It’s kind of crazy just how much I love this darling St. Augustine duo.  Crazy, because even though I have never met them in person (unfortunately), I am pretty sure they are one of the most awesome couples that has ever existed.  And the gorgeous bride?  She NEEDS to be my new best friend.  Because anyone that can make me laugh, cry and swoon all within 10 minutes is someone I need to grab drinks with.  (Seriously.)  So, prepare to spend your day soaking in her beyond adorable description, the beautiful images captured by Mi Amore Foto and the sweet film from Life and Love Studio.  You’re going to love every last minute.

 

From the Bride… In the summer of 2009, Aaron’s brother married my friend, Akiko. When the Best Man stood to give a speech, I thought to myself, “WHO. IS. THAT?” But I didn’t have the courage to ask him to dance so I did what any normal girl does… stare at a cute boy and believe my gaze will somehow communicate to him that I would like to dance and that I think he’s super cute.

I stayed at the wedding for a few hours, but never spoke with Aaron. I had to leave to my friend Jon’s graduation party so I said my goodbyes and headed for the car. Keys in hand, about to unlock the door, the bridal party came running out to decorate the getaway limo. I was invited to join by a groomsmen so I went along with the happy bunch! Suddenly, a tall, handsome and athletic boy smiled at me with the cutest dimples I had ever seen…it was the Best Man! This was my chance! But after talking for only a few minutes, I learned he was leaving for California and I was two weeks away from leaving to England for the summer.

We hugged goodbye without an exchange of numbers, or last names. I had just met such a fantastic guy but I had no clue if I was ever going to see him again. “Well, God, you will make it happen if it’s meant to be…” But as I walked away, I couldn’t help feel that I really was going to see him again.

I spent that summer frolicking through balmy England and Aaron spent the summer in California beating up other guys while training to be a pro boxer. We were worlds apart. After two months of meeting, he got a hold of me through Facebook and asked for my number. Sure enough, the weekend I got back from England, Aaron asked me out and drove from Jacksonville to take me to dinner. (I had no clue he was driving five hours to see me until he was actually on his way!) He stepped out of the car holding a bouquet of flowers and I melted.

I could fill this page with how God wrote our love story but I’ll just share what I told my sister after a date one night: ” I just have this feeling about Aaron… like I’m never going to have to say goodbye to him…”

Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto / Wedding Venue + Catering: The White Room in St. Augustine, Florida / Getting Ready Venue: Bella Bay Inn Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida / Floral Design: Damaris Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Life and Love Studio / Bride’s Bouquet: The Conservatorie / Wedding Cake: Sweet Weddings / DJ: Footloose Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Custom made by Yolanda Gonzalez, Friend of the Bride / Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire: Stafford / Hair: M. Schaefer Hairdressing / Makeup: Kimtasha

Ponte Vedra makes for the prettiest of weddings.  Ones that are all at once dripping with elegance and bursting with beachy goodness.  Which is why when this beautiful bride and her Mr. chose to throw an “Old Hollywood” meets “Modern Beach” affair, there was just no better setting than the Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club, a stunning locale with a breathtaking ocean view and the perfect backdrop for one glamorous DIY detail after another and beautiful pink hues every which way you turn.  Brooke Images captured every dazzling moment and it’s a gallery chock-full of bow ties, chevron stripes and happy faces.  Click here for more and stay tuned for a gorgeous film from Collab Creations below.

 

From the Bride… I always had some idea of what I wanted my wedding day to be like but what we actually experienced was so much more then I could have dreamt. The day was ethereal and calm with lots of excitement buzzing in the warm salty air. My Beach Glamour theme was so much fun to design and I loved combining two very different aesthetics; Old Hollywood Glamour & Modern Beach wedding concepts to make a truly unique experience for our guests. I used touches of Chevron and gray with metallics, corals and white to create a soft and romantic feel. I am an actress from New York and I always love a cinematic approach to anything! I had lots of our favorite movie score soundtracks to have our guests feel like they were transported to a private island for our ceremony and then to a 1950’s beach resort club for the reception. 

Everything at our wedding was DIY from all the stationary I designed, signage, menu cards, napkin rings (all 120 of them!), place cards (done with washi tape), and candy bar etc. to help us maintain our budget. At this point husband will probably never pick up a glue gun again! We chose the Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club for the ceremony and reception because they had the most gorgeous Ocean view Ballroom with high ceilings and big glass windows next to all the tables. It was so intimate and elegant with impeccable service.

I loved the pink ranunculus boutonnieres for the bridesmaids. We didn’t do boutonnieres for the groomsmen, only a pocket square, so the girls wore these gorgeous flowers on their shoulder since their Audrey Hepburn style dresses needed a little pop of color. I felt our wedding party looked so stunning and classy. The band that we hired, Jax of Jukes, created such a wonderful atmosphere for our reception. They played beautiful classical music through dinner that made you feel like you were in an old movie.

Lastly, a moment I will never forget was my dad’s toast. My dad has a beautifully trained voice and he decided that instead of doing a speech for his toast he would do a short song medley of all the songs that describe me and Jeff’s relationship. It was so special and different I could barely keep the tears back! So many of our guests raved about the unique details they felt special to be a part of. We wish we could relive it again!

Wedding Photography: Brooke Images / Wedding Venue: Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida / Floral Design: Frances Dale from Ace Turner Florist / Wedding Cinematography : Collab Creations / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes / Linen Rental: La Tavola Linens / Band: Jukes of Jax / DJ: Milton from McGee Entertainment / Paper Goods: The Bride / Wedding Invitations: Pear Tree Greetings / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via RK Bridal / Shoes: Katie & Kelly via DSW / Bride’s Jewelry: Glamorous Bijoux + Lavender by Jurgita / Bridesmaid’s Attire: Noir by Lazaro / Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Groom’s Attire: Vera Wang via Men’s Wearhouse / Hair: Terry from Palencia Hair / Makeup: Paulina Perez

La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, CollabCreation Films and JLM Couture, Inc are members of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

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CollabCreation Films

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JLM Couture, Inc

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Bridal sessions rock.  They just do.  I mean, what’s better than donning your finest in wedding apparel, frolicking throughout your favorite locations and capturing those emotions that can only be found in your soon-to-be Mrs. status?  Absolutely nothing.  And this gorgeous shoot captured by Jennifer Blair Photography?  It’s pure magic with a breathtaking St. Augustine setting and a bride who couldn’t be happier OR more beautiful.  Click here for soooo much more.

 

From Jennifer Blair Photography… I have always dreamed of having a soundtrack to my life. I’ve wished many times that I could stand atop a hill with Schubert’s “Serenade” playing aloud and not just in my head. I suppose I’m a hopeless romantic in that regard. However, I never thought it would nearly come true for me. As I posed my bride, Jenessa, in front of the beautiful old stones of Castillo de San Marcos, it as if the images were singing. Jenessa was not afraid to let her emotions run freely. I felt as though I was watching a fairytale in real life. My heart could truly hear a sweet love song as she gazed of into the dusky blue waters, thinking of her man. I was transposed into another world. The 340-year-old fort could not have been a more perfect backdrop for this stunning bride. Every time I look at these images, my heart starts to sing like it did that day, so full of glorious emotion. I hope you can feel a little bit of it too.

Photography: Jennifer Blair Photography / Location: Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal (Style WG3120)