Melissa and James – Happily-Ever-After at the Hemingway Home

Those pre-covid days seem like another lifetime ago but then I see photos and remember, that there was in fact a time before COVID; a time when you could actually hug people, dance on a crowded dance floor and get cozy with 100 of your closest friends. It really did exist and, God-willing, will be reality again…one day.  I miss these days of Key West weddings.

Melissa and James were my last wedding before COVID.  It felt like we-all got home from this fabulous weekend and the world changed.  I am SO grateful they had this amazing weekend with their loved ones  and I know they are too.

Melissa and James started the weekend off right with an amazing party at Bagatelle. Bagatelle is an American-Caribbean themed restaurant right in the heart of Old Town Key West.  The building is from the 1800s and it is such a quant, yet sophisticated feel.  Bagatelle boasts a private space called the Moon Lounge where a lot of my couples have welcome dinners.  The Moon Lounge is an upstairs space with an indoor and outdoor area.  It has has a porch that overlooks Duval Street.  It is the perfect place for a welcome dinner or even a reception.

Bagatelle at night – quintessential Key West and the perfect place to start your Key West wedding weekend.

Melissa and James worked with Effortless Creations to put together a fabulous welcome gift for their family and friends. It was filled with Key West treats and a map of the area.  Definitely contact Ana at Effortless Creations if you need to put together a gift box for your event.  I can not recommend her enough.

Their wedding day was dreamy…

And the Hemingway Home even dreamier….

I just adore being a Key West wedding photographer.  I shoot at the Hemingway Home A LOT and it never gets old.  How could it?  Just look at this ceremony series.

Of course, one of the famous six-toed, Hemingway cats had to make an appearance. They are sweet and quite the attention stealers.

The moments right after your ceremony are my absolute favorite.

 

One of my favorite places to photograph is under the porch.  During the time when the light is higher, the light is diffused and oh-so-lovely. Plus, the house is just SO Key West.

Melissa and James had this fantastic little cigar lounge set up in the middle of the palm trees. Their guests enjoyed the nook as a space to relax away from the music and crowds, and enjoy a Cuban cigar.

Let’s talk about this Carol Hannah dress.  It is ethereal and Melissa looks just like a Greek Goddess.  We kept calling it perfectly imperfect because, well, it was. It wasn’t suppose to lay exactly flat or exactly symmetrical and I thought this was brilliant. Plus, the two tones are just stunning.  Even the cat was obsessed….

And onto the party…

If I have learned one thing in my 16 year as a Key West wedding photographer and a Knoxville wedding photographer it is that New Yorkers throw the best party.

 

Melissa and James had DJ Mac down from New York for the celebration. He is a vintage phonograph DJ who specializes in music from the 20s.  It was SO MUCH FUN.  During the ceremony and cocktail hour the music came directly through the phonographs – which had that old ‘tingy’ sound.  It was beautiful.  He switched to a more recent sound system for the reception (and played more recent tunes) but had the phonographs on display.  It was all just brilliant and fit perfectly with the Hemingway Home’s history and vibe.

Here is one last shot from the night, and perhaps my favorite…

 

Vendor Love:

Getting Ready: Chick-a-Pea Cottage

Rehearsal Dinner: Bagatelle

Venue: Hemingway House

Hair and Makeup: Studio Marie Pierre

Officiant: Aaron’s Key West Weddings