Carol Ann and Alex first locked eyes in elementary school, unaware they were each other’s soul mate. As friendship slowly turned into romance, the two began dating their senior year of high school. From then on, their relationship only grew stronger and the two knew spending the rest of their lives together was a sure thing.

When it came to planning their destination wedding, the couple knew they wanted to wed in Seaside, Florida. “There wasn’t a place in Atlanta that felt special to me,” says the bride. Growing up, Carol Ann and her family visited Seaside annually for family vacations. It was also the location where her two cousins and sister held their wedding ceremonies, so Seaside was always very special to her. 

The couple’s friends and family were very excited to travel to Florida for Carol Ann and Alex’s destination wedding. They were able to share their special day with 150 guests in total. With help from the bride’s mother and a wedding planner, the couple had a picture-perfect ceremony and reception. The Seaside Interfaith Chapel was covered in elegant floral arrangements, creating the perfect ambiance for the bride to float gracefully down the aisle to her future husband. “A bagpiper led me in and led us out and there were petals thrown as we exited the chapel,” says the bride. The reception on Alys Beach had an amazing live band that got everyone up and out of their seats to dance. The couple also had a retro photo booth in an Airstream trailer that added character to the location. 

“It was surreal, nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time,” says the bride. Besides dancing with everyone at the reception, seeing Alex’s face as she walked down the aisle was Carol Ann’s favorite part of the day. We asked the bride to share advice for future couples planning a destination wedding. “Take every moment in. I recommend getting a videographer and an amazing photographer so you can relive those precious moments.”

This article was first seen on Destination I Do’s Fall 2018 issue.

Vendors: Photographer: VUE Photography, Wedding Planner: It’s a Shore Thing, Ceremony: Seaside Interfaith Chapel, Reception: Kelly Green in Alys Beach, Videographer: Sixpence Productions, Florist: Florals by the Sea, Stationery: Simply Put Paper & Gift, Calligraphy Artist: Bella Figura, Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier, Bride’s Shoes: Alexandre Birman, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Suit Supply, Bridesmaids Clothing Designer: Joanna August, Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: The Black Tux, Caterer: Townsend Catering, Cake: Confections on the Coast, Band: Papa Sol Band, Hair: Johnathan Doria, Makeup: The Perfect Makeup, Photo Booth: Epic Photo Co.