Celebrating Love for LGBTQ Pride Month

Matt Steeves Photography is a huge fan of all things romantic.

We’re also huge fans of equality.

And we’re unapologetic allies for the LGBTQ community - not just in June (LGBTQ Pride Month), but always.
Always have been, and always will be.

So, in celebration, we’d like to show you a super fun, pride-themed wedding reception from just this month!

Congratulations to Liz & Cherie on their beautiful Captiva Island nuptials!

Wedding Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings, & Parties
Floral: Planned Perfection
Venue: Tween Waters Inn, Captiva Island
DJ: Thank You For the Dance

Bryan & Christopher

L O V E -is- L O V E

On January 6, 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized in the state of Florida - six months before the US Supreme Court made it legal in all 50 states. 

When Bryan & Christopher invited us to capture the day as they prepared to become the first gay couple in Collier County history to get married, we couldn't WAIT to celebrate with them!

It was a historic day - one that MSP was so proud to be a part of! 
But this blog isn't about that day, as you can find those details in many publications and magazines (check out Equal & Forever, LGBTWeddings.com, H&H Weddings, or any others out there on Google).

Instead, this month's blog is about Bryan & Christopher's SECOND wedding day.
While the first took place at the county courthouse with their closest family and friends, B&C wanted to celebrate in a more personalized style - an event with all the trimmings, the extended guest list, and the formal celebration of their marriage! We think the couple put it best on their Save the Dates (done by the talented DM Paper Designs, featuring an MSP image, of course!):

The day started off at the Bayfront Inn 5th Avenue in Naples, Florida, where Bryan & Christopher were spending the day with their very best friends!

This is Bryan - TV news anchor and all-around cutie pie!

And here's Christopher - talented dancer, choreographer, and all-around great guy!

Super cute couple, right?! And their besties were also SO wonderful to be around, if you couldn't tell from the ridiculously adorable blue plaid shirts!

B&C have SUCH creative souls in their crew - we instantly fell in love with this gift idea from one of their groomsmen: a bottle of wine for each milestone the newlyweds will hit in the future!

Not to mention the musical talent...

But of course, none of them would have made it there if it weren't for the jewel-toned invitation suite DM Paper Designs provided (featuring the couple's special peacock feather design!)

With both grooms ready, it was time for the First Glance at the Naples Performing Arts Center!

Even now (a few years later), this First Glance stands out as one of the most emotional, beautiful experiences we've gotten to capture! Once it was over, it was time for the ceremony to begin!

The design of Bryan & Christopher's wedding was one where the ceremony seating doubled as the reception seating - the entire event took place in one area of the Performing Arts Center. We don't see that a lot, but we loved the idea - we even did it on our own wedding day!

Seeing our images framed on a wedding day (in this case, from their January courthouse wedding!) never fails to make us ::swoon::

Instead of a traditional aisle, the path to the altar brought both of the grooms through the crowd of their guests - so they could meet in the middle of their very dearest loved ones!

::swoon::

With the ceremony through, the couple used the creative poem below to announce that it was dinner time!

To celebrate, Tastebuds Custom Catering created a mock taco truck that let guests enjoy the most delicious tacos ever -
while remaining cool indoors. BRILLIANT!

We are so grateful to have clients like Bryan & Christopher - we've remained friends the last few years, and can't wait to see where the future takes them!

Venue: Naples Performing Arts Center
Stationery: DM Paper Designs
Boutonnieres: Signature Floral
Cake: Grace & Shelly's
Cateer & Rentals: Tastebuds Custom Catering