Ten Tips for a Smooth Wedding Day

Take it from a former wedding coordinator turned bridal stylist who has seen it ALL! After months and months of planning, you have dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s; however sometimes life JUST HAPPENS. Below are ten tips for a wedding day without any bumps in the road.

Photo: Anna Kinchen Photography

1.       Eat a good breakfast! It will be a long and emotional day with very little down time. A few bites of fruit and some crackers is not going to sustain you (especially after a few mimosas). Protein and carbs will help keep you going throughout the day!

Photo: Rachel Westley for Aislinn Kate Photography

2. The night before your wedding gather all your accessories, rings, shoes and paper details and set on a visible area. These are the small details the photographers/cinematographers usually shoot first. Having them all gathered will make the photographers job easier and you wont be frantically digging through bags in the middle of hair and makeup.

3.        Have cash tips and final payments for vendors in labeled envelopes.

4.        Assign a (responsible) friend or family member to keep track of the rings, marriage license and vows leading up to the ceremony. Wedding rings and marriage licenses are the two top forgotten/misplaced items on wedding day.

Photo: Amy Riley Photography

5. Distribute detailed timeline/itineraries for family and wedding party. This allows for everyone to know when and where they need to be during the day and less people asking/calling you the morning of.

Photo: Brenna Kneiss Photography

6. Have a detailed rain/weather plan that you are comfortable with. No one wants to think about the weather being bad on their wedding day, but not establishing a plan and waiting until the night before is a bad idea. Make a plan and discuss it with your vendors beforehand so if that weather call is made, you’re not scrambling on 48-24 hours out!

Photo: Faith Moore Photography

7.       Give your photographer a list of “must have” photos. Also writing out family groupings such as “parents’ W/ siblings” or “both sets of grandparents” this way nothing is forgotten or missed.

8.       Build and emergency kit with the following items:

·         Sewing Kit

·         Makeup Wipes & Oil Sheets

·         Shout Wipes/ Tide-to-Go Pens

·         Hair Spray & Texture Spray

·         Bobby Pins & Mini Elastics

·         Clear nail polish

·         Nail Clippers

·         Earring Backs

·         Back Up Shoes

·         Band-Aids

·         Aspirin & Tylenol

·         Deodorant & Mints

Photo: Dear Wesleyann

9.       Arrange transportation from the wedding reception to your hotel/rental home at the end of the night.

Photo: Lily and Sparrow Photography

10.   Hire a wedding planner! If all of the tips above are sending your head in a tizzy then seriously consider hiring a professional. Many brides fear they will not get to be involved in the details if they hire a planner but this is not true! You get to be involved in the fun creative process but the logistics can be left to someone else. Having a planner also relieves your mom/sister/best friends of duties and allows them to enjoy the night with you.

Photo: Eva Cranford Photography

Planner Pictured: Avis Glenister with Peach and Pearl Events

Margaret Ellen Bride | Kristin and Seton Stanford's Dothan, AL Wedding

Meeting Kristin Jacobs to help her find the perfect dress was such a treat. She had this light to her and was absolutely beautiful. There was no doubt that she was going to make one of the most breathtaking brides. She chose a classic Nouvelle Amsale ball gown and paired it with the most perfect accessories. Seton and Kristin said “I do” on January 5, 2019 at Magnolia Bay located in Dothan, Alabama.

How did you meet your groom?

Seton and I met in high school. We have been high school sweethearts ever since!

How did Seton ask you to be his forever?

December 30, 2017 is the day that I said yes to the man of my dreams. My best friend, Hannah, was given the task of keeping me busy and unsuspecting of the events that were to unfold later in the day. We went shopping and had a long lunch, then made a visit to her parents lake house. We made our way to the back yard where Hannah said her parents were and to my surprise Seton was there standing by the dock! I was so surprised to see him! A flood of emotions came over me when I realized what was happening, he was proposing! After taking what felt like the longest walk of my life, I met him by the dock. He held my hands as we began to talk and reminisce over our journey the past six years. Seton began to express his feelings for me, got down on one knee and proposed! I, of course, said yes!! He had his best friends, Hanson and Brittany, there to take pictures of the proposal. Afterwards, we celebrated our engagement with our friends at dinner!

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

My favorite part of the wedding planning process was selecting our venue. We wanted a place that was unique and fit our style. We also both loved the cake tasting... who doesn't love cake!

