Ali and Matt’s January 20th, 2023 wedding day was one of a kind. From the breathtakingly beautiful venue of The Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, Florida to the amazing photos and videos captured by us at Bow Tie Photo & Video—it was truly an occasion to remember.

How It All Started

Ali and Matt have come a long way since they first started dating. The couple began their relationship as a long-distance couple, Ali in St. Augustine studying for her Master's in Occupational Therapy and Matt starting a Project Manager position in Oahu.

Initially, their plan was to keep up this cadence for just one year, but life had different plans and they ended up continuing it for two years into 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic made things even more difficult as Matt got stuck in Hawaii while Ali stayed in St. Augustine, leaving them separated from each other for six more months. Can you imagine?

Despite all of the challenges that came with the distance, they managed to make the best of it with trust and communication serving as a strong foundation for their relationship. After being apart for so long, Matt was luckily able to finally move to Tampa to reunite with Ali!

The Proposal

Matt's luck continued on the day he proposed. In December 2021, Ali drove to Matt's house to load up his truck for their holiday trip to Ocala, FL. When she arrived, he was nowhere to be found. Usually, he was eagerly awaiting her and would help her unload her car, so this was very odd and frustrating!

She called out for Matt, but nothing.

After letting herself in with her keys, Ali came across a romantic setup of champagne, candles, flowers, and a framed photo of them. She was completely surprised when Matt rounded the corner and got down on one knee! All she could do was smile and say yes, of course! It was a moment they'll never forget, and all was forgiven.

The Venue – The Lightner Museum

Ali and Matt wanted a unique venue for their special day, so when they stumbled upon The Lightner Museum, they knew it was perfect for their wedding. This museum has been around since 1888 and is filled with history and charm. It also offers stunning views of St. Augustine from its terrace, making it an ideal setting for any wedding ceremony or reception. Plus, the museum is conveniently located next to some popular attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos fort, giving guests plenty of things to do before and after the big event!

The Photography & Videography – Bow Tie Photo & Video

When the couple began looking for a photographer and videographer to capture their special day, they came across Bow Tie Photo & Video’s Instagram page which showcased breathtaking images from previous weddings that we had photographed. After admiring our portfolio on our website, they knew that they just had to have us as their wedding photographer and videographer!

On the big day itself, we were able to capture every single moment of joy—from getting ready, to the ceremony and through the late evening with all their friends and family celebrating this amazing union. Not only did we capture stunning photos of this stunning couple, but also beautiful video footage with multiple camera angles of their special day, which will be cherished forever!

We are honored that Ali and Matt chose us as their photographer and videographer for such an important day in their lives. We hope that our photos and videos will help them relive those magical moments over again for many years to come!

If you're looking for a photographer or videographer for your own big day - whether it be at The Lightner Museum or elsewhere - don't hesitate to reach out to us here at Bow Tie Photo & Video! We'd love nothing more than being part of your special event too!

Vendor Team:

Photographer & Videographer: Bow Tie Photo & Video

Venue: The Lightner Museum

Florist: Tula Rose Floral & Event Design

Caterer: Mai Oui! Gourmet Inc.

Coordinator: Coastal Celebrations

Bakery: Crème De La Cocoa

Music & Entertainment: Bay Kings Band

Rentals: St. Johns Illumination

Hair: Studio Bride

Makeup: Make Up Boss - Kaitlin Francois