1. Real Weddings

A Classic Beach Wedding at Loews Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida

Kelly, a recruiter, 26, and Sam, an accountant, 28, met through mutual friends and went out for the first time on St. Patricks Day, quickly becoming m

Kelly, a recruiter, 26, and Sam, an accountant, 28, met through mutual friends and went out for the first time on St. Patricks Day, quickly becoming more than friends. Sam proposed three years and one day later. (Why one day later? He wanted to keep it a surprise!)The two chose a nautical theme with elegant touches that complemented their classic Loews Don Cesar Hotel location. Using pink, gray, white and navy, and a few personal touches, Kelly and Sam's wedding brought together their favorite elements. A Jenga guest book, surfboard seating chart, custom labeled coffee favors from Kelly's father's shop and tokens from a beloved brother helped to make the event that much more memorable.With their dog Miss Henley, family and friends, the two were wed in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

The Loews Don Cesar Hotel's served as the anchor for what would be the couple's navy, gray, white and pink wedding.
Sam and Kelly chose The Loews Don Cesar Hotel for multiple reasons. One added benefit? Their reception's tented pavilion was in a tropical garden that stood "right in front of the beach but not on the beach," says Kelly. It provided privacy and an easier walk for guests.
Keeping with the theme of beach elegance, Kelly wore a Jenny Yoo trumpet gown with a sweetheart neckline. The dress was complemented by a BHLDN belt.
Complementing the light pink venue, Kelly walked down the aisle with a bouquet of white calla lilies and hydrangeas tied with a gray ribbon and crafted by Two Birds Events. A locket filled with the ashes of Kelly's brother were also tied around the bouquet to honor his memory.
Kelly's bridesmaids wore navy cotton J.Crew dresses that were inexpensive and could be worn again. As a gift, the couple paid for the girls to get their hair done and gave each bridesmaid gold Kate Spade pearl earrings with a rope design.
The couple's dog, Miss Henley, was featured in the wedding alongside her parents.
The men donned suspenders, gray pants, white shirts and blue and white striped ties. "We wanted our wedding party to be able to wear everything again and be inexpensive so we were very budget focused when it came to what we were asking people to spend," says Kelly.
Sam and Kelly turned the classic game, Jenga, into tiles for guests to write their well wishes.
Guests were guided to their seats by a surfboard chart that was fit for sail, creative and easily read.
The bridesmaids' bouquets were placed in vases and wrapped with gray and navy ribbon. After the ceremony, they became the centerpieces alongside the coffee from Kelly's father. Two Birds Events used white hydrangeas, white calla lilies and a few pink roses for the arrangements.
Atop their table settings, guests were met with full-sized coffee bags from Kelly's father's Hawaiian coffee shop.
Sam and Kelly's pink Cakes by Nomeda confection matched their reception and ceremony location. Their other hues were also brought into the mix with a large white flower and a navy ribbon on each tier.
While Kelly's older brother passed away five years ago, she wanted to ensure he was present and remembered at the wedding. A few of his things as well as pictures and a small note were tastefully placed around the reception area.
Kelly and Sam were sent off from their wedding with a canopy of sparklers held by their friends and family. Each sparkler was matched with a "let love sparkle" note.