The post Eden Gardens Wedding | Morgan + Kyle appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>Our 30A-List vendors who made it happen:
Location: Eden Gardens
Planner: Shelby Peaden Events
Photo: Rae Leytham Photography
Catering: Townsend Catering Company
Flowers and Rentals: Showtime Events
Cakes: Bake My Day
Band: Matt, Carol, + the Browncoats
This Eden Gardens wedding may not have turned out the way the couple expected, but it was beautiful and full of memories – How every wedding day should be.
The post Eden Gardens Wedding | Morgan + Kyle appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Carillon Beach Wedding Day | Alex & Patrick appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>How did you meet:
We were ‘introduced’ on Bumble, a dating app; however, Patrick likes to point out that we ‘met’ at Hotel San Jose where we had our first date. Either way, we both agree there was an immediate connection. On our first date, drinks led to dinner, and dinner led to a live concert at The Continental Club on South Congress. We didn’t want the night to end!
Needless to say, our first date led to a second and we found ourselves booking a trip to New York City a few short weeks after that. Since then we have continued to share our love of travel, food, live music, and sports (albeit loyal to our own teams).
How did he propose?
Having just returned to Austin after spending the weekend with my mom, Patrick and I spent our Sunday afternoon running a few errands to prep for an upcoming trip to California. Being between trips I realized we didn’t have much food for dinner. So I suggested we grab a few things at the grocery store and have a picnic in Zilker Park, a regular occurrence for us. Dressed in an over-sized t-shirt, athletic shorts, and baseball hat, I didn’t suspect this picnic would be any different than the many others we’d shared in heart of Austin. However, about the time the sun was going down and the Austin bats were taking flight, I stood up to start packing up our meal only to turn around and find Patrick down on one knee. Realizing what was about to happen, I immediately grabbed my t-shirt collar and pulled it up to my eyes and said, “Are you serious?! Is this really happening??!” To which Patrick affirmed by asking me to be his wife and picnic partner for life. I immediately said YES!!! We enjoyed a champagne toast at Hotel San Jose as we called and shared the news with our family and friends throughout the rest of the evening.
Why did you choose 30A?
Patrick and I immediately decided we wanted to get married on a beach. The next question was – which one? We scoured the map, but we kept coming back to the Florida panhandle. Logistically it made sense for our families (in Texas and Florida) and I had always heard great things about 30A from other friends and family that have visited the area. From there we decided to start looking into wedding planners. Once we had a call with Renee Armour at A Wedding Collection (preceded by several referrals from her industry peers) we knew she was the one to entrust with bringing our Carillon Beach Wedding Day vision to life. When we described to Renee our goals to have family, friends, and faith at the center of our wedding, in an elegant and outdoor environment, all on a budget…a tall order!…she knew that Carillon was the place for us! From there Renee put together an amazing set of vendors that made our day truly perfect.
30A List Vendors
Photography: Rae Leytham Photography
Venue: Carillon Weddings
Planner: Renee Armour with A Wedding Collection
DJ: DJ30a
Flowers: Supposey
Make Up: Jamie Gummere, Blush Beauty Lounge
Hair: Mindy Norris Bridal Hair Design
Catering: Culinary Productions
Linens: Destin Wedding Linens
Ceremony Music: The Piano Guys
The post Carillon Beach Wedding Day | Alex & Patrick appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Caliza Alys Beach Wedding | Tyler + Kasey appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>How did they meet?
Tyler and Kasey met like any other millennial’s do these days- by the internet. Well to be specific, the Coffee Meets Bagel app. Did they just admit that? On their first date Tyler faked sick from work to meet Kasey at Earl’s Kitchen in Plano. They both thought they were meeting for just a drink. A drink turned into dinner. Dinner turned into tomorrow and tomorrow to every day. Side note: on the first date, the waiter spilled soy sauce on his new suit and Kasey made the manager pay for his dry cleaning! Who would have thought a simple get together could turn into a lifetime?
Tyler and Kasey clicked instantly that day. It’s not everyday that you meet someone who has the same interests, goals, and motivation like your own. They chose a Caliza Alys Beach Wedding because of the beauty that surrounded the area they fell in love with.
