Laura + A.J. | Elegant Flagler Museum Wedding

An Elegant Flagler Museum Wedding in Palm Beach, Florida

On Saturday, September 17th Andrew and I had the honor of capturing Laura and A.J.'s elegant Flagler Museum wedding in Palm Beach, Florida. This whole wedding day was an absolute dream. A breathtaking venue, elegant details, an inviting atmosphere and the most thoughtful couple ever; it was complete perfection! This elegant Flagler Museum wedding has taken the lead as my new favorite and you're about to see why!

Why they choose the Flagler Museum

Laura and A.J. choose to have their wedding at the Henry Morison Flagler Museum because it was one of their favorite places in all of Palm Beach, FL. They shared many dates there, A.J. proposed there (in the same room that they said, "I do"), and they had their engagement photos taken there. So naturally, their wedding had to be at the Flagler Museum too! It was "their" place and the perfect place for their wedding.

Their Love Story

Laura and A.J. met at Palm Beach Atlantic University through mutual friends in 2013. They were both involved in the school's Student Government program, during which they became closer friends. They soon discovered that they had mutual admirations. During the Spring semester of 2014, Laura and A.J. began dating. They stood by each other as many changes and challenges arose. That year, A.J. graduated and transitioned into the workforce and summer internships took them around the country.

Their Proposal Story

On December 13th, 2015, after an early church service, they had brunch at Hullabaloo, then headed to one of their favorite spots: The Flagler Museum. One of their favorite things to do was to walk around the museum during the Christmas season because the entire estate is decorated in Christmas decor.  Laura was looking forward to spending some time alone with A.J. before she went home to Texas for the Christmas break. After walking around the museum for a while (although A.J. did keep rushing Laura through the signs and history lessons -- much to her disappointment), they ended up in the Pavilion where they took a look at the train car. As they exited the train, A.J. got down on one knee and Laura immediately said, "Yes!"

Laura & A.J:

Laura and A.J., thank you so much for allowing Andrew and I the pleasure of documenting your magical wedding day! It was a complete honor, being a part your big day! Our hope and prayer is that God continues to richly bless your lives together!

The Details and Creative Team that brought this Flagler Museum Wedding Together:

[line]Wedding Venue: The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Getting Ready Locations: The Brazilian Court and The Hyatt

Day Of Coordinator: Sandy Dorsey of Over The Top Events

Florist: Robert Tamayo of a Touch of Paradise

DJ: Bay Kings Band

Photographer: Crystal Bolin Photography

Videographer: Travis Cossel of Black Label Films

Officiant: Brent Tucker

Caterers: Julie Riley with Ann Z Gourmet Catering

Wedding Cake Baker: Julie Riley with Ann Z Gourmet Catering

Decorators: Atlas Party Rentals

Lighting Designer: Robert Tamayo of a Touch of Paradise

Makeup Artist: Jennifer Jo Owens at A Better Cut Salon WPB

Hair Stylist: Jennifer Jo Owens at A Better Cut Salon WPB

Dress Designer: Justin Alexander from Bacio Bacio Bridal

Men's Wear: Men's Warehouse

Ring Designer: Mitch Diamond

Head Piece Designer: Etsy

Shoe Designer: Ekes Ballroom Shoe

Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo

Paper Products: MinutemanPress WPB

Danae + Ricky | Breezy Bohemian Engagement in Palm Beach, FL

 A Breezy Bohemian Engagement in Palm Beach, Florida

On Thursday, August 18th, Andrew and I had the pleasure of documenting Danae and Ricky's breezy bohemian engagement on Palm Beach, Florida. It was a beautiful afternoon and the scene was so dreamy. Danae and Ricky are such a gorgeous couple and they brought their adorable puppy, Cooper! Everything about this boho-inspired engagement shoot was so stunning!

Danae decided to have their photos taken at a serene spot next to the Flagler Museum and the Palm Beach Lake Trail. We began our shoot in the late afternoon, right before golden hour. It was the perfect time of day for a dreamy engagement shoot. Danae wanted an elegant bohemian inspired engagement shoot and I believe we achieved that.

