Click this link to visit our Wedding and Romance website "Say Yes by Jeff"
This Black and White Wedding Photo was taken at one of my favorite Florida venues in the Florida Keys. As a wedding photographer I get to photograph brides and groom at some of the most amazing wedding location in the state. Newly engaged couples have lots of choices when it comes to wedding venues. The southern part of Florida has some amazing towns these include, Palm Beach, Broward County, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Miami, South Beach and many other Florida locations. However, one Florida location that can't be over looked is the Florida Keys, If you are thinking of getting married in the Florida Keys then you should check out the Ocean Reef Club. This resort and wedding venue is by far the most upscale places in the Keys. Located in Key Largo just off of Card Sound Road, the Ocean Reef Club sits on a peninsula on Key Largo in the Florida Keys.
Whenever I'm lucky enough to photograph an Ocean Reef Club wedding one of my goals is to get wedding images that are unique and different. I'm always on the lookout for building features and lighting effects that help to create the type of photos that no wedding couple has ever seen before.
When I think about the most magical wedding venues I've encountered in my photography career, one place stands out like a shimmering jewel against the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo isn't just a wedding venue—it's a secret world where love stories unfold against some of the most breathtaking backdrops you'll ever see.
My journey with this extraordinary venue began in 2005 when I photographed my very first wedding at the Ocean Reef Club. Before that day, I had never heard of such an amazing place. Little did I know that this assignment would mark the beginning of a beautiful relationship with what I now consider one of the most exclusive and spectacular wedding destinations in the world.
Discovering a Hidden Gem Off the Beaten Path
The Ocean Reef Club isn't your typical Florida Keys destination. Unlike the bustling resorts and attractions that line the famous Overseas Highway, this private sanctuary requires a more adventurous spirit to reach. Instead of following the well-traveled route to Key West, you'll find yourself turning onto Card Sound Road—a lesser-known, two-lane highway that winds away from the mainstream tourist path.
This journey on Card Sound Road becomes part of the Ocean Reef Club experience itself. As you drive along this peaceful stretch, with mangroves on one side and glimpses of pristine water on the other, you begin to understand that you're heading somewhere truly special. The road leads you away from the crowds, away from the ordinary, and toward a destination that most people never get to experience unless their specific goal is the Ocean Reef Club itself.
This exclusivity isn't accidental—it's carefully cultivated. The club's remote location ensures that your wedding day unfolds in an atmosphere of complete privacy and tranquility. No uninvited guests, no curious onlookers, no traffic noise—just you, your loved ones, and the natural beauty of the Florida Keys at its most pristine.
A World Within a World
What makes the Ocean Reef Club truly remarkable isn't just its secluded location—it's the comprehensive luxury experience that awaits once you arrive. Over the years, I've photographed countless weddings and an enormous number of marriage proposals at this wonderful hidden gem, and I've discovered that the club operates like a self-contained paradise.
The amenities here go far beyond what you'd expect at even the most luxurious resorts. The Ocean Reef Club boasts its own private airport—and we're not talking about a simple landing strip for small propeller planes. This is a full-service airport capable of accommodating Gulf Stream jets and Learjets. Imagine the dramatic entrance possibilities for your wedding photography when the bride and groom can literally fly into their own private paradise.
This level of luxury extends throughout the entire property. World-class golf courses provide stunning backdrops for engagement sessions and wedding portraits. The marina, with its collection of magnificent yachts, offers waterfront ceremony locations that seem almost too perfect to be real. Multiple restaurants ensure that your wedding guests never need to leave the property for exceptional dining experiences.
Working at The Ocean Reef Club opens up a world of creative opportunities.
For this photo, I couldn't help but to notice this opening in the corner between two walkways, I visualized this photo with the couple in the opening. In order to get this shot the bride and groom had to stand in the low shrubs in the opening. Whenever working with a bridal couple I always ask the couple if they are ok doing certain shot. Sometimes the couple has no interest in standing on the dirt, or being in the sand or whatever the situation is. However, often the bride and groom are as excited about making a really cool photo as I am. In this case the couple saw my creative vision and were thrilled to stand in the opening to get this creative wedding photo.
I when I created this photo, I decided that it should be show in Black and White Infrared. I felt that Black and White would create a wedding photograph with the couple would appear clearly in the opening. I did shoot this same photo in color, however my reason for shooting this in color was completely based on covering myself as a photographer. Often I will create a beautiful photograph in Black and White infrared and then have to client ask for the same wedding photograph in color. Usually the bridal couple would see the black and white photo and think, If this photo looks so cool in black and white it would look even better in color! Usually this is not the case. In this case if the photograph was color the bride and groom would blend in with the background. The fact that it is black and white allowed me to lighten the background so that I had good separation between the bride and groom and the background.
As a South Florida Wedding photographer, It's always a pleasure when I have a couple that is so happy to have me as their photographer, Having a bride and groom hire you because they also want beautiful wedding photos creates a situation where the photographer and the couple works together as a team to create awesome photos!
The Members' Perspective: A Love Affair with Paradise
Through my years of photographing weddings at the Ocean Reef Club, I've had countless conversations with club members, and their stories never fail to move me. The people who choose to get married here aren't just selecting a venue—they're celebrating their love in a place that holds deep personal significance.
Many of the couples I've worked with are club members who have fallen completely under the spell of this enchanted place. They speak of the Ocean Reef Club with a reverence typically reserved for sacred spaces. For them, this isn't just where they want to get married—it's where their hearts truly feel at home.
