Hannah + Matthew Step Into The Limelight | The Manor on Lake Juliana | Auberndale, FL

A Decade of Love: A Wedding at The Manor on Lake Juliana

Some love stories feel like they were always meant to be. After meeting on social media in 2016 and later attending high school together, these two began a relationship that would grow into nine years of shared memories, inside jokes, and a love that simply makes sense.

When it came time to propose, he transformed the basement of their first home together, filling it with lights, photos, and signs as a surprise for her return from a girls trip. It was a thoughtful beginning to the next chapter of a story they had already spent years building together.

For their wedding, they traveled from New York to Central Florida, choosing to celebrate their tenth anniversary surrounded by their closest friends and family. With a honeymoon planned at Walt Disney World, Florida offered the perfect destination for a celebration that combined a little vacation magic with a milestone years in the making.

Set along the shores of Lake Juliana in Auburndale, The Manor on Lake Juliana provided a timeless backdrop for the day. The historic estate dates back to 1933, blending old world charm with lakeside views, lush gardens, and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. Its Grand Gazebo and waterfront setting offer a natural sense of romance, while the surrounding grounds bring a relaxed, intimate feel to the celebration.

The couple envisioned a wedding filled with sunrise inspired colors, personality, and fun. Rather than following traditional wedding expectations, they made the day their own, choosing the details and experiences that felt most authentic to them. From heartfelt vows and their first kiss as husband and wife to a surprise ring bearer, first dances, fresh pizza, and a playful temporary tattoo booth, every part of the celebration reflected their approach to love: personal, meaningful, and never defined by someone else’s rules.

After nearly a decade together, their wedding was about more than marking an anniversary. It was about celebrating the life they have built, the people who have been part of their journey, and the future they are stepping into together.

And after ten years in the making, the celebration was worth the wait.

Lead Photographer | Jeff Mitchell
Associate Photographer | Talia Leite 
Videographers | Earl Speid and Terry Mickens

Ceremony Site | The Manor at Lake Juliana 
Hair Stylist |  M3 Beauty
Make-up Artist |  M3 Beauty
Reception Venue | The Manor at Lake Juliana 

Sunset Wedding Photos and "When Is Golden Hour?"

As Florida wedding photographers and Florida wedding videographers, we’re constantly asked one of our favorite questions:
“When is the best time for photos?”
Our answer is almost always the same: golden hour.

There’s something really really magical that happens when the sun dips low in the sky. It’s warm, romantic, and gives every photo a softness unlike your typical afternoon sunlight. Whether you're tying the knot in a chic downtown Tampa venue, a St.Pete beachfront resort, or planning a destination wedding in the Caribbean, golden hour is the secret ingredient that takes your portraits from beautiful to breathtaking.

So… “What Is Golden Hour?”

This is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but not everyone knows what it means! Golden hour is that perfect slice of time just after sunrise or just before sunset. The sun is lower on the horizon, casting light that’s softer, warmer, and more flattering than the midday sun. For sunset portraits, golden hour typically begins 60 to 90 minutes before sunset, with the most ethereal glow in the final 30 minutes before the sun dips below the horizon.

This window of time changes slightly depending on the time of year and your location, which is why we always help our couples plan for it when building out their wedding day photography timeline.

Planning Your Golden Hour Photo Session

Here are a few tips to make the most of your golden hour photo session:

• Talk to your photographer early. We’ll help determine the exact sunset time for your date and location.

• Work it into your timeline. Even just 15–20 minutes is enough to capture memorable images — oftentimes wedding planners are already aware that their couples may want to go out for sunset portraits, but it’s good to communicate this desire with your wedding planner/coordinator directly, in addition to your photographer!

• Be flexible. Sometimes stepping away from dinner or sneaking out between reception happenings is the best way to catch that prime light.

• Trust the process. Let us guide you. No stiff posing, just the two of you being yourselves.

At Limelight Photography, we’ve had the joy of capturing golden hour moments for couples all across Florida and the Caribbean. Whether you're looking for sunset portraits that feel editorial and elegant, or something candid and carefree, we tailor each session to reflect who you are as a couple.

Let us help you plan the perfect time to chase the light—and create something truly timeless. Reach out today!

By the time golden hour arrives, most couples are relaxed, happy, and fully in the moment. Whether it's a quiet walk along the water or a joyful twirl in an open field, this time allows you to connect with each other while we document it with candid, documentary-style beauty.

📍 We are based in Florida, but available for destination weddings anywhere! ✈️
✨ Our team is composed of Florida wedding photographers, videographers, and content creators specializing in golden hour magic.

Article by Tara Zimmerman from Limelight Photography — passionate about capturing the unscripted, emotional moments that tell your love story in the most genuine and heartfelt way.