Emily and Cooper were high school sweethearts, so when they got engaged in February 2026, they knew they would eventually have the big wedding they had always imagined. But there was one thing they didn’t want to do—wait.
Instead, they decided to get married surrounded by the people who mattered most to them, right in front of the Sarasota Courthouse. And honestly? It was one of the sweetest wedding days I’ve had the chance to photograph.
Their Sarasota courthouse wedding was intimate, meaningful, and completely focused on the two of them and the people they love most.
Starting around April, I’m always just a little nervous about outdoor sessions and wedding days in Florida. If you live here, you know exactly what I mean. The rain has a way of appearing out of absolutely nowhere, especially from late spring through early fall.
Of course, we were watching the weather closely leading up to Emily and Cooper’s day.
And somehow, we got lucky.
The rain passed right when we needed it to, leaving us with the most beautiful window for their ceremony. It ended up being absolutely perfect.
A close family friend officiated their ceremony, which made the moment feel even more personal. Cooper’s mom also said a prayer over them, making the ceremony incredibly meaningful and intimate.
There was something so special about watching two people who had grown up together finally become husband and wife.
After the ceremony, it was time for family photos—which, naturally, meant that everyone had to endure my creative vision for a little while. LOL.
But they were such good sports, and we got some really sweet photos of everyone celebrating together outside the courthouse.
One of my favorite things about photographing intimate weddings is how much more relaxed everything can feel. There isn’t the pressure of trying to fit hundreds of people, traditions, and moving pieces into one day. Instead, there is room to slow down and actually take in what is happening.
And that was exactly what Emily and Cooper’s day felt like.
After we finished with family portraits, I pulled Emily and Cooper away for some time together.
Rather than simply taking their portraits in front of the courthouse, we walked around downtown Sarasota and incorporated some of the places that were meaningful to them.
One of those spots was near where they had their first date.
I absolutely love when couples let me turn their portraits into more of an experience rather than simply checking “couple photos” off the wedding-day timeline. These are the places that become part of their story, and years from now, I hope those little details bring them right back to this season of their lives.
Emily and Cooper’s day was simple, intentional, and completely theirs.
They didn’t need to wait for the big wedding to start their marriage. They chose to celebrate their love exactly how they wanted—with their closest friends and family, a beautiful ceremony, a little Florida sunshine, and a walk through the city where so much of their story began.
And honestly, I think that’s pretty beautiful.