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

My favorite memory from our wedding day was walking down the aisle to Seton. We chose not to do a first look. Seeing him in his tux for the first time on our wedding day at the end of the alter was so special! Another favorite memory from our wedding was that we had all of our family and friends together in one place to celebrate our love for each other.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Use a wedding planner, whether it be an individual or app, such as The Knot. This made the biggest difference in planning our wedding. We used both. We were able to keep things organized and stress free! Also, don’t stress about the little things. Enjoy the process and this special time in your life!

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

After having an unpleasant experience at another bridal shop, my sister in law, Jordan, had mentioned Margret Ellen Bridal, a new bridal shop that had recently opened in Seaside. I booked an appointment with Maggie and couldn't wait! Maggie was so welcoming, encouraging, helpful, and knowledgeable. The experience made me feel so special. I loved that the appointment was private and offered a one on one experience. I knew that the dress I chose was the one when I tried it on and nothing else compared! I felt beautiful and confident!

Wishing Seton and Kristin many happy years together. Thank you for allowing Margaret Ellen Bridal to be a small part of your wedding day.

Cheers, Maggie

Vendors

Photographer | Amy Riley Photography

Videographer | Down in Front Productions

Venue: Magnolia Bay

Florist: Hallmark Flowers

Wedding Planner: Ellen Gentry

Caterer: Catering by Lisa

Hair/Makeup: Kaitlyn Brown

Cake: Sugar Boogers

DJ: DJ Vladi

Invitations: Paperworks Plus

Officiant: Clint Logan

Signs: Shop Milestones and Monograms

Drapery: Designs by Larry

Bride’s Dress: Margaret Ellen Bridal | Nouvelle Amsale

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Tuxedos: Black Tie Formalwear

Seamstress: Southern Simplicity Gulfcoast | Kathleen Cooper

Margaret Ellen Bride | Krystan and Jack Frasier | Live Oak Plantation

Live Oak Plantation | Pensacola, Florida

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frasier

Krystan Taylor married Jack Frasier on December 8, 2018 at Live Oak Plantation in Pensacola, Florida. Krystan wore a Cinderella worthy dress designed by Hayley Paige. She paired her ivory gown with a chapel length veil that made for some gorgeous pictures with her new hubs. We are thankful that Krystan and Jack have shared their big day with us so that we can share with you.

CHEERS!

How did you meet your groom?

We met in Las Vegas! He was stationed at Creech Air Force Base and I was a dolphin trainer at the Mirage. We quickly bonded over our southern roots. Our first date was at Public School House, a craft beer spot :)

How did Jack POP the question?

He surprised me at Navarre beach Christmas Day with my family and our two dogs.

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

I loved creating and tasting our craft cocktails! We had some fun twists on classic cocktails. My favorite was the jalapeño old fashioned!

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

My ceremony was so special and magical. While I was walking down the isle the rain came down so heavy! Our venue was indoors with large glass windows and doors around us. It made it so intimate and romantic!

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Soak in every moment and don’t get caught up in the small stuff.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

Maggie was the BEST! She had my dress brought in for me so I could try it on! I had been dreaming over the Hayley Paige “Hayley” gown for over a year. I knew I had to try it on before I could make a decision on a dress. The second I put it on I knew. I felt like a bride and I didn’t want to take it off. To be honest... you can still find me wearing it around the house. It is something special.

Krystan and Jack celebrated their marriage by honeymooning in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

CHEERS TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

Photographer: Tahiry Humrich Photography

Videography: Written in Film

Venue: Live Oak Plantation

Florist: Celebrations

Caterer: Union Public House

Hair/Makeup Artist: Ashley West

Reception Band/DJ: Anytime DJ

Wedding Dress Designer and Store: Hayley Paige | Margaret Ellen Bridal

Veil: Sara Gabriel Veils

Seamstress: Kathleen Cooper

Other Vendors: Old Hickory Whiskey Bar

Margaret Ellen Bride | Megan and Andrew's Pensacola Wedding

Dr. Megan Priddy began 2019 with a bang by marrying Andrew Hock on January 25, 2019 in Pensacola, Florida. The two married at Old Christ Church and celebrated with a reception to follow at the Pensacola Museum of Commerce. Megan wore a gorgeous long sleeve Martina Liana wedding dress paired with a Sara Gabriel veil that was perfect for her winter wedding. Take a look at this gorgeous wedding captured by the lovely Perla Martinez Photography.

