A Classic Ballroom Wedding at Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida

Molly Hanas (27 and a Navy officer) and Brough McDonald (35 and an Air Force pilot) tied the knot in a romantic garden at the Gonzalez-Alvarez House in St. Augustine, Florida. “I fell in love with St. Augustine after I moved to Jacksonville in 2010,” Molly says. “I loved the history and the charm. Since I wanted an outdoor ceremony, the Oldest House garden captured both the history and the beauty of the city. It was the perfect place to hold the ceremony.” Although it was a stormy day, the weather held out for the couple’s outdoor ceremony. The aisle was simply decorated with shepherd’s hooks and hanging arrangements of white and pink blooms. “I’ve always loved pink,” Molly says, “and with a spring wedding, I knew light pink with neutral colors would be a beautiful palette to add to the garden for our ceremony.” After the ceremony, the couple’s photographer took a few romantic snapshots of the couple tucked under an umbrella in the rainstorm, while friends and family made their way to Casa Monica Hotel for dinner and dancing in the ballroom. “It was planned to be outside on the pool deck, but the weather did not cooperate for an evening outside,” Molly says of the stormy weather. “Luckily the ballroom was available, and we were able to move the reception inside.” The ballroom was decked out in lush florals, metallic decor and romantic candles. Guests were served Chilean sea bass and filet mignon for dinner and locally made Hyppo ice pops and sliders as a late-night snack. After an evening of celebration, the newlyweds left their party in style, escorted away in a classic blue convertible. —Marissa Hermanson