The Chapel at Seaside Wedding Photography: Jan and Clark’s 30A Celebration in Santa Rosa Beach /  by Ryan Brenizer

Serendipity on 30A: Jan and Clark’s Wedding at Seaside Chapel

As a photographer, I hear a lot of stories about how couples met. It is rare, however, to be part of it before they even get engaged!

A while ago, Jan emailed me to book a portrait session. It was not a wedding inquiry. As she put it: "It is just a formal picture with my favorite photographers ever. Maybe it will be our engagement photos someday.”

That "someday" arrived at record speed.

The Man of the Dreams (and a Surgeon of Grit)

Jan called Clark the man of her dreams, and the world has learned he is also a man of immense grit. Clark is a Milwaukee-based cancer surgeon who spends his days treating the liver and bile duct. He is a survivor himself; after a cancer diagnosis in 2018, he faced a recurrence in 2020.

When Jan and Clark met on a Bumble date in 2019, he was already deep into his journey as a "weekend warrior" marathoner. Jan stood by him through his second surgery, and they prayed together through the uncertainty.

The Whirlwind

By September, Jan reached out with news that felt surreal even to her: "The man of my dreams has asked me to marry him!" Despite recovering from knee surgery two days after the proposal, they planned a full wedding in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for November: just two months later.

Clark, knowing how much photography meant to Jan, made sure booking the date was the first priority. He surprised her with it, knowing the day would not be complete without the work she had followed for years. I would not have missed it.

The Day

The wedding took place along 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, a location that manages to be both upscale and relaxed. The itinerary was perfectly suited to them: less about rigid tradition and more about spending time with their people.

  • Morning: A "Bottomless Brunch" for the ladies at the Griesbach condo, while Clark hosted a "Special Boy's Beach Brunch" on the sand in front of Sago Sands.

  • Ceremony: Held at the Seaside Chapel, a stunning, light-filled venue.

  • The Timeline: Jan and Clark opted to see each other at the aisle rather than doing a first look, meaning we had to be efficient with the daylight remaining after the 3:00 PM ceremony.

Sunset and Bonfires

We exited the chapel to a petal toss and moved immediately into portraits. The light on the Florida coast in November is sharp and fast; we had about 45 minutes from the chapel exit to sunset to capture the family photos, the bridal party, and the couple portraits.

The reception moved to FOOW (Fish Out of Water) for dinner, but the real highlight was the after-party. Instead of a traditional dance floor, guests changed into comfortable clothes and headed to a beach access point for a bonfire.

Under the banner "Let Love Sparkle," the night ended with s'mores, tiki torches, and a "Roots, Rock, Reggae" playlist on the sand. It was a perfect manifestation of Clark's personal mantra for his patients: that they need faith, family, and friendships to get through any journey.

Jan and Clark’s day was a reminder of why I do this. It was about the genuine joy of two people who have stared down life's hardest challenges and realized they did not want to wait another second to celebrate. As Clark says: "the body will do what the mind says it will do". His mind said they were going to have a beautiful life together, and the wedding was just the beginning.

A Broadway-Worthy Celebration: Katie & David’s 501 Union Wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

If we had a hashtag for “legitimately wonderful humans,” Katie and David would be the cover image. To say these two are "involved in musical theatre" is a dramatic understatement. It’s in their DNA, and their wedding at Brooklyn’s 501 Union was less of a standard reception and more of a Tony-worthy production where the love was the headliner.

From the moment David arrived in a classic yellow cab to the final sparkler exit, the day was packed with personality. We’ve photographed a lot of weddings, but we haven't seen many that balance high-end elegance with such distinct, quirky personal touches. Case in point: instead of a traditional quiet downtime after dinner, guests were treated to Ouija boards set out with dessert. It was moody, cinematic, and perfectly them.

And then, there was the talent. When your guest list reads like a Playbill, you know the reception is going to be good. The night was filled with show-stopping performances from friends and family, each one seemingly trying to outdo the last in terms of heart and skill. It wasn't just a party; it was a showcase of community and affection.

The day flowed seamlessly thanks to the incredible team at Jason Mitchell Kahn & Co. Jason, Dani, and the crew planned this to absolute perfection, managing everything from the emotional "Mini-Vows" (featured in the NY Times!) to the complex run of show for the performances.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by clients we’d want to hang out with any day. Katie and David, thank you for trusting us with your memories (and for later trusting us with your family photos!).

The Creative Team

A huge shout-out to the incredible vendors who made this day happen.

Glen Island Harbor Club wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

It was a day filled with sunshine, laughter, and love at Glen Island Harbour Club, celebrating Danielle and Sam. From Danielle’s bridal preparations surrounded by her close friends, including a special first look with her friends before she saw Sam, to their heartfelt first look together in the park, every moment overflowed with joy.

Their strong bonds with family and their large, vibrant friend groups made each part of the day unforgettable. The outdoor bedeken was especially joyous, reflecting the deep connections they share with everyone around them.

Congratulations, Danielle and Sam! Wishing you a lifetime filled with as much happiness as this beautiful day brought to everyone around you.

Intentionality's the thing (Santiago, Chile) /  by Ryan Brenizer

The most interesting things about tilt-shifts for me was not what was out-of-focus—taking the same photo you would anyway except with blurry feet—but what was in focus, especially things otherwise impossible unless you feel like shooting with f/64 or an iPhone.

More and more over the years, maybe as tech got better and maybe just as the "meaning" of it all sunk in more, I have made sure that any "trick" was done with the intention of the thing first -- is this actually the best way to shoot at this time?

Over a career and even longer days and certainly when shooting on your own, there may be things external to the individual photo that affect the answer. Is it increasing the variety you provide? Is it showing a unique and valuable way of seeing? Heck, even "are you having fun along with the couple?" can matter. But the more important the moment, the more the needs of that individual photo take over.

Brooklyn Wedding at the Weylin /  by Ryan Brenizer

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect summer day for a wedding at the Weylin under its iconic domes. The couple kicked off the morning at The William Vale, then stole away for a quiet stroll through Domino Park with sweeping views of the NYC skyline—proof that this stretch of Williamsburg has become one of the city’s most sought-after destinations. It was an honor to work alongside Peter of Film Cars NY, with Slick Little Bride planning every detail to perfection and Abigail Kirsch Catering keeping everyone happily fed. Huge thanks to the Rous Film team for capturing the day on video and to Mod Society Music for a dance-floor soundtrack you could hear all the way in Manhattan. Shout-outs, too, to Book Hipstr for the photo booth, Styles on B for hair, Jen Xiixii for makeup, Fleuresque Design for florals, and NY Trolley Co. for stylishly ferrying guests between locations.

Garden City Hotel Wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

We feel truly lucky to have been a part of Julie and Marc's incredible wedding at the Garden City Hotel. The sun was shining brilliantly, setting the stage for a beautiful celebration.

We've had the pleasure of photographing two of Julie's cousins' weddings, so seeing so many familiar faces made the day even more special. The wedding party was filled with vibrant energy throughout the event.

The most unforgettable moment was when Julie, a talented trombone player, surprised everyone (including Marc!) by joining the fantastic Hank Lane band for a set.

The dance floor was electric, with Julie fully embracing the moment and dancing with as many friends and family as possible. We're genuinely grateful to have shared this unforgettable day with Julie, Marc, and their loved ones, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

Tribeca Rooftop wedding: Salisha and Andrew /  by Ryan Brenizer

Salisha and Andew smile with their whole bodies. On a typical day, it’s a pleasure to be around their cheer and energy … but on their wedding day, their joy and personalities were busting down the walls of the fantastic Tribeca Rooftop.

The wedding was filled with talented performers bringing energy, bringing song, bringing emotion, and frankly bringing it, but the deep emotion of the day was anything but a performance.

Thank you for making the world a better place with your laughter and love, Salisha and Andrew!

Edgewood County Club wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

It was great to be back at the Edgewood Country Club for Zoe and Judah’s wedding. Edgewood is a beautiful venue that recently expanded with extensive construction and renovation. It is just the place it takes to house a wedding with rafter-shaking energy like this. We knew from our Manhattan engagement that they would bring the style and emotion, but as you'll see see, their friends and family also brought the party.

Band: Frank Simmons Band
Caterer: Northern Valley Affairs
Florist: Adam Leffel Productions
Videographer: Creative Image Productions
Hair: Vanessa Pesantez
Makeup: Michelle Stern Beauty
Dress: estee’ Couture

Box House Hotel wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

Once upon a time, we were writers, and this wedding shows why we changed over to documenting lives through our lens. Because using words here about how joyful, raucous, hilarious or ecstatic seem both obvious and not enough when you see the expressions on Shayna and Brennan’s face at almost any point on their wedding day. It was electric to be around them and in Brooklyn’s fantastically chic Box House Hotel.

Harvard Club wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

Neither rain nor more rain nor … even more rain … could keep Kelly and John from a marvelous wedding day. The grandeur of the reception at the Harvard Club and ceremony at Church of St. Vincent Ferrer didn’t hurt, but their deep connection to each other and family was truly what defined the day.

Legacy Castle wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

Right from the start we knew Suzette and Andres had a tight bond — so tight that they introduced themselves to us as “SuDre.” We also knew that a giant (for 2021) Hindu/Dominican wedding featuring a couple as fun as they are would be raucous , joyous, and just an amazing experience throughout. Few venues could properly hold all of this energy — the pre-2020 plan was to essentially take over the city of Montreal — but The Legacy Castle served perfectly.

Le Chateau South Salem wedding /  by Ryan Brenizer

Usually our highest compliment for a wedding is “Boy, I wish I’d been a guest!” But our assistant Brendan did us one better in his assessment of Lauren and Taylor’s wedding. As we packed up, he said “Well, I don’t need to plan a wedding now — this was perfect in every way, I’ll just do this one.” There are, of course, a few more stages in wedding planning than just saying “Give me the Lauren and Taylor!” but it shows what a fantastic experience this day was, partially due to the fine work of Le Chateau but also because of the great spirit and kindness of their friends and family (which are probably not part of the package.)