Orlando Wedding Photographer | 2017 Favorites

WOW! This year has been absolutely incredible. I can’t believe this month makes 4 years as a full-time wedding photographer. To say I am truly fulfilled and grateful would be an understatement. I have so many great moments and incredible couples to be thankful for in 2017! I was able to shoot some amazing new wedding venues including Casa Feliz and Cypress Grove Estate House, both of which were on my list of venues that I wanted to shoot at. And I also got to work at some oldies but goodies several times, like my fave Paradise Cove where I got married 6 years ago as well as alllll over Disney which is always fun!

I also got to work with some top-of-the-line wedding vendors which are clearly far too many to list, but I was so happy to find myself wedding after wedding seeing so many of the same faces. From DJ’s to florists to cake designers– it was some awesome to be in great company at every wedding and it’s always a great experience to capture their talents in photos and on video. 

And last, but certainly not least– I got to meet and work with some of the most amazing couples on the planet! People often ask me if as a wedding photographer I deal with “bridezillas” or “groomzilla” type of clients… and my answer is a resounding NO. My brides and grooms are some of the most laid back, trusting and fun-loving people I have ever met. I can honestly say that I haven’t had a single client that was remotely “difficult” this year and I really mean it! On the contrary, a great majority of my brides & grooms have said, “Whatever you think Elle. You are the professional. We trust you.” I know it sounds super cheesy, but I am forever thankful that they feel confident enough to hand over the reins and let me do what I do best. It truly means the world to me.

It was a year for the record books and although I have sooooooo many favorites (and I still have more weddings to go before the year ends!)– I’m going to attempt to round up some of my all-time faves from this year!

Adios 2017– can’t wait to see what amazingness 2018 has in store. 

Favorite Bride & Groom Portrait: Candace & Johnny

This was a hard pick because couples portraits are my favvvvooorrite part of the day so I have so many great photos that I love. What makes this one a favorite though is not only the enchanted forest look, but Candace’s incredible flowy wedding dress paired with her floral crown and Johnny’s blue tux with the pop of pink from the bouquet! On top of that, since I know these two personally it makes this photo just that much more special.

Favorite Engagement Photo Spot: Stephanie & Dodd

Stephanie did so much homework driving around town to find the perfect spot for her engagement session and when she mentioned Hannibal Square in Winter Park I was so excited! I’ve had my eye on this location for over a year and it was awesome to finally shoot here. The ivy on the walls, the wrought iron gate and the colored tile on the steps was too perfect.

Favorite Night-time Portraits: Tina & Steven / Shelbi & Judd

Holy moly!! I could not pick just one. These two photos are probably some of my favorite images of all-time. I love that these couples were willing to let me play around with some cool photography techniques after dark to create something ultra sexy & romantic for them. 

Favorite Out-of-the-Box Portrait: Venus & Michael

Venus is a ballerina and Michael is her prince charming– as you can tell! The fact that they pulled this off in formal attire is just nuts to me. 

Favorite Proposal Reaction: Emily & Daniel

Emily takes the cake for her full on face palm when Daniel popped the question! I’m impressed I was even able to get this shot amidst my laughter! :)))

Favorite Photo with Pets: Angelica & Ben

I got to meet some awesome fur babies this year, but these two win it for being brave enough to bring not one.. but two pets on their engagement shoot! And I got them both to smile at me!! 

Favorite Original Wedding Detail: Olivia & Natalie

This was technically one of my last weddings of 2016 but it’s worth a mention for sure! I have never seen a donut cake before but I’ll tell you what, I was mad I didn’t come up with it! This glazed flowery pile of awesome was the coolest, most original thing I’ve seen all year and I “do nut” think I can top it! ;) (You see what I did there!?)

Favorite Wedding Bouquet: Christy & Stephen

This wild and organic floral creation by Andie of The Flower Studio was to die for! It’s the perfect blend of soft & romantic with a bit of a wild edge. I just love the texture that the greenery adds and the flowy satin ribbon made it extra beautiful to photograph! 

Favorite Cake: Trinity’s Sweet Sixteen

My favorite cake of the season wasn’t even from a wedding! It was from Trinity’s Sweet 16 and of course her mom, the accomplished cake designer behind Bakers Cottage Cakes, created it. So of course it was out of this world amazing!

Favorite Wedding Dress: Lindsay & David

Lindsay picked up this beauty from Eve of Milady at none other than Kleinfeld bridal in New York City and it was everything I dreamed it would be and more! The details in this dress were so unique from the layers of fabric to the sheer accent to the amazing beaded sleeves– there is no one picture than can do justice to how stunning it was in person. (Luckily they have video!)

Favorite Reception: Rae & Seth

Between the cowboy boots stomping during the line dances, to Seth going all ‘Magic Mike’ on a guest table and Rae riding a wine barrel in true cowgirl style– their wedding reception was truly a blast from start to finish!

Favorite Wedding Experience: Debbie & Tim

So they also technically got married in 2016, but it was at the verrrrry end of the year so I’m going to sneak them in my list of faves because this was too awesome not to. Since they had their wedding reception at Epcot, they included a private ride on Soarin’ with all of their wedding guests and I got to tag along as well. It was my first time ever on the ride and to have done it as a wedding photographer was seriously surreal. 

Here’s to another INSANELY AWESOME year to come! :)