Taylor + AJ got married at The Resort at Longboat Key Club on one of those April days that reminds me exactly why I love photographing weddings here. Beautiful weather, the Gulf in the background, a South Beach ceremony and that Longboat Key golden hour doing what it does best. ✨

Their whole day happened right at the resort, from getting ready overlooking the water to their reception in the John Ringling Room, which meant we had so many different little pockets of the property to work with throughout the day.

Getting Ready at The Resort at Longboat Key Club

The day started with Taylor getting ready with her girls and hair and makeup by Brides by Kelly Anne.

Getting ready is always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day because so much is happening in those last couple of hours before everything officially begins. The nerves start kicking in, somebody is usually pouring champagne, Mom is helping with the finishing touches, and suddenly it hits everyone that holy shit… we’re actually doing this. 😂

Meanwhile, AJ was hanging with his guys and getting ready for his own big moment.

A First Look on Longboat Key

Taylor + AJ decided to do a first look before their ceremony, and I will forever be a fan.

Not only does it give you a few minutes together before the beautiful chaos of the rest of the day begins, but it also lets us knock out wedding party and family photos early. Translation: you actually get to go drink a cocktail at your own cocktail hour. 😂

And AJ’s face when he turned around and saw Taylor? Worth it.

After their first look, we wandered around the property for portraits before heading toward the beach for the ceremony.

Enjoy some of my FAVORITE wedding party photos with some of the best out there !

A South Beach Ceremony at Longboat Key Club

Taylor + AJ said their vows on South Beach at The Resort at Longboat Key Club with the Gulf of Mexico behind them.

I mean… come ON.

Taylor walked down the aisle to “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole, which felt absolutely perfect for the two of them. Their officiant Frank led the ceremony while the breeze came in off the water and that late-afternoon Florida light started getting prettier by the minute.

This is one of the things I love most about a Longboat Key Club wedding. You can have the full resort wedding experience while still getting married with your toes in the sand and the Gulf stretching out behind you.

Golden Hour Wedding Photos on Longboat Key

After the ceremony, guests headed to cocktail hour while we snuck away for more portraits.

And THIS is my jam.

Golden hour on Longboat Key is hard to beat. As the sun started dropping toward the Gulf, we moved around the property and eventually back toward the beach, chasing every last little pocket of that warm light.

This is also why I build sunset into wedding timelines whenever we can. Even if we’ve already taken portraits earlier in the day, I’ll happily steal you away for another 10 or 15 minutes when the light gets good.

You just got married. You’re officially relaxed. The pressure is off. You’ve probably had a cocktail. 😂

And then Florida gives us THAT LIGHT.

Magic.

Reception in the John Ringling Room

Once the sun disappeared, everyone headed inside to the John Ringling Room to PARTY.

Mary Nell Chadsey handled the florals, while Graingertainment and DJ Lira took over the music and kept the dance floor moving.

Taylor + AJ shared their first dance to “Still the One” by Shania Twain… which, as a longtime couple, felt pretty damn perfect… followed by their parent dances and all the reception traditions before the party really kicked off.

Cakes by Ron handled the cake, The Resort at Longboat Key Club took care of catering, and Swanky Soiree Events kept the entire day moving behind the scenes.

Then it was officially dance-floor time.

And you already know I am never mad when the reception gets a little chaotic. 😂

Planning a Wedding at The Resort at Longboat Key Club?

If you’re considering a wedding at The Resort at Longboat Key Club, one of my favorite things about the property from a photography perspective is how much variety we can get without ever leaving the resort.

You have the beach and Gulf, tropical landscaping, the resort itself, beautiful indoor spaces and…. obviously…. some ridiculous sunset potential.

Having everything in one location also means less of your wedding day is spent driving from place to place and more of it is spent actually enjoying the people you invited to celebrate with you.

I’ve photographed love stories all over Longboat Key, from weddings like Taylor + AJ’s to surprise proposals along the island’s beaches. You can also see Bianca + Patrick’s Longboat Key proposal and Michael + Regan’s Zota Beach Resort proposal for even more Longboat Key golden-hour goodness.

And if you’re planning your own Longboat Key Club wedding and looking for a photographer who will help build your timeline around the light while still letting you actually LIVE your wedding day, I’d freaking love to hear about it.

Vendor Team

• Venue: The Resort at Longboat Key Club
• Planner: Swanky Soiree Events
• Photography: Angela Moon Photography
• Content Creation: Rachel / @contentbyrachr
• DJ: Graingertainment / DJ Lira
• Florals: Mary Nell Chadsey
• Hair + Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne
• Cake: Cakes by Ron