There's something magical about Key West weddings, and Julie and Mike's celebration at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park was lovely celebration of love. As a wedding photographer in Key West, I get to capture countless unforgettable moments, but weddings at Fort Zachary always stood out. With its rich history, stunning ocean views, and lush tropical foliage, Fort Zachary Taylor is one of the best wedding venues in Key West for couples seeking a picturesque outdoor ceremony. Fort Zachary Taylor: The Perfect Key West Wedding Venue nestled at the southern tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historic charm, making it an ideal location for weddings. The park's scenic beach, historic fort, and panoramic sunset views create an unmatched backdrop for wedding photos. Julie and Mike chose this iconic spot to tie the knot, and the results were simply magical. Key West Ceremony: A Sunset Dream at Fort Zachary Beach Julie and Mike's Fort Zachary wedding ceremony took place on the park's sandy beach, with the golden hues of the sunset reflecting on the calm waters. The couple exchanged vows surrounded by their closest friends and family, as the ocean breeze gently swept through the ceremony. The Fort Zachary Taylor beach weddings are renowned for their romantic ambiance, and this one was no exception. Key West Wedding Photography: Capturing Every Moment As a Key West wedding photographer, capturing the essence of Julie and Mike's love story at Fort Zachary Taylor was an a joy. From photos at historic fort to candid shots on the beach, every moment was filled with emotion and beauty. Fort Zachary's diverse landscapes provide countless opportunities for stunning wedding photos, from the shady pine grove to the sun-drenched beach and the iconic fort walls. Reception: Celebrating Under the Stars after the ceremony, guests gathered for an intimate beachfront reception under a canopy of twinkling lights. The natural beauty of Fort Zachary Taylor set the stage for a relaxed yet elegant celebration. With a live band playing in the background and the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore, Julie and Mike's Fort Zachary wedding reception was a night to remember. Why Choose Fort Zachary Taylor for Your Key West Wedding? If you're planning a destination wedding in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park should be at the top of your list. As one of the most popular wedding venues in Key West, it offers:
Planning Your Fort Zachary Taylor Wedding Planning a wedding at Fort Zachary Taylor is a breeze with the right vendors by your side. Whether you're looking for a wedding photographer in Key West, a local planner, or catering services, the island has everything you need to create your dream wedding. At Weddings by Romi, we specialize in capturing the beauty and joy of Key West weddings. From intimate elopements to grand celebrations, our goal is to preserve every moment of your special day. If you're dreaming of a Fort Zachary wedding, let's make it a reality together. Contact us today to learn more about our Key West wedding photography packages and how we can help you create memories that will last a lifetime. Venue: Fort Zachary Taylor
Getting Ready House: 1309 Villa Mill Alley Key West Wedding photography: Weddings By Romi Day of Wedding Coordinator: Kirsten Corpion Officiate: Aaron Wetcher Key West Hair/Make Up: Lorri Bolanger Flowers: Milan Floral Design Wedding Cake: Key West Cakes Transportation: Trolley Transportation Catering: Catered Affairs Prestige Party Rentals (Marinela)
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As a wedding and family photographer based in Key West, I’m always drawn to locations with stunning natural beauty, golden sunsets, and a relaxed island vibe. That’s why photographing this sweet family of four in West Maui was such a dream!
Maui’s breathtaking coastline provided the perfect backdrop for their session. We started by exploring the scenic shores of West Maui, capturing natural, joy-filled moments as their little ones played in the sand and soaked in the beauty of the Pacific. As the sun dipped lower, we embraced that magical Maui sunset glow, creating timeless family portraits filled with warmth and love. Whether you’re planning a family session in Key West or dreaming of a tropical getaway for your next photo session, it’s all about capturing those genuine, love-filled moments. Both Maui and Key West share that laid-back island charm, where golden sunsets and ocean breezes make every moment feel extra special. Looking to book a family or couples session in Key West or beyond? Let’s create something beautiful together! As a Key West photographer, I love capturing the unique energy of families exploring this beautiful island. My recent family photo session in Key West with Kristen, Tommy, Tiggy, and Tru was nothing short of amazing!
