Destination wedding photographer Kaitlin Mendoza Photography traveled to Jekyll Island, Georgia, to capture Ariana and Tom’s Crane Cottage wedding.

Ariana + Tom | Crane Cottage Wedding in Jekyll Island, GA

Weddings

September 19, 2022

Destination weddings are amongst our absolute favorites here at Kaitlin Mendoza Photography! I was so excited when Ariana and Tom inquired about their engagement session here in Indiana, and was so delighted to tell them that we do indeed travel! Ariana and Tom had the most gorgeous Crane Cottage wedding, and it was absolutely a dream to have been a part of it. I am so excited to share the first destination wedding of summer 2022, here on the blog!

Ariana and Tom got engaged in Jekyll Island a year ago, and returned to celebrate their big day with friends and family!

You might remember this sweet couple from their Newfields engagement session who had a romantic seaside proposal in Jekyll Island. I was so excited to visit this lovely place they both had raved about! See, Tom’s family had been going to Jekyll Island for years, so it’s a very special place to his family as well as for him and Ariana, who got engaged there. It’s so special that their marriage kicked off in the same sacred location! Ariana and Tom invited an intimate group of friends and family to make the journey to Jekyll Island to celebrate their love and share their special place.

Ariana and Tom’s Crane Cottage wedding weekend was one to remember!

I always love when the wedding venue and hotel is in one location, because it feels like the whole weekend is a party! Ariana and Tom hosted all of their guests, including me, to stay at Crane Cottage. Crane Cottage is located in the Jekyll Island Club Resort, and is adorned with perfect landscaping, twinkling lights, and absolute Southern charm. Their ceremony was romantic and scenic – it was held in the front of the home with the reflection pool, palm trees, and river view. The reception was held in the lovely outside courtyard and arcaded loggias, and then we moved inside to the living room for dancing. There were so many stunning spots for photos in this resort – including the sunken gardens on the side of the home! It was so incredible to stay onsite and have extra time to learn the venue, lighting, and choose the perfect backdrops.

This Crane Cottage wedding was held at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, which is full of rich history!

I loved learning about the history of the resort while I was there. Jekyll Island Club Resort was once home away from home for the country’s most influential families, and is now open to the public. This rich history is obvious by how impeccably maintained the property is! Not only is Jekyll Island Club Resort home to Crane Cottage, but it’s also home to one of America’s oldest chapels. There is so much to do at this resort – from pools, croquet, beaches, dinging, and shopping – I didn’t want to leave!