30A Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Coordinator: Destin To Wed Event Planning – Sherri Kuhn
Ceremony Music: Top Hat Live
Locations:
Ceremony Location: Seaside Chapel
Cocktail Hour: Caliza Terrace at Alys Beach
Reception Dinner: Red Loggia at Caliza Alys Beach
Additional Wedding Vendors
Floral/Décor: Florals By the Sea
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Photography
Baker: Bonne Vie Specialty
Hair and makeup: Hair by Kaitlyn Brown
Shuttle Service: Sand Dollar Transportation
The post Caliza Alys Beach Wedding | Tyler + Kasey appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Fun Cocktail Hour Food Ideas For Your 30a Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>Choose items that reflect the location of your wedding. Here on 30a, there are so many comfort foods that reflect the southern culture and it will give those out of town guests a way to experience that type of food. “My favorite cocktail hour food is the burger slider. There is nothing cuter than a mini cheeseburger that you can pop into your mouth in one or two bites,” says Stephanie Tate, owner and planner of Savoir Faire Weddings. “Another favorite of mine is the fried green tomato topped with pimento cheese. You don’t get more southern than that.”
Mixing up food options to satisfy all guests is another great option. “I think having a variety of hot and colds appetizers are appealing to most guests. Try having some seafood, vegan options and kid friendly as well to accommodate everyone!” says Sherri Kuhn with Destin to Wed planning.
You can pass around appetizers, or have different stations set up with options. “Station area’s are nice too, especially for cocktail hour. Guests like to come and go from these stations, and they also help with more mingling during cocktail hour.” – Sherri says. “Items like sushi, charcuterie display and different dips with hummus, breads, and more.”
Why is your cocktail food choice important? “We just LOVE to showcase fun and interesting appetizers during cocktail hour. It gives us the opportunity to WOW your guest right from the start and and set the stage for whats to come,” says Donna Townsend, owner of Townsend Catering.
We asked the above planners and catering companies for some favorite menu items:
Sushi Martinis
Fried Oyster Spoons
Seared Tuna on Wonton Crisp with Watermelon and Black Bean Salsa
Baked Oysters with Citron Vodka & Parmesan Bread Crumbs
Pear Tomato and Mozzarella Pesto Baguette
Pulled BBQ Mini Corn Muffin
Scallop Ceviche Cucumber Wheels
Brie and Raspberries en Croute
Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders Bourbon Maple Sauce
Coconut Crushed Shrimp Orange Marmalade Sauce
Chicken and Cheese Mini Quesadillas Avocado Dip
Lobster Bisque Shooter
Shrimp and Grits Bite
Lastly, let’s talk presentation! Cocktail hour food can be a talking point, a way for guests to break the ice and meet each other. Think tomato soup in a shot glass with a grilled cheese sitting on top, or macaroni and cheese in a martini glass with toppings – comfort foods served in an unusual way!
There you go! Hopefully our fun Cocktail Hour food ideas for your 30a Wedding was helpful. We’d love to know your favorites too! Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite food from your wedding (or from being a wedding guest!)
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]]>The post A Perfect Match: 30A Songwriters and Your Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>Imagine yourself in a moment where words leave you and the only relief in sight is the music that fills your ears. Whether it’s the strumming of an acoustic guitar or a violin hitting rhythmically to the poignant voice of a songwriter; it’s music that fills the void. It does the talking for you. It sets the mood. It creates the memories.
There’s no better time to find that perfect sound than at the 11th Annual 30a Songwriters Festival in south Walton County happening at various venues along scenic Highway 30a January 17th-20th, 2020. The festival features headline performances by artists from Nashville to right in our very back yard.
Many locals have performed in this multi-location festival, including Kelsey Waters, Kyle LaMonica, and Chris Alvarado. All grew up along the Emerald Coast.
Kelsey was born into a musical family with an instrument always at arms reach and although she’s now rocking a Nashville address working on her first record, she still makes it home for the 30a Songwriters Festival.