We spent the afternoon wandering through the Key West Historic Seaport, one of my favorite locations for family photography in the Florida Keys. With its charming docks, historic boats, and golden-hour light, it provided the perfect setting for candid and heartfelt moments. One of the highlights of this session was Tiggy’s curiosity about photography. She was so eager to learn how I take pictures, asking about my camera and techniques—it was a joy to see her enthusiasm! Meanwhile, little Tru kept us all entertained with his sweet smiles and playful energy. One of the funniest moments was when we passed by a sponge stand, and Tiggy excitedly pointed out that "this is where SpongeBob must have come from!" It was such a cute moment and a reminder of how kids find magic in the little things. It’s sessions like these that remind me why I love also being a family photographer in Key West. It's all about capturing moments and emotions. Whether you’re visiting the Florida Keys or you call this island home, documenting your family's moments in such a vibrant and picturesque place is always special. If you’re looking for a Key West family photographer, I’d love to create timeless memories for you. Let’s explore the island together and capture the joy of your family! There's something magical about strolling through the historic streets of Olomouc, a hidden gem in the heart of the Czech Republic. As we set out for a family photo session with Zuzi, Radek, and their two kids Klaudia and Oscar, the city's rich history seemed to greet us at every corner. Olomouc, known for its baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and timeless charm, provided the perfect backdrop for capturing the essence of this wonderful family.
What made this session even more special was knowing that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself once walked these very streets. In 1767, young Mozart lived here for a short time, seeking refuge from a smallpox outbreak in Vienna. It’s said that his time in Olomouc helped shape his creative genius. Walking through the same alleys and squares where Mozart might have played as a child added an extra layer of wonder to the day. Zuzi and Radek, along with their kids, brought so much joy and energy to the session. We wandered through the old town, starting near the Holy Trinity Column, an awe-inspiring UNESCO monument that towers over the main square. The children’s laughter filled the air as they ran ahead, marveling at the fountains and colorful facades that lined the streets. One of the most memorable moments was when we paused by the grand St. Wenceslas Cathedral, a place that echoes centuries of history. The family gathered together for a few candid shots, surrounded by the towering spires and ancient stonework. The mix of modern family life with the timeless setting created a beautiful contrast in every frame. As we made our way through the winding streets, the light softened, casting a warm glow over the city. We captured spontaneous moments—playful gestures, shared smiles, and quiet glances—each framed by Olomouc’s historic charm. This session was not just about taking photos; it was about capturing memories in a place where history and modern life coexist so seamlessly. Olomouc, with its storied past and vibrant present, provided the perfect setting for celebrating the beauty of family and the timelessness of togetherness. While building my new website, I hadn't updated my blog for a while, but a lot has happened, especially this summer when we traveled to Europe again during the hurricane season. We visited some beautiful spots that I'd love to share pictures from.
One of the highlights was Switzerland. Our road trip began in the Czech Republic, continued through Austria—specifically Innsbruck—and took us over mountain passes into Switzerland, offering unforgettable views. We spent time in the Jungfrau region, particularly in Wengen, a car-free village perched at 1,274 meters (4,180 feet) with some of the most breathtaking vistas. From there, we made our way to the Top of Europe—Jungfraujoch, which sits at an impressive 3,454 meters (11,332 feet). Even on a hot summer day, we walked on the snow, a surreal experience! The cogwheel railway that cuts through the glacier and ascends to the peak was an unforgettable adventure. From Switzerland, we continued our journey over the Swiss-Italian pass, crossing into Italy. Our destination was Lago di Garda, a cycling paradise surrounded by the vast Lake Garda, which is nestled between mountains. Lake Garda itself is situated at an elevation of about 65 meters (213 feet) above sea level, and we drove through numerous tunnels, discovering the rich history of each place along the way. When hunger struck, we sought out the most authentic local cuisine, immersing ourselves in the flavors of each region. Here are a few pictures I captured