How did you meet your groom?

Andrew and I met on Match in the fall of 2017. We began dating after a few weeks of emails and phone calls back and forth.

How did Andrew POP the question?

We were in Dallas, TX for a volleyball tournament that Andrew was competing in when he proposed. He took me on a day date to the botanical gardens in Dallas between volleyball matches on the first day of tournament play. We walked through the gardens for about half an hour before we came to a roped off section where our favorite artist was playing over the speakers and a framed collage of our photographs was sitting on a park bench. Andrew told me how much he loved me before getting down on one knee to ask me to be his wife. Of course I said yes! His family and friends were hiding out at the gardens waiting for him to propose. He had also hired a photographer for the proposal as well. We celebrated the rest of that weekend with family and friends!

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

Choosing the venues with Andrew! We love historic downtown Pensacola, so it was fun to explore different potential sites for our rehearsal dinner, wedding, and reception together.

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

Our first dance! We decided to take lessons ahead of time and we had so much fun practicing together for the last few weeks leading up to our wedding. When it was go time, dancing with him felt so natural and we could relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about the next step.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Use an app like Zola or The Knot to keep yourself organized and on track with all of the to-do items for your wedding! This was clutch for me in not procrastinating and keeping my stress level down so I could enjoy the process.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I loved the quality of the dresses at Margaret Ellen. They were beautiful and made me feel elegant. I appreciated the one on one appointment with Maggie as well. We all knew my dress was “the one” when I came out of the fitting room and Andrew’s niece started crying and whispered to her mom, I think that should be her dress! When her mom told us what she had said we all started crying and I didn’t try on another dress. I had found the wedding dress I had always envisioned.

Megan and Andrew honeymooned aboard a Norwegian Cruise and visited the wonderful destinations of Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Belize and Mexico.

Photographer: Perla Martinez Photography

Videographer: Lother & Co.

Venue(s): Old Christ Church and Museum of Commerce

Florist: Chrissy Helvenston

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Southern Frills Weddings and Events | Kelly Rhodes

Caterer: Culinary Productions

Hair/Makeup Artist: Epic Salon

Cake: Publix Bakery

Reception Band/DJ: Niel Zanthos

Invitations: Zazzle

Officiant: Pastor John Benaquis

Wedding Dress: Martina Liana | Margaret Ellen Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses Designer and Store Where Purchased: Lulu’s

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Seamstress: Kathleen Cooper

Other: Dance Floor and Lighting by Supposey

Destination Beach Weddings in the United States

Unique Beach Wedding Destinations

by: Andee Schmidt

Whether you’re planning a royal affair on the open ocean or an intimate beachside bonfire, wedding options by the sea are on trend for nature-loving brides. The advantages of a beach wedding are endless; it’s a package deal of picturesque sunset backdrops, built in adventures, and easy access to a budget-conscious honeymoon. If you’re dreaming of a beachy wedding destination, keep in mind the following popular locales as potentially perfect spots to say, “I do.”

South Walton, Florida

Head to the Northwestern rim of Florida for a dreamy beach wedding on sugar white sand; South Walton offers access to several popular beaches, including Alys Beach. The town is famous for its walkability that you and your guests will adore. Enjoy a convenient stroll from the beach to the reception while admiring the beautiful Bermudan-style architecture and courtyard. With plenty of venues to choose from that also offer honeymoon packages, this coastal paradise is sure to be a hit for any beach wedding. Explore the endless list of ways to keep your guests entertained, like their nature preserve-a 20-acre protected forest with a quant boardwalk-or watch the sea turtles hatch and make their journey to the sea, then top the night off with a beach bonfire and stargazing.

Corolla, North Carolina

Experience the quaint allure of North Carolina in Corolla, a beachside town that’s making wedding industry waves for its natural ocean beauty. Plan a small Corolla beach wedding at one of their many fine sand beaches, where treasured wild horses run free along the waterside, or throw a ball at Whalehead in Historic Corolla, a 1920s Art Nouveau manor that echoes country elegance. The small-town feel of Corolla offers guests the intimate experience of privacy, where time pauses just for your special day, and smiling friends and family become the most important thing in the world. This romantic destination is ideal for the active bride; kayaking, parasailing, and surfing are all available at the dock’s edge.