Kyle LaMonica (pictured below) is another shining example of a songwriter you want under a 30a wedding sun during your big day. The acoustic rock singer songwriter grew up just west of the beaches of south Walton County in Niceville, FL. While attending Florida State University Kyle majored in music and has since been performing as a solo musician throughout the Florida Panhandle and, more specifically, around Destin, FL.
Adding a local acoustic artist to your wedding can add an extra dimension to the day. “They can create an element of acoustic warmth to a ceremony, cocktail hour, or small reception,” said Avis Glenister, Owner, Wedding and Event Planner at Peach and Pearl Events. “My favorite is booking them for cocktail hour because it’s a welcoming sound before the reception energy kicks up.” Lots of local artists around 30A are open to and love performing at weddings because of the fun environment.
Not only does the music scene along 30A give brides a variety of musical taste to choose from, the 30A Songwriters Festival itself can be a unique way to celebrate with your music loving guests. Many music venues along 30A host these performances and tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. Outside of venues requiring tickets, many places outside of the festival still offer music to the public. It’s a great way to spend the weekend doing something unique while scouting for your wedding at the same time.
To see the full 2020 lineup, click here. It happens yearly, so if you missed this year, make plans for 2020!
Photography: Sixpence Productions & Rae Leytham Photography | Planner: Avis Glenister, Peach and Pearl Events
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]]>The post Carillon Beach Daytime Wedding | Kelly + Graham appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>They chose Carillon Beach for their venue, with both an indoor and outdoor space to accommodate all kinds of weather. The lawn can be used for both the ceremony and reception, as well as the indoor space at Carillon Meeting House. Their reception was one big backyard party, complete with a grass dance floor and yard games. – A true celebration! Take a peek inside their Carillon Beach daytime wedding for all the feels!
30A-List Vendors:
Photography – Alena Bakutis Photography
Venue – Carillon Weddings at Carillon Beach
Other Vendors:
Planning – Make My Day Special Weddings and Events
Catering – Firefly
DJ – GTS Entertainment & Events
Cake – Sugar Art by Angela, LLC
Photo Bus – The Posey Bus
Florist – Perfect Day Weddings and Events
Rentals – 850 Rentals
Hair and Makeup – Caylee Smith
Limo – Amore’ First Class Limousines & Transport
Alcohol – Carousel Supermarket
Officiant – Steve Taylor
The post Carillon Beach Daytime Wedding | Kelly + Graham appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Zoey + Parker | Alys Beach Destination Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>How did you meet?
We met in Tulsa, OK at the men’s clothing store he was managing at the time. I walked in to buy my dad a father’s day gift and from there we just became acquaintances at best. We would keep up on social media sometimes but It wasn’t until we both left Tulsa, OK that we reconnected and started a relationship long distance.
How did he propose?
Because we were long distance – he in North Carolina and I in Texas – we got to see each other a few days/weeks at a time. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and I was supposed to meet him in Missouri to meet his family for the first time. My mom and sister had planned a girls day for us because this would be the first time I was missing a holiday with my family and they wanted to spend some time with me. Because I knew a proposal was coming soon I was already looking for dresses. The boutique I had been dying to try dresses on at had a cancellation on that Tuesday and I booked it without telling my family or Parker (my now husband). I told my mom and sister and they just laughed and told me we should go and try them on. So that Tuesday, I went and tried on dresses and ended up BUYING MY DRESS THAT DAY. Three hours later, my mom brought me to this rooftop in Houston to tour for a potential Bridal Shower location and when I got off of the elevator my dad was standing there. He told me how much I meant to him and reminded me of what he told me when I was 13 which was “If you trust me with your heart, we can find the right person together..”. After he said this he continued with “…and today is that day.”. I walked outside to the rooftop and there were flowers and pictures and our favorite song playing along with all of my friends and family. He was holding a red rose in his hand and he began to tell me how much I meant to him and when he knew I was the one. He then got down on one knee and proposed! After our engagement, just he and I went to the coffee shop we would have dates at when he was in town. We then drove back to my parents house and when we arrived we were greeted by 80+ friends and family to celebrate! Wedding Dress purchased and an engagement all in one day. It was the best day ever.
