Houstonians Lanie and Thomas met in high school and even went out on one date, but nothing came of it. Fast forward several years and the two are at the same college, The University of Texas at Austin. That’s when they got reconnected, remained friends, and finally began dating three years later! After the couple got engaged, they decided a destination wedding best fit them, and the planning wheels started turning.

“Why a destination wedding? I guess because it was a change of pace from the usual Houston, TX weddings we were used to and maybe because the destination somehow took a bit of the ‘pressure’ off,” Lanie says, “because we thought that if all else fails, at least we would be in the Carmel/Pebble Beach area surrounded by beautiful scenery.”

In fact, the bride’s parents have a home in Pebble Beach, which has become a “happy place” for the couple over the years. Ultimately, Lanie and Thomas felt overjoyed at the idea of having all of their friends and family be in their all-time favorite place!

With planning officially underway, the couple made the strategic decision to split the wedding planning duties between Flourish HTX, located in Houston and Kindred Events Co., located in Carmel.

“Everyone involved communicated wonderfully,” the couple says, “and we are so thankful to everyone that made our day so special and all the hard work they put in leading up to it!”

While Lanie and Thomas left much of the design and details to their stellar vendor team, the bride did take on one fun DIY project.

“I monogrammed all the napkins used at the rehearsal dinner. Each one had a different style and color “H” embroidered on it,” Lanie says.

All-in-all, the couple’s wedding by the sea allowed the bride and groom to have a more intimate celebration without feeling obligated to invite more guests (an amazing bonus to choosing to go “destination”).

Vendors: Photographer: Mirelle Carmichael Photography; Planner, Event and Floral Design: Flourish HTX; Wedding Coordinator: Kindred Events Co.; Ceremony Venue: Carmel Mission Basilica; Reception Venue: Monterey Peninsula Country Club; Cake: Edith Meyer Cakes; Hair & Makeup: Blush Monterey; Gown Designer: Jenny Kim Couture; Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank and Cole Haan; Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids, Hayley Paige Occasions, After Six, and Dessy; Reception Entertainment: Stratosphereand Jordan Kahn Music Company; Bride’s Shoes: Loeffler Randall; Otomi Artist: Scott Shelden