Hello again! Adrian and Kelly wedding party ringing the bell Slight night effect
Heres another wedding I wanted to share with all of you- From 6/28/09 at Guana’s South Beach Access (South Ponte Vedra Beach). A little Backstory Kelly found me on Craigslist— You have really got to start expecting that 
— She is an artist and wanted to find a photographer she could mesh with, someone that wouldn’t mind her painting and showcasing the photos, and was very “reasonable” when it came to rates (it actually ended up being more of a barter- portraits and publicity for wedding photos) Win win! ***Please dont be afraid to ask and offer*** Kelly will be painting a few of her pictures and displaying them on her website, and painting a family portrait for me (from a JPG file). So if you ever want something painted or are looking for more art hit her up!
Without further delay here is Kelly and Adrian! 
I was set to arrive at Guana’s South Beach Access (Right off of the infamous A1A) around 4:30pm and while it was overcast I held on to hope that we wouldnt get rained out. It was a very simplistic wedding- Groom and groomsmen in white shirts and Khakis, Bridesmaids were set to anything in the blue family, but the bride was in a gorgeous gown and veil (gown found on CL ). 
Adrian built an alter in which they hung a “truce bell”– Most all of us have never heard of such a thing, I know I hadn’t. The truce bell took place of unity candles or sand ceremonies for this wedding. The officiant marries the couple and right before the kiss the bell is rung. This symbolizes a clean slate for the marriage. The couple will hang the truce bell in their home and when fighting one or the other will ring the bell in order to call the fight to an end. I thought this was a very interesting tradition to share, one that may catch on for future brides.
The couple shared their own vows and a sweet kiss and hug- Then it was portrait time!
Now with Kelly being an artist I felt a little more liberated in using some very “artistic” techniques for the pictures. Since it was a beach wedding close to sunset I had ample opportunity to work my magic. Family shots were taken under the alter. Group formals on the dunes. Finally my favorite the bride and groom shots by the water and on the wooden walkway. 
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From there we had to haul boogity to get to the reception location- Happy Stefanos Pizzeria- Before the rain came falling down.
Rain is coming
Granted we were lucky for the ceremony and posed shots, it did start raining on the way to the reception as well as most of the way through it. That wasnt bad though, the reception was very rain proof with the covered balconies and inside setting.
I didnt stay for much of the reception but I did manage to catch the great food and beautiful desserts! Looking at Kelly’s dress can you guess what the cake looked like? Blue? Three tiered? Cutesy little toppers? WRONG! They chose something completey out of the box and orginial– made by the bride herself! A chocolate portrait. She took a picture of them, bought lots of chocolate, and used her artistic abilities to create this masterpeice.
Chocolate Portrait
It may not be your “slice of cake” but it is pretty amazing none the less!
Thank you very much Adrian and Kelly for sharing your day with me (as neat as it was) and Good luck.
Hopefully you won’t have to ring that bell very often!
Collage Kelly and Adrian
Vanessa
