A Twice Postponed Wedding at la Playa Beach Golf Resort That Was Worth the Wait!

Lauren Megerdichian
October 29, 2024
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Neutrals to play off the beach colors and highlight the natural scenery of the beach after recovering from catastrophic hurricanes [/field]

[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]To bring to life the relaxed elegance vibe, we used organic / whimsical florals and materials throughout. Our wedding invitations were letter-pressed onto hand torn paper to blend formal with style. Our menus also used hand torn paper: the base was white with a taupe name card attached via a monogrammed wax seal. We channeled ivories neutrals throughout for warmth, + used just a dash of gold at the reception for a touch of vintage. I love a good antique, so of course we went with water goblets, brass candle holders, and tapers at the dinner tables.[/field]

[field title=”Proposal Story”]WEDDING story from the bride:

I’ve been going to Naples + LaPlaya since I was six months old, and when I met Garret he joined us on yearly family trips. It was the perfect wedding destination that held an extra special sentiment in our hearts. When the hurricane hit 5 weeks before our wedding + severely damaged our venue, not only were we devastated for the community + the place we loved so much, we were heartbroken to think that we’d have to say “I Do” anywhere else.

We postponed our wedding to April – 5 months after our original wedding date. The next 5 months were filled with wedding anxiety amplified by 100. We had to contact every vendor to swap dates + contract details (some of who were dealing with dozens of other reschedules due to the hurricane), tell all of our loved ones to refund flights + hotels, and constantly communicate with our beachside venue (that was working over the clock to rebuild) who had constantly disappointing updates: the power was still out 2 months post-hurricane, they found yet another issue to fix, etc. All totally out of their control, but of course not the news we’d want to here.

We flew out to naples in January to tour the venue ahead of our April date and were greeted with hard hats. We couldn’t even get into the hotel because it was a complete construction zone. Through tears we were told that our wedding unfortunately could not happen in April. Because of the love + care the venue had showed us, the extra special love we now had for Naples + its community, and our determination to live out our original wedding day dream – we postponed yet again to October (almost a full year later).

The wait was long and stressful, but slowly but surely – we began to experience the calm *after* the storm. The venue was progressing fantastically. We visited twice over the summer and each time we noticed something new: the outdoor lawn was repaired, the new landscaping was blossoming, fresh bricks were being laid, etc.

Our vendors turned into family. We were all in it for the long haul together, and that was clear. LaPlaya hosted a second tasting for us + treated us like a literal King + Queen. We even had dinner with our Catering Manager at her family’s home the week after our wedding.

The Wedding Day was magical. The weather was crispy + breezy, with not a cloud in the sky. Even if something did not go as planned, I or the guests would not have had a single clue because our team of vendors was nothing but positive, supportive and absolutely amazing the day-of. As cliche as it is to say, the wait was worth it. The most special and memorable thing for both of us was our First Look. A moment that I truly could’ve waited eternity for because it was so unforgettable. It made me realize how important it is to make sure you do your wedding day exactly how you want it, because it symbolizes the most important union of your lifetime: your marriage.[/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]

[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

My wedding gown was named Heleny, custom-made 2021 Lihi Hod couture. It was the embodiment of elegance, femininity and delicacy: all elements that I wanted to shine through throughout my bridal details. The veil was designed to accompany the dress. I decided last minute to use the blusher for a traditional touch (and as a nod to my idol: Sofia Richie). I paired it with Mejuri pearl jewels + short Jimmy Choo heels lined with pearls on the straps. Pearls felt perfect for beachside glam!

For the reception I wanted to go with a more casual look that still felt bridal + modern. I chose a Self Portrait mini dress that had similar embellishment to my gown. It was the perfect party dress![/field]

[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Jenny Yoo[/field]

[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Enzos

[/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]

[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]Salad: organic baby greens, roasted beets, heriloom tomato, candied walnuts, herbed goat cheese, lemon thyme vinaigrette

Entree: Filter of Beef with Lobster Tail florida citrus sauce, parmesan & crab risotto cake, seasonal vegetable

sea salt roasted breast of chicken stuffed with sun dried tomato, gruyere + arugula, forbidden rice, seasonal vegetable

We served red + white wine tableside, of course offering the bride’s favorite: Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio.

We used our Vueve champagne toast as our table escorts for guests.

We had a cocktail hour specialty drink – The Sunshine (a nod to our sweet King Charles Cavalier + the golden hour energy of an ocean-side cocktail hour) with coconut rum, pineapple, prosecco, grenadine, cherry garnish

Our reception specialty cocktail was Diego’s Espresso Martini – named after the Bar Manager at our venue who we now call a dear friend. He made a special recipe for us so that it resembled the flavor of our favorite local one in Chicago (at the iconic Topo Gigio!)[/field]

[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The term we coined was “relaxed elegance.” Wanted everyone to feel comfortable, welcome and warm, but in an elevated way. We went with organic + whimsical flowers throughout, ensuring the stems were dainty but the arrangements were grand.

The most important things were the special details that represented my husband and I: our love and our life. We added a jar of pennies to the water fountain leading into the reception so that the space would act as a wishing well for guests. We created acrylic sea shells with our stationary artists to act as an escort garnish for guests to find their seat via champagne glasses filled with Vueve. We also had cookies designed with our beloved dog Sunshine’s likeness. They were so adorable – and while not the most elegant, our day would not have been complete with a little bit of good ‘ol silly fun. [/field]

[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We also wanted our cake to feel soft glam, so our pastry artist used hand painting as a technique to create a floral / greenery design to doll up our four tier vanilla cake.[/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”] Live pianist at cocktail hour! So stunning + vibey. Really elevated the beachside cocktails.

Our sax player led us into our reception party playing alongside Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin (the bride’s favorite song). It was intimate yet statement-worthy. Very memorable + special.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Acrylic seashell escort cards: This was something we actually cut before the hurricane because we were over budget for stationary, but once we had more time to plan I knew how much I loved the idea so we brought it back. I’m so glad because it was the most Instgrammed moment by our guests![/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Light up leis – felt festive and fun for the destination / beach wedding vibe and guests LOVED it! Someone even put a light up lei headband on the sav player and he ROCKED it while keeping the party going![/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Sunshine cookies custom cookies with our doggie’s face.[/field]

[/section]

[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]

[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]