Kaylee and Zach’s Gulf Shores beach wedding was intimate, relaxed, and centered around their love and the people they love. With around 20 guests, soft baby blue details, and a ceremony right by the water just before sunset, their day was proof that a wedding doesn’t have to be big to feel incredibly special.

A Love Story That Kept Bringing Them to Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores has been a part of Kaylee and Zach’s story for longer than just their wedding day. When they first met, Zach was actually supposed to be moving to Gulf Shores, but plans changed and he was able to stay in Missouri instead.

And somehow they still ended up back here.

In March, Kaylee and Zach secretly eloped in Gulf Shores, and I had the honor of photographing it. A few months later, we were back at the beach together, this time with their closest family and friends there to celebrate with them.

Getting to photograph both their private elopement and their Gulf Shores Beach Wedding made this day feel even more special. I already knew the two of them and had captured such an important part of their story, so getting to come back and document them celebrating with their people felt a little full circle.

Getting Ready at Their Gulf Shores Airbnb

The day started inside their Airbnb, where everyone was able to get ready before heading down to the beach.

One of my favorite things about a micro wedding is how different the beginning of the day can feel. With around 20 guests, there wasn’t a huge crowd or packed schedule. Their closest people were there with them, and I was able to document those smaller moments before the ceremony began.

The color palette also fit a Gulf Shores wedding so perfectly. The girls wore blue while the guys wore khaki suits, giving everything a light, coastal feel without being overly beach-themed.

Saying “I Do” by the Water

Their ceremony began at 6 p.m., right by the beach near the water. With the sun lowering and their closest family and friends surrounding them, the setting really didn’t need much else.

Kaylee and Zach chose not to do a first look, so the first time they saw each other was during their ceremony. I love when couples choose whatever feels right for them, whether that’s a private first look earlier in the day or waiting until the walk down the aisle.

Family, Bridal Party & Sunset Portraits

After the ceremony, everyone took a few moments to freshen up before we jumped into portraits. We started with family photos, moved into bridal party portraits, and then let everyone else head off while I kept Kaylee and Zach for their newly wed photos.

The timing could not have been better. We were able to take their portraits as the sun was setting over the water, giving us the softer skies that is SO worth planing around for a beach wedding. The ceremony time can make such a huge difference in the final gallery, especially since the beach is so bright.

During sunset portraits, they were able to soak in the time together, walk along the beach, and soak in the fact that they are married.

Why I Love Photographing Gulf Shores Weddings

As a wedding photographer, I love a big wedding day, but there is something so intimate about getting to photograph a micro wedding.

Their Gulf Shores Beach wedding, with around 20 guests, allowed Kaylee and Zach to keep their day centered around each other and the people closest to them. There was still a bridal party, beautiful details, family portraits, and all of those wedding-day moments, just on a smaller more intimate scale.

Planning a Gulf Shores Beach Wedding?

If you’re planning your own Gulf Shores Beach Wedding, whether it is an intimiate celebration or a fell wedding day, I’d love to photograph it.

As an Alabama wedding photographer, my goal is to give you the guidance you need while still leaving room for the genuine, in-between moments that makes your day feel like yours. Reach out through my contact page to tell me what you are planning, and let’s start talking about your Gulf Shores wedding.