Pure 7 Studios sent this beach beauty our way and we were dazzled at first glance. It’s a bright, happy, shiny, cabana striped heaven full of summer yellows and gorgeous florals crafted by Events by Nouveau Flowers. With the ocean as a backdrop you really can’t go wrong but with the stylings of Carillon Weddings by Victoria, they got it so, so right. And now we’re left dreaming of warm, sunny weather and seaside affairs. See more of the day right here.
Click here for the FULL wedding!
From the bride… Since the day John and I got engaged, he pretty much gave me free rein over everything once we found our venue, Carillon Beach. Although both of us are from the Washington, D.C. area, a destination wedding fit us as a couple perfectly. This beach community, nestled along Florida’s Emerald Coast, was inviting, beautiful and layered with notes of authentic beach-like charm. It was the easiest decision we could make, and it set just the right tone for our wedding weekend. Once the setting was decided, capturing the “feeling” was a combination of taking the snapshots I was collecting in my head and listening to the expertise of the area vendors I was lucky enough to work with. A few things for me were sure: I wanted the day to be elegant without stuffy, stylish without “over the top,” more modern than traditional and full of special touches. All that said, creating a concept that reflected that in a setting that already sold itself, was a bit challenging. Luckily, our wedding planner, Victoria of Carillon Weddings by Victoria, expertly guided us. We soon met with Christina at Events by Nouveau Flowers who refreshingly organized my thoughts, reeling in my inspiration.
We kept the ceremony simple. Both John and I knew we wanted to get married with sand between our toes, so it was a given that the ceremony would be on the beach. I had always envisioned this for us, and I knew I wanted to keep the scene organic. Let the beauty of the backdrop speak for itself and make this moment all about “us.” The crepe myrtle trees with light fabric canopy were natural and breezy, framing the spot we would exchange our vows. This, coupled with the whitewashed benches and lone yellow tulips lining the aisle, painted the perfect picture. There was something so intimate about how it all came together with the waves crashing in the background. To this day, this setting is my most fond memory.
For our reception, playing off a yellow/gray color scheme, Christina helped to bring the vision to life arranging solids, stripes and patterns, monochromatic floral displays and an array of textural contrasts. I loved the three signature glass and steel chandeliers hung from our clear top tent set amongst the dome shade lamps, just one of the many unique touches throughout the space. Outside the tent, we offered our guests lounge areas, where textures from burlap and rope to linen and glass gave the modern space a vintage undertone. Everything else was all about the details. Those special touches I sometimes obsessed over. This was really a wedding weekend to us, so from the welcome totes filled with homemade Florida Key lime and pistachio cookies and postcards for home, to monogrammed throw pillows, flip flops for dancing, framed photos, after-dinner cigars for the guys and all the paper details, every part of the weekend was considered. I made an Etsy discovery with 2BSquared, whom I worked with to design all the paper details like itineraries, escort cards we pinned as tags on hanging vintage frames from nearby trees, signage (for our gelato station — yum!), fan programs and menu cards. Even my bridesmaids wore custom-made yellow and gray statement necklaces.
Wedding Photography: Pure 7 Studios / Wedding Cake: Confections on the Coast / Flowers: Events by Nouveau Flowers / Catering: Townsend Catering / Event Planning: Carillon Weddings by Victoria / Ceremony: Meeting House in Carillon Beach, Florida / Reception: The Village Green in Carillon Beach, Florida / Wedding Paper Goods: 2BSquared / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaid Dresses: B2 by Jasmine Bridal / Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Ralph Lauren / Hair + Makeup: Solace Salon (Now Called Vivo Spa Salon) / Reception Music: Jones and Company