If you’ve ever wondered whether an Instagram DM can really change your life, allow Tyra and Jordan to gently clear their throats and raise a hand. Because yes, sometimes a casual message turns into a forever kind of love… and eventually, a sun-soaked destination wedding in Key West.

In November of 2025, Tyra and Jordan gathered their favorite people and headed to Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida, for a wedding that felt equal parts nostalgic, romantic, and effortlessly fun. Think old Florida glamour meets beachy island ease, with sunsets that did most of the decorating for them. And honestly, if you’re planning a destination wedding and wondering whether it’s worth the logistics, this is one of those stories that makes you nod along thinking, okay… maybe it really is.

Let’s rewind.

From Instagram DM to island “I do”

“It all started with an Instagram DM,” Tyra shares, and if that’s not the most modern meet-cute, I don’t know what is. No elaborate setup, no chance encounter at a coffee shop. Just a digital hello that turned into something very real, very fast.

Fast forward through dating, growing together, and dreaming about what their wedding would look like, and one place kept floating to the top: Key West.

Why Key West was always the answer

For Tyra, Key West wasn’t just a pretty destination on a map. It was personal.

“Growing up, I would visit Key West often for family vacations,” Tyra says. “It became a place filled with some of my happiest memories: turquoise waters, sunsets that painted the sky, and that laid-back island charm that always made me feel at peace.”

When it came time to choose where they’d say their vows, it wasn’t about chasing trends or picking somewhere flashy. It was about choosing a place that already held meaning.

“Key West was the perfect choice, a blend of nostalgia and new beginnings,” the couple says. And honestly, that phrase alone feels like a destination wedding manifesto.

Beyond the emotional pull, the location checked all the practical boxes too. “It allowed us to celebrate surrounded by the natural beauty she’s loved since childhood, while creating new memories with all the people who mean the most to us,” Tyra and Jordan share. “Plus, it gave everyone an excuse to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and truly make a weekend out of it; exactly the kind of relaxed, joy-filled atmosphere we envisioned for our wedding day.”

If you’ve ever worried that a destination wedding might feel rushed or overly structured, their vision is proof that it can be the opposite. More exhale, less hustle.

Choosing Casa Marina Resort

Once Key West was locked in, the venue decision came naturally.

“Casa Marina Resort in Key West was the perfect spot for our wedding. It has that dreamy mix of old Florida charm and tropical beach vibes,” the couple says. And if you’ve seen Casa Marina, you already know. It’s iconic without trying too hard, historic but still relaxed, and perched right where the ocean likes to show off.

One of the biggest wins? Convenience. With everything in one place, from the oceanfront ceremony to the sunset reception, “it felt easy, relaxed, and unforgettable for us and our guests.”

For couples planning from afar, this kind of all-in-one venue can be a sanity-saver. Fewer moving parts, fewer buses, fewer ‘where am I supposed to be right now?’ moments.

Planning from afar, minus the stress spiral

Let’s talk logistics, because destination weddings are dreamy, but they can also feel intimidating when you’re not local.

Tyra and Jordan leaned heavily on their planning team, and it shows. “The team made planning from a distance a breeze,” the bride says. “Vicky Furman and Casa Marina were there every step of the way to answer all of the couple’s questions and bring new ideas.”

That level of trust is everything. When you’re not popping by the venue every weekend, having vendors who feel like collaborators instead of contractors makes a huge difference.

A ceremony that felt like them

When the wedding day arrived, the focus was clear: keep it personal.

“Our ceremony was everything we hoped it would be: authentic, joyful, upbeat and personal,” Tyra says. “We wanted it to feel like us from start to finish.”

One of the most meaningful choices they made was who officiated. “Jordan’s godfather officiated, which made the moment even more meaningful,” the bride says. “He’s known both of us since the very beginning of our relationship, so having him guide us into marriage felt natural and full of love.”

There’s something about having someone who truly knows you stand up there with you that no scripted ceremony can replicate. It grounds the moment. It makes it warmer. And judging by the way they describe it, it set the tone for the rest of the day.

Fashion, florals, and those little details

Tyra wore a gown by Renhue that felt modern, elegant, and perfectly suited for a tropical setting, while Jordan opted for Suit Supply, proving that beach weddings don’t have to mean casual in the uninspired sense. This was polished island style, not flip-flops and linen just because.

Florals by Duarte Floral Design added texture and color without overpowering the setting, because when your backdrop is the Atlantic Ocean at sunset, you don’t need to overthink it. Stationery by CatPrint and cake by Key West Cakes rounded out the details, while hair and makeup were handled by Casa Salon and Julie Hill, keeping everything smooth and stress-free on the day itself.

Notably, Tyra and Jordan skipped heavy DIY or over-personalization. And that’s a quiet lesson in itself. You don’t need to handcraft every detail for your wedding to feel meaningful. Sometimes, the meaning comes from the people, the place, and the intention behind it all.

What they’d tell other destination couples

If you take one piece of advice from Tyra and Jordan, let it be this: loosen your grip.

“We learned that flexibility is everything, especially when planning a destination wedding,” the couple says. “No matter how organized you are, there will always be little details that shift once you’re on-site, and that’s okay.”

This is the kind of wisdom you only get from doing it. The weather might change. A timeline might bend. Something small might not go exactly as planned.

“Trust your vendors, communicate often, and remember that your guests are there to celebrate you, not to notice the tiny things that didn’t go exactly as planned,” Tyra says.

And maybe the best advice of all: “Also, give yourself time to actually enjoy the destination. Don’t let the entire trip become one long to-do list. Once the day arrives, let go, soak it in, and be fully present. The best memories come from the moments you didn’t plan at all.”

The takeaway

Tyra and Jordan’s Casa Marina wedding is a reminder that destination weddings don’t have to be complicated to be incredible.

If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters, golden sunsets, and a wedding weekend that feels more like a celebration than a production, consider this your sign.

Vendors: Wedding Planner: Vicky Furman Events; Photographer: Tiffany Maysonet Photography; Venue: Casa Marina Resort; Florist: Duarte Floral Design; Stationery: CatPrint; Cake: Key West Cakes; Hair: Julie Hill Hair & Makeup; Makeup: Casa Salon; Bride’s Dress: Renhue; Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply