Easy elegance just so happens to be my favorite kind of elegance, and this Amelia Island wedding captured by Jenn Guthrie Photography beautifully shows all the reasons why. It’s filled to the brim with all the things I simply adore about love-filled nuptials, and you can see even more here.
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From the Bride…If I were to describe Ben and I’s relationship in one word, it would be… effortless. On our first date, we talked for hours and it seemed like we had known each other all our lives. We dated for four years before we got married, and when he popped the question (which was completely unexpected and totally romantic!), I couldn’t wait to start the planning process and celebrate our commitment to each other on our wedding day.
I wanted the day to feel like “us” – effortless and fun. Ben and I met in Raleigh, North Carolina, but I’m originally from a small town in South Georgia, about 20 minutes from Amelia Island, Florida. When we pictured the perfect backdrop for our wedding day, all we could think about was being surrounded by family and friends…and GORGEOUS spanish moss-covered oak trees. As soon as we toured the property at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, we knew Walker’s Landing was the perfect place to say our “I Do’s!”
After we had the “where” picked out, the rest just fell into place. We wanted our color palette to be classic and elegant – lots of beige, pinks, and creams with pops of blues and greens. Our invitations were created by Casey Reagan, a long-time friend of Ben’s who owns her own printing company, called Lime and Ruby Designs. I wanted something very simple, but elegant. Sticking to neutral tones and classic fonts, but the pink lace bow tied around it gave it a little something extra!
Our florist, Brooke with Artistic Florist in Amelia Island, did an amazing job of making our vision a reality. I wanted the flowers to look like they had been picked fresh out of a garden. My bouquet was filled with gorgeous pinks, creams, pops of blue, and wrapped in burlap and lace and my bridesmaids all had small bouquets of baby’s breath. The arch we said our vows under was custom made by the florist, and the effortlessness of the white linen cascaded beautifully in the summer breeze. One very special detail was placing my father’s wedding band on my bouquet. He passed away a year almost two years ago, so it was incredibly special to have a part of him with me as I walked down the aisle.
One of the many things that Ben and I have in common is our belief that all people should be allowed to marry who they love. Upon entering our outdoor ceremony, we placed a framed print to show our support for marriage equality. We placed our programs on the same table, which were shaped like fans to keep our guests cool while they were waiting for the ceremony to begin. Our talented friend played our ceremony music, a sweet gift that we will cherish forever!
After the ceremony, our guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on the deck overlooking a panoramic view of the sun setting on the marsh. We wanted our guests to feel at home, so we didn’t have a seating chart and everyone was able to mix and mingle throughout the night. Each table was set up with beautiful arrangements of vases of varying shapes and sizes, filled with simple flowers – very minimalist and classic.
Our photographer, Jenn Guthrie (along with her second shooter who happens to be her fiancé!), fit so naturally into the day. They were so professional and easy to work that it didn’t even feel like they were there. They took AMAZING, natural photos that captured the day perfectly. It felt like hanging with a friend who happened to be taking pictures. She was there for me if I needed anything and made sure that everything ran smoothly. I love looking back through my pictures and reliving the day over and over again!
The day could not have gone any more perfect. It was everything that we ever wanted. Lots of love, laughter, and dancing all night. Complete and utter effortlessness and a day I’ll never forget!
Photography: Jenn Guthrie Photography | Entertainment: KTG Music Entertainment | Venue: Walkers Landing At Amelia Island Plantation | Cinema & Video: Pure Life Videos | Floral: Artistic Florist