The bride’s two favorite crafted moments of her wedding day are the very details that left me speechless. I’m talking about the stationery suite by Momental Designs and that floral chandelier the pros at Florals by the Sea designed to perfection. But then of course, there’s the gown from Little White Dress, and every other pretty second captured by the amazing Lauren Kinsey. More inspiration right this way.
From The Bride…My husband proposed to me in Seaside, Florida, our favorite place in the entire world. The southern charm, white sands, and laid back lifestyle are home to us. It was easy for us to decide where we would get married.
We wanted our wedding to be laid-back, true with the Seaside Way. I had a palette in mind of grey (Adam’s favorite color), dusty blue, blush, cream, and gold. This came to life in the flowers, decor, bridesmaids dresses, paper goods, and the groomsmen bowties. The style vision was casual but elegant and a little bit boho. Nothing overtly beachy, but nothing that felt stuffy or formal.We wanted personal touches, such as our family wedding photos from multiple generations and little blush drink stirs in the shape of Mickey since Adam loves disney. DIY details such as the drink stirs, gold sugar rims around the champagne glasses, customized monogrammed pillows, picture frames of Adam and myself and our family, made the decor personal.
I had two favorite crafted details. One was the floral chandelier made by Florals by the Sea and the other was our wedding programs made my momental designs. The floral chandelier was unlike anything I had ever seen, it was unique with tea lights hanging in delicate glass. Every guest had to sneak a picture. Our program was perfect in every way – complete with a sketch of chapel, and a gold tassel.
My dress was the second dress I tried on, a combination of two dresses, making it completely unique. We purchased the dress first thing after we got engaged, in a shop in Denver. The designer Reem Acra had always been a dream designer of mine.
Our day was unforgettable. We started the day getting ready, bridesmaids had hair and make up in elegance cottage located in the heart of Seaside, complete with mimosa’s and chicken salad sandwiches. The groomsmen slept in, (lucky them) and helped each other tie their bow ties. They also played more than one round of beer pong in the courtyard of Natchez cottage, a seaside icon, a short walk from the chapel where we would get married.
I had my great grandmother’s handkerchief with me for good luck.
Adam and I had our first look outside of Seaside Chapel, where we saw each other for the first time on our wedding day. It was a dream come true getting married in the Seaside Chapel, the crisp white wood walls, and cross made out of sand and seashells I have known my whole life. My family and I attended many Sunday church visits to this chapel. The laid back, simple atmosphere of the church was reflective of Adam and myself.
We took pictures with our family, and then it came time to walk down the aisle.
Our song “Make you Feel My love” played on the violin as I walked with my dad to see Adam. My cousin read our favorite poem, I carry your heart by EE Cummings, and Adam’s good friend Austin married us, with sweet words, personal anecdotes, and prayers. After a short and sweet 20 minute ceremony (we wanted to get to the party!) we exited the chapel as our friends threw pastel pink petals. Our golf cart awaited us come with a “just married in seaside!” hand written sign.
Florals By The Sea decorated the reception space to perfection. I work as a buyer in home decor, so I was a very particular bride when it came to the decor. Florals By The Sea made all of our dreams come true. Better than I could have even imagined. Marja created a “lounge” under a clear top tent that was perfect for a break between dancing and for our cocktail hour.
Adam’s favorite part of the decor was the whiskey and cigar bar. We have a tradition in my family (originally from Ohio) that during every Ohio State game, for initiation into our tailgate group, you have to take a shot of Jack Daniels and chase it with a powdered sugar donut (silly I know!). We made sure to have powdered donuts on the whiskey bar.
One of our favorite parts of the evening was getting to sneak away with our photographer Lauren to take pictures on the beach during sunset. It was the first time we had been alone as husband and wife. The evening was perfect and the breeze cooled us down (it was 88 degrees and humid all day!).
On our way back from the beach, we stopped at my family’s cottage, named “costal cutie” (the one with the green door!).
We ended the night with dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Our DJ rated our crowd a “10!” on the fun scale. We were whisked away at the end of the night in a Packard convertible, headed to our after party at the groomsmen’s cottage.
It was memorial day weekend so our guests were able to enjoy themselves and stay awhile. Our guests came from NYC, Boston, Columbus Ohio, Texas, Denver, Chicago, and more! We spent the weekend with everyone we love, celebrating our love. A bonfire on the beach and our shrimp boil rehearsal dinner were two highlights of the weekend other than wedding day.
Our goal was to be relaxed, enjoy the beach, share our love with our friends.
We want our guests to know how appreciative we are that they made the trip to celebrate with us and how thrilled we are with each and every vendor that shared their talent and expertise.
My one piece of advice to brides – Have a long engagement! Enjoy the time with your fiance, planning with your family, and getting to know your vendors. It all goes by so fast! Take time to soak it all in and enjoy.
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art Weddings | Event Planning: It's A Shore Thing Wedding and Event Planning | Floral Design: Florals By The Sea | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: At Your Side Planning | Invitations: ON PAPER | Stationery: Momental Designs | Ceremony Venue: Seaside Interfaith Chapel | Reception Venue: Lyceum Lawn | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Catering: 331 South | DJ: B-Boy Productions | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Bridal Boutique: Little White Dress Bridal Shop | Bridal Boutique - Bridesmaids' Dresses: L'elite Boston | Guitarist: Kyle LaMonica | Robes: Sandy Waters Store