When wedding photographer Leah set out to plan her own wedding, her goal was clear: to create a meaningful and impactful experience. With a blend of vibrant color, intentional details, and emotional moments, Leah and Tylor’s multi-day celebration held at Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon, Florida, exceeded their goal.

“We wanted our wedding to be more of an experience for our closest friends and family,” Leah shares. “As a wedding photographer myself, I’ve seen how quickly the wedding day comes and goes, and I wanted to have our loved ones in one place celebrating for multiple days.”

Love Story Years in the Making

Tylor and Leah’s journey to marriage wasn’t exactly linear. “Ty and I dated in high school for a year. We ended up breaking up and going our separate ways for the last year of high school and our college years,” Leah explained. “We would keep in touch maybe once a year or so and never really forgot about each other.”

Seven years and two long-term relationships later, the timing was finally right. “Ty asked if we could get together for a drink. The rest was history and we were together ever since!”

A Destination That Felt Like Home

Though Leah had always dreamed of a beach wedding, the couple didn’t want to make their guests fly across the globe. Florida, where Leah had once lived, struck the perfect balance. “It gives a European feel without the far distance,” Leah says of Isla Bella. “I felt like it was giving the vibe of Greece without the cost and travel associated.”

They took a leap of faith and booked the venue sight-unseen. “We did not actually see the venue in person until the week of the wedding,” Leah says. “It was a bit crazy—I know! But the team was wonderful at communication and we had an amazing planner who is local to Florida who handled all the backend items.”

Tropical, Personal Aesthetic

The couple leaned into the natural beauty of the Florida Keys, creating a tropical palette bursting with personality. Bright pinks, oranges, and yellows anchored the florals by Revelation Floral, while playful and elegant touches—like printed tablecloths and flickering candles—brought the romantic vibe to life.

“I knew I didn’t want the super traditional route for a wedding,” Leah says. “Some personal touches were a steel drum player at cocktail hour and engraved coconuts for our seating chart! Unfortunately, the truck with those broke down on the way to the wedding twice, so they didn’t make it until the reception—but I LOVED them.”

Vow Exchange Full of Heart

In fact, their destination wedding wasn’t the first time Tylor and Leah said “I do.” “Ty and I had gotten married a year prior… because we had just had our first daughter, Piper,” the bride says. “Our wedding day was really about reciting our personal vows in front of our closest family and friends.”

The ceremony was both heartfelt and symbolic. “My dad did not attend our wedding, so my husband actually met me at the end of the aisle and walked me down,” Leah shares. “I thought this was a super special touch since our marriage was something we chose together and we are walking into this part of life together.”

As a nod to their shared love of Disney, the couple exited to the theme from Up. “We actually got engaged [at Disney], so this was my way of incorporating that into the wedding.”

Planning with Trust and Intention

Planning a wedding from afar—especially while raising a newborn—might sound overwhelming, but Leah credits her planner, Anna Caroline Weddings, as the secret to success. “We used Anna Caroline Weddings, who was absolutely outstanding and she is truly the reason my vision came to life for the day.”

Advice for Future Destination Couples

For other couples dreaming of a destination wedding, Leah has this advice: “Hire vendors that you absolutely trust and love and do yourself a favor by hiring a planner when planning a destination. It is literally essential! None of this would have been possible without our carefully selected vendors.”

Vendors: Photography: Kenna Schott; Planning: Anna Caroline Weddings; Venue: Isla Bella Beach Resort; Florals: Revelation Floral; Hair & Makeup: Kiss This Makeup; Videography: Cinemology Films; Bride’s Gown: Calla Blanche; Groom’s Suit: Joseph A. Bank