Whimsical - Beach Bride

Leap Day Beach Wedding in Fort Lauderdale

By Jenn

L stands for a lot of things. In this feature, it stands for two: a radiant bride named Liz and her Leap Day beach wedding. Amazing, right? As amazing as her wedding photos captured and submitted to us by Flashy Mama Photography. I admittedly had a hard time choosing their photos as all are beautiful and filled with emotion. Liz and Casey tied the knot in Fort Lauderdale. With the gorgeous ballroom reception and ocean backdrop, a romantic celebration with the most important people, the clever sunglasses basket, add the beautiful white and pink florals adorning the arbor, you can’t help but sit back and enjoy this one!

From The Photographer

Casey and Liz met on Halloween night in 2012. They were at a bar with their friends and Liz’s beauty immediately caught the attention of Casey. They immediately hit it off, talking about cars, movies and all their interests. Casey just had to keep her talking because he wanted to know everything about her! Liz was intrigued with Casey’s story and his sense of humor, and it helped he was easy on the eyes! They made plans for the very next night! From then on their love blossomed. After 6 years of courtship, Casey popped the question, taking her on a trip to the mountains of Colorado for her birthday in 2018. Overlooking the great continental divide at 12000 feet, and with Liz dancing on the edge of a wall, Casey got down on one knee with tears in his eyes and asked Liz if she would be her wife. Liz thought it was a joke, but when she saw the ring she began to cry while saying “YES”! They are so happy to start the journey of the rest of their lives together!

Associated Vendors

Succulent Themed Oceanside Wedding

By Jenn

We’re completely loving the lightness and airiness of Kala and Joseph’s succulent themed oceanside wedding! With soft tones of lavender and the surrounding greenery, this set is refreshing to the eyes. See the bride’s dainty off-the-shoulder dress – it’s making me droll with delight. Another cute element is the naked cake with succulents on it. The driftwood centerpieces as well as the arch were simply beautiful, keeping the whimsical wood theme. The bride also paid tribute to her mom who passed away years ago by setting up a remembrance table. The couple, finally, said their vows with 50 of their closest family and friends. Enjoy these photos below from John Malloy Photography!

From The Bride

Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style, or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?
My special day was inspired by my love for the beach. I love that the beach is so simple but so beautiful. I was inspired by the natural beauty of the beach and my love for succulents. I went with 3 colors. A beautiful rustic brass color along with a dusty purple and pale green.

Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?
Because I was getting married at the beach I wanted to incorporate some beach-inspired props. My ceremony was on the beach. I kept it really simple and had a beautiful driftwood arch. For the reception, I also incorporated driftwood as my centerpieces along with candles and succulents. I made all the signage for the wedding including the save the dates and the wedding invites.

What were the florals like at your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the bridal bouquets, centerpieces, or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?
Since succulents were the main theme of my wedding I wanted to incorporate them in my bouquet, boutonnieres, corsages, and centerpieces. Most of my stationery also included succulents design elements. Succulents played an important role in my wedding theme.

Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment, etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
My husband and I kept our wedding very simple since we were planning all of it ourselves. We chose not to do all the traditional elements that you see at most weddings. We had our own fun dances that our families were familiar with. Our favorite dance involves putting some country music on and dancing around a bottle trying not to knock it over. One of my favorites parts of the wedding was dancing with my friends and family. Our families love to dance.

Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.
I wanted not only me and my husband to be comfortable since we were on the beach, but I also wanted the bridal party to be comfortable too. I wanted to wear something that was light in weight and not to hot. I wore a strapless dress with beautiful lace flowers that felt like a nightgown. It was so light a flowy. It was perfect for the beach. My husband and the groomsman wore beige linen suits. The material was very breathable for a day that was a little warm. Since we were in the sand we decided to go shoeless.

How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
My husband and I first met in high school through mutual friends. We didn’t end up dating until a few years after high school. My husband proposed to me at the same beach we got married at. Every year we go to the Outer Banks and stay in the same little beach house right on the beach. One year was more special than the others. After a jog on the beach during sunrise, my husband got down on one knee and proposed. After that, I knew that’s where I wanted to get married.

What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
There is one moment in particular that I will also remember. My mother passed away when I was a teenager and I wanted to do something special for her on my big day to remember how special she was. We marked her chair with some beautiful white roses at the ceremony and the officiant said a few words about my mother. We also had a special poem and photo on display at the reception. She will always be an important part of my wedding day even though she wasn’t physically there.

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
I’m really happy I had a smaller wedding and kept it very simple. I was able to enjoy every moment without feeling rushed around. It’s not about the decorations, the fancy vendors, or the amount of money you paid for flowers. It’s about the love you and your husband share for each other. It’s so important to enjoy every moment of your special day.

Associated Vendors

A Dose of Vitamin Sea: Zaya Nurai Island Shoot

By Jenn

One thing we love about beach weddings is that the sea gives you an instant and effortless picturesque background. However, that doesn’t mean that you can no longer add some more touches to an already beautiful setting. That’s what the team behind this shoot did! Inspired by Psamathe, a sea nymph and goddess of sandy beaches, LLG Events pictured her coming out of the waters to find her human soulmate in Zaya Nurai Island. Then they created interesting details like the floral swing, the table setting, and the teepee. All these make up for a fun yet chic beach wedding. If you’re ready to be in awe, scroll down now to see more photos captured by Christophe Viseux Photography. You’ll surely get some dose of vitamin sea too!

