Katie & Caleb’s rain-kissed outdoor home wedding in Fort Pierce, FL
A tropical outdoor home wedding in Fort Pierce, FL | Orlando Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Author Made creative lead & founder Michael and team videographer Rob captured this rainy-day outdoor wedding in Fort Pierce, FL.
There’s something uniquely special about getting married on family land—especially when that land holds stories stretching back three generations. For Katie & Caleb, their wedding day was a deeply personal, emotional, and at times unpredictable celebration set against the backdrop of Caleb’s family property in Fort Pierce, Florida. And it was so them.
A legacy of land and love
Katie & Caleb’s wedding didn’t take place at a traditional wedding venue. Instead, it unfolded across several acres of land that have belonged to Caleb’s family for decades. It’s the kind of place where each family member has their own house tucked into a different corner of the property, and where every square foot holds memories.
When we arrived early to scout the location (as we always do!), the Florida humidity was already clinging to the air as a hint of things to come. Caleb’s stepmother had been out there since 11AM setting up everything from scratch. It was an all-outdoor wedding with no professional planning team—just a crew of family and friends putting in love and elbow grease.
While waiting for the bridal party to arrive, we walked the grounds, learning the layout and picking out portrait spots. You never know what to expect with outdoor weddings on family land—and we were glad we came prepared. (Including, as it turned out, for wildlife.)
Deep emotions and private moments
One of our favorite moments before the ceremony was the first touch. Katie & Caleb didn’t want to see each other before the altar, so we helped arrange a private moment standing back-to-back so they could hold hands and pray together. Caleb read his personal notes and cried before leading the prayer—it was one of many times he teared up that day, and it set the tone for the deeply emotional ceremony to come.
Just before things kicked off, we had a minor Florida wildlife interruption—a very confused (and clearly not well) opossum wandered through the ceremony site. Luckily, a guest had the gear to handle it and humanely removed the little guy before the vows began. Crisis averted.
A family together walking down the aisle
The ceremony itself was a highlight in so many ways. Rob (our team videographer) struck up a conversation with bride Katie’s stepfather just before the walk. He was visibly nervous and tearfully shared that he’d never had kids of his own, but marrying Katie’s mom gave him the honor of helping raise Katie. “Now I’m blessed to walk my stepdaughter down the aisle,” he said.
Katie’s biological father walked her up the aisle path, and then her stepfather took over to walk her down the final stretch. Caleb, who had kept his back turned the entire time, turned around halfway through and instantly broke into tears again. It was the kind of moment that makes time stand still.
Their pastor officiated with warmth and grace—until the skies opened up.
When it rains, it pours
Right as the couple was finishing their vows, a Florida downpour rolled in. Katie’s stepdad and stepmom rushed in with umbrellas to shield the couple (meanwhile, the pastor jokingly asked if someone could cover him too… no takers). The rain cut the ceremony short, but not the joy. As the wedding ceremony came to a quick ending, everyone sprinted for cover under the shelter nearby, turning the moment into laughter and hugs.
While everyone waited for the storm to pass, the couple stood in a spontaneous receiving line, greeting each guest who had taken cover. It felt organic and lovely—and somehow even more meaningful than a carefully planned sequence of events.
Portraits & private moments
Once the rain cleared, we moved quickly through family formals and portraits, racing the clock to get back on track for their 5PM reception start. Katie & Caleb had planned to exchange private vows in a quieter spot on the property, and despite being an hour behind, they insisted on making it happen.
We gave them space, photographing and filming from afar as they read their vows. Caleb, true to form, teared up again. The emotion of the day never left him—and it was clear just how much these words, and this commitment, meant to both of them.
After a few more bridal portraits, we returned to the reception space nestled under a canopy of trees. Guests were waiting patiently, the space glowed with soft late-afternoon light, and the party rolled on.
Ending on a bright note
Katie & Caleb kept things simple: they did their first dances a little off to the side with everyone watching (including a sweet dance between Caleb and his mom). A family member led the prayer before dinner, and guests shared food and conversation under the trees.
The newlyweds made it a point to stop at every single table—to take photos, give hugs, and say thank you in person. It felt like the kind of party where everyone really knew the couple—and everyone felt seen.
They cut the cake (which was so good, by the way), and while the dance floor never totally took off, no one minded. The atmosphere felt more like a backyard gathering than a formal party, which was exactly what Katie & Caleb wanted.
We wrapped up coverage with a golden hour portrait session just before sunset—those quiet, glowy, end-of-day photos that always make our hearts melt. Then we slipped out and left them to enjoy the rest of the evening surrounded by the people who love them most.
Katie & Caleb, thank you for inviting us into such a personal space and trusting us to document it all—wildlife and weather included. We’ll never forget the emotion, the sweetness, and the way your family rallied around you to make something beautiful together. Congratulations again!
Vendors:
Author Made Team Photographer: Michael Kuo
Venue: Home wedding in Clermont, FL
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