along the way—moments when I couldn't resist taking my camera out. Even though I grew up skiing and hiking in some incredible mountain ranges the awe I felt during this trip was something else. We loved being part of Liz and Andy's beautiful dreamy Key West wedding at Audubon House that started in rented Airbnb near Flamingo Crossing Ice cream where Liz and Andy had a small ice cream break and then we took a trolley for "Photo Safari" around town for more fun wedding pictures. Congratulations Liz and Andy!! 1. How did you meet and how? We met on bumble! Liz made the first move and messaged Andy in December of 2019, with her perfect bumble bee imitation: buzz, buzz, buzz. We decided to meet at a Kurt Vonnegut inspired restaurant (local Indy author) called Bluebeard for dinner and drinks. A few weeks later, we knew we had found something special. The world started to shut down because of the pandemic, but our adventure was just beginning! Many nights of Netflix, takeout and more walks around the neighborhood than we can count, we bought a house and moved in together. After 6-months of renovation work on our house, we decided to take a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to get away for Liz's birthday weekend -- and it was on a snowshoe hike, on a quiet snowy morning at Taggart Lake that Andy got down on one knee and asked Liz to be his forever! 2. Why wedding in Key West and Audubon House? We chose Key West for several reasons -- but the one that sticks out most to us was being able to spend quality time with the people that we love. We had a wedding of 48 guests (including the bride and groom) and by the end of our 3-day weekend together, we got to enjoy so many meaningful conversations and fantastic memories all together! We started the weekend with a joint bachelor/bachelorette party on Duval Street with all of our friends and their significant others . Then, the day-before the wedding, we hosted a Sunset Cruise as a Welcome Party for all of our guests. It was definitely a highlight for our guests, and we wanted to do something that was a special, enjoyable experience for everyone! People still tell us that the sunset cruise was one of their favorite parts of the wedding weekend! As for the Audubon House - when we came across the venue we instantly knew it was perfect! Andy's family collects the Audubon paintings and have several prints in their home -- as do Andy and I. We couldn't believe there was an actual historic home devoted to the Audubon birds.. It was an absolutely beautiful venue and the layout for our group was perfect.. We truly could not have asked for a better place to say 'I do' and we cannot wait to bring our one day babies back to explore too!! 3. What was your inspiration for your wedding? Honestly, my pink shoes! Once we had decided on Key West, I saw the shoes probably a month later and fell in love with them! From there, I let the pink shoes guide me thru my design process and how I envisioned the day. Spoiler alert: Lots of pink, subtle glam, whimsy 'Alice in Wonderland' vibes. I think most brides really get that feeling of attachment to their wedding dresses.. But mine was my shoes! So fun! Since we also got married at the Audubon House, we chose to include lots of fun feather elements as a nod to all the birds (: You see that in our getting ready outfits, the gold feather in everyone's place seating, cute bird cocktail glasses for the cocktail hour and the vintage Audubon Bird collector's book - Birds of America - that we used for our guests to sign! 4. Describe some of your favorite moments at the wedding. Of course, committing our lives to one another and sharing that moment with our absolute nearest and dearest was a highlight!! But aside from the beautiful ceremony -- we would have to say the brass band parade down Duval Street was pretty epic! We kept that as a surprise from all of our guests - so getting to see and hear people’s reactions and all the energy and well wishes from all the strangers we paraded by on our way to the after-party spot was really, really fun and unique!! Again, I wanted everything to have meaning as to why we did or did not add an element to our day. The big band/second line parade is a tradition to weddings in New Orleans -- and Liz knew that Andy was the one for her after a girls weekend away to the Big Easy, about two months into our relationship. When I returned from that trip we told each other we loved one another .. I wish I would have written it into my vows, but that trip away gave me such confidence and peace that no matter where either one of us is in this world, we had finally found our homes within each other. I truly felt that way and the second line parade was a perfect way to celebrate it! 5. What would be your advice to other brides from you? My advice to other brides would be to trust your decision making - but to