Bar Harbor, Maine

If white sand beaches don’t get your heart swooning, consider a rustic wedding in Bar Harbor Maine, a peaceful town on Mount Desert Island. Next to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is a union of deep green woodlands and epic rocky beaches overlooking the waters of Frenchman Bay. Propose a nature-lovers wedding at the foot of a majestic lighthouse with a fresh lobster bake reception; sea birds singing, whales on their seaward journey, and sunset of red-gold set the scene for this romantic provincial festivity. Nature hikes, ocean trails, and windjammer cruises all make for an exciting way to entertain guests before the big day.

San Diego, California

With nearly perfect weather year-round, San Diego is the ideal spot for a luxurious wedding on the coast. Get hitched on a Victorian-era catamaran, with stained glass windows and an open-deck for the perfect sunset photo-op. As one of the more popular California wedding destinations, there is no end to the options for choosey couples seeking out their dream day, but it will come at a cost. A hotel or resort venue on the crystal-clear beaches easily accommodates a larger wedding party and often includes a swarm of event-planners ready to take the load off your shoulders for your big day. However, there are a number of wedding venues in San Diego that cater to the budget conscious bride, but you might want to plan ahead and search during off-peak season for the affordable beach ceremony of your dreams.

Chesapeake Beach, Maryland

Look no further than the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland for a romantic waterfront wedding on the eastern shore. With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, this coastal town is a hit with beach loving couples looking for a ceremony with all the heart of home. Fresh seafood and picturesque boardwalks, hiking and outdoor adventure, and a variety of venues are all at your fingertips, ready to make your wedding day an unforgettable affair. Book a ceremony at one of the nearby beach resorts with staff on hand to handle the more stressful parts of wedding planning or settle into a luxurious spa with your best pals for the evening before your ceremony and awaken to a sunrise feeling refreshed and ready to take a stroll into your new life as two.

Seabrook, South Carolina

This once hidden gem of a town is now making its mark as a serene getaway for the more elopement minded lovers. Seabrook Island, a barrier island in South Carolina, is just miles from the historic city of Charleston. Choose a wedding with a sunset view of the spectacular marshlands or keep it new-age traditional with a private wedding on one of Seabrook’s pristine white sand beaches underneath the sway of a breezy palm tree. This destination is guaranteed to deliver gorgeous photos and unforgettable experiences. Guests can fly into to Charleston’s newly renovated airport, where there are ample hotel options and unique bars and restaurants for a reception or bachelorette’s night out.

 About the author: Andee is a recent college graduate from Arizona State University with a love of writing, the outdoors, and funky cafes. You can usually find her hiking or planning her next trip. She is passionate about traveling, her family, and the perfect cup of coffee. Find her on Instagram as @andee_schmidt

Margaret Ellen Bride | Farrin Folk Cupp's Navarre, Florida Wedding

Farrin Folk is a special bride and one that will always be remembered at Margaret Ellen Bridal. Why is Farrin so special? She was our very FIRST bridal appointment and the very FIRST person to find her dress at MEB.

I remember getting her appointment request before we opened our doors and being so giddy and thinking “is this real?” The morning of her appointment was honestly like the first day of college. There were lots of butterflies, but I was ready to get to work and start the job I had dreamed of for so long. The appointment was so great, and I realized in talking with Farrin how much fun this job would be. I got to listen to her stories, learn about her love with Jesse, and become new friends with someone I would've never have met.

Thank you Farrin for your TRUST,SUPPORT, and FRIENDSHIP. You will always be the OG around here.

Farrin and Jessie said, “ I DO” in their backyard that they now call home together. She wore a Nouvelle Amsale gown for the ceremony and reception.

How did you meet Jessie?

We met very young. Our parent's had a mutual friend who lived next door to them. My mom had brought me over and I actually had met Jessie's brother Chance first. Chance ended up inviting me to his birthday party and that's when I saw Jess. It was a pool party and I saw him across the way with his friends. I had brought my best friend Natasha with me (who was my MOH). We looked at each other and I said "dibs" haha. It took a while until we all got together in the game room, but once we did, we couldn't take our eyes off of each other. We finally started a conversation and by the end of the night, we had a picture with each other out by the pool and I gave him my phone number.

How did Jessie pop the question?

At the end of June 2018, Jessie finally asked me to marry him ! We went shopping that day, and it was raining on and off. I didn't even realize he had been carrying the ring around all day. He had specific intentions... which I still don't know what they are. He said he still won't tell me that way he can make it up to me for an anniversary or something special. Anyways, we went home to his mom's to start cooking dinner for everyone, and he ran some of our own groceries out to our little room. Later that evening we were getting ready to go to bed, and I hadn't noticed he went ahead of me. I walked out to our little messy room and saw some candles burning through the glass. I walked in and he was down on one knee laughing because I hadn't noticed he put rose petals on the floor in the shape of a heart that I stepped all over haha. I think you can guess what I said ;) "Really?! In our room while it's a mess?! XD .....Yes though !" Bet you wouldn't have guessed that lol. But you could see me saying that if you really know me XD

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

My favorite part of the wedding planning was deciding on flowers. It was the one thing I personally didn't want to leave out. We didn't go all out flowers galore but it ended up being the perfect amount. We actually dried out my flowers and Jess's boutonniere and put them in a memory box that we now have hanging on our wall :) And our photographer Rebecca. She's a family friend but she lives in Hawaii now. She flew in for us after we just couldn't decide on a photographer here in town. She probably was actually our favorite part of the process because we wanted THE BEST photographer ! Jessie's personal favorite part of planning was tasting the cake, haha.

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

Our favorite memory from the wedding day is getting down the aisle, watching Jess bawl his eyes out, haha. And then saying yes to forever!

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Have fun. Stay calm and eat breakfast. Don't get drunk the night before or drink a whole bunch the day of. You don't want to be all puffy and bloated feeling. I don't drink very much so I didn't have that problem but for you girls who like to have a good time ;) And have someone take care of all the behind the scenes stuff you don't want to hear about and panic the day of. I woke up the day of and it was perfect. Sunshine outside and not too cold. I ended up worrying almost the whole day. It was a nightmare. My MOH talked to everyone at the house to see what we needed to do and they said it drizzled a little to just push back to 4:30pm. All the while... It was STORMING outside. My point is.. no one told me so I wouldn't worry haha. Jessie says prepare for a lot of crying lol.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I chose Margaret Ellen Bridal because I was on the hunt for a Hailey Paige dress. I had found some other places in Mobile that carried the designer as well but something drew me to Maggie's boutique. Maggie carried that designer but when I found her.. She wasn't even open yet. Maggie made an exception for us because half of my bridesmaids were from out of town. She unfortunately didn't have all of her designers in when we came but we wanted to look anyways with the hope of finding a blush pink dress. I had already been to 5 other stores by the time I found MEB. I was so excited ! We all were. I tried on dresses and I finally got to one that WASN'T EVEN PINK LOL ! I liked it but it felt just a little more on the simple side. She added a belt and BAM ! My dad cried, almost making me cry haha. I loved the way I felt in it. I felt even better in it on my wedding day. Just looking at it, it was perfect in every way for me.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Cupp will honeymoon in Europe next year.

Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Daly Photography

Venue(s): Jessie and Farrin Cupp’s Home

Florist: Flowers by GiGi

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Donna Hendrix; It's Personal Wedding Staging & Design LLC

Caterer: Culinary Productions

Hair/Makeup Artist: Ponyota Whistler

Cake: Bread of Life Bakery

Reception Band/DJ: Good Vibrations

Invitations: Etsy

Officiant: Thomas Gillespie

Wedding Dress: Nouvelle Amsale | Margaret Ellen Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses Designer and Store Where Purchased: Vera Wang | David's Bridal

Tuxedos: Randall's

Seamstress: Kathleen Cooper - Southern Simplicity

Margaret Ellen Bride | Bruna Krug-Rector | Destin, Florida Wedding

I had the pleasure of meeting sweet Bruna back in the summer when she was on the hunt for the perfect dress for her Destin, Florida wedding. I knew Bruna was something special when she told me she was planning TWO weddings at ONCE! She had her first ceremony in Brazil, where her family still resides. Two months later she did it again here. Simply amazing!

Bruna wore a gown by Liancarlo and married Leslie at The Destin Bay House.

How did you meet Leslie?

I used to work at a cell phone store and helped Leslie's brother a couple of months prior to meeting him, and apparently I made a great impression on the brother, so much that he told Leslie he should break his phone or something to come meet me. A couple of months later Leslie actually needed a new phone so he came in and we met! We became friends and remained that for a long time, until both of our lives took a left turn (or should I say a RIGHT one?) and we started dating.

How did Leslie ask you to be his for forever?

We started talking wedding pretty early in the relationship, and we were both very excited about it! So much that we had a date picked out and venue booked months before our engagement. I guess we just knew this was IT! In one of our trips we went to a jewelry store owned by Leslie's friend and together we built the most beautiful ring I've ever seen... and then we (aka I) waited... and waited... until a sunny saturday in April 2018. Just like every other sunny Saturday we went on a boat ride, but this time, in the middle of the Destin jetties with that Emerald water surrounding us, he pulled out that amazing ring from his swim trunk's pocket and asked if I wanted to marry him. We both cried and laughed and I obviously said yes!

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

Food and cake tasting is definitely a great part of the wedding planning process!! But finding my perfect dress and having that butterflies + tears moment (that I didn't think was real), absolutely was my most favorite moment!

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

Our first dance, when just for a second it felt like everyone around disappeared and it was just the two of us in that moment, loving each other dancing to my husband's favorite song. And also when we took a second to look around and absorb everything that was going on around us, and we saw every one of our guests smiling and having a great time celebrating our love.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

As a very organized and OCD person, it was hard for me to picture this, but the truth is: some things won't go as you planned, and that's ok! I actually planned two weddings two months apart (one for my family in Brazil prior to our 11/11/18 in Destin), so at times it got very overwhelming, but when I realized that some details only I would know if they didn't happen, that took a lot of pressure off. My focus then became me and my hubby having a good time and making sure our guests would be comfortable so they could enjoy our day and have fun. So prioritize what's important to you, and get to the secondary items when you can, if you can.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I had visited another bridal dress store locally, but as soon as I got to the door at MEB and saw my name on the sign, a glass of champagne waiting for me, and met Maggie (the sweetest soul around), I just knew that that was my place to be!!! The individual appointments, the beautiful boutique, and her undivided attention made the experience perfect! "MY" dress was actually the first one I tried on, but I just couldn't believe it, so I tried on a few more. All beautiful dresses, but every single one of them I would compare to the very first one... and then I tried it back on and that was it. All butterflies and tears and emotions told me that was "the one"!

…and they lived Happily Ever After! Congrats to Bruna and Les!

Photographer: Brett Birdsong

Videographer: Story Teller Visuals

Venue(s): Destin Bay House

Florist: Perfect Day Weddings

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Kiss The Bride

Caterer: Carrabba's Italian Grill

Hair: Gallant Glam

Make Up: Jessa Jivania

Cake: Bake My Day

Ceremony Musicians: Hunter Dawson

Reception Band/DJ: Hunter Dawson

Invitations: Eloquent Signs

Officiant: Eric Partin

Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Margaret Ellen Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids and Simply Elegant

Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse

Seamstress: Southern Simplicity

Margaret Ellen Bride | Kalah and Jeremy's 30A Wedding

Kalah Shockley, a Nashville native, is truly a one-of-a-kind person! Margaret Ellen Bridal had the pleasure of helping Kalah find her perfect dress for her 30A wedding. Kalah married Jeremy Hazen on October 14, 2018, 4 days after Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida Panhandle. Originally, the two were to wed at The Meeting House in Carillon Beach. Hurricane Michael threw a wrench in the original plans and the two were married at The Bellamy on 30A. Kalah wore a Martina Liana gown and looked completely breathtaking. Congrats Kalah and Jeremy on your marriage!

How did you meet your groom?

Jeremy and I met on Bumble! Our first date was at Chuy's and the rest is truly history!

