Some weddings just feel like Florida in the very best way, and Ryan and Jordyn’s was definitely one of them.

High school sweethearts Ryan and Jordyn traveled from Massachusetts to Anna Maria Island, Florida, bringing their closest friends and family along with them for a laid-back destination wedding right on the Gulf. Their April wedding at The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant was colorful, coastal, personal and—most importantly—SO much fun.

Ryan and Jordyn exchanged vows right on the beach with the Gulf of Mexico as their backdrop. Their ceremony setup was simple but gorgeous, with a wooden arbor covered in baby's breath and soft white draping overlooking the water.

I also loved how much color they incorporated into the day. Jordyn carried a beautiful bouquet filled with soft pinks, peach, lavender, blue and yellow, while the bridesmaids wore different floral dresses. Ryan and the groomsmen kept things perfectly beachy in light linen suits.

Everything felt relaxed and effortless, which fit these two perfectly.

Okay, we NEED to talk about the coconuts.

Instead of a traditional seating chart, guests were greeted with personalized fresh coconuts complete with tropical umbrellas, flowers and their table assignments. Each coconut was even branded with “The Huberts” and Anna Maria Island.

The coastal touches continued throughout the reception, including woven place settings and a beautiful tiered wedding cake decorated with white seashells and starfish. It all felt beachy without feeling overly themed.

One of the best parts about having a wedding on Florida's Gulf Coast? Sunset portraits.

We snuck away from the reception for photos along the beach as the sun started going down over the Gulf. This is always one of my favorite parts of photographing weddings on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach. Even 10–15 minutes away from the reception can give us time for beautiful portraits while still allowing the couple to get right back to celebrating with everyone.And with the beach literally steps away from the reception, The Beach House makes that incredibly easy.

After the ceremony and portraits, it was time to PARTY.

Ryan and Jordyn's reception at The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant was exactly what you would expect after spending five minutes with these two—relaxed, fun and full of personality.

They even had a gelato cart at the reception, which might be one of my new favorite wedding ideas. Florida wedding + gelato by the beach? I'm in.

But more than anything, this wedding was about Ryan and Jordyn getting to celebrate with the people they love most. Their friends and family traveled all the way from Massachusetts to be there, and you could absolutely feel that energy once everyone hit the dance floor.

These two were genuinely so much fun to photograph from beginning to end.

If you're planning a wedding at The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant in Bradenton Beach or anywhere on Anna Maria Island, this area gives you pretty much everything you could want for a Florida destination wedding—beautiful Gulf views, a beach ceremony, sunset portraits and a reception just steps from the sand.

And if you're looking for an Anna Maria Island or Tampa Bay wedding photographer who will give you the beautiful portraits and capture all the fun, candid moments happening in between, I'd love to hear what you're planning.

Vendor Team

Venue: The Beach House Waterfront Restaurant

Photography: MYB Photography

Transportation: Siesta Trolley

Hair & Makeup: Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup

Coconuts: Surfing Coconut USA

Wedding Dress: Lovely Bride Providence

Rings: The Diamond Bar

Wedding Cake: Publix

Gelato Cart: The Gelato Carte

Florals: Scarlett's Flowers

Content Creator: Vanessa Visuals

DJ: DJ Kenwa