May 23rd, 2026 | Key West, Florida
Intimate Destination Wedding at Smathers Beach & Fort East Martello in Key West, Florida
Taylor & Alex
Some wedding stories don't go exactly according to plan—and sometimes that's what makes them even better.
When Taylor first reached out, we were talking through plans for a Pennsylvania barn wedding. We discussed their relationship, their vision for the day, and all the different possibilities available to them. One of my favorite parts of this job is helping couples figure out what truly matters to them and giving them permission to let go of the things that don't.
Not long after, we met for their engagement session at Rose Valley Lake in Trout Run, Pennsylvania—one of my favorite locations. The two of them absolutely thrived in front of the camera. More importantly, they trusted the process and focused on simply being together. That's always my goal, whether I'm photographing a wedding, engagement session, or family session: keeping love and relationships at the center of every image while taking care of the details behind the scenes.
Then, late last year, I received a text from Taylor.
Plans had changed.
Instead of a Pennsylvania wedding, they had decided on an intimate destination wedding in Key West, Florida.
The next message read something along the lines of, "Our package includes a photographer... would you want to capture our wedding instead?"
That was one of the easiest "yes" decisions I've made.
A few months later, I found myself stepping off a plane in Key West with cameras packed and ready for wedding weekend. I joined them for their rehearsal on Thursday evening, and from the very beginning it was obvious why these two are so loved. Their family and friends welcomed me as if I had known them for years, inviting me to dinner and even including me in their sandbar excursion the following day.
By the time the wedding arrived, it felt less like showing up to photograph strangers and more like celebrating alongside old friends.
The morning began with Alex and his groomsmen. There was plenty of laughter, plenty of stories, and plenty of excitement about the day ahead. What stood out most, though, was hearing a group of men genuinely celebrate marriage and speak highly of the commitment Alex was about to make—a refreshing thing to witness.
Meanwhile, Taylor spent the morning getting ready with her bridesmaids at Fort East Martello. The historic fort provided a beautiful backdrop as everyone helped put the finishing touches on both the day and the outdoor reception space waiting for them later that evening.
From there, we headed to Smathers Beach for their ceremony.
Smathers Beach is one of the most iconic wedding locations in Key West, offering sweeping ocean views, palm trees, and plenty of space for an intimate gathering. Even with red algae washing ashore that week, the setting was beautiful. In fact, the warm tones created an almost sunset-like effect along the shoreline that I couldn't help but appreciate artistically.
Their ceremony was deeply intentional. Family and friends gathered close as they exchanged vows, and memory photos honored loved ones who should have been there but couldn't be. It was simple, meaningful, and centered on exactly what mattered most: two people committing their lives to one another.
Afterward, everyone returned to Fort East Martello for the reception. Beneath the Florida sky, family and friends shared meals, stories, laughter, and a whole lot of dancing as they celebrated the new Mr. and Mrs. Larka.
The entire day was a beautiful reminder that weddings don't have to follow a traditional formula to be meaningful. Whether you're planning a large celebration close to home or an intimate destination wedding in Key West, the most memorable moments are usually the ones centered on the people you love most.
Taylor and Alex, thank you for trusting me with your story—from your engagement session in Pennsylvania all the way to your wedding day in Key West. It was an honor to celebrate alongside you and your incredible family and friends.
And if another couple invites me to photograph an intimate destination wedding at Smathers Beach and Fort East Martello?
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
