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August 18th, 2019 is the day we wed. Six years in love and many more to come. I don’t want to get all sappy and share how much I love my best friend and how happy I am but that’s truly how I feel.
Our wedding was in Key West, Florida at a private compound where my family and wedding party stayed. It was a bunch of separate cottages surrounding a pool and the perfect place for a small, intimate wedding.
We had originally planned to have the ceremony on the beach at Smather’s Beach but the red tide was horrible that time of year and the smell was almost unbearable. So the day before the wedding, we changed to location to the cottages and I’m so glad we did.
Photos by Christiane Elise Photography
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My skirt is from BHLDN and my mom made my top, which is so special to me. My veil is something I made, as well as my barefoot sandals.
I gave my girls these hangers as part of their “day of” gift bags.
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My grandma gave me the pearls that my late grandpa once gave to her. It was a special moment that I’ll always remember.
We each got ready in separate cottages. My mom, also a hair stylist, did my hair by curling it and putting it in a half up fishtail braid.
I was only a couple minutes late to the altar, not unbecomingly of myself. I’m always late to everything.
Our Key West Wedding Ceremony
As I began walking down the aisle and saw everyone, I couldn’t help but smile. Don’t get me wrong, I was incredibly nervous to have all eyes on me, but I couldn’t be happier. It helped that both our pups helped my dad and I down the aisle. How precious.
Colt seemed to be right at home while we said, “I do”. As for Gunner, he was in Will’s mom’s arms, one of his favorite people.
And with a few kisses and a ring exchange, we were married!
After our ceremony, we decided to go down to the beach and take some photos. We took a golf cart and the rest of the gang rode scooters.
Smather’s Beach Wedding Portraits
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My parents and I. I’m so grateful for them.
Our Reception
Our reception was catered by Small Chef At Large and it was phenomenal. I wanted a beach barbecue menu and Jennifer pulled it off. We had pulled pork, sweet and sour chicken, vegetable medley, and a caesar salad. They supplied bamboo plates and eco-friendly silverware.
Our cake was from Publix. Since we had a destination wedding, I wanted to have a delicious cake that I could try at home and Publix was the perfect option since there are two in Key West. We actually tried the cake by a slice from our local Publix and it was perfect. I’m glad we went this route because we can get our wedding cake on our anniversary each year made fresh and not break the bank!
I actually placed the order for the cake and desserts the night before the wedding and had someone go and pick it all up the day of, it was super easy and I recommend doing this!
We ate, drank, toasted, and cut the cake. Later that night we rode our scooters around town and went to a few bars on Duval Street. Most of our gang was staying at the cottages with us. We stayed for a week and continued to drink, bar hop, swim in the pool, and go jet skiing. It was a wedding vacation and we were surrounded by all of our favorite people.
I can’t thank everyone enough who helped make our wedding come alive, especially since I didn’t want a wedding planner and tried to keep it low-key. My family came together and helped make my ideas a reality with decorating, setting up, making the palm leaf arch, supplying alcohol, and everything else! Weddings are stressful enough and I wanted ours to be mellow and fun. I think we achieved it.
Details
Location: Key West, FL + Smather’s Beach
Photographer: Christiane Elise Photography
Chairs: Coral Keys Party Rentals
Food: Small Chef At Large
Cake & Desserts: Publix
Cake Topper: Made by me
My Wedding Ring: Statice Jewelry
Will’s Wedding Ring: Etsy
Wedding Top: Made by my mom
Wedding Skirt: BHLDN
Veil: Made by me
Lashes: Nina at Lume Lash
Fans: Favors & Flowers
Florals: Afloral
Save The Dates: Basic Invite
Invitations: Vistaprint
Officiant: My Uncle Dan
Beautiful! We are thinking about getting married in Key West as well and I love the idea of using the private space where you and your family were staying! Do you know the name of the compound/ cottages?
It was the Vacasa Tropical Village 706-708 South St compound!
Incredible post! I really enjoyed it a lot. Thanks and keep posting.
Wow! Its a great venue for wedding. I am getting married and looking for private space.