miranda and brennan FEATURED IN THE LIMELIGHT |sandpearl resort | clearwater beach , FL | clearwater beach WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH

Miranda and Brennan had a beautiful summer wedding at the Sandpearl Resort and Spa. Friends and family traveled in from all over to join these two at one of their favorite beaches, the beach they met at. Brennan remembers the day, “Miranda and I met on Clearwater Beach. It was a pretty chance meeting. I'd been playing some pickup volleyball that morning. She had been studying on a towel with the sand flying around her. Since I'd just learned to read, I figured we had something in common. I'd actually stopped dragging my knuckles on the ground and started learning to use utensils a couple of weeks prior, so the timing was great. I started teasing her about studying on the beach. She was staying with her uncle Paul in Dunedin while on an Anesthesia rotation at Largo Medical. Throughout medical school Miranda had spent a lot of time with her class at the beach in Sarasota. Sometimes it was to relax after a hard test and sometimes for the quiet calm necessary to study. For Miranda the beach was her time to clear her mind and stalk sun soaked men covered in sand. Like a hunter on her perch she was camouflaged against the beachy background. I had clumsily wondered into range. Her breathing steadied, her pupils dilated, her quiet energy level began to rise, and like Bambi, I never had a chance. She'd set the bait well. Her blonde hair and fitness model body in a tiny bathing suit laid out with the books was intriguing. After a little volleyball and chitchat I was getting hungry and invited her to take a break. She'd told me her name was Michelle. I could tell we were off to a great start. Frenchy's was right behind the sand courts offering an opportunity to get to know each other. In that moment we simply enjoyed the company, oblivious to the future that had been set in motion. Finishing our meal the conversations rolled on till sunset. Wandering the beach we eventually ended up at Caretta's on the Gulf. Caretta's was part of the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach and would ultimately be the place, where 5 years later, we would hold our wedding surrounded by our closest friends and family.”

The engagement:

“Wednesday nights in Jamaica are reserved at Jake's (jakeshotel.com), a little resort laid into the coastal rocks of St. Elizabeth. This is the kind of remote place found in the love scenes of a spy movie. Twinkling lights drip from the trees. Romantic tin lanterns hanging over an ocean fed pool. It's the kind of place where the moon floods over thatched roofs and candle lit tables glitter against a black Caribbean Sea. For our dinner that evening five long tables had been lined end to end in the sand to accommodate our large party. Fortunately for me the evening usually starts with a few rounds of frozen rum drinks. Tonight Dr. Webster and I were co-conspirators. I'd told him my plan earlier in the week. It was his job to make sure I got a moment to speak before dinner. It was satisfying to know the excitement of the evening was mostly being carried by the enthusiasm of our students and doctors. This would make the plot of our evening so much more fun. During our tour of the property, and frankly throughout most of the trip starting from day 2, I was bombarded with questions like, " When are you gonna propose?" and "Are you gonna propose while we're here?!" Silently to myself with all the maturity and humility available to me in the circumstance, "If I was... You're Ruining It!!!" Instead, in a calm and thoughtful way I said, "Great question. I'm not sure when we're gonna get engaged." That was good right. That should stop it right there. There's nothing left to work with, right? Then on the roof top of one of the suits sitting on the edge of the wall Rosie asked, with Miranda standing at my side, "Brennan, have you looked at rings yet?" She could so easily lose her balance. Everyone would think it was an accident. The ocean would probably carry her away. No, no that's not right. So, I began to give her the background. I explained Miranda and I have a very good, like solid, relationship and she doesn't need material trinkets like a ring to symbolize our feelings for each other. With this Miranda began to wind herself into a silent fit of, possibly murderous, rage. I smiled a little inside and carried on with my story. Maybe I could salvage this surprise despite the outside efforts. After our tour we were seated. Taking our time to order our appetizers and meals Dr Webster took a moment to say a few words, then he turn the floor over to me. There was a little anxious shuffling around the table. I shared a couple thoughts. There were whispers circling through the seats. I shared my appreciation for the opportunity to be there. Now excited gasps and comments, "He's gonna do it!" I shared how special the Jamaica trip is to Miranda and said, "that is why I'd like to take the opportunity this evening to ask Miranda, Will you marry me?"

And Miranda said yes! And the rest is history and they have a beautiful future together. It was great fun to meet and work with this sweet couple, congratulations to the newlyweds!

Lead Photographer | Natalia Fontes
Associate Photographer | PJ Ricketts