1. Real Weddings

A Colorful Beach Wedding at the Hideaway Beach Club in Marco Island, Florida

Lauren Stanley (30 and a city planner) and Matthew (Matt) Fehr (32 and works in healthcare management) met through mutual friends while Lauren was stu

Lauren Stanley (30 and a city planner) and Matthew (Matt) Fehr (32 and works in healthcare management) met through mutual friends while Lauren was studying in graduate school. They soon began dating and have been together ever since. For the proposal, Matt combined two special moments. The couple planned a trip to Curacao for Lauren’s birthday. They became engaged as they were swimming along the sea floor. “While we were snorkeling, Matt picked up a clam shell from the bottom of a shallow cove and handed it to Lauren, telling her to open it,” she says. She found her engagement ring inside the shell as hotel staffers took pictures of the happy couple. “It was so unexpected and perfect!” says Lauren. Her and Matt were wed nine months later in Florida, the state where they first met as well as Matt’s home state. The couple decorated their colorful wedding in a beach theme with shades of shades of pink, purple, white, silver and blue. Personal touches were to the wedding day through a popcorn bar to represent Lauren’s home state of Texas, a photo booth and personalized choreographed first dance. “I think our choreographed dance really reflected who we are as a couple,” says Lauren. The dance included four different songs and was a surprise to their guests. Lauren and Matt gave their 85 friends and family members personalized bags of popcorn as wedding favors.

Purple and White Stationery with Floral Design
Flower Petal and Purple Orchid Aisle Decorations
Lauren and Matt decorated their ceremony with a bamboo arch, white draped fabric and sheer purple fabric tied to chairs along the aisle.
Lauren and Matt’s First Kiss
The groomsmen were dressed in light gray suits with purple vests, purple ties and purple orchid boutonnieres.
Purple and Blue Orchid Groomsmen Boutonnieres
Lauren chose a white strapless mermaid Pronovias wedding dress with floral details along the neckline. It “flowed perfectly while walking along the beach,” she says.
Ivory and Shimmer TOMS Wedding Shoes
Lauren carried a cascading bouquet of white calla lilies, pink roses, blue hydrangea, purple roses and white narcissus.
The bridesmaids wore strapless royal purple cocktail dresses with neutral wedges and simple jewelry.
Starfish and Cylinder Vase Place Card Display
The couple decorated their reception with silver chiavari chairs, white linens as well as a mixture of colorful tall and low floral centerpieces. It was held in the country club’s ballroom overlooking the beach.
The couple decorated each table with a personalized photo table number and a colorful floral arrangement. Some included floating starfish and seashells inside a cylinder vase, topped with white orchids, pink roses, and purple and blue cymbidium orchids.
Clear Glass Hurricane Vase Orchid Centerpieces
The couple had a popcorn bar at their wedding to recognize Lauren’s home state of Texas, she says. The table base was made from a barrel for a rustic accent.
The couple had an elegant white four-tier wedding cake from Kakes by Karen with black piping, purple and blue orchids as well as pink roses made from icing on each tier. The clear base of the cake was filled with seashells.
Lauren and Matt also had a golf themed groom’s cake to resemble Matt’s hobby, she says.
Personalized Wedding Date Golf Balls
Lauren and Matt’s Silly String Reception Exit