Tell us your engagement story:

I was at the beach with my family on vacation. I had asked Jeremy to come but due to vacation days and an upcoming trip planned for him he wasn't able to come. I was bummed to say the least. It was a gloomy day because the tropical storm was making it's way to where we were staying. I think most of us stayed inside that day because the weather was so gross. That night we all went to dinner. The place we went was AWFUL! When we got back to the house that night I was headed upstairs and the front door opened and my mom said, "Look who is here to see you!" I was in shock!!!! Jeremy had just walked through the door! He was not supposed to be here. I teased him about messing up our numbers for game night that was about to start! He and I headed upstairs to put his things away. When we got upstairs we hugged and I could feel his heart beating out of his chest. He went to grab something out of his backpack and before I knew it he was down on one knee asking me to marry him! I couldn't believe it was happening! I of course said yes and asked him a million questions about how all of it came to be. His original plans included proposing on the beach, meeting me in the local bookstore, and several other grand plans. Unfortunately, the tropical storm led to a different proposal! It was perfect and when we walked downstairs his parents were waiting for us along with my family. It was so special to be able to celebrate with both of them right after it happened!

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

Picking out my dress was my favorite! We got engaged on a Sunday, and I was in Maggie's shop that Friday. I had no intentions of buying a dress that day. I truly thought that nothing would fit me, and I would leave feeling defeated. The total opposite happened. Maggie and I hit it off immediately. My mom, sister, and dad all felt the same way. We felt so welcomed by Maggie and her lovely space. The moment when I walked out and we all knew it was the one was one of the best moments of the whole wedding process!

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

I have so many!!! Probably taking pictures on the beach after the ceremony! We got to relax and laugh. The day had flown by, and it was nice to pause with him as my husband on the beach!

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Make a list of things that are non-negotiable for you and your groom. Jeremy and I had a very small and intimate wedding. It was what we wanted. I had a few things that I said had to happen and so did he. Once we knew what those were, everything else seemed little. Your wedding day is the most magical day. Enjoy it. Choose the people you want to be there and that love you both. Don't worry or stress about napkin colors or if something doesn't work out the way you planned. I can attest to that because we got married after the hurricane hit. It was mass chaos trying to make it all come together. Thankfully Avis is amazing at her job....oh that would probably be my number one advice! If you are in the 30A area and need a planner, Avis Glenister is your gal. She handled everything and our day was more amazing than we had originally envisioned. Seriously though, don't fret over the little things. At the end of the day if you walk away married to a man that loves and adores you that's all that truly matters!

Kalah with her planner, Avis Glenister of Peach and Pearl Events.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I chose Margaret Ellen Bridal because Maggie made me feel right at home. The fact that I had the store to myself was amazing. I never knew something like that was possible. I wasn't comparing myself to anyone else and I had the opportunity to feel like I was the most important one in the room. Maggie made the entire process magical! I knew it was the one when I put it on for the second time and could see myself walking down the aisle to Jeremy!!

Following their wedding, Kalah and Jeremy celebrated their marriage by honeymooning at Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Photographer | Eva Cranford Photography

Videographer | StoryLive Productions

Venue | The Bellamy of 30a

Florist | Myrtie Blue

Wedding Planner | Avis Glenister/ Peach and Pearl Events

Caterer | Townsend Catering

Hair/Makeup | Gallant Glam

Cake | Angelino Cakes

Ceremony Musicians | Yasya Brown

Reception Music | GTS Entertainment

Invitations | Minted

Officiant | Jason Underwood

Dress | Martina Liana / Margaret Ellen Bridal

Margaret Ellen bride | Summer Hernandez Johnson's Destin, Florida Wedding

Would you look at this beautiful family?!? How precious is that baby girl?

Summer Hernandez changed her last name and became Mrs. Johnson when she married Matt on November 17, 2018. They wed and celebrated their marriage at the Destin Bay House in Destin, Florida. She wore a gorgeous gown by Martina Liana paired with a Sara Gabriel veil and LaGartier garter.

Summer is a local bride who grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and we are proud that she was one of the first girls to find her dream dress after we opened the doors of Margaret Ellen Bridal in 2018. Congrats Summer and Matt on your marriage. Wishing you many years of happiness!

Tell us about your love story with Matt.

We grew up together as kids in the same neighborhood. Matt and I use to ride mopeds around our neighborhood together back when we were 12 years old. We would go on adventures and hang out from sunrise to sunset. We were each other first kiss. In middle school. I dumped him, haha! We went our separate ways for many years and didn’t have the same group of friends and never hung out in the same places. It wasn’t until many years later we rekindled our relationship, and from that day forward he went on to become an incredible father to our daughter and a wonderful husband.

What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?

