As a Key West wedding photographer, I get to capture many beautiful love stories, but Jaime and John’s Casa Marina wedding on November 22, 2023 was truly special. This wonderful couple planned a full-day celebration in Key West’s tropical paradise at the historic Casa Marina Resort, and it turned out to be nothing short of magical.
Late November in Key West brought warm, gentle breezes and golden sunshine – a perfect backdrop for a seaside wedding. We at Senses at Play Photography were honored to document every moment of their day, from the early morning preparations to the late-night dance party under the stars.
Casa Marina Resort offered the perfect blend of elegance and island charm for Jaime and John’s big day. The venue’s expansive oceanfront grounds, lined with swaying palm trees and lush gardens, created a serene oasis for their celebration. The historic resort (built in the 1920s) exudes old Key West charm with its grand architecture and timeless atmosphere.
On this beautiful day, the hotel’s staff had everything in impeccable order from the ceremony setup on the sand to the reception details – allowing the couple and their guests to relax and soak in the experience. With such a stunning setting and great weather, we knew we were in for a day filled with picturesque moments and heartfelt memories.
The day began with excitement and anticipation in the air. Jaime and her bridesmaids spent the morning in a bright, airy suite at Casa Marina overlooking the ocean. The late morning light filtered through the balcony doors, illuminating the room in a soft glow – ideal for capturing those candid getting-ready shots.
As Jaime’s makeup was finalized and her friends helped with the last touches, you could feel the mix of joy and nerves in the room. One especially touching moment was when Jaime’s mother helped her into the wedding gown.
There were tears in her mom’s eyes as she fastened the last button on the back of the dress, realizing her daughter was about to get married. Jaime looked absolutely stunning in her lace gown, and we made sure to photograph every delicate detail, from the elegant train to the subtle tropical flowers in her hair.
Meanwhile, John and his groomsmen were getting ready in another room just a short walk away. Their suite opened onto a palm-shaded courtyard, where the guys shared laughs and a toast of celebratory champagne to calm any pre-ceremony jitters.
Dressed in a classic navy blue suit with a crisp white boutonniere, John looked sharp and a little anxious – in the most excited way – to see his bride. We captured fun shots of the groomsmen helping each other with ties and cufflinks, and a particularly poignant photo of John reading a handwritten card from Jaime before they met. These behind-the-scenes moments are some of our favorites to photograph, as they truly set the stage for the story of the day.
With everyone dressed and ready, it was time for the first look – one of the most emotional highlights of the day. We arranged for Jaime and John’s first look in a quiet, picturesque corner of Casa Marina’s grounds. A pathway flanked by tall palm trees led to a secluded garden area overlooking the ocean, giving the couple a private moment away from the crowd.
The mid-afternoon sun filtered through the palm fronds, creating a lovely dappled light – perfect for both natural photos and a comfortable experience (no harsh glare or heat). John stood with his back turned, just under the shade of a coconut palm, as Jaime walked up behind him in her flowing white gown.
When John turned around and saw Jaime for the first time, his face lit up with pure awe and happiness. It was a beautiful, unscripted moment – he gasped, grinned ear to ear, and immediately pulled her into a loving embrace. Jaime had been holding back happy tears all morning, and at this moment they finally fell as they hugged. We could feel their relief and excitement all at once; seeing each other before the ceremony calmed their nerves and allowed them to truly be present for what was to come.
As their photographers, we stayed unobtrusive, capturing wide shots of them under the palms as well as close-ups of their emotional expressions. The lush greenery and the sparkling blue ocean in the background made for breathtaking wedding photos at Casa Marina Resort during this first look. More importantly, these images reflect the genuine love and excitement Jaime and John shared in that private minute together.
After a few portraits of just the two of them twirling under the palms and laughing together – we brought in the bridal party for some group photos. The bridesmaids in soft sage green dresses and the groomsmen in navy complemented the tropical landscape perfectly. We took advantage of Casa Marina’s scenic spots, from an old coral rock wall backdrop to a pier by the water, to photograph the couple with their closest friends. Everyone’s personalities shone through in these pictures – there was a lot of goofing around and group bear hugs – showing just how loved and supported Jaime and John are by their friends.
An Emotional Seaside Ceremony
Soon it was time for the main event – the wedding ceremony. The ceremony took place on Casa Marina’s private beach, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Guests were seated facing a simple wooden arch draped with flowing white fabric and tropical flowers, and a long aisle lined with palm trees created a dramatic entryway for the processional. As the late afternoon sun began its descent, the whole scene was bathed in warm, golden light. John took his place at the front, under the arch, looking out toward the ocean (and trying hard not to tear up).
When the music started playing, everyone turned to watch Jaime make her entrance. She came down the palm-lined aisle arm-in-arm with her father, looking radiant and a bit emotional herself. In that golden November light, with a slight breeze gently rustling her veil, she truly looked like a vision.
The ceremony itself was heartfelt and personal. The officiant a close friend of the couple – shared anecdotes about Jaime and John’s journey together that had everyone smiling and laughing. The couple exchanged personal vows, which had not only them but also many guests wiping away tears. We made sure to capture those emotional close-ups: Jaime squeezing John’s hands as she spoke her vows, and John brushing away a tear when he promised to love her forever.
The combination of happy tears and laughter really reflected this couple’s personalities – sentimental yet full of joy. From a photographer’s standpoint, the lighting was dreamy. The sun was low enough to give a soft glow, and we positioned ourselves to capture both the couple’s faces and the stunning ocean view behind them. In one wide shot, the palms framed the scene as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, with the ocean horizon and a pastel sky beyond a picture-perfect ending to the ceremony.
