College Sweethearts and Coastlines

Their journey began in Athens, Georgia. “We met in Athens while in school at UGA in fall of 2020 and started dating within a couple of weeks – have been inseparable ever since!” Ellie shares. A surprise proposal followed on the Saturday before the 4th of July, orchestrated perfectly by Matt, which led to an immediate celebration with both their families, a testament to the close-knit feel that would define their wedding weekend.

For Ellie, the choice of a destination wedding was deeply personal and long-held. “I have known for years I wanted a destination wedding,” she explains. Working in travel and growing up with cherished family memories at the beach, the setting was a natural fit. When her parents purchased an Alys Beach home, the community quickly became the undeniable backdrop. “When my parents bought their Alys beach home a few years ago, it quickly developed its own unique memories and feelings, and I knew it would be a gorgeous, special place for my wedding with memories for years to come.”

European Flair Without the Passport

Alys Beach provided the perfect mix of exotic and accessible, a crucial consideration for many destination-planning couples. “I love how Alys gives the feel of a European destination but without the logistics of an international wedding,” says Ellie. “It is the best of both worlds in terms of a destination wedding: a gorgeous, unique setting but with the convenience of being a drive (or short flight) away for our guests and us.”

However, planning a wedding from afar, even domestically, presents challenges. Ellie and Matt, advised by the expert team at Arden Sanders Events, navigated this by leveraging local expertise. “Having local wedding planners made all the difference, knowing they were there to meet with vendors at any given point. Any issue they addressed before it was even an issue.” This highlights a key lesson for all couples: invest in knowledgeable, on-the-ground support.

A Perfectly Timed Surprise

Perhaps the most unique aspect of their planning journey was the quick timeline; much of the initial booking was done before the proposal! Ellie’s mother and Matt knew she wanted a winter wedding and didn’t want to wait an extra year. “Actually, most of the wedding was already planned before I even knew we were getting engaged! Well, the big pieces, such as venue and our vendors…” Ellie says. Matt presented her with a note from her parents on their engagement day, detailing the date and bookings: just seven months away!

The wedding took place across two beautiful locations: a ceremony at the nearby traditional Rosemary Town Hall and a reception in Alys Beach’s Central Park. The couple offered transportation between the locations, but the convenient nature of 30A meant many guests had their own way to travel, which is a wonderful amenity of a localized destination.

Classic, Modern, and Light-Filled Design

The aesthetic vision, brought to life by Myrtie Blue for florals and event design, was one of classic modernism with a significant floral presence. “I wanted classic but modern in style,” Ellie stated. With the wedding taking place in February, lighting was paramount. Ellie wanted a “wow” factor above the Central Park dance floor. Her vision was realized with a white and cream base accented by vibrant bursts of color from the florals, particularly the Amaranthus. “They made my vision come to life with a white and cream ‘base’ bringing in pops of color through the florals,” she described. Glass candles were also strategically placed to enhance the elegant, romantic brightness.

Beyond the aesthetics, personalization was key. For the ceremony, which was traditional, family-oriented, and Episcopalian, an altar cloth was embroidered with their initials. For the reception, Matt’s one major request was a cigar bar. A fun twist on dessert replaced the traditional groom’s cake with a bananas foster bar: a unique and interactive offering for guests.

A Traditional Ceremony Anchored by Family

Ellie and Matt’s ceremony was profoundly family-focused. With Matt being one of eight siblings and the couple having eleven nieces and nephews, the large family was essential to the wedding party. A deeply personal touch was having Ellie’s grandfather, an 83-year-old Episcopal priest who officiated her parents’ wedding 29 years prior, officiate their ceremony.

Amidst the modern elements, they also observed tradition, particularly Matt’s desire not to see Ellie before the ceremony: no first look. This meant coordinating post-ceremony photos around a 4:00 PM wedding and a 5:37 PM sunset. “But thanks to our AMAZING photographer and all of her planning, detailed timelines etc., it ended up being the most perfect timing- and weather – that day and really, the whole week,” the bride says, stressing the importance of a professional team in managing tight logistics. Ellie also included the traditional blusher on her veil, noting her love for those time-honored elements.

Lessons from Afar for Future Couples

Ellie and Matt’s advice for other couples is insightful and practical, derived from their own experience:

1. Gather Inspiration Early: “Take notes of things you like and don’t like! Whether at a friend’s wedding or seeing photos online/Instagram/etc., gather and keep pictures in a file on your phone.” This helps avoid indecision later in the process.

2. Trust Your Team: Especially for a destination wedding, a strong vendor team is non-negotiable. “And having the right team! Particularly with a destination wedding, having folks on the ground and with experience makes all the difference.”

3. Spread Out the Celebration: Ellie loved their extended weekend schedule: Rehearsal on Thursday, a Welcome Party on Friday, and the Wedding on Saturday. She notes, “We felt it really set the tone for the weekend… which also takes some of the pressure off of wedding day to greet everyone as you are able to see many the night before.”

From the stark, gorgeous backdrop of Alys Beach to the thoughtful, family-centered details, Ellie and Matt’s wedding was a beautiful blueprint for a destination celebration that feels both grand and deeply personal. It proves that with a clear vision and an excellent team, and perhaps a little pre-planning help from mom, a dream wedding can be realized even on a condensed timeline.

Vendors: Photographer: Heather Durham Photography; Wedding Planner: Arden Sanders Events; Floral & Event Design: Myrtie Blue; Caterer: Townsend Catering; Cake: Barb’s Cakes; Paper Suite Design: The Dotted Line Nashville; Calligrapher: Valorie Cole Calligraphy; Hair Stylist: Gallant Glam; Makeup Stylist: Yvette Nation Beauty; Band: Rhythm Nation; Transportation: GoVetted; Wedding Dress Designer: Kelly Faetanini; Wedding Dress Boutique: Margaret Ellen Bridal; Wedding Shoes: Sergio Rossi; Bridesmaids Dresses: Lula Kate from Bella Bridesmaids; Mother Of Bride Dress: Nardos; Wedding PR: Published + Pretty