I love a wedding day filled with beautiful weather, meaningful moments, and a whole lot of joy! Eloise and Tony’s St. Andrews by The Sea wedding in Gulf Shores, Alabama, was exactly that. From their sweet church ceremony to a lively reception and a memorable getaway, their wedding day was such a wonderful celebration of their love and faith.

A Beautiful Fall Wedding in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Eloise and Tony’s wedding was one of the first days this fall that we finally felt some cooler temperatures along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The sunshine was beautiful, and although it was a little windy, we couldn’t have asked for a prettier day to celebrate these two!

I first met Eloise and Tony when I photographed their engagement session at the History Museum of Mobile. Their session turned into a little adventure thanks to some typical Mobile, rainy weather, and I loved getting to know them before their wedding day. You can read more about their History Museum of Mobile engagement session here.

Eloise is actually a florist herself, so getting to photograph another wedding vendor’s big day was especially fun! She was absolutely wonderful to work with throughout the entire experience. I knew I would LOVE her floral work, which I admit got me pretty pumped to photograph this wedding! And, of course, Tony and I immediately had something in common with our names!

A Church Ceremony at St. Andrews by The Sea

One of the things I loved about this wedding was that the entire celebration took place at St. Andrews by The Sea in Gulf Shores. Having the ceremony and reception at the same location made the day flow so naturally and gave everyone plenty of time to enjoy the celebration.

After getting ready, the couple privately read letters from each other since they would not see one another until Eloise walked down the aisle. She did share a sweet first look with her brothers and dad while Tony’s mom pinned on his boutonnière.

Eloise and Tony exchanged vows during a beautiful church ceremony surrounded by their family and friends. After they were officially married, their guests gathered outside the front doors of the church for a cheerful ribbon wand send-off. It was such a fun way to celebrate the newlyweds!

Following the ceremony, we took family portraits and wedding portraits of Eloise and Tony. The gorgeous sunshine made for beautiful photographs, and I loved capturing some of those first moments of them together as husband and wife.

A Fun-Filled Wedding Reception

The reception was full of energy from beginning to end! Eloise and Tony had a fantastic DJ who kept the dance floor lively and their guests celebrating throughout the evening.

One of my favorite details was Eloise’s second dress. She changed into an adorable mini version of her wedding gown, which was perfect for dancing the night away! I always love when brides incorporate a second look into their wedding day, especially one that complements their ceremony gown so beautifully.

There were so many happy moments throughout the reception, and it was obvious how much their family and friends enjoyed celebrating with them.

A Meaningful Last Dance and Convertible Getaway

As the evening came to a close, Eloise and Tony shared one final dance to a worship song. After a reception filled with laughter, music, and dancing, it was such a meaningful way to end their wedding celebration and reflect on the faith that is part of their marriage.

They finished the night with a getaway in a convertible, the perfect ending to such a fun wedding day!

St. Andrews by The Sea Wedding Photography

Eloise and Tony’s wedding was the perfect combination of meaningful traditions, genuine joy, and a really good time. From their church ceremony and ribbon wand exit to the packed dance floor and sweet final dance, there was so much to love about their day.

I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to photograph their engagement session and wedding, and I couldn’t be happier for these two!

If you’re planning a St. Andrews by The Sea wedding in Gulf Shores, Alabama, or a wedding anywhere along the Alabama Gulf Coast, I’d love to help you document your day! As an Alabama wedding photographer serving Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Mobile, and the surrounding areas, my goal is always to capture beautiful, genuine moments that you’ll love looking back on for years to come.

Learn more about wedding photography with Photography by Toni.