also make decisions! It's easy to get caught up in all the beautiful things that can be a part of your wedding - but keep the day about you and the person you are marrying, it makes the decision making process so much easier when you know WHY you want to include something. Know that you did the due diligence to put together a professional and well qualified team of vendors to make your wedding day come to life! Everyone says to prepare for something to not go according to plan... We can happily say that everything was executed flawlessly - and if something didn't go to plan, we still don't know about it! We had such a fantastic team for our big day with Romi and her crew, Flo and videographer team, and Guadalupe from Little Miss Wedding Planner. They were so huge part of our big day and really helped to pull it off! 6. What are your future plans? Honeymoon? If you had honeymoon, tell me what you loved the most? We left the day after our wedding for the Maldives! It was a truly magical, sun-filled two weeks in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This was our first international trip together, since we have been unable to travel due to the pandemic, and we loved every minute of it! We both got scuba certified before our trip and ended up scuba diving three times while we were away - absolutely beautiful to swim along the coral reefs, fish, sharks, sea turtles and even dolphins! We enjoyed sunset dinners with our toes in the sand, and daily bike rides along the beach to get some ice cream or snag a chair with some shade. If you ever get a chance to go to the Maldives, we highly recommend it! We set a goal to return every ten years.. Can’t wait! Nadine merabiVenue: Audubon House & Gardens
Planner: Little Miss Planner Photographer: You (: Weddings By Romi Videographer: Florence Nebbout / Key West Videography Florals: Kutchey's Florals Table: Table 7 Linen: Nuage Design Rentals: Eventfully Yours Catering: Great Events Cake: Key West Cakes Music: Chris Thomas Music Cigar Rolling: Rodriguez Cigars Second Line Band: Bop Shop Brass (Miami) Hair: Hair by Assel (Miami) Makeup: Bella Luxe Makeup Transportation: Keys Luxury Transportation Officiant: Liz's Aunt - Esther Cottrell Sunset Welcome Cruise: Sunset Watersports Wedding Gown: Purchased at The Wedding Studio (Carmel, IN) -- Designer: Alyssa Kristin Wedding Veil: Purchased at The Wedding Studio (Carmel, IN) -- Designer: Martina Liana Wedding Shoes: Christian Louboutin Wedding Gloves: Custom made from Etsy - Kerry Parker Store After-Party Dress: Nadine Merabi After-Party Veil: Custom made, Jane Rhyan Collection After-Party Shoes: Steve Madden Bridesmaids Getting Ready Outfits: Nasty Gal Maid of Honor Dress: Alamour The Label Andy's Tux: Purchased from Formally Modern Tuxedo Tux Shirt: Bonobos Cuff Links: Custom from Etsy Rings: Diamonds Direct Key West is without a doubt one of the most beautiful destinations for weddings. Only 90 miles north of Cuba, famed for it's pastel-hued, conch-style houses and known for its coral reefs. Elana and Joe's wedding was planned at beautiful Fort Zachary Taylor beach but all wedding plans and decoration that day had to be shifted into the fortress at the last minute while Hurricane Eta rolled into Key West with powerful winds that unleashed heavy rains and flooding. No force of nature could stop Elana and Joe's love, not a pandemic or a hurricane. Despite the obstacles, their wedding was even more beautiful, memorable and enjoyable than planned. Big congratulations to both of you!! It was a pleasure to be a part of your day! 1. How did you guys meet? I met Elana on May 25th, 2013, it was the Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend. At that time in our lives, Memorial Day Weekend at the Jersey Shore was probably the biggest “event” of the year and everyone would party accordingly. Most nights the timeline was the same... everyone would congregate at the local’s bar Jack N Bills, and eventually make our way down the boardwalk to other bars. This night was no different. After I had my fill of Jack N Bills I rallied the troops to head out, leading the way, and marched down the boardwalk. Half way to our next destination, I turned around to address my friends and in the middle of the group I see this drop-dead gorgeous girl that I had never seen. I yelled, “Who the HELL are you!??!” I introduced myself, and that night we would wind up talking. We had an instant chemistry, I found her magnetic and beautiful, inviting. I learned about her studies in college and how intelligent she was, quickly realizing that she was much different than a lot of the others, much deeper. Ever since we met, we were very connected and, although we maintained a platonic relationship for some time after meeting, we always felt close to each other even though we were just getting to know one another. We started dating in January