A Little Rain, A Lot of Joy | Kayla & Eric’s Beachside Wedding
Kayla and Eric’s wedding at the iconic The Don CeSar felt less like a wedding and more like the kind of movie you never want to end. The kind where everyone is laughing too loud, dancing barefoot, hugging every five minutes, and pretending they are “just going to have one drink” before somehow ending up on the dance floor until the very last song.
From the second I arrived, I could already feel it, this wasn’t going to be one of those overly serious, perfectly posed weddings where everyone is afraid to wrinkle their clothes. This was joy. Real joy. The kind that fills a room instantly and makes even the vendors feel like family by the end of the night. As a photographer, I honestly felt honored to be part of such a special day. Kayla and Eric have this warmth about them that makes everyone around them feel included, relaxed, and loved. Their energy was contagious in the best possible way.
And can we talk about Kayla for a second? Because wow. She looked like she had walked straight out of a fairytale. Not in the cliché Pinterest way, in the “how is this person actually real?” kind of way. Between the ocean breeze, the dreamy pink tones of the Don CeSar, and her dress moving perfectly with the wind, she looked absolutely unreal.
But honestly? The most beautiful thing that day was Eric’s face every single time he looked at her. His eyes absolutely lit up. And here’s the funny part, the weather decided it also wanted to be dramatic and emotionally involved in the wedding. Florida weather truly said, “You know what this ceremony needs? Plot twists.”
Right around ceremony time, the skies started changing faster than anyone could keep up with. The rain arrived exactly when sunset portraits were supposed to happen because apparently the weather had its own agenda that day. But instead of panicking, these two laughed through it all like absolute champions.
And yes… I absolutely convinced them to stand in the rain on the hotel terrace for sunset photos anyway. Photographer priorities. While everyone else was trying to stay dry, there we were on the rooftop terrace of the Don CeSar chasing whatever tiny bit of sunset light Florida decided to generously leave us. I’m pretty sure at one point I said something along the lines of, “Trust me, this suffering is temporary but the photos are forever.” Thankfully, Kayla and Eric are the kind of couple who make everything fun, so instead of stressing about the weather, they embraced it completely.
Honestly? It ended up feeling cinematic. The wind, the rain, the dramatic sky behind them, Kayla looking like an actual fairytale princess, and Eric staring at her like she was the only thing in the world that existed. Even with the storm rolling through and rain washing over the terrace, his expression when he looked at her was still the brightest thing there.
Their story started in the most modern way possible, meeting on Hinge and having their first date at an arcade in Cambridge. Which honestly makes perfect sense once you meet them because they genuinely are best friends first. You can feel it in every interaction. They laugh constantly, tease each other nonstop, and move through life like two people who truly enjoy simply existing together. Whether they are cooking at home, traveling somewhere new, trying restaurants, or just going on walks together, they bring lightness into each other’s lives in such a natural way.
Their wedding reflected exactly who they are: relaxed, fun, emotional, beachy, stylish without trying too hard, and centered around the people they love most. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt performative. It felt real. And those are always the weddings that stay with me long after the galleries are delivered.
By the end of the night, everyone’s hair had officially surrendered to the humidity, shoes had disappeared somewhere near the dance floor, and nobody cared anymore because the energy was just that good. It was one of those weddings where you leave exhausted, emotionally invested, and ridiculously grateful you got to witness it.
Kayla and Eric, thank you for letting me be part of your story. Your wedding was beautiful, emotional, hilarious, full of unexpected weather drama, and absolutely unforgettable in every possible way.
Lead Photographer | Natalia Fontes
Associate Photographer | Adrian Nguyễn
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | The Don Cesar
Caterer | The Don Cesar
Ceremony Site | The Don Cesar
DJ | Platinum Entertainment
Event Planner | Blue Skies
Florist | Iza’s Flowers
Hair Stylist | Adore Bridal
Make-up Artist | Adore Bridal
Reception Venue | The Don Cesar
Wedding Gown | Alexandra's Boutique
Officiant | Chad Bay Chapel