Alex + Joanna | Coptic Orthodox Wedding in South Florida

A Coptic Orthodox Wedding at St. Mary's Copic Church in Delray Beach, Florida & Reception at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida

On February 16th, 2020, we had the honor of documenting Alex and Joanna's Coptic Orthodox wedding at St. Mary's Copic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. Their ceremony was grand and stunning! Their wedding reception was just as exceptional! It was held at the notable Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. With stunning grounds and a gorgeous ballroom, it was the perfect location for their spectacular wedding!

This was a special wedding for us because Alex is a life-long friend of ours. Andrew and I grew up with Alex. We all met in church and stayed very close over the years. Andrew was actually a groomsman, so he split his shooting time with my brother! Steven was my second shooter for most of the day, and he did an amazing job! I knew he would do a good job, but after I saw the photos he captured, I was amazed. He captured certain things EXACTLY as I would have and made me so proud!

Alex and Joanna, thank you for having us be a part of your stunning wedding day! We are so blessed to call you our friends! We are so happy for you both and wish you many wonderful years together! May God bless your marriage always!

Elisa + Brian | Whimsical Rainy Wedding in Boca Raton, Florida

Whimsical Rainy Wedding at the Wyndham Hotel in Boca Raton, Florida

On May 26th, 2018, Andrew and I had the honor of documenting Elisa and Brian's whimsical rainy wedding day in Boca Raton, Florida. Their day was not like any other wedding day we have ever captured. It was perhaps the sweetest, most joyful day we have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Not even Subtropical Storm Alberto could dampen their joy and excitement!

The initial plan was to say "I do" on the sandy shore of their favorite beach, Red Reef Beach in Boca Raton. But when the forecast called for a very stormy weekend they decided to move the ceremony indoors to the reception location at The Wyndham Hotel Boca Raton. The whole day day was filled with nothing but smiles (Andrew & I included)! Their smiles radiated and lit up the room! So much so that if it wasn't for the rain drops you would think it was the brightest spring day!

When Brian first saw Elisa on their wedding day, he lit up and the biggest smile graced his face! He held his hand over his mouth in awe---completely wowed by his bride. It was the sweetest moment of the entire day. Brian and Elisa were caught up in the moment that was their wedding day and you could tell nothing would ruin it. This was because their priorities weren't found in perfect details or the perfect weather, it was already as perfect as it could because they were marrying each other.

This is true love.

THIS is why we do what we do.

The Love Story

Brian and Elisa met where all true love blooms, the oh-so-hip and ever-trendiest salad buffet, Sweet Tomatoes. Elisa was visiting South Florida from Tallahassee, where she was finishing her graduate degree. That day she was having lunch with her new coworkers, which included Brian. Neither Brian nor Elisa remember saying more than a sentence or two to one another that day. However, the following month, during Elisa's first week on the job, Brian was scheduled to take her along for a day in the field. It was then that they really began to hit it off!

During the following months, their friendship grew as they began to spend more and more time together outside of work. They went to the beach, belted Justin Timberlake songs in the car, and stayed up until 4AM chatting on Facebook. It was obvious to the people who knew them best that they were a match. One night, Elisa mustered up the courage to invite Brian over for dinner. Brian showed up, surprising Elisa with her favorite ice cream and they sat on her patio floor using a moving box as a table.

Elisa confessed her feelings for Brian and waited for his response to which he replied, "the feeling is mutual." The rest, as they say, is history. On their four-year dating anniversary, Brian and Elisa decided together to take a sunrise-sunset trip, visiting both coasts of Florida in one day. They began by watching the sunrise over Red Reef Beach in Boca Raton and then proceeded to head west to Marco Island. There, they spent the day kayaking through a lagoon, eating old-fashioned ice cream and racing down water slides at their hotel.

They ended the day at Naples Pier where they watched the sunset over the Gulf, attempting to spot some dolphins. Then Brian took Elisa to a private bench overlooking the water and popped the big question as the sun was setting. They celebrated back at the hotel with Broski Cider as well as some Don Perignon and chocolate covered strawberries!

Special Thanks

Elisa & Brian, thank you so much for trusting us to document your big day! It was such a honor to witness your wedding day! You both bring out so much joy and love in each other--don't ever let that go! In life, just like your wedding day, many thing won't go according to plan and that's okay.

Choosing to look past all the things that can go wrong and choosing to joyfully love one another is always the best way. In the end, we can't control the outcome, just how we choose to react. Just like you embodied that concept on your wedding day, remember that five, twenty-five, fifty years from now. Couples like you are why we love what we do! We wish you all the best in this wonderful new season of life!

The day began getting ready at the The Wyndham Hotel Boca Raton.