of 2015. We spent the next 6 years growing together, traveling the world, cooking, entertaining, developing our careers, and building their home at the beach. I asked Elana to marry me on March 29, 2019 at Island Beach State Park, one of our favorite bay-side hiking spots just down the street from our home. 2. Why did you choose Fot Zachary as you wedding location? We always knew that we would get married at Fort Zach Taylor in Key West. We didn’t wedding venue shop at all; we got engaged on a Friday and I booked our wedding date at Fort Zach that following Monday. My mom has a house in Key West, so Joe and I have been coming here regularly throughout our relationship. Fort Zachary is very special to us. We have made countless memories laying in hammocks below the canopies of palm and pine trees, grilling on the beautiful beaches, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear turquoise water, and exploring the 19th century historic brick fortress. It is truly our "happy place" and we felt very blessed to be able to share it with our closest friends and family. 3. What was your inspiration for the wedding? The wedding was entirely custom and illustrative of us. Every little detail leading up to the wedding was so intentional and planned with so much thought and love. I just wanted it to be a beautiful celebration with our most treasured family and friends, delicious food, amazing live music, and reflective of our love and everything we embody as a couple. 4. How would you describe some of your favorite moments at the wedding. It’s hard to explain how profoundly poignant the ceremony was. It took place in our plan B location under the arches of the fortress rather than on the beach due to hurricane ETA. The 200-year-old brick arches of the fortress were illuminated with perfectly placed lighting and garnished with stunning floral arrangements of pampas grasses, sprays of dried palms, monstera leaves and white roses and orchids. Visually it was unlike anything I’ve seen. You could see and hear the rain coming down on the outside of the fortress like our own private waterfall. The background noise of the rain hitting the ground just outside of where we were standing, committing to one another forever, was enchanting. This setting, energy and mood combined to create the most intensely raw and beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced. Joe and I are both decent writers, so our vows were that much more powerful because of the magic surrounding us. The band and the food were amazing. I wish I ate more but we ALL got our fill of dancing. Believe me when I say the dancefloor was rocking. I don’t think anyone sat after speeches and dinner; the entire wedding party danced together all night long. We had so much fun. It was awesome. 5. What would be an advice to other brides from you? Be present. This day is about the two of you and your love. Revel in this, come back to it when you are stressed, and never lose sight of it. Accept the things you can't control. If you grip tightly to things out of your control, you will suffer. People will disappoint you- take the high road. Have endless gratitude for the incredible people in your life who are there for you, celebrating with you, and love you. It's not bad idea to save money and elope. 6. What are your future plans? Honeymoon? We are still in the middle of a global pandemic so this entire process has looked a lot different than what we originally planned. We hoped to honeymoon internationally but since we couldn’t travel we spent a week after the wedding at the brand-new Isla Bella Resort in Marathon. It ended up being amazing: exactly we needed and definitely satiated our craving for a big honeymoon. We will do some traveling when things open up. In the meantime, we will continue enjoying every day together and will eventually start a family. Wedding Venue: Fort Zachary Taylor
Wedding Photography : Weddings By Romi Wedding videographer : JAG Hair/Make Up: Talie Ayers Food : Great Events Flowers: Love in Bloom Decor, Invitations, Wedding Stationary : Bonfire and Co. Rentals : Eventfully Yours Transportation: Key West Historic Conch Tour Band: Ross Brown and Cayo Ritmo Key West wedding planner : Keys Planning Dress: Grace loves lace Rings: Michael F & Co Suit: Suit Supply (Custom linen) Let me introduce you to the fresh newlyweds Victoria and Ryan!! Warm tropical breezes, rolling ocean vistas and a kiss to seal it all under a hazy pink sunset that was Victoria and Ryan's wedding day reception at Southernmost Beach Resort. We changed locations 3 times from Sunrise Suites to Saint's Mary church for the ceremony to Southernmost Beach Resort for the rest of the celebration. Victoria also booked a second photographer to capture the boys getting ready and the ceremony so we ended up with almost 900 wedding photos, too many to share in this blog, but let me share just a few. As I always do, I asked Victoria a couple of questions: 1. How did you meet, who proposed and how? We met during a blizzard, in our home town when there is a big snow storm everyone goes to one particular bar so we both ended up there. Ryan proposed after dinner as we were walking back on the beach to my parents shore house. 