Why did you choose 30A for your Wedding Day?
Parker and I chose 30A for our Wedding day because of the beauty of Alys Beach. It was in our hearts to have a destination wedding and I had always dreamed of getting married at the beach. My family had been vacationing to 30A for years and it felt like a little piece of home away from home. 30A and Alys Beach will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Vendors Making It Happen:
Photographer: Graceson Todd
Videographer: Andrew Livingston
Ceremony Venue: Alys Beach, Florida
Reception Venue: Shark’s Tooth Golf Course
Ceremony Coordinator: Meghan Kelly
Hair and Makeup: Beauty Bees and Co
Flowers: Florals by the Sea
Learn more about Alys Beach weddings by browsing the rest of our blog.
The post Zoey + Parker | Alys Beach Destination Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Jonathan + Lauren | Carillon Beach Outdoor Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>How did you meet?
It’s incredibly dorky, but we met freshman year in undergraduate studies in a biology lab. Jonathan walked in and Lauren immediately had a feeling that he was going to be an important person in her life. We continued to have classes together that kept us running into each other, letting us know that fate definitely was trying to get us together.
How did he propose?
He actually proposed at the same place that we were married, Carillon Beach’s Meeting House. Jonathan’s family had vacationed in Carillon for years and Lauren had joined them for several trips. All of Jonathan’s family not-so-subtly hinted that we should one day get married in Carillon. In May of our second years of residencies, the Walter family was in Carillon for an annual vacation. Before heading to dinner, Jonathan asked Lauren to go for a walk through the promenade toward the Meeting House. Once there, Jonathan distracted Lauren long enough with counting chairs for an estimated guest space for a future wedding, that he was able to work up the nerve to get on one knee and pull out a ring! Although Lauren’s memory is a bit hazy, she thinks she gave him a guest number estimate out loud and he said “I think that’ll work.” He was so nervous he tried to put it on the wrong hand, but the sentiment was genuine. After 10 years of dating, and cross-country residency craziness, we were finally going to make it official.
And why did you choose 30a for your wedding?
Like we said in the question above, Jonathan’s family always joked that we’d get married in Carillon. It became more of a reality as we started thinking about venue options. After going through so much school and residency, we had missed out on so many trips with family and friends. We knew we wanted a place that all of our closest family and friends could go on vacation with us and just happen to go to a wedding in the middle. After he proposed there, it seemed like all of the stars aligned (corny, we know) to make Carillon THE place.
30A-List Vendors Makin’ It Happen:
Photography: Paul Johnson Photography
Planning: Carillon Weddings – Avis Glenister/Peach and Pearl Events
Food: Townsend Catering
Decor, Arrangement: Ceremony Design Company (Renee Armour)
Cake: Sweet for Sirten
DJ: DJ 30A
The post Jonathan + Lauren | Carillon Beach Outdoor Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post Alena Bakutis Photography | 30a-Lister Local Love appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>Tell me about your business! What do you do?
I’m a professional wedding and portrait photographer and I love capturing relationships, moments, and the story of your Wedding Day.
How can you tell your service/product is a perfect fit for your clients?
Our clients absolutely love the family heirlooms we create from the photos we took during the wedding – from handcrafted wedding albums, to beautiful wall portraits to remind them about one of the happiest days in their life! We hear a lot of feedback on how it brings memories from the wedding day back and let the couples feel exactly the same as they did on their wedding day!
What inspired you to begin your business?
Before I started my business, I had always been fascinated by the images from the weddings and how gorgeous everything turns out on the wedding day! At that point 9 years ago, I hadn’t been to any weddings but 2 as a guest, so I was drawn to see more! It evolved into wanting to capture that beautiful wedding decor, all the pretty details, parents who are tearing up seeing their babies tying the knot, and the couple who is shining with love!
What’s one of your products/services you’re most proud of, and why?
The handcrafted albums from New Zealand in which the photos are matted into the album pages. They look and feel amazing! (attaching a few photos)
What are some other interests, loves and passions of yours?
