Coastal Wedding at The Islander in Emerald Isle, NC | Dana + Jarrett

Dana and Jarrett’s October wedding at The Islander in Emerald Isle was one of those picture-perfect days that remind me why I love my job. The weather was beautiful — a few clouds, a quick sprinkle for good luck right before the ceremony, and the most comfortable temperatures with a gentle ocean breeze. It couldn’t have been better for a coastal celebration.

We kicked off the morning with detail photos, and one of my favorite touches was the flowers Dana’s aunt brought her that morning — they were the ones featured in her detail shots, which made those photos feel extra special. Both the girls and the guys had a few getting-ready moments, and everyone was just enjoying the day. Dana’s mom and sister helped her into her dress, which was such a sweet moment to witness before the fun really started.

Before Dana and Jarrett’s first look, Jarrett got quite the surprise. His brother-in-law, Logan, showed up outside wearing Dana’s mom’s wedding dress — and it had everyone laughing! Once the jokes settled and Dana came out for the real first look, she and Jarrett shared such a genuine, emotional moment together. They even showed off their matching purple socks with their dogs’ faces on them — which was so them.

After their first look, we rolled right into bride and groom portraits, then bridal party photos. We wrapped up just before guests started to arrive — perfect timing. The flower girls, Jarrett’s nieces, were the cutest, as they rolled around clearly over taking photos.

When the ceremony started and Dana’s mom walked her down the aisle, there were a few tears from everyone (including Jarrett). The joy on their faces when they were announced husband and wife said it all — pure happiness.

During family photos, we even had a special visitor — a seagull who decided to hang out for a bit. Seagulls hold special meaning for Dana’s family since they remind them of her dad. It felt like the sweetest little sign that he was right there with them, celebrating.

The reception was so well thought out — crayons and coloring sheets for the kids, delicious appetizers, and a bar that kept everyone happy. The first dances were so meaningful: Dana danced with her cousin in honor of her dad, Jarrett danced with his mom, and then surprised his sister with a dance too.

After dinner, we headed out to the beach for sunset portraits, and the sky showed off with shades of pink, orange, and purple — truly perfect. Once we got back inside, it was time to cut the cake and open the dance floor. And once it opened, it never emptied. PJ and Mark spent more time in the air than on the floor, and guests even joked that they must’ve been hired to keep the party going — but nope, they were just that much fun!

We wrapped up the night with a private last dance and a sparkler exit, the perfect ending to an incredible day.

This was my first wedding back from maternity leave, and Dana and Jarrett were so kind and thoughtful, even making sure I had time for pump breaks. It was honestly one of the smoothest, most joy-filled wedding days I’ve ever photographed — and a perfect reminder that days like these are exactly why I love what I do.