A Beach Themed Wedding at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort in Marco Island, Florida

While living in Louisiana, Ashley Harris, a swim coach, 26, and Chris Stevenson, a paramedic, 27, planned their Southern Florida wedding at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort in six months. “Our wedding was on the beach so I of course used it as my theme,” says Ashley. Light pink and cream were selected as the couple’s wedding colors. Their ceremony arch was draped in white fabric and decorated with cascading arrangements of blush and cream roses, white hydrangeas and white cymbidium orchids. Each guest sat in rows of white chairs with their toes in the sand. For a personal touch and addition to the couple’s beach theme, the bride’s aunt handmade the wedding party’s bouquets and boutonnieres from seashells and fake hydrangeas, says Ashley. Her and Chris entered their reception under an archway of sparklers held by their family and friends. “My mom and dad gave a welcoming toast during dinner that was so beautiful no one could hold it together,” says Ashley. The tables were decorated with burlap table runners as well as arrangements of antique style lanterns, white hydrangeas and seashells for centerpieces. “After dinner, the night was filled with laughter and tons of dancing,” says Ashley.