Destination: Sandestin, Florida – Kristin & Jake’s Rehearsal Dinner

Kristin and Jake are a couple who met in middle school in Memphis, Tennessee. Jake and Kristin’s family’s have also vacationed for years in Destin Florida and the couple decided this would be a beautiful place for their nuptials. The couple hired me after attending a family member’s wedding at which I was the photographer. My trip started off good then took a dip when my luggage never followed me from Atlanta to Pensacola. My luggage has thankfully been returned. The rehearsal dinner was excellent and the day finished on a high note.

Before I jump into Kristin and Jake’s rehearsal dinner photos I wanted to share how much I enjoy my job and how lucky I feel I am to be able to take photographs for a living. I came across this passage which I believe truly encapsulates my thoughts and views. “A major goal of spiritual practice is to clear our mental space of the intellectual and emotional garbage we have been collecting…and to provide space for the experience of true relaxation and enjoyment.” That space for me is whenever I have a camera in my hands.

Kristin and Jake will be married on July 19th and I have the privilege of witnessing their vows and documenting their love for each other.

The rehearsal dinner was at Tommy Bahama’s in Destin, Florida. What a cool restaurant and kudos to the manager for the wonderful job he did. So we’re in SouthFlorida and what’s on the menu? If you guessed some pretty awesome seafood you were correct. Snapper encrusted with macadamia nuts and served with wasabi soy butter sauce and grilled broccolini seasoned with lemon garlic oil. Man my mouth is watering just recalling this most excellent meal. After the rehearsal dinner the wedding party gathered with family and close friends back at the hotel for a meet and greet. Jake’s mom put together a beautiful video for the bride and groom. Photos of both from birth through present was set to music. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house. here’s just a few photos from the rehearsal dinner.

The table settings at the restaurant all kept with  a nautical theme.

Here’s the girls. Not their wedding but by the end of the night you knew they rivaled Kristin for the title of “Most Important Person.” Here’s some photos from a night that was quite a bit of fun.

Here’s the Boys. Well behaved during dinner and rambunctious the rest of the night. Great fun.

Kristin, Jake and their family and friends at the rehearsal dinner at Tommy Bahamas.

I love this shot of Kristin. She will be an absolutely beautiful bride. Her smile and laugh are infectious.

The kiss. I had asked one of the little boys to go up to Kristin and Jake and tell them to kiss so I could take this photo. He told them then ran and watched to see if they would as he peered from around the corner.

Kristin and Jake watched the video Jake’s mom put together. The video commanded everyone’s attention for almost 20-minutes. What a great video and a fantastic way to celebrate the lives of Kristin and Jake.

This young lady had a kind of her own. When she saw the camera any trace of a smile immediately left her face. It was as if she was saying, “No way are you taking my picture!”

Jake was watching Kristin open some of the gifts received by the couple tonight. I asked Jake if he received any “man” gifts and he held up a pizza cutter. Go Jake!

Kristin was of course very happy with the pizza cutter and said she “might actually let Jake use it.”

Jake, Kristin and the gang.

A view from my 6th floor balcony.