Associated Vendors

Family and Kid-Friendly Destination Weddings: 7 Things to Know

By Kacey Bradley

Brides spend months and even years planning the perfect destination wedding. It’s romantic to imagine traveling to a new location to get married in front of everyone you love, especially if it’s a place unlike any you’ve ever experienced. While you might dream of spending your wedding day with a glass of champagne and all your friends, some of your guests will probably bring their kids with them.

It isn’t always possible for people to leave their kids with family or friends before traveling to a wedding. It’s smart to include kids in your wedding planning so the destination is perfect for everyone. The problem is figuring out which things are most important to provide for families, especially if they’re extended family you don’t know too well.

Make your wedding planning easier by checking out these seven things to know about family and kid-friendly destination weddings. With the right preparation, your wedding will be a blast for every person who comes, no matter their age.

1. Include Easy-Access Amenities

It’s easy for you to jump in the car and drive to brunch with your friends, but getting around is a bit more difficult for families. Parents have to get their kids ready and strap them into carseats to get where they want to go, which takes a lot of time and energy.

While you’re checking out different destinations and hotels, remember to include easy-access amenities for the families coming to your wedding. In-house buffet breakfasts, pools and even fun things like gift shops are much more enjoyable for families when they’re within walking distance.

2. Serve Finger Food

It’s tempting to serve local cuisine at your destination wedding, especially if you love the recipes native to that area. Still, kids won’t know how to eat lobster if you choose that as your main course. Pick the adult foods you want to serve your guests, then include finger food options for kids. Chicken nuggets will go over well with kids while the adults eat food that leans closer to fine-dining.

3. Create an Activities List

Once you’ve chosen your destination, you should research the area and create an activities list. Send it out to families after they RSVP, so they know what kind of entertainment is around your venue and what they can do with their kids while they’re there.

4. Provide Space to Roam

Sometimes families can feel cramped while they’re on vacation, which is why it’s nice to provide space to roam. Host a beach wedding so families can explore the sand and surf in a place like Ocean City, New Jersey. When they’re not having fun in town, everyone can spread out on the beach and have a great time.

5. Choose a Family Resort

Another option is to choose a family resort that will go the extra mile to take care of the families at your wedding. They will have daily and weekly activities for kids of all ages, so tired parents don’t need to drive out to town when their kids get bored or restless.

6. Check the Calendar

You should also check the calendar when you plan the date for your wedding. If most of your guests have kids, it’ll be easier for them to attend if the children aren’t in school on your big day. Choose a day during a school break so traveling is easy for everyone.

7. Send Save-the-Dates Early

The most important thing you can do for families is to send save-the-dates extra early so they have time to plan their trip. Families will need to check the school calendar and the dates of their kids’ after-school activities, plus budget for traveling. If they have extra time to plan, it’ll be easier for them to attend.

Keep Communication Open

While you plan your destination wedding, keep communication open. Let families ask questions so you can help them out with planning. If you work together, everyone will enjoy your destination wedding.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Elopement

By Car

Hey ladies and gents! Can you believe that we’re already in the middle of summer? Time flies by so fast! Of course, there’s no better way to celebrate your wedding this season than a beach themed styled shoot. When it comes to planning your perfect bridal look, the step after you’ve found your dream dress and makeup is finding the perfect location to match! What we have for you today is the picture-perfect inspiration. This event was to show future brides that a traditional wedding isn’t for everyone, and there are other options to consider. Brides love to feel on top of the world on their wedding day and that’s what one of the big appeals that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers! From the scenic view to the dress from Spring Sweet, the details are a flowing masterpiece that allows for movement and fun on a wedding day for a vibrant bride. All these stylized items are made to ensure an intimate feel for every couple who loves to turn their elopement into a genuine time spent enjoying the view of Lake Michigan. Check out these amazing snaps taken by Stephanie Parshall Photography.

We’re All About the Details!

Take this Advice

A wedding doesn’t have to be this big, huge affair. It needs to be about what works best for the two of you and occasionally that means that it involves just the two of you. As you continue to plan and you feel as though you can’t find anything different, taking a look at places like Northern Michigan can truly offer you many unique experiences. Add in a bit of fun! Your hair doesn’t need to be perfect, your dress can have some flow to it, and at the end of the day, it’s about you two getting married instead of everyone else’s expectations! ~ Stephanie Parshall/Photographer

From the Photographer
Hello! I’m Stephanie Parshall, a Wedding Photographer based in Michigan and I travel EVERYWHERE my couples ask me to! From a Snowed-Filled Winter Wedding to the mountains of North Carolina to the oceans of the Pacific and everywhere in between! When it comes to ensuring that every detail of your day is captured, it actually starts well before your wedding day! My unique client experience is made with you in mind because I’ve gotten to know and understand what all of my past couples have gone through! It all involves getting to know you on a personal level and helping you through the whole process. I teach you how to feel confident in front of the camera and by knowing you personally, your wedding day feels more like a reunion of friends than a stuck up formal business transaction. I primarily shoot Weddings & Eengagements but do also photograph Proposals and Bridal Shoots as well! My pricing starts at $3,200 for 2 photographers and 8 hours of day of coverage

Vendors

Venue: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Model: Stevie Pennepacker
Dress: Spring Sweet
Hair: Hair by Morgan Rose
Make-up: Katie Marble
Calligrapher: Stockbridge Design Co.
Event Designer: Faith Pearlman
Photographer: Stephanie Parshall Photography