Photography:  Michelle Castle Photography

Venue:  Bentley’s on the Bay

Cake/Catering:  Bentley’s on the Bay

Planner:  Jessica Miller, Serene Occasions

Floral:  Fisher’s Flowers

Hair and Makeup:  Make Me Blush

Vintage Car:  A Bride’s Ride

I love the venue Bentley’s.  It’s quiet, quaint, and quite a little gem (3 “Q” words in one sentence!).  I love the back deck where the receptions take place.  It lights up so beautifully for an evening reception.  Look at these cute little bells?  They read “Today, as we gather together, Wish us love to last forever.  If you would like us to share a wedding kiss, ring the bell for lifelong bliss.”  Love it!  Read our Q&A below with Barbara!

Brides Thoughts:

MMATB:  How did you two lovebirds meet?

Barbara:    I am from Chicago, and my husband is from West Virginia. I moved to Fort Walton Beach right after college, after vacationing on the coast a few years prior. My husband, Will, is in the Air Force and was participating in a 4 month long training at Hurlburt Field.  We met in Destin and have been together ever since.

MMATB:  Why did you choose the beaches of Northwest Florida as your beach wedding destination?

Barbara:  We chose the Emerald Coast for our wedding for a couple of reasons. Being that he is in the military, we have had to move from the white sandy beaches to the white snow of Upstate New York.  We have been living on the Canadian Border since he is stationed at Fort Drum for 3 years now.  We thought that it would be fitting to get married in the area that we met, and share with our family and friends the beautiful place where we first fell in love. So, a destination wedding in NW Florida seemed the perfect choice.

MMATB:  If you had any advice for fellow beach brides getting married in Northwest Florida, what would it be?

Barbara:  If I had advice for brides getting married in NW Florida it would be to try not to be stressed, everything will fall into place.  The vendors on the Emerald Coast are very experienced with Destination Wedding Planning, it is what they do, and they are very professional and capable to help make a beautiful wedding. Also, do not look at the weather channel! The forecast on the Emerald Coast changes by the hour, so do not worry about weather your special day says rain or overcast…it may change to be sunny in a matter of minutes; just have a back up plan if your event is outdoors.

MMATB:  What was your favorite design element of your wedding?

Barbara:  I would have to say that my favorite design element about my wedding was the setting for my ceremony. The venue itself had amazing views of the bay. We had manzanita branches that were made into an arbor of sorts right on the sand.. Then hanging from the branches were circular glass vases with bright pink flowers in them.  As the ceremony took place the sun gleamed in the vases on the branches that we were standing in between. The guests sat comfortably on white chairs on the grass facing the bay as the wedding party participated in the wedding on the sand.

Congratulations and best wishes to Barbara and Will!