Scott S. Smith (formerly a Partner of Monarch Studio) is now operating as SSS-Studio. To see more of his work, checkout the following link: www.sss-photo.com

Melissa and Brian moments after their wedding at Mission Nombre de Dios and Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – St. Augustine, FL

Intimate Catholic Wedding

Often when considering a Catholic Wedding Mass for your wedding ceremony you end up in a cavernous church with a significant number of guests, however, Brian and Melissa wanted things a bit different. They chose to get married in the Our Lady of La Leche Chapel on the ground of the old mission just footsteps from where the first Catholic Mass what is now America was held! This church is tiny, and filled to the brim with loved ones made for a very intimate wedding ceremony! After the ceremony and some fantastic photos via a classic car ride, Brian and Melissa enjoyed a sparkler entrance into our reception venue: The historic Casa Monica
Hotel. What a night!

In the bride's Words:

"It was a beautiful, slightly overcast day in St. Augustine with 40 of our closest friends and relatives. We were married in our dream chapel and exchanged our own penned vows. Brian beamed as I walked down the aisle and as anyone there can attest, it was the most intimate ceremony they had ever been to. Every detail was perfect, including the flower petal procession. We took amazing pictures all over downtown St. Augustine at our favorite landmarks while our guests took a trolley ride through historic St. Augustine until being dropped off at the reception for cocktail hour. Brian and I had a wonderful time riding in the back of the Nash with Mark Harvey as our driver. Kevin, our videographer, was the perfect bouquet and veil holder while making me laugh. Scott and Cody kept us smiling and we enjoyed having our own paparazzi in the car with us. We arrived at the Casa Monica to sparklers and clapping guests, but first had to stop at the fountain where Brian proposed to capture the most picturesque sunset of the year. We made our entrance with our very choreographed first dance. It was the best part of the night! We followed it up with a toast from our hearts and our maid of honor's and best man's touching speeches. Our dear friend gave the most personal blessing before filet mignon was served and a night of dancing started. After enjoying open bar all night, our guests received the best party and favor gift- a personalized hangover cure from my husband the pharmacist. They were a true hit! Daylight Savings didn't stop our night. We went back to The Collector and enjoyed champagne and strawberries with our wonderful friends from Seattle. We topped off the weekend with a trip to the beach on Sunday with all of our guests that were still in town."

I love it when couples create items for the wedding that include aspects of their personalty! Brian and Melissa met and fell in love at the pharmacy counter in a heartwarming tale of true destiny. Him being a pharmacist and helping her and others it only made sense for him to send all the guests home with a hangover cure!