2. Why wedding at Southernmost Beach Resort? Did Covid bring some challenges for you? Key West was the first place Ryan and I vacationed together and we completely fell in love with it. We knew we wanted to have a reception on the beach and we we looked out the Southernmost Beach resort and it was a no brainer! We definitely had some challenges with Covid as our original date, April 4 2020, was cancelled but we knew it was something we couldn’t control and we just had to keep moving and do what we felt was the next right thing. 3. What was your inspiration for your wedding? We are both beach people and just wanted to feel relaxed and have fun! 4. What were your favorite moments at the wedding? Walking down the aisle at Saint's Mary Church and seeing Ryan surrounded by our friends and family, also dancing all night with such an amazing scenery. 5. What advice could you give to other brides? Just have fun with it. You can’t control everything and trying to will end up taking the fun out of it. 6. What are your future plans? Honeymoon? Hopefully we will be able to travel to Europe in the near future but if not we are more than happy to head down to the shore for the summer! 7. Who were your vendors on your wedding day? Romi was our amazing Key West wedding photographer. The Dan Harvey Band played at our wedding they were awesome! Aisle Style did our hair and makeup, they were great! Key West wedding photographer : Weddings By Romi
Key West wedding venue: Southernmost Beach Resort Key West wedding ceremony location: St. Mary's Church Wedding Dress: Kleinfield Bridal Dj/Live Band: Dan Harvey Band Hair/Make up: Aisle Style Tent rentals: Prestige Underway Merryl and Charles said their "I do's" but never had their wedding photos taken. When Merryl booked me for an April photography session in beautiful Isla Bella Resort we had to reschedule due to worldwide Coronavirus outbreak. Finally we made things happen right when this beautiful Florida Keys beach resort (perfect for weddings) opened up in beginning of June again. Modern luxury oceanfront resort was quiet, pristine clean and oh so beautiful. Congratulations Merryl and Charles, be well!!
Karen and Carter had a beautiful beach wedding at Key West Yacht Club on Stock Island, and besides having the property completely just for themselves, the sunset that day was absolutely stunning. We couldn't be happier as the stunning background created the perfect backdrop for our pictures! Congratulations Karen and Carter, we loved being part of your special day! How did you meet, who proposed and how? Carter and I met 16 years ago, in 2004, through a mutual friend. We were friends until 2014 when our friendship blossomed into romance. We didn't have a grand proposal but mutually decided that marriage was the right choice for us. Why wedding at Key West Yacht Club, what did you liked the most about the venue? We loved Key West Yacht Club right away. The harbor is gorgeous and gives the right amount of beach feel while still keeping it elegant for a wedding. It is actually the only wedding venue that we looked at in person. The top feature for me was the privacy. What was your inspiration for your wedding? Bohemian Chic Describe some of your favorite moments at the wedding? It's difficult to pick one moment because I loved all of it. Walking down the aisle with my parents and seeing Carter smiling at me is probably my favorite visual memory. What would be an advice to other brides from you? Be present in the moment and enjoy all of it! From the first moment of planning to the very last farewell. What made you choose Wedding By Romi as your photographer? Her stellar portfolio and attention to detail. She tries to bring out what's beautiful and unique to each couple. What are your future plans? Honeymoon? If you had a honeymoon, tell me what you loved the most? We haven't decided where or when to take our honeymoon yet, but hopefully we will be able to take one in the next couple years. Wedding Venue: Key West Harbour
Wedding Planner : Say Yes Key West Wedding Cake: Cakes by Karol Wedding Photography : Weddings By Romi ( 2 photographers) DJ: Aaron Moore Wedding Videography: Marky Pierson Transportation: Old Town Trolley Tours Rentals: Prestige Party Rentals Flowers: Karo Events and Floral |
AuthorRomi Burianova is a Visual Artist & Photographer Specializing in Destination Weddings, Underwater Portraits, and Fashion Photography. Based in Key West Florida- Travel World Wide Explore
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