CASA MARINA WEDDING BY TONYA BEAVER

MARIANNE AND DYLAN WEDDING DAY

I remember photographing this ceremony and knowing that I’ll remember this wedding for the rest of my life. But first let me start at the beginning. It’s common nowadays to not even meet the bride or really even know what they look like until the wedding day. I remember Allysa and I walking up to the girl’s room at Casa Marina where they were getting ready, and you could hear laughter and music and just FUN. We knew we were in for a great day. And it really was.

Marianne is so down to earth, BEAUTIFUL inside and out, and her bridesmaid group was such a solid group too. We got straight to work which means Allysa nailing some beautiful detail shots while I grab shots of the dress and girls getting ready. We always split that up so we can move through it quickly and get straight into the bride’s shot list. Once we got Marianne int her dress, they brought Ollie in (their sweet pup) to say hello.

Did you know there’s a company that will babysit your pups on your wedding day and bring them up to see you and be in the wedding? I’ve seen family members in charge of grabbing them from the house to bring them etc. But this company takes all that off you and your family/guests so you can all enjoy the day. She came equipped with water on her belt, treats, and Ollie was the life of the party.

Anyway, we got done with that part and headed downstairs to start knocking out the shot list of bridesmaids and bride’s side family. It was a million steamy degrees that day so we decided to keep the girls indoors so they didn’t melt. (Along with the bride’s approval and requests of course). Casa Marina is great because it has gorgeous outdoors but also back up indoors is so pretty too. I love shooting in the back room with the pretty blue tile and light that filters in from the side.

Once done with the girls, we tucked them away and did the same for the boys. Typically Allison will handle the boy’s shots so I can zip in the reception room and photograph all the details. I know the couples have spent months and months planning every detail so I REALLY try to capture it all.

Ceremony time came and literally it started pouring as Marianne walked down the aisle…as you can tell from her facial expression in the photos. It rained the whole ceremony and people never moved to take cover. It was impressive and memorable to watch unfold. The couple kept lipping to the audience “I’m sorry”.

After the ceremony, like clockwork it stopped raining and we began our formal photos. We rushed through those as normally we do in order to get a as many photos for our couple yet get them into the reception and party started!

I love Casa Marina for so many reasons but having a space that is designated eat and then party space outside is so great. I love how we can play with lighting and angles outside. I have a Casa Wedding coming up and she asked me if I prefer first dances inside or out, and immediately no hesitation it’s out. We can get so many unique shots through the bushes and the strands of lights are so cute. I just love that courtyard.

Marianne and Dylan danced the night away until it was time to say goodby with their sparkler exit.

We LOVED getting to spend the day with these two and their special people. Honestly it was such an emotionally full day, and it was such an honor to be a part of. xoxo

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Love Story:

How did you two meet?

We met in 2017 at a Student Government conference in West Palm Beach, FL since
we were both running for President/Vice President at different schools. We
reconnected in 2021 when Dylan asked me to go to a wedding as his plus one in
Biloxi, MS.

How did he propose?

We went on a cruise with another couple in July 2022 and on one of the nights we
were taking pictures on a private balcony and he pointed out an island (which wasn’t
there) and when I turned around, he was on one knee! We both love the ocean and
have name ties to the ocean so it was the perfect place.

Wedding planning:

How did you decide on your color scheme, flowers, and cake?

I wanted it to be timeless and beach themed, without being too tacky. We decided on different hues of
blue and white for the flowers. As for the cake, it was a simple ombre cake with frosting that looked like waves and other pastries and desserts. Dylan is from Mississippi, so we had to have a groom’s cake that was Ole Miss themed.

How did you decide on your invitations, and who did you use?

We used Truly Engaging because they had an option to upload your own design, which I got from Etsy. I just wanted a subtle beach themed invitation.

What was the most fun part of wedding planning?

The most fun part of wedding planning was thinking of how everyone will be coming together since almost all of our guests had to travel to Jacksonville. We are very fortunate we have so many amazing people in our lives that were willing to travel for us.

Which part did you not like as much?

Towards the end, I was getting decision fatigue. I’m usually very laid back and there are just so many details when it comes to wedding planning, I was worried things wouldn’t mesh together in the end but it all worked out!

What are the biggest pieces of advice you wish you would have known before the
wedding day.

Just do what makes you and your partner happy, because at the end of the day, it should be your one and only wedding. Also, make it feel like your relationship because everyone said it felt like us as a couple!

Wedding Weekend Info:

Ceremony Location – Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant, @casamarinahotel
Reception Location – Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant, @casamarinahotel
Catering – Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant, @casamarinahotel
Rehearsal Dinner Location – The Fig Room, @thefigroom
Wedding Planner – Red Velvet Collective, @redvelvet_collective
Florist – Jacksonville Flower Market,
@jacksonvilleflowermarket
Photography – Tonya Beaver Photography, @tonyabeaverphotography
DJ – Island Sound Live – Michael King, @islandsounddjs
Officiate – Kyle Oakes, friend of the couple

Cake/ Desserts – Brides Table – Alley Cakes, @alleycakes
Grooms Table – Nina Bakery Bliss, @ninasbakerybliss
Dress – Vida by Dany Tabet from White Magonlia,
@whitemagnoliabridal + @danytabet
Veil – White Magnolia, @whitemagnoliabridal

Groom’s suit – Kay’s Kreations, @kayskreationbridal
Groomsmen suits – Kay’s Kreations, @kayskreationbridal
https://kaysformalwear.com/
Bridesmaid’s dresses – Azazie, @azazieofficial
https://www.azazie.com/
Invitation – Truly Engaging, @truly.engaging
https://www.trulyengaging.com/
Shoes – Badgley Mischka, @badgleymischkabride
https://www.badgleymischka.com/
Makeup – Studio Bride, @studiobride
Hair – Studio Bride, @studiobride
https://www.studiobrideartistry.com/
Live Painter – Sam Nelson, @samnelsonart_paintslive
https://www.samnelsonart.com/
Pet Care – Fairy Tale Pet Care, @fairytail_petcare
https://www.samnelsonart.com/

In your words, can you give a storyline of your wedding day?

We both got ready with some of our best friends and family in the late morning and early afternoon. We took some pictures and the nerves started building up, but once we saw each other all of that faded away. The rain just could not wait and soaked our wedding guests who were so amazing and sat there in the rain. The second we kissed, the rain stopped and we were The Woods! We ate some amazing food, laughed and drank to our hearts content and then we pretty much danced the night away in the courtyard for the rest of the night!

What was the high point of your wedding day that you hope to remember forever?

The high point I think would be dancing and visiting with so many friends and family
from both sides and just feeling so much love and support in our relationship!

Tonya Beaver Photography Studio Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL

318 First Ave N

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

To view more Wedding Sessions, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/weddings

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https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/wedding

Hi, I’m Tonya, a Jacksonville Florida Photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and babies. I would love to hear all about your photography needs to see if we’re a right fit for each other. As a photographer, I get to capture the most exciting and life changing experiences in people’s lives.

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