Right before the shoot we were chatting and we discovered that we are all Cuban! Ricky, like myself, was born in the United States but Danae was actually born in Cuba and came to the United States when she was just a toddler. It's not very often that I get the opportunity to work with Cuban couples so working with Danae and Ricky was so nice!

The Love Story:

Their love story starts in a very simple way. A knock on the door. They were both attending the University of Florida at the time. Danae's best friend and roommate had started dating one of Ricky's roommates, so he had been invited to come over for dinner. Danae was a graduate student at the time and had no time to even sit to have dinner with them, so she went to her room to study until she overheard someone talking about “puerco asado” (roasted pork). The Cuban in her couldn’t resist so she went to investigate. Come to find out, Ricky was Cuban too!

Soon they would come to find out they both grew up in West Palm Beach, had gone to South Olive Elementary School, and had grown up in Lake Osbourne Estates! They had grown up just a few blocks from each other but it wasn't until college that they finally met.

Eventually, they both graduated from UF, moved back home to West Palm Beach to be closer to family and bought their first home. A few days after they moved into their home they added Mr. Cooper to their little family, their YorkiePoo. He's the cutest little guy!

The Proposal:

With a strong four-year relationship they never doubted their relationship would last and always knew that one day they would share the same last name. On the last day of June, Ricky planned their beautiful engagement. He invited their families, including Danae's sister who flew in from Ohio, to a day at the Breakers in Palm Beach. After a perfect poolside breakfast with the family, Ricky had scheduled a manicure and pedicure for Danae and her sister. Towards the end of their appointment, their moms came to take Danae and her sister to the bungalows pool.

As they walked over they stopped at a lookout point in front of the ocean, where Ricky, along with both of their families, met them. That was the moment Ricky proposed. They spent the rest of the day drinking champagne, eating, and having a perfect afternoon beachside at the Breakers. Now they are planning their destination wedding for next year, and couldn’t be happier or more excited about their future together!

Danae & Ricky, thank you so much for allowing us the honor of capturing your engagement photos! It was a pleasure working with you guys and little Cooper!

The details that brought this Breezy Bohemian Engagement shoot together:

Location: Palm Beach Lake Trail & The Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida

Photography: Crystal Bolin Photography

Bride's first dress: Lulu’s White Floral Maxi Dress

Bride's second dress: Lulu's Black Snowy Meadows Crocheted Maxi Dress

Floral Headpiece: DC Design Studio

Bouquet: DC Design Studio

Parasol: DC Design Studio

Featured: Dreamy Spring Palm Beach Wedding Inspiration

A Dreamy Palm Beach Wedding Inspiration Shoot

On a sunny South Florida afternoon, a team of wedding creatives merged their talents to create a dreamy Palm Beach wedding inspiration shoot. Creamy pastels, coastal Palm Beach scenes and a head-over-heels-in-love couple effortlessly filled each frame. The epitome of elegant and nautical, this styled shoot was filled to the brim with whimsical scenes and joyful spirits. Classical touches of the 1950’s, fitting perfectly with the Annual Palm Beach Regatta providing sailboats and dreamy shores for a breezy backdrop. The bride adorns a timeless lace gown with an elusion neckline and delicate long sleeves, all of which were custom-designed. Her bouquet and flower crown were composed of soft pastels -- giving a light, airy hint of Spring. Simple diamond jewelry paired gracefully with a bold yet tasteful crimson lip color. Classic navy pants, a sharp white shirt, and a light blue striped tie coupled nicely with the tan suspenders worn by the groom.

Planning and capturing this wedding inspiration shoot was a dream to create. This was my first styled shoot ever and I also planned the shoot in THREE days! When I heard about the 2nd Annual Palm Beach Regatta that was happening three days later, I had a thought. I LOVE sailboats and anything nautical so I thought it would make an incredible backdrop for a styled shoot! I thought of the location almost immediately!  I knew the West Palm Beach side would be packed because of the Regatta but I figured that on the Palm Beach island the view would be great and there wouldn't be a crowd. I thought the Lake Trails next to the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum would be perfect! The spot was amazing, even though there weren't as many sailboats as I had hoped the view was still incredible!

