Bayshore Ranch // Fort Myers Florida Wedding

July 21, 2019

bride and groom at sunset at bayshore ranch in fort myers Florida in summer

DANNY + LAUREN’S BAYSHORE RANCH WEDDING | FORT MYERS WEDDING | HEITMAN HOUSE REHEARSAL DINNER | FLORIDA + DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

What took me so long to post something from the Spring? Well truth be told, I don’t think I’ve ever blogged this many images in a post and sometimes it’s difficult to sift through hundreds and hundreds of photos and piece the day together so beautifully to do it justice. So it’s taken me a goooood 4 months to revisit the images (so I didn’t have favorites and a fresh set of eyes) and sharing some other weddings in-between. Better late than never though. So here we go!

I arrived the evening before Danny and Lauren’s wedding at The Heitman House for their rehearsal dinner. The place was so beautiful and elegant. It was right on the water and felt so private and romantic. The owner was cooking on the grill as the guests were arriving…which I feel like I rarely see. Actually, let me back all this up for a minute! The Heitman House AND Bayshore Ranch had some of the most involved owners I’ve ever seen at a wedding venue. Anyways! It was that evening that I met so many family members and I saw everyone that made them, them. The night was full of laughs, delicious food, speeches, a special video and a gorgeous sunset. The evening was a dream really. Minus the bad sunburn I got from sitting in the sun all day prior. Just goes to show, Colorado sun doesn’t protect you from it all.

The next morning, Lauren and her girl squad got ready at Bayshore Ranch. It was off the beaten path and kind set back in the woods. It was HOT that day, but as I walked around the venue to check everything out. The staff were hanging decorations from the rafters and setting up tables, all smiling and friendly and the bridesmaids were popping bottles. While Danny and the groomsmen got ready at their home. Not long after arriving a man delivering McDonalds showed up saying “Yo, someone gettin married today?” I think he half expected to walk in on someone playing video games or something. Which can we just back up again? I had no idea their backyard looked like a legit jungle of tall trees and palms. I just never wanted to leave. I’m pretty sure I told Lauren I was moving in. Creepy? Not Creepy? Take it how you want.

I really believe Danny and Lauren’s day was exactly the way a large wedding was supposed to be. About them and everybody was there to party FOR them. You know couples that don’t have a serious bone in their body and all they do is crack jokes and laugh with each other all the time? I think there’s this misconception that you have to be serious, mysterious and romantic-erious for photos, but being who you really are as a couple is the best thing a photographer can witness…and hope for. The day was full of finding cows, fireball and dancing. Let me tell you something…. if my flight leaves at 5am and you ask me to go to an after party in downtown fort myers. I’ll probably skip sleep all together and celebrate with you. Party hard, friends. PARTY HARD!