Love to travel! Exploring the world and beautiful places is one of my favorite things to do! Bonus: when we have clients we can photograph in those places!
Choose a list of words to describe your style that might resonate with your ideal bride:
Classy, clean and timeless.
What is the best way to contact you?
I love making connections with my couples, so I prefer the phone: 850-778-5370
I’m always available by email as well: info@alenabakutis.com
The post Alena Bakutis Photography | 30a-Lister Local Love appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>The post How to Stay Rested the Week of Your Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
]]>You wedding is one of the most beautiful, emotional, exciting, and exhausting times of your life. From tying hundreds of ribbons to writing more thank-you notes than you can keep track of, the thought and detail that goes into wedding planning is enough to overwhelm even the most organized of brides.
As your wedding day approaches, your attention is demanded more and more. Friends and family are traveling from all over to see you, vendors turn to you to work out final details and timelines, not to mention, you have a soon-to-be spouse whom you want to cherish every waking moment with. And while you are bursting with excitement, you might also find yourself drowning in stress.
While weddings are beautiful, the stress and anxiety they can cause aren’t so pretty. The anxiety of never-ending to-dos, nervousness over your vows, and the new life stage you are about to enter are most likely keeping you up at night. But that’s just the beginning. The lack of sleep you experience leading up to your wedding day only puts you at risk for more frequent and intense bouts of stress. Here’s why this is not so great:
Lack of sleep makes us more reactive to stressful situations, meaning you may find yourself barking orders at your wedding planner, or much worse, your future in-laws. Sleep deprivation may even have an effect on your appearance. Yikes.
So how do you stay rested the week of your wedding to avoid becoming the bridezilla you never wanted to be? Here are a few tips:
1. Give yourself a bedtime and stick to it.
Yep. Just like when you were five. The best way to get a good night’s sleep consistently is to prioritize sleep. That means setting a bedtime and stick to it.
2. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
There is a reason you hire wedding planners… to help you plan! I understand there are certain tasks only you, the bride, can tackle, but I guarantee there are 10 friends or family members ready to help out at your call. Even if it’s something small you could really use the extra hands for. They love you! And this is a great way to include them in your big day.
3. Create a wind-down routine.
Our brains don’t magically shut off at the end of the day. In fact, they actually have to be prepped for sleep. About an hour before bed, start sending signals to your brain it’s time to wind down. Put down the laptop, dim the lights, and maybe even draw yourself. Whatever it takes to create a sleepy environment.
4. Which reminds me…stash the screens!
The blue light given off by electronic screens do the exact opposite of helping you wind down. So for the sake of your sleep, stash the screens and respond to emails in the morning.
5. Put it to paper.
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, wind down routine and all, you just can’t get your brain to shut off. Isn’t it amazing how as soon as your head hits the pillow ten more to-dos flood your thoughts. It’s like some sort of cruel joke. If that happens to you, try writing your thoughts down. Here’s a piece of advice from someone who has learned it the hard way: they won’t go away until you acknowledge them. Notice I didn’t say “do something about them.” An exercise as simple as writing it down can help keep your mind at ease.
6. Keep it up even after the big day!
Maintaining a healthy sleep hygiene lasts a lifetime. Even after your wedding week passes, it’s important you get quality sleep consistently and that means talking to your new spouse about expectations. I don’t know about you, but I am nervous about sharing a sleep space for the first time! My fiancé and I started by choosing the best mattress for us. I’d encourage you to do the same. Think of it as a wedding gift to yourself! We are different sleepers with different sleep preferences, but marriage is all about compromise. Through life’s ups and downs, a good night’s sleep just might keep you sane.
Now you are equipped to take on your wedding week stress free. Take a deep breath, be present and try and catch those ZZZs!
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Big thanks to our guest blogger: Elizabeth, writer and newlywed, is on the editorial team at Mattress Advisor, an online start-up in Raleigh, NC. When she isn’t writing about sleep, she enjoys sharing the tips and advice she gathered over the months she planned her wedding last year.
The post How to Stay Rested the Week of Your Wedding appeared first on 30a Wedding Co..
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