Finding the dress, duh! My favorite part was also picking out all the over all design for theme for the wedding. I’m super hands on with that stuff and I have had years of Pinterest pins that I wanted to bring to life.

What is your favorite memory from the wedding day?

Seeing how emotional my groom was. He was the perfect groom, and his vows were so sweet and perfect. People still talk about how emotional they got during our ceremony.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

On the morning of your wedding, just breathe. Take a few solid minutes to be alone and collect your thoughts. No matter what’s wrong don’t freak out and get upset about the little stuff. It’s your day that you worked so hard for so just enjoy the ride.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I chose Margaret Ellen because I somehow received advertisement of a new up and coming bridal boutique in my email. After having a not so great experience at another store my spirits were down. My mom booked my appointment with Margaret Ellen, and I was very excited. Maggie exceeded all my expectations of what a true bridal experience should be. Right when I walked in, my dress was the first one I laid my eyes on. After I put it on, none of the other dresses gave me that this is the one, feeling. When you know, you just know.

Summer and Matt will be honeymooning in Santorini, Greece in the coming months to celebrate their marriage!

Photographer: Aislinn Kate Photography

Videographer: Tim Scarbrough

Venue: Destin Bay House

Florist: Florals by the Sea

Wedding Planner: Tammy | The Eventful Planner

Caterer: The Eventful Planner

Hair/Makeup Artist: Tania Crawford

Cake: Publix Destin

Reception Band/DJ: Epic Entertainment

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitation

Officiant: Harry Madison

Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulus

Tuxedos: Asos

Seamstress: Kathleen Cooper | Southern Simplicity

Dress: Martina Liana

Veil: Sara Gabriel

Garter: LaGartier

Margaret Ellen bride | MRS. Danielle Kruja

I met Danielle back in February, just one short month after opening our doors. She was in search for a wedding dress that she was confident in and would be happy with for a long time to come. She fell in love with a gorgeous Martina Liana and paired a veil to match and the rest was history. She married Tauland Kruja on October 27, 2018 at The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida.

How did yours and Tauland’s love story begin?

Tauland and I started dating in 2015. Our first date was at a miniature golf course. Tauland was the perfect gentleman by letting me win (at least that is what he says). We shared a small cheese pizza for dinner and finished the night with ice cream from Sweetberries.

How did Tauland ask you to be his wife?

To get me to go to Orlando without suspecting anything Tauland told me he had an oral surgery appointment with a teacher’s friend. Seemed logical by the fact he was a dental student. The first surprise was when we arrived at the Waldorf Astoria, not only were we staying at this amazing resort we had a view overlooking Walt Disney World and the fireworks. The following day he surprised me again by taking me to Magic Kingdom. When we got up to the castle, Tauland got down on one knee and proposed. That night, Tauland got us reservations for the Wishes Dessert Buffett. We had access to unlimited desserts with a table overlooking the castle during the fireworks.

What was your favorite memory from the day of your wedding?

Our first look. I feel I was able to have the opportunity to have so many extra great pictures while having our first look. And I don’t think it took away from walking down the isle. I saved wearing my veil for walking down the aisle to give Tauland a little surprise and keep some mystery.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone preparing for their wedding day?

Enjoy the process and have a planner or day of coordinator. They took so much stress of my plate so I could focus on just enjoying the moments.

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was "the one"?

I had recently moved to the area for Tauland's dental school. Though I had already purchased a dress somewhere else I was having doubts. I found Margaret Ellen online and just had a gut feeling I needed to go. I had two separate appointments with Maggie going with a different bridesmaid each time. She made me feel so comfortable and like family, which was so nice because I didn't have family that could be with me. After having many top contenders I knew I found the perfect dress.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Tauland Kruja honeymooned in London, England and then took a small cruise out of Southampton, England to Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium.

Vendors

Photographer: Oksana Miro Photo

Venue(s): The Ringling | Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Florist: Flowers by Fudgie

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: NK Wedding Productions

Caterer: Modern Events

Hair/Makeup Artist: Femme Akoi

Cake: Cakes by Ron

Dress/Veil: Martina Liana

Ceremony Musicians: Jay Goodley Entertainment

Invitations: Minted

Officiant: A Wedding with Grace

Transportation: Revvies Classics

Seamstress: Kathleen Cooper/Southern Simplicity Gulf Coast