Lilly and Ryder's Islamorada Destination Wedding in the Florida Keys

Wedding at Islander Resort in Islamorada

Where to begin, this wedding felt like the opposite of the traditional beach-inspired wedding you’d normally picture in the Florida Keys. Lilly and Ryder’s destination wedding at Islander Resort was full of color and celebration: mismatched pastel-toned bridesmaid dresses, ivory dinner jackets, and a sailcloth tent strung with lights from end to end. If you’re dreaming up a Florida Keys destination wedding of your own, this one is packed with ideas.

This wedding is told from my perspective as their wedding photographer. From the start, this couple was so easy and natural to photograph. Lilly wanted candid, documentary-style photos and loves film photography, which speaks to my soul as both a digital and film wedding photographer.

They started the day getting ready in a bridal suite that overlooked the Florida Keys and their ceremony space. I loved how Lilly’s bridesmaids helped her get ready, from putting on her shoes to securing her veil, it was all hands on deck. That made for the most candid, natural photos, which is exactly my preferred way to photograph getting-ready moments: nothing staged or cheesy, just a moment with the girls.

While the bride and her bridesmaids got ready in one suite at Islander Resort, the groom and groomsmen got ready in another area of the venue. I had my associate photographer capture the guys — it was laid-back and chill.

The couple chose to do a first look, which let us knock out the majority of their couple, wedding party, and family photos ahead of the ceremony. For a first look, I always want the moment to feel private and set somewhere beautiful overlooking the water, so we tucked Lilly and Ryder away at one of my favorite spots at Islander Resort. Later, they said their vows with nothing but the horizon behind them, proof that a Florida Keys destination wedding doesn’t need much more than that as a backdrop.

After the ceremony, their reception took place in a sailcloth tent strung with string lights, long wooden tables, and loose, garden-style florals — elegant, but still casual. Then the party took over: fun sunglasses came out, the dance floor filled up, and the night blurred into one long, sparkly send-off.

Michelle Gonzalez Photography is a wedding photographer specializing in destination weddings across the Florida Keys.
Get in touch to start planning your own Islamorada wedding.

Planner: Blue Water Weddings — https://blue-water-weddings.com/

Coordinator: Becky Atherton with Blue Water Weddings

Venue: Islander Resort — https://www.islanderfloridakeys.com/

Photographer: Michelle Gonzalez Photography — https://www.michellegonzalezphotos.com/

Florals: Kaleidoscope Floral — https://kaleidoscopefloral.com/

Linens: Reverie Social — https://www.reveriesocial.com/

Furniture & Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs — https://nuagedesigns.com/

Tabletop Rentals: Different Look — https://www.differentlook.com/

Tent: Sperry Tents — https://www.sperrytents.com/

Tent Rentals (Florida Keys): Palm Beach Event Co — https://palmbeacheventco.com/

Party Rentals: Ocean Breeze Party Rentals — https://oceanbreezepartyrentals.com/

Audio & Party Rentals: Keys Audio Party Rentals — https://www.kaprentals.com/

Event Rentals & Decor: Elements & Accents — https://www.elementsandaccents.com/

Greenery & Umbrella Rentals: Shady Business In The Keys — https://www.shadybusinessinthekeys.com/

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