When it came time to find models, I immediately thought of a friend and fellow photographer, Augusta and her husband Travis. Augusta contacted me about a year ago when she moved back to South Florida after living in Alaska with her husband! We met up for coffee, chatted about life & photography and have been friends ever since! When I asked Augusta, she quickly asked Travis and within a few hours they said yes! I was so excited!

Since this was my first styled shoot, I knew I wanted to keep it simple yet I wanted a classic 1950s American elegance. I contacted some of my favorite wedding vendors and friends!   Within ONE day I have all the vendors I needed! I was shocked with how quickly they all committed! I sent them an inspiration board but told them to have fun with it and create something they loved. Oh boy, did they deliver! I am SO thankful for them all!

On Thursday, June 2nd, 2016 this dreamy Palm Beach wedding inspiration shoot was featured on Southeastern Bride! It was such an honor to be featured! This was my first styled wedding shoot and my first exclusive publication feature! To view the full feature on Southeastern Bride click here!

Gorgeous letterpress invitations by The Windmill Paper Boutique.Amazing florals by the oh-so-talented Darines Castro of Simply Flowers! If you are looking for a fabulous florist she is the best!! I worked with her for Sarah and Todd's Croquet Wedding back in January! She did an incredible job with their colorful wedding! The perfect flower crown! Hand-lettering/Calligraphy and props were done by the talented Corey Morrow of Ink Letter Love! She's incredibly gifted and has an amazing selection of creations on her Etsy store! I also worked with her for Sarah and Todd's Croquet Wedding! Check out her store here. My favorite piece! Love that quote! Augusta, you are SO stunning!! Gorgeous hair and makeup by the talented Melissa Montoya of Beauty by VM! Mikaela Ndreca of A Pretty Affair helped with the planning and coordination of the shoot. She was such a big help! She also recommended Melissa and I am so thankful because she did an incredible job! Together they are an amazing team! Augusta and Travis Roberts were our models for this wedding shoot! They were so gracious and did an amazing job as models! I planned this shoot in THREE days! Then I asked Augusta, she quickly asked Travis and they were fully committed within a few hours! So thankful for them!! One of my favorite spots on the whole island is Major Alley! Love this little house! When we were shooting the owner of the home came out and started chatting with us! We initially just wanted to get a few shots on the sidewalk with the house in the background, but when the owner came out she started to tell us about the history of the property (I love a good story about the history of something) she invited us to take as many photos as we would like! She told us that her father built the house, in the early 1900s and passed it along to her after his passing. During the story telling, she even invited some of the team into her home for a tour! Seriously, the sweetest women ever! My favorite shot!! 

Hoped you enjoyed this dreamy Palm Beach wedding inspiration shoot!

The creative team that brought this dreamy Palm Beach wedding Inspiration shoot together:

Florist: Simply Flowers

Hair & Makeup: Beauty by VM

Hand Lettering: Ink Letter Love

Photography:  Crystal Bolin Photography

Wedding Planner: A Pretty Affair

Invitation Designer: The Windmill Paper Boutique

Wedding Gown: Novia's Bridal

Kelsey + Ben | Dreamy Palm Beach Engagement

A dreamy Palm Beach, Florida engagement

On Thursday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!!) I had the honor of capturing Kelsey and Ben's engagement photos in Palm Beach, Florida. This dreamy Palm Beach engagement shoot may be my favorite session to date! Kelsey and Ben were just a dream to work with and as if the entire shoot wasn't gorgeous enough we ended the session on the beach and it was the most stunning beach day I have ever witnessed! A dreamy pastel sky, teal crashing waves, and the most adorable couple made this engagement session one for the books!

