Rosemary Beach is quickly becoming a favorite destination of mine… and I’ve never actually been there. Every time I come across a wedding at this Floridan venue, I’m awe struck. And sure enough, with this gorgeous blush and gold soiree planned by Christina Gillon, I’m mesmerized with the romance and beauty, captured by Leslie Hollingsworth. See why I’m so obsessed right this way.
From The Bride… Our wedding day was everything I had dreamed of and so much more. From the perfect wedding day weather (after a few very cold days!) to dancing and laughing with our closest family and friends all weekend – it was a dream.
Richard & I had discussed a Caribbean destination wedding but we couldn’t find anything that quite fit. We also knew with three sets of grandparents they would not be keen to the idea of flying. Therefore we settled on finding something within driving distance from our home in Jacksonville Beach and the rest of our family in central Florida – and the hunt began!
I envisioned an indoor ceremony with an outdoor tented reception overlooking the beach since the beginning. I stumbled upon Rosemary Beach (on SMP where else!) and it was beyond ideal. We drove the six hours from Jacksonville two days later and fell in love. After seeing the sprawling green lawns overlooking the picture perfect white sand beach, roaming the idyllic town and visiting the quaint town hall we were sold.
I had an idea in my head of a palette filled with blush and gold, lush flowers and vintage touches. It all came together when I bought my glitzy gatsby-esque Modern Trousseau gown and started working with my amazingly talented coordinator Christina and Designer/Florist Brian of Myrtie Blue. Brian helped bring my vision to life and created the most spectacular yet intimate layout for our reception filled with three tents, a romantic sequined sweetheart table, glimmering bulb lighting over an open air dance floor, vintage lounge furniture, delicate sheer table runners, lush centerpieces and the most gorgeous entrance complete with draped curtains and wooden lamp posts. Seeing the finished product after a year of planning and dreaming I felt like the luckiest girl in the world and was completely blown away.
My vendors created a paramount atmosphere for the day. Townsend Catering delivered the most delicious meal I have ever devoured as well as above and beyond service. Bay Kings Band played just about every song on my request list, had everyone on the dance floor until the last song and my guests are STILL talking about how amazing they were. My photographer Leslie was there to capture it all in the most breathtaking photos and even there to bustle my gown! Of course my coordinator Christina was one step ahead of me from beginning to end and I can not possibly rave about her enough.
One of my favorite details from the reception was our escort display. While discussing how to show off our seating arrangements many ideas were thrown around until we settled on a large mirror. This was a fete for 200 guests but Brian more than delivered! I fell in love with the mirror concept and was dying to use more. I ended up using mirrors from our home for additional displays. My favorite was my late grandmother’s mirror used to display our cupcake flavors!
I tried to personalize as many details as possible. We wrapped my bouquet with a blessed rosary from my aunts, my great grandmother’s brooch and the first piece of jewelry Richard ever bought me, a small heart necklace. At the reception we used my mother-in-law’s cake stands, displayed our grandparents wedding photos next to the guest book and brought in a local band as well as brews from Jacksonville. My creative mother-in-law also made our invitations. She created a stunning shadow box masterpiece that blew every lucky recipient away. She also designed and printed our programs and menus AND made my bridesmaids sparkly belts!
There are more unforgettable memories from our wedding day than I could possibly recount. I will never forget watching the setup take place from the balcony at my mother-in-laws rental cottage overlooking the green and getting a glimpse at some surprises Brian had in store for me, I think I squealed! The look on Richard’s face when he saw me in my gown for the first time and realizing I was more nervous than him! Seeing my ten stunning bridesmaids lined up before the ceremony looking more beautiful than I could have imagined in their pale pink Jenny Yoo gowns. Laughing uncontrollably during the speeches when my maid of honor tripped over her words and described me as “the perfect friend for her man” and Richard’s brother closed his best man speech with a quote from ‘Bridesmaids.’ Dancing with my dad to a song he wrote and recorded just for our special moment.
Our wedding was the pinnacle of our 11 years relationship. A true manifestation of the love we have for each other and everyone in our lives through the most incredible celebration filled with enough laughs, love and pretty to last a lifetime.
Photography: Leslie Hollingsworth | Event Planning: Christina Gillon Events | Floral Design: Myrtie Blue | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: Sweet For Sirten | Ceremony Venue: Rosemary Beach™ | Reception Venue: Rosemary Beach™ | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Townsend Catering | Band: Bay Kings Band | Rentals: Myrtie Blue