You need to ‘sea’ the beach chic details of this glamorous wedding at South Seas Island Resort! A soft, neutral palette, reminiscent of the shoreline, created a pristine canvas for Avec Moi Event Planning and Design’s relaxed yet refined details that made Claudia & Paul’s guests feel like they were on vacay. Think textured greenery & tall grass, wicker-backed chairs, and the ultimate beach basket welcome gift! With an oceanside view and wedding style that’s equal parts beachy boho and sophisticated glam, the full gallery by Kaity Brawley will have you dreaming of your next sand, sun, and love-filled getaway!
From Avec Moi Event Planning and Design… It was Christmas Eve 2018 when Claudia swiped right. A choice that would change her life forever. Paul, an interventional radiologist, and Claudia, a psychologist worked in the same hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Admiring her from afar for many years, it was nothing but excitement when Paul saw their dating profiles matched. As they slowly began seeing each other, Paul introduced Claudia to his son, Asher who she quickly bonded with over their mutual obsession with Disney World. After eight months, Paul moved to Naples, Florida to pursue a career opportunity where Claudia would join him a little over a year later.
Finding the perfect venue was important for Claudia and Paul. All of their guests would be attending from out of town, so they wanted a space that felt like a vacation. Paul spends most of his free time out on the water enjoying what he loves most, boating and fishing. The water became a special place where Paul and Claudia grew to know each other and fall in love. “When we stood on the greens overlooking the ocean, we knew right away it was the perfect spot to say our vows. Everything felt so right.”
“When I thought about my wedding day, there were certain things that were very important to me. I wanted my wedding to feel like a neutral garden on the ocean, I wanted my bridesmaids to love their dresses, and I wanted to feel as if the day was created specifically for Paul and me.” Claudia dressed her girls in an eclectic collection of Jenny Yoo gowns. She wore a lace dress by Enzoani Lesley paired with the perfect pair of pink Loeffler Randall ruffled heels. Adamant about not wearing a tuxedo, Paul chose a custom Jos A. Bank suit with a peak collard white button-down and brown belt and shoes. Asher followed his Daddy’s lead and finished his look with the cutest, pink bowtie.
It was important their wedding design felt like the perfect balance between the two of them. Claudia, a soft, warm-hearted, feminine beauty, and Paul, a masculine, sensitive, and highly emotive soul. The color palette was chosen with the soft, neutral tones of the shore in mind. Textured, tall grasses mimicked those seen along the beach, and the ocean laid as their ceremony backdrop as far as the eye could see. Louis wicker-back chairs were chosen for their natural texture and laid in a circle surrounding Claudia and Paul. The intention was for Paul and Claudia to feel submerged in the love surrounding them as they listened to the soft hum of the harp nearby.
As guests took the trolley to cocktail hour, they entered the lawn to Claudia and Paul pouring champagne over a tower of coupe glasses. Natural, white-washed Bentwood chairs sat around textured lace tables and guests enjoyed local favorites such as ahi tuna and crab cakes with mango salsa. Anchoring the masculinity and rich tones within the design were custom leather place cards lasered with each guest’s name and table number.
As cocktail hour ended, guests entered a stand-alone tent where each element was specifically created to execute their design. Setup began 5 days prior to the wedding day and began with carpenters laying a custom wood floor which would go on to display Claudia and Paul’s hand-drawn crest. The tent was draped with a selected color palette of cameo and champagne crepe fabrics and furniture was hand-selected for the perfect, creamy wood tones. Taper holders were sourced and stained deep espresso brown to coincide with the cozy browns of the leather accents. Table numbers were created using the couple’s crest as inspiration. As each guest found their seat, they were greeted by their names meticulously hand scripted and tied to their menu with a chocolate brown, leather string. The decorative floral paper backing the menu was the same print used in the invitation’s envelope liner. Signature drinks paid homage to both Claudia and Paul’s taste buds. Claudia’s love for fruity flavors was showcased in the Mango Bellini and Paul’s adoration for whisky was embodied in his classic cocktail, an Old Fashioned.
As guests enjoyed their entrée of filet mignon and lobster, Claudia and Paul were quietly preparing to perform a choreographed dance they had been practicing for months. Guests cheered and danced along as Paul spun Claudia around the dance floor. As the night was coming to end, Claudia and Paul had one more surprise for their loved ones. Claudia, a Columbian native, wanted her guests to experience an authentic Hora Loca. As the drums began to beat and whistles began to blow, women in headdresses and men on stilts entered the room. Instantly, each guest was out of their seat and on the dance floor. As the last song played and Claudia was holding Asher and swaying in Paul’s arms, she said: “I’ll never forget this night. Not only because it was perfect, but because all of us could finally be together again”.
Photography: Kaity Brawley | Event Design: Avec M O I Event Planning And Design | Event Planning: Avec M O I Event Planning And Design | Floral Design: Bloom Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani | Cake: The Artistic Whisk | Invitations: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy | Bride's Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: South Seas Island Resort | Lighting: The Event Factor | Entertainment: Bay Kings Band | Entertainment: Jade Strings | Groom's Attire: Jos A Bank | Men's Attire: Jos A Bank | Officiant: Louis Kayatin | Venue: South Seas Island Resort | Beauty: Jaime Lynn Cintron | Bridal Boutique: Palm Bridal | Bride's Rehearsal Dress: Azulu | Carpentry: Black Mangrove Woodworks | Dance Floor and Aisle Wrap: Letz Dance On It | Draping and Staging: Swag Decor | Engagement Ring Designer: Brilliant Earth | Hora Loca: Black And Wine | Rentals: The Mix Dish | Rentals: Vivant Rentals | Rentals: Elements & Accents | Ring Bearer Attire: Black and Bianco | Signage and Acrylics: C&B Signs INC | Veil: Giselle Bridal | Wedding Day Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Weddings Rings: Tiffany & Co | Welcome Party Linen: I Do Linens