I could go on and on about these two cuties! They were a pleasure to work with and made my job too easy! Kelsey is just the sweetest girl I have ever met. She had the most gentle spirit and I'm pretty sure we could be best friends! We both share a love for Nantucket, Lilly Pulitzer, and Nicolas Sparks!! Ben is such a gentlemen, it is so evident how much he cares for Kelsey! He is also such a sport! Toward the end of the shoot went to the beach. The waves were incredible!! So much so, that surfers were out catching waves! Well, I had the idea of having them stand on the tallest rock I could find as the waves crashed around them! It made for an amazing portrait! One of my favorites to date!! Ben got pretty wet but was totally cool about it!!

Yesterday, I asked Kelsey if she could send me the details about their "love story" and oh my goodness, I was not prepared for how incredible their story was!! I might have been balling my eyes out as I read it! I was planning on rewriting it from my point of view but as I read it I realized how impacting and powerful their story was! I left it just as she wrote it and I hope you enjoy as much as I did. But I must warn you, you may want to grab a box of tissues!! I think Nicolas Sparks may have his inspiration for a new book!

Their Love Story:

I spent my first two years in Chicago getting my associates degree and was transferring to a four-year college. I was all applied at Aurora University in the suburbs of Chicago. My education classes picked, books ordered, roommates messaging me planning the arrangements, and I was all set. Then July hit. Only six weeks until classes started. My family and I went down for our Fourth of July vacation. I had always dreamed of going to school in Florida. Palm Beach Atlantic University had been brought up from a friend from church. With curiosity, I looked it up. I realized it was only three hours south of my parent's condo in Daytona. Out of nowhere I got this strange urge to see it. I had a sudden interest, that quite honestly almost stressed me out. School started in six weeks...no way could this workout. Well, I brought it up to my parents and sister to have a visit. So we made the trip down. My mom said I didn't stop smiling the entire tour. She said I was glowing. A thousand miles away, and I had this comforting feeling of being on this campus. We all went for lunch afterward, and of course, my parents hated to see my go so far but saw this immensity of happiness coming from me. I prayed about it on the drive home and said, "God if this is where you have me planned to go, then I trust your hand will work it all out with this quick time frame." I was cautious not to get my hopes up to high because there was no way. It was already the middle of the July with only four weeks before classes would start. Within the next week, I had gotten a call that I was accepted, classes were picked, and there was a room left in the on-campus apartments. Words will never come close to expressing the joy I had receiving the message in a bottle containing my acceptance letter. My friends and family know I'm obsessed with love stories, Nicholas Sparks being one with his novel A Message in a Bottle. I packed my car, and off I went.

Within the first week, I had met so many great transfer students, some I still am very close with now. One of them being Melo. He was from Africa and had this presence about it. Looking back now, I see in more ways than one he was at the work of God. That first Friday of school was my twenty-first birthday. Taking extra time that morning I got all ready for a fun filled day, and night with friends. In between classes in the morning, I went to run an errand and realized God had a different plan for that day than I did. I was in a car accident. My car was total, and I was rushed to the emergency room. With honesty I say, I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. My head hit the windshield and cracked it. Luckily my steering wheel had a rubber cover, that tore my leg up terribly but saved me from hitting it harder and flying out. The firefighter said I was blessed by someone above because I blacked out and hit my head hard. I was bruised and beat up back. My neck was sprained, my hip was out of whack, toe cut open deep, and my head bruised from the hit. Thank the Lord for great friends, as one of them took me into her families house for the weekend. My friends came to visit me for my birthday, but with painkillers so stronger I fell asleep. My friend texts me the next Thursday and asked to get dinner. I was still struggling and in a lot of pain. She said I needed a fun night out. That day I really wasn't feeling up for it, so I text her asking to just wear sweats and get soup. She quickly responded, "Look cute and get ready to have your first legal drink with some fun girl time!" She picked me up, we walked into dinner together....and there was a table full of friends!

