Is there really a better feeling than receiving your wedding photos back from your photographer and just being BLOWN AWAY?! As we recently poured over Kristen and Preston’s Lightner Museum wedding album, every single photo that we saw was better than the last! There were so many beautifully emotional moments. Every decorative detail was perfection. If we had shared every one of their stunning photos in this blog, it would have been a mile long! We’ve done our best to narrow down to our favorite moments from this classic white winter wedding. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we did!
Along the way, you’ll hear from the beautiful bride, Kristen, who was sweet enough to allow us to interview her! We loved hearing the details of how she and Preston met, their romantic New York City proposal, and some of their favorite moments from their wedding day!
How They Met
“We met at a mutual friend’s house on January 16, 2016. I thought I was going to a get-together with a lot of people for the NFL Playoffs, but I showed up and only a few of my girlfriends, one of my friend’s boyfriends, and Preston (my now husband) were there! Preston describes it as love at first sight. We were attached to the hip ever since we met. We went on a date every night after that!”
The Proposal
“On December 14, 2017, Preston took me on my first trip to New York City! I got to see snow for the first time, but that was not the most memorable part of the weekend. My dad gave us a gift to open while on the plane to New York. It was an afternoon carriage ride through Central Park. In reality, the gift was all part of Preston’s surprise proposal. As we took the carriage ride, the driver, who was also in on the plan, suggested we get out and look around the iconic Bow Bridge. That’s when Preston got on his knee and asked me to marry him! Preston arranged for a photographer to be hiding there to capture the moment. When we returned to the carriage, there was a bouquet of roses and champagne waiting for us to celebrate our engagement. It was the most magical day ever!!”
What Made St. Augustine Special
“St. Augustine holds a special place in my heart. I actually went to Flagler for my first year of college and then transferred to UNF. St. Augustine has always been a little oasis for me that’s not too far from Jacksonville. Preston and I would go on little weekend getaways and stay at bed and breakfasts. St. Augustine is so beautiful and unique that we knew that was the place we wanted to get married.”
Why They Chose the Lightner Museum
“I remember when we were going on wedding venue tours in St. Augustine one day and The Lightner was the second venue we toured. After touring the venue we were just in awe and thought ‘wow’ this is the place we have to get married. After that, we didn’t look anymore. We knew that was the place.”
The Big Day!
There were so many memorable moments from Kristen and Preston’s wedding day—from the emotional First Looks, to the tear-jerking wedding ceremony, to the classically elegant reception. We are so glad that Madison Hope Photography was there to capture this incredible day on camera. Get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” over all of the dreamy details!
Getting Ready & The Father-Daughter First Look
Kristen popped some bubbly with her girls in the Maria Jefferson Lounge at the Lightner Museum before doing a First Look with her dad on the Mezzanine of the Historic Pool. His reaction upon seeing her in her wedding dress is just precious!
The Bride and Groom’s First Look
Meanwhile, Preston got ready with his groomsmen in the Otto Lightner Lounge. Madison Hope Photography captured some very GQ-esque photos on the Lightner Museum’s Outdoor Terrace before it was time for the First Look with his gorgeous bride.
From the bride: “I asked Preston what his favorite moment was [from the entire wedding day] and he said that it was seeing me for the first time during the First Look! He was more emotional than he has ever been!”
The Wedding Ceremony
Kristen and Preston said “I do” in front of 196 guests in the Lightner Museum’s Historic Pool. St. Johns Illuminations created a romantic white pipe and drape ceremony backdrop, accented by neutral-colored blooms from Lori Parker Floral Studio. St. Johns Illuminations also hung lightbulbs from the second level Mezzanine to provide an additional level of elegance to the setting.
From the bride: “The most memorable moment of our wedding day was walking down the aisle and seeing my groom and all of the love that was surrounding us! It was the most overwhelming, emotional feeling I have ever felt!”
The unity candle ceremony was also special for the bride and groom. As the pastor spoke about the importance of their mothers in their lives, their moms came up and each lit a candle. Then Preston and Kristen took those candles and lit their own candle together.
The Beauty Lies in the Details
There were so many little details that were planned and executed perfectly for Kristen and Preston’s wedding. Below are a few of our favorite examples.
Let’s Light Up The Night
After snapping a few more photos surrounded by the beautiful lights on display for Nights of Lights, it was time to party the night away! South City Live Band was able to utilize the same stage that the couple used for their wedding ceremony in the Historic Pool. The couple created a beautiful custom monogrammed dance floor that gave lots of space for dancing in the middle of the pool.
Kristen and Preston, it was so much fun looking back at your Lightner Museum wedding! Kristen gave us a few parting words of advice for future brides and grooms:
“Follow your heart and what your gut tells you! There are so many options when wedding planning…Don’t just go by what other people tell you or what other people want. It’s your special day. Remember to take it all in and really embrace it because it goes by so quickly!! Don’t spend your whole night talking to guests. I know some people come from near and far to celebrate your big day, but they will understand if you just come over to say “hi” for a moment. Make the conversations short because the night is about your bride and/or groom! You want to spend every moment of the night with them and dance the night away!”
Vendors for Kristen and Preston’s Classic White Winter Wedding at the Lightner Museum:
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue: Lightner Museum
Planner: Uncorked Occasions
Caterer: Purple Olive
Florist: Lori Parker Floral Studio
Bakery: Samantha Mayfair Cakes
Entertainment: South City Live
Photographer: Madison Hope Photography
Videographer: Wes Davis Creative
Entertainment: St. Johns Illuminations
Makeup: Artistry by Erin
Are you ready to start planning your wedding day at the Lightner Museum? Contact our team today!