I've learned from many members that once they discover the Ocean Reef Club, they find it difficult to vacation anywhere else. The offerings within this wonderland are so comprehensive and exceptional that guests often arrive planning to stay for a few days and end up extending their visits indefinitely. Some members joke that they never want to leave because everything they could possibly need for an amazing experience is right here within the club's boundaries.
Photography Magic in Every Corner
From a photographer's perspective, the Ocean Reef Club offers an endless array of stunning locations and lighting opportunities. The property's diverse landscapes mean that every wedding can have its own unique visual personality, even when celebrating in the same overall venue.
The waterfront areas provide those dreamy, golden-hour shots that make couples look like they're walking on liquid gold. The lush tropical landscaping creates intimate garden settings perfect for romantic portraits. The club's elegant architecture offers sophisticated backdrops that speak to the venue's refined atmosphere.
One of my favorite aspects of photographing weddings here is the way the natural beauty changes throughout the day. Morning ceremonies benefit from soft, ethereal light filtering through palm trees. Afternoon celebrations bask in the brilliant blues of the Florida Keys sky and water. Evening receptions transform into magical wonderlands as the sun sets over the water, painting everything in shades of coral, gold, and deep purple.
The privacy of the location also allows for creative freedom that's simply not possible at more public venues. We can take our time creating the perfect shots without worrying about crowds or time restrictions. The expansive property means we're never limited by space, and the diverse settings ensure that every image feels fresh and unique.
Planning Your Dream Wedding at Ocean Reef Club
For couples considering the Ocean Reef Club for their wedding, understanding the exclusivity is crucial. This isn't a venue you can simply book online or visit on a whim. The club's membership-based structure means that most weddings here are hosted by members or their families, adding another layer of intimacy and personal connection to the celebration.
This exclusivity, rather than being a barrier, actually enhances the wedding experience. Your guests will understand that they're not just attending a wedding—they're being invited into a truly special place. The sense of privilege and exclusivity creates an atmosphere where everyone feels they're part of something extraordinary.
The club's comprehensive services mean that wedding planning can be surprisingly streamlined. With world-class catering, event coordination, and accommodation all available on-site, couples can focus on the joy of their celebration rather than the logistics of managing multiple vendors across different locations.
Seasonal Considerations and Weather Magic
The Florida Keys location provides year-round wedding opportunities, but each season brings its own photographic advantages. Winter months offer perfect weather and crystal-clear skies, ideal for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The dry season means you can plan confidently without weather concerns, and the comfortable temperatures ensure your guests remain comfortable throughout extended outdoor celebrations.
Spring and fall provide excellent lighting conditions with slightly fewer crowds, even in this exclusive setting. Summer weddings, while warmer, offer the advantage of longer daylight hours for extended photography sessions and the possibility of dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that create spectacular sky conditions (once they pass).
The tropical setting means that even potential weather challenges can become photographic opportunities. I've captured some of my most dramatic and beautiful images during the brief tropical showers that sometimes occur, with couples embracing under elegant umbrellas while rain creates a magical atmosphere around them.
Creating Lasting Memories Beyond the Wedding Day
What sets Ocean Reef Club weddings apart is how they extend beyond the ceremony and reception into a complete destination experience. Many couples choose to arrive several days early, allowing time for engagement sessions, rehearsal dinners, and welcome parties that showcase different areas of the club.
This extended timeline creates opportunities for a comprehensive photographic story that captures not just the wedding day itself, but the entire celebration experience. Guest interactions, spontaneous moments during club activities, and the gradual build-up of excitement all become part of the wedding narrative.
The club's various amenities also provide perfect opportunities for post-wedding photography sessions. Newlywed couples often schedule "day after" sessions at the marina, on the golf course, or at one of the many scenic locations around the property, creating images that feel completely different from their formal wedding portraits.
The Ocean Reef Club Difference
After nearly two decades of photographing weddings at the Ocean Reef Club, I can confidently say that this venue offers something truly unique in the world of luxury wedding destinations. It's not just about the stunning location, the world-class amenities, or even the exclusivity—it's about the feeling that permeates every celebration held here.
There's a sense of timeless elegance, of being removed from the ordinary world and transported to a place where love stories unfold against the most beautiful natural backdrops imaginable. The combination of tropical paradise and sophisticated luxury creates an atmosphere that's both relaxed and refined, casual and elegant.
For couples seeking a wedding venue that offers complete privacy, unparalleled beauty, and the kind of exclusivity that makes their celebration truly special, the Ocean Reef Club represents the absolute pinnacle of Florida Keys wedding destinations. It's a place where wedding dreams don't just come true—they're exceeded in ways couples never thought possible.
Your wedding at the Ocean Reef Club won't just be an event—it will be the beginning of a love affair with a place so special that you, like so many members before you, may find yourselves planning return visits for anniversaries, family celebrations, and quiet romantic getaways for years to come.
If you would like to see more pictures from the Ocean Reef Club, check out these links:
Bride posing at the Ocean Reef Club.
Romance at The Ocean Reef Club
Bride and Groom on the Ocean Reef Club golf course.
I really hope you enjoy this Florida Keys wedding photo. I'm sure you can tell I'm very passionate about my craft. If you are planning your wedding at The Ocean Reef Club call me at 954 560-1533
Location: 201 Ocean Reef Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037.