Katie and Will

Engagement Session Location:

                            The Beach

Rehearsal Dinner location:

We had a cookout at home, which we had Sonny's BBQ cater. It was probably the least hectic part of our wedding experience! If you have a large number of people coming to your rehearsal dinner, I highly recommend a low-key rehearsal dinner.
 

Ceremony Location:

Ocean Breeze Conference Center on Mayport Naval Base, you do not

have to be military to get married here. They have a gazebo in the back tat overlooks the beach, or you can get married right in the beach. We chose the gazebo.

Reception Location:

Same as the Ceremony location, they have a huge banquet room, we had 150+ people at are wedding and it didn't feel cramped. The prices are great and they have many options. The contact person is Libby Swim 904-270-5313.

Transportation:

We didn't use any outside transportation
 

Flowers:

Turner Ace Hardware, I do not recommend them. My flowers (orchids and stephanotis) were wilting by the time they got to me and none of the arrangements were what we had discussed. However, the lady who did my cake, who used to be a floral designer for Ace, fixed my flowers and made them look gorgeous, considering what she had to work with! I would highly recommend her and wish I had used her for my flowers also! She does still do flowers for weddings along with making cakes and she is wonderful! Tammy Varner 904-879-7140

Gown:

David's Bridal, I can't complain, I fell in love with my dress the second I tried it on and then found out it was on sale for $100! I didn't feel like it was a very personal occasion when I went to the one at Regency, however, my best friend is getting her dress from the Avenues store and they are much friendlier and helpful, I'd recommend going to the Avenues David's Bridal.

Bridesmaids Dresses:

David's Bridal, again the Avenues has better service and a better selection.
 

Tuxes:

They wore suits.

Hair:

Crystal from Compliments by Sherrie. I loved my hair, Crystal has done my hair for years and I trusted her for my wedding day. I had so many compliments on my hair. She's great! Crystal McClatchy Compliments by Sherrie 904-221-7380

Makeup:

I bought my makeup from Sephora, they were great help picking it out, but when they

put it on I looked like a clown, so I bought what they recommended, Bare Minerals - which was great, I applied my own makeup, I did have a run through the night before, and then Crystal helped with my eye makeup. If you choose to have somebody do your makeup, ALWAYS have a trial run first!
 

Caterer:

Ocean Breeze Conference Center

Cake:

Tammy Varner, the cake was beautiful, just like the picture I gave her! She did an amazing job and everyone loved the look and the taste! The groom's cake was perfect, she surprised us with the final product, and it was great! 904-879-7140.

Officiator:

Family friend

Wedding Coordinator:

Myself, if you can do it with the help of family and friends, it will save money, but it is hard!

DJ:

Ernie Vega, he was great, but I cannot find his phone number! He did a great job with keeping the party going, and it was a good party!!

Photography:

Mark Floyd Photography, of course! Tonya was such a huge help the day of the wedding, my pictures turned out amazing and I couldn't have asked for anything more from her, she was awesome!

Videography:

None

What were your gifts for guests?

We ordered sandollars and put a piece of ribbon with are names and wedding date to give to our guests as gifts. They were put at every table setting. It tied in with out beach theme!

Honeymoon:

We took a cruise to the Bahamas as a short weekend getaway since I'm in Nursing school. We went on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, we had been on a Carnival Cruise six months before and had a better time. If you're thinking of taking a cruise we recommend Carnival. To redeem our bad cruise experience, we're going to Hawaii in August!


What was your high point of the day?

Saying I do! Our day was wonderful, the whole day was a highpoint!

What if anything would you change about the day?

Nothing, there were a few minor kinks, but if you have the help of family and friends you won't find out about them until after the wedding!

What advice could you give to future brides?

It's your day, appoint someone in your wedding to be the go-to person, if there is an issue during the day, you aren't going to want to worry about it!