I loved this wedding so much.
Riley and Robby got married at the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, and their day was just so much fun from beginning to end. Beautiful florals, huge oak trees, Spanish moss, peacocks, champagne, cigars, parasols, and a dance floor with both drums AND a saxophone. They really thought of everything.
But honestly, my favorite part was just how much I loved photographing these two.
As a St. Augustine wedding photographer, I love when a couple gives me the freedom to photograph their day in a way that feels like them. Riley and Robby’s wedding had all of the beautiful details, but it also had so much personality, laughter, and genuine emotion.
From FSU to forever
Riley and Robby met at Florida State University after Riley’s roommate, who was also one of Robby’s best friends, introduced them.
Robby’s proposal was a complete surprise. He planned drinks and dinner before Riley started her clinical rotations and secretly arranged for her parents and siblings to be there. He brought her to the water near the fort in St. Augustine and proposed while her family watched from the balcony of the restaurant they were headed to afterward.
Her brother even managed to get a few photos, and they all got to celebrate together afterward.
So having their wedding in St. Augustine felt pretty perfect.
First looks, portraits, and a little weather stress
We were definitely keeping an eye on the weather leading up to Riley and Robby’s wedding. Florida weather can be so unpredictable, and with so much of their Fountain of Youth wedding planned outside, we were all a little nervous about what it might decide to do.
Thankfully, Riley and Robby had planned a first look and portraits early in the day.
Not only did that give them more time together before the ceremony, but it also meant we could get so many of their important portraits finished while the weather was still beautiful. There was something really nice about knowing we had the portraits we wanted, instead of spending the entire day wondering if we would get a chance to take them later.
Riley also had first looks with her bridesmaids, her dad, and her stepdad, which gave her so many sweet moments with the people she loves most.
They were so easy to photograph. We got plenty of the laughing, flirty, goofy moments that felt completely like them, along with some really beautiful romantic portraits.
The natural beauty of the Fountain of Youth
Riley really wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the Fountain of Youth, and it was the perfect setting for that.
The giant oak trees, Spanish moss, palms, open greenery, and water gave us so many different looks without ever feeling like we were leaving the story of the day.
I also loved the color palette of the wedding. Soft whites and ivory, muted greens, and those gorgeous deep brown bridesmaid dresses looked so good against all of the greenery.
The white parasols with the bridesmaids underneath the oak trees are some of my favorite photos from the entire day.
And then, of course, we had the peacocks.
Because apparently the Fountain of Youth decided to provide some entertainment of its own. 😂
A beautiful St. Augustine wedding ceremony’
Riley and Robby’s ceremony took place outside surrounded by the natural beauty of the Fountain of Youth.
Riley’s aunt and godmother, Brandi Cook, officiated the ceremony, with Kennedy and Callie Cook participating as readers.
The ceremony was beautiful and simple, with white fabric, florals, and all of that gorgeous Florida greenery surrounding them.
After spending so much of the morning together, it was really sweet to see Riley and Robby finally get to that moment where they could officially become husband and wife.
Then it was time to party
After the ceremony, the energy shifted completely.
There was a cigar bar, champagne, a second dress for Riley, and a dance floor that stayed packed.
We even got to create a really fun editorial inspired portrait around the cigar bar. It felt a little Vogue and was such a cool change of pace from the traditional wedding portraits.
And then there were the drums and saxophone on the dance floor.
Yes, both.
It was one of those receptions where it was basically impossible to sit still.
And somehow, the weather worked out perfectly
After all of our weather worrying, it really couldn’t have worked out much better.
The weather was beautiful for most of the day, and when rain finally came through during the reception, everyone was already inside enjoying the party. We didn’t have to stop anything or worry about trying to squeeze portraits into a tiny weather window.
By the time Riley and Robby made their bubble exit, the rain had settled into the lightest little sprinkle.
The bubbles, the rain, everyone cheering, and the two of them running through their exit made for such a fun way to end the night.
So all that weather stress?
Completely worth it. And thankfully, completely unnecessary. 😂
One of my favorite St. Augustine weddings
Riley and Robby, I loved your wedding day so much.
Thank you for trusting me to be there for all of it. I loved getting to know you both, meeting your people, and documenting all of the little things that made your wedding day yours.
From the emotional first looks to the peacocks, the parasols, the cigar bar, the dance floor, and that slightly rainy bubble exit, there was so much to love about this day.
I hope these photographs always bring you right back to how it felt.
Congratulations, you two. 🤍
If you’re planning a Fountain of Youth wedding in St. Augustine, I’d love to photograph it. I photograph weddings throughout St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Northeast Florida, with a mix of guided portraits and candid moments that let your day actually feel like your day.
Wedding Vendors
Planning & Coordination: LA Event Planning | @laeventsta
Venue: Fountain of Youth | @foyflorida
Florals: Jacksonville Flower Market | @jacksonvilleflflowermarket
Hair & Makeup: PRIM Bridal | @primbridal
Dress: White Magnolia Bridal Collection | @whitemagnoliabridal
Tux: Michaels Formalwear | @michaelsformalwearandmenswear
DJ: COS Celebrations | @coscelebrations
Cake: Publix | @publix
Bartending: Bearded Pig Barbecue | @thebeardedpigbbq
Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations | @stjohnsilluminations
Transportation: Jax Party Bus | @jaxpartybus
Tan: Sand & Honey | @sandandhoney
