There are a million ways to plan a wedding. You can pick your vendors from a Google search or a TikTok. You can go with whoever your venue recommends or who had the best price. But here’s the thing no one tells you: on your wedding day, your travel wedding photographer is often the person you’ll spend the most time with, even more than your spouse.

The couple running hand-in-hand across an empty street, dress trailing behind like a story unspooling.

Candid close-up of the brides walking hand-in-hand, one holding up part of her embroidered dress train.

A motion-blurred moment of the brides spinning together, laughing with abandon on a city street.

A soft, dreamy black-and-white shot of the brides kissing during their first dance, one guest clapping in the background.

And when you think about it like that, doesn’t it make sense to choose someone who feels like more than a checkbox on your to-do list?

The newlyweds laughing mid-spin, caught in a spontaneous moment outside a weathered brick building.

Detail shot of one bride’s hand resting on her partner’s lower back, highlighting rings and embroidered fabric.

Close-up of the brides laughing and holding hands, their joy radiating in the evening light.

More Than Just a Travel Wedding Photographer

I’m not just there to take photos. I’m there to pass you tissues during vows, fix your hair before the first look, sneak you a cocktail when you need a breather, and hype you up like your lifelong bestie. When you choose vendors with intention, you’re choosing the people who will shape the way your day feels, not just how it runs.

Both brides hugging their mothers and grandmother outside the venue as the sun sets behind them.

As a travel wedding photographer, I’ve learned that the most powerful images come from the most meaningful connections. I want to know your story and be someone who feels like a friend with a camera, rather than a checkbox on your to-do list.

A bride in a white jumpsuit laughing with guests during cocktail hour, holding two margaritas.

Two brides sharing an intimate, joyful moment by a vintage window, wrapped in warm golden light.

The bride embraces a guest in a floral sundress, sunlight spilling over the alley wall behind them.

Katie + Brady: A Masterclass in Meaning

Katie and Brady’s wedding reception was the perfect example of this kind of intention. Every detail, every vendor, every moment was soaked in meaning. It wasn’t just a day they planned. It was a story they built.

A floral-dressed DJ with braided hair dancing behind the booth, completely in her element.

A DJ Who Danced Through the Years

A father-daughter dance with beaming smiles, surrounded by onlookers at a brick-walled venue.

Sepia-toned photo of two guests sharing a powerful embrace on the dance floor, emotion heavy in the air.

Their DJ, was Brady’s childhood bestie, Shelby. These two grew up performing father-daughter dances together at their annual recitals, a tradition where the girls would start the final number with their dads. During the reception, Brady spotted Shelby’s parents and spontaneously pulled Shelby onto the dance floor to dance with her dad, recreating years of memory in a single, teary-eyed moment. No timeline could have planned that; it happened because they were surrounded by people who knew them.

A heartfelt hug between the bride and a guest during cocktail hour, surrounded by laughter and mingling.

The brides strike a cheeky pose with their drinks, full of post-ceremony joy and sass.

The couple shares a kiss with cocktails in hand, guests mingling in the background.

A Cocktail That Told Their Love Story

Their signature peach cocktails weren’t just pretty, they came with stirrers featuring their dog Leo’s face (a king), and the flavor choice had roots in the very beginning of their love story. On their first date, Katie pulled out a flask of homemade peach vodka before walking into a haunted house. Brady took a sip, looked at her, and knew. That’s not just a drink. That’s a whole love language.

A playful capture of the brides holding hands in front of their welcome sign reading “Cheers to the Veaches!”

Close-up of both brides’ hands showing off rings, surrounded by soft, romantic florals.

Two brides share a kiss beside their floral ceremony setup, wrapped in sunlight and celebration.

Flowers from the Heart

And their florist? AK of TCB Flowers, who owned a flower shop walking distance from their first home together. Every bouquet Katie received while dating Brady came from that little shop. So when it came time for wedding florals, there was no question. It had to be AK. It had to be her.

The bride wraps her arms around a young flower girl, both resting in a quiet, heartfelt moment.

Build Your Day With Intention With Your Travel Wedding Photographer

This is what happens when you build your vendor team with heart. You end up with a wedding day that feels like you. That reflects not just your style, but your story.

The brides, surrounded by greenery, lean into each other in the kind of moment that feels both big and quiet.

Hand-in-hand, one bride gently caresses the other's face, their love framed by vibrant potted plants.

The couple embraces among tropical plants and warm light, completely in their own world.

So here’s my advice: don’t just hire a photographer. Don’t just book a DJ or a florist or a planner because someone told you to. Find people who feel like home. Who ask about your dog, your dance recitals, your favorite cocktails. Who see you—really see you—and want to celebrate everything that brought you here.

If you’re planning a destination celebration, find a travel wedding photographer who cares deeply about connection. One who’s ready to show up for you, not just with a camera, but with her whole heart.

Because this isn’t just one day. It’s the beginning of your forever. Let’s build it on purpose.