Danielle + Jonathan's Bermuda Elopement at Cambridge Beaches

Danielle + Jonathan get married... again!

olive eye photography

If you're on the fence about adventuring instead for your wedding, please read on. A true family event with "Mama-Mia" level romance was the vision for this getaway and that's exactly what we found on this magical little island.

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storytelling from the backyard to bermuda

Like so many couples in the last few years, Danielle and Jonathan took a non-traditional route to wedding planning. When covid called for smaller gatherings, they chose the intimate setting of Danielle's childhood home to officially tie the knot (check out that blog post here!), and planned for a bigger celebration when the time was right. Luckily for me, I was invited along for the ride and had the honor of telling this love story twice, across two countries, spanning 5 photo-sessions, with some of the most wonderful people I've had the pleasure of working with.

THE WELCOME BONFIRE

day 1: thursday

Danielle and Jonathan wanted to capture the essence of the entire trip in their wedding photos. Their plans were family focused, only inviting a small circle of friends to join them on the island to celebrate. They set the tone of the trip with a welcome bonfire on the first night. Casual and intimate, it was the perfect setting to bring everyone together.

THE REHEARSAL

day 2: Friday

Family style tables lined the poolside at Shutters- one of Cambridge Beaches fantastic resort restaurants. Danielle and Jonathan greeted their guests in style as the sun set over the second day. Cocktails and speeches prepared their spirits and hearts to celebrate, as excitement built for the following day.

the wedding

day 3: saturday

Danielle and Jonathan exchanged vows on a grassy ocean overlook, surrounded by a small circle of friends and family. The ceremony flowed into their reception at Breezes, the beachfront deck restaurant, which lasted long into the night and was followed by an outfit change and afterparty. The perfect finale to a magical weekend.

GETTING READY AT PEGEM COTTAGE

Cambridge Beaches is nestled at the very tip of the island of Bermuda. The resort itself rests on a stretch of land that is less than a mile wide, meaning you can actually see the ocean on both sides. Pegem cottage is one a a few private homes boasting an iconic color scheme of pink walls and white limestone roofs, where guests can call home and enjoy ocean views and private beach access. The perfect place to get ready for the best day of your life, IMO.

GETTING READY AT PEGEM COTTAGE

The ceremony

These few moments in time will live forever in Danielle and Jonathan's memories. My goal is always to capture photos that feel exactly like those moments. Everywhere I turned during this ceremony, you could feel the love. The half-circle layout meant everyone was experiencing the moment in unity, in the front row, connecting with the bride and groom, but also with each other. Rings were passed in a "warming" ceremony, and guests waved ribbons as the wedding transformed from a quiet gathering of shared feelings and deep personal vows, to an explosive celebration of love and happiness.

The party(s)

One is just not enough. There's too much love here.

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed capturing them.

the day after

day 4: Sunday

The day-after session is a special one. Once all the commotion over, and the production is stripped away, you are left with a beautifully intimate opportunity to reconnect and cherish a little bit more of your wedding. A short but sweet session in the late morning concluded this story beautifully, and gave me an opportunity to play with some technical elements (hello underwater gear!) that we normally wouldn't on your wedding day. Mimosas by/in the pool, anyone?