Right before her first look with Brian, I surprised her with a father/daughter first look as she was getting off the elevator! It was such a sweet moment! Then it was time for the first look!

These two truly have the BEST smiles!  Their wedding day was a rainy one but these next portraits ended up being some of my favorites! Rain is magical on a wedding day!

Such a good looking bridal party!

Ceremony time!

Then it was time for the reception! 

These delightful looking cupcakes were delicious and they were VEGAN! Parlour Vegan Bakery is amazing! 

Then the best man gave his speech, but it got a bit side tracked halfway through... When the couple are musicians and a lot of their friends are too, I guess it's completely natural for friends to burst into singing and dancing! ;) They comically serenaded them with the song from Disney's Little Mermaid, "Kiss the Girl"!  It was the BEST part of the whole night!!  And in the end he kissed the girl.

The creative team that brought this Whimsical Rainy Wedding together:

Venue: The Wyndham Hotel Boca Raton

Coordinator: Erin Hmielewski

Florist: Event Bliss

MC: Mike Utter

Photographers: Crystal & Andrew Bolin

Officiant: Julie Novak

Caterers: Farmer’s Table

Cupcakes: Parlour Vegan Bakery

Decorators: Event Bliss

Lighting Designers: PSAV

Invitation​ Designer: Minted Memories shop on Etsy

Makeup Artist: Jennette Zitani

Hair Stylist: Jennette Zitani

Dress Designer: David’s Bridal

Ring Designer: Raymond Lee Jewelers

Jewelry​ Designers: Floridian Ocean Jewelry

Hair Piece Designer: BHLDN

Shoe Designer: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid's Dresses: BHLDN

Men's​ Wear: Express

Elisa + Brian | Red Reef Beach Engagement

Red Reef Beach Engagement in Boca Raton, Florida

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, Andrew and I had the pleasure of documenting Elisa and Brian's Red Reef Beach Engagement in Boca Raton, Florida. Their session was filled with sweet smiles and gorgeous beach scenes! They chose Red Reef Beach and Park because it has been a special place to them, for a while. They will also be tying the knot here in May 2018!

Elisa and Brian are such a sweet couple! They were referred to us by a mutual friend of ours (Thanks, Sheri)! These two were constantly laughing and beaming! It is always nice having a joyful couple in front of my camera!

Elisa and Brian, thank you so much for allowing Andrew and I the pleasure of capturing your engagement photos! It was so nice meeting and working with you both! We are so excited to document your wedding next year!

Our session began along the upper deck at Red Reef Beach and Park.

A spot where they have watched many sunrises together. 

This is the spot where they may be saying "I DO" in MAY! 

Then while they changed into their second outfit it was time for some ring shots! 

Next, we walked down to the beach for a few casual portraits.

We finished our session relaxing with the ants on a grassy hill...oops! ;) Thanks again Elisa and Brian! We hope you enjoy your engagement photos! See you in May!

The details that brought this Red Reef Beach Engagement together:

Location: Red Reef Beach & Park in Boca Raton, FL.

Photography: Crystal Bolin

Daniela + Renzo | Boca Raton Engagement at Mizner Park & FAU

Dreamy Boca Raton Engagement

On June 12th, 2017, Andrew and I had the pleasure of documenting Daniela and Renzo's dreamy Boca Raton engagement shoot at Mizner Park and Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton played a special part in their love story -- how precious it was to capture their love, where it all began.

About their engagement session:

Where do I begin with these two!? Simply stated: their session was an absolute dream --- and yes, that is an understatement. They mastered my "Four Core" poses within seconds. They made lifts and dips look effortless! I must say I was impressed when Renzo cleared out his pockets before I had a chance to remind him. What a detailed groom-to-be who took the initiative and time to read through my Wedding Guide ebook!

Daniela and Renzo's engagement session began in the iconic center of Mizner Park. Their session took place on a breezy cloudy evening, which is my favorite! Lighting is so important, and we definitely had our pick of the most glorious, even light. The grand fountain in the center of Mizner Park created the perfect statement of a backdrop to document their love.

Where it all began...

Campus romance was in the air when Renzo and Daniela attended Flordia Atlantic University. So, of course it was very fitting to return to the very place where they met and fell in love! What added even more fun and love to their session? Their energetic, joy-filled pup Chuck, a chocolate lab. (What's up, Chuck!) He was beyond adorable and posed so well for me!

Daniela and Renzo, it truly was a pleasure capturing your story. Thank you so much for choosing us to document your engagement photos! This engagement shoot -- the fun, the love, and the effortless romance in spades -- makes us all the more excited for what your wedding day will bring.

Florida Atlantic University

The details that brought this Boca Raton engagement together:

Location: Mizner Park & Florida Atlantic University

Photography: Crystal Bolin Photography