and want photographs that capture the beauty of the day and the people and moments that make it yours, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Reach out here to see if your wedding date is available.

Planning your own celebration at this beautiful De Leon Springs venue? Visit Whitewood Ranch to learn more.

Venue: Whitewood Ranch | Hair: Kristy’s Artistry | Florals: The Flower Studio by San | Officiant: Guy Thee Wed | Catering: Premiere Catering | Videography: BR Focus Films | DJ & Photobooth: Complete Weddings & Events | Photography: H Hawkins Photography