After the big kiss and a jubilant announcement of “Introducing Mr. and Mrs.!”, the guests erupted in cheers. You could feel the love and excitement in the air as Jaime and John walked back up the aisle together, beaming with happiness and practically skipping with glee. It was an elegant Casa Marina wedding ceremony with all the tropical charm Key West has to offer.
Immediately following the ceremony, guests were greeted with refreshing signature cocktails and the mellow tunes of a steel drum band (adding a fun island vibe) as they transitioned into cocktail hour on the lawn. Meanwhile, we whisked the newlyweds and their families away for a few formal portraits and plenty of hugs and congratulations before the party kicked into full gear.
Golden Hour Portraits by the Sea
One of the huge perks of a Key West wedding is the golden hour sunset, and Casa Marina’s beach is an amazing spot for it. After the ceremony and family photos, we took Jaime and John aside for some sunset portraits while guests enjoyed cocktail hour. The timing was perfect: the sun was just about to set, painting the sky with soft pinks, oranges, and purples. We headed to the water’s edge where gentle waves lapped at the shore. With the sun dipping low, the light was mellow and golden – that coveted golden hour glow that makes everyone look radiant and adds a romantic ambiance to the photos.
These moments during sunset were some of the most intimate of the day. Away from the crowd, Jaime and John got to stroll hand-in-hand along the beach, reflect on the fact that they were finally married, and just breathe it all in. We encouraged them to talk, laugh, and even dance a little on the sand while we snapped away.
The resulting photos are breathtaking: silhouettes of the couple kissing with a fiery Key West sunset behind them, close-ups of them laughing as the ocean breeze played with Jaime’s veil, and wide shots capturing the vast sky, calm sea, and the couple wrapped in each other’s arms. The wedding photos at Casa Marina Resort during this golden hour truly captured the romantic, tropical essence of the day.
The palm trees and the historic hotel in the distance added to the sense of place – there’s no mistaking that this was a dreamy Key West wedding. As photographers, this was a dream scenario; the natural lighting was perfect, and Jaime and John were so lost in each other that every frame felt authentic. We even got a fun shot of them with the bridal party all jumping in the air with the colorful sunset sky behind them a celebratory image that sums up the joy of the day.
Reception Under the Stars
As darkness fell, the celebration shifted to an elegant reception on the lawn by the beach. Casa Marina’s team had transformed the space into a wonderland under the stars that felt like a fairy tale. Beneath a canopy of string lights and swaying palm fronds, round tables were set with crisp white linens, candles, and centerpieces overflowing with tropical flowers. The ambiance was both elegant and relaxed – exactly what you’d imagine for a Key West wedding reception. Guests found their seats as the newlyweds made a grand entrance to enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Jaime and John went straight into their first dance as husband and wife, sharing a sweet slow dance under the twinkling lights. They looked completely in their own world as a favorite song played – Jaime’s head resting on John’s shoulder, and John softly singing a few lyrics to her (which made her smile). It was one of those goosebumps moments to witness and photograph.
After that tender first dance, Jaime also danced with her father, and John with his mother, which brought out more happy tears among their parents and close family. We captured close-ups of the parents’ proud, emotional faces during these dances images that I know will be cherished for years to come.
Dinner was served al fresco, allowing everyone to enjoy the balmy Key West night. The ocean breeze kept things comfortable as heartfelt toasts began. The maid of honor (Jaime’s sister) delivered a hilarious and touching speech, recounting childhood stories and officially welcoming John into the family with open arms.
The best man, John’s lifelong friend, had everyone cracking up with playful jokes about the groom’s college days, then ended on a sincere note about how perfect the bride and groom are for each other. Throughout the speeches, we snapped photos of the couple laughing and wiping tears, as well as shots of clinking glasses and the smiling faces of guests around them.
Once the formalities were done, it was party time and this crowd was ready to dance! The DJ spun a mix of the couple’s favorite hits and classic wedding tunes, which kept the dance floor packed all night. Under the starry sky and café lights, we caught some fantastic candids of guests boogying barefoot in the sand, kids chasing each other between tables, and even the groom showing off some surprisingly impressive dance moves (to everyone’s delight!).
Jaime eventually kicked off her heels to join in the fun, and the images of her laughing freely, barefoot in her wedding dress, encapsulate just how joyful and carefree the night felt. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love documenting weddings real emotions and authentic joy, captured in time.
As the night came to a close, Jaime and John had one more unforgettable moment planned: a sparkler exit. All the guests lined up in two rows outside the reception area, each holding a lit sparkler that bathed the night in a warm glow. Jaime and John then dashed through this tunnel of sparkling lights hand-in-hand, their faces filled with exhilaration and love.
It was the perfect grand finale to their celebration. We captured a dramatic photo of them kissing in the middle of the sparkler tunnel, surrounded by a shower of golden sparks – one of those iconic wedding photos at Casa Marina Resort that will forever tell the story of their day.
Looking back on Jaime and John’s wedding, it truly was a celebration filled with love, laughter, and the unique charm that only Key West can offer. The elegance and historic charm of Casa Marina Resort played a huge part in making the day so special, providing picturesque backdrops and top-notch hospitality from start to finish.
Even so, it was Jaime and John’s genuine love and joyful spirit that truly made this wedding unforgettable. Every photograph we captured – from the quiet, tender moments in the morning to the wild, joyous moments on the dance floor reflects their personalities and the wonderful atmosphere of the day.
It’s days like this that remind me why I’m passionate about being a wedding photographer. Capturing the start of a couple’s new chapter against such a stunning tropical backdrop is both an honor and a joy. Jaime and John, thank you for allowing Senses at Play Photography to be part of your incredible day. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness and adventure together!