I cried and was hugging everyone. They were happy to see me out and smiling again. But there across the table was one guy I had seen at school, had a quick hello with before, but I couldn't remember his name if you asked me. As dinner went on, I noticed this guy across the table looking at me smiling. He was gosh darn cute. Dinner finished up, and I hugged everyone. Then there he was standing next to Melo. Melo said he brought along his friend Ben from the soccer team. I gave him a hug and thanked him for coming. Come to find out, this good looking guy played soccer. My friends and I were big soccer fans, all growing up playing ourselves, so we went to first game. There he was. Number twenty-one, starting at back right defense. My gosh did he look good out there! We had a quick glance during the game. Our friend groups all hung out together, and little by little I fall hard for this boy. Come to find out he liked country, and was from Chicago too. God talks about finding a man who pursues a woman...well let me tell you, this boy was pursuing me. Each night he'd asked once my homework was done if I'd go for a walk on the intercostal with him. We'd walk for hours, and talk. I felt so comfortable with him, and how incredibly sweet he was. Our friendship grew stronger and stronger. That May I had jaw surgery scheduled for the week after I got home from school. I'd be wired shut for eight weeks, and have a long recovery road after that. Ben and I talked about the future all the time. We had the same dreams for a family, and the connection between us was undeniable. He brought up the conversation about us dating. I knew after just a few short weeks of talking with Ben he was the man of my dreams and the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I couldn't grasp how fast and hard I fell for Ben. But, I knew with surgery coming up, my emotional, physical, and spiritual state was going to be tested. I felt wrong to start a relationship not being on my own two feet. So, I told him if we could get through this surgery together, that I would date him. I knew I would be able to see him truly in a hard situation, as well as him see me through good and bad. My eyes tear up thinking back to this. He was there in the hospital, making me still feel like the prettiest girl in the world when I knew I looked awful. For eight weeks, I couldn't talk to him, kiss him, laugh with him, or smile. No amount of words will ever explain this feeling of how difficult it was. He saw me on days when I couldn't eat I was in so much pain, I wasn't sleeping, and I couldn't take any pain medicine because the risk of vomiting and choking. I had to carry wire cutters everywhere I went in case I started to choke. He drove out to my hours an hour away every other day. Without talking, or being able to do anything he came just the same each time. His words of encouragement each morning and night showed me so much of his heart. July 16th, once my wires were cut, he planned a whole day with a scavenger hunt ending at a garden and asked me to be his girlfriend.

We've been dating for two and a half years, but a year and a half of it has been long distance. We talked for a year before actually dating. While I was nannying in Nantucket Island for a month, he drove to my house in August and asked my parents for permission to marry me. Needless to say, he wasn't asking until December but wanted to make sure it was okay with my parents before purchasing the ring. My parents were honored and said yes! He went and spent two hours designing the ring he felt I'd like. He did amazing!!! December I graduated and was planning to move back. Ben still had a year and a half of college to go. I was bummed. The day after Christmas he planned a special outing for us together. Without having any idea of what we were doing he picked me up. With a carriage, a walkway of lights, hot cocoa and mugs, Ben got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! :D I got teary-eyed, smiling from ear to ear, and shouted yes! In burlap on the carriage, it said, "Marry Me" and the back said, "Just Engaged"! My sister, as well as my soon-to-be sister-in-law, had helped set it all up. They were hiding in the trees taking pictures of it! My friends and family had all known for five months! hee hee, It was an absolute dream come true!

In exactly 82 days I get to marry my absolute best friend....and the man I prayed to find since I was a little girl! God called me to Florida, a thousand miles away, to meet the man I am beyond blessed to call my fiance, and soon hubby! "I have found the one whom my soul loves". With the ceremony in an absolutely precious outdoor setting and reception inside the elegant barn, I will become Mrs. Ben Vogeney at Fishermans Inn in Elburn Illinois on July 30th, 2016.

The details that brought this dreamy Palm Beach engagement shoot together:

Venues: Worth Avenue, One Major Alley and Palm Beach beach

Photographer: Crystal Bolin

Bride's dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Bride's sandals: Lilly Pulitzer

Bride's bracelet: Lilly Pulitzer

Bride's Earings: Stella & Dot

Groom's white button down shirt: Calvin Klein

Groom's shorts: Champs

Groom's shoes: Lacoste