A Laid-Back Beach Wedding at a Private Home in Palmetto Bay, Florida

Holiday Sanford (34 and works in marketing and design) and Clay Miller’s (41 and a business development manager) beach wedding was truly a family affair. Celebrating the coming together of their two families was essential for the couple, and this sentiment was incorporated in even the most minute details throughout the day.

The pair headed to Palmetto Bay, Fla. for “I dos” overlooking Biscayne Bay and a fun-filled backyard bash at a close friend’s home. With swaying palm trees and the sparkling blue waters of Biscayne Bay as their backdrop, the couple decided against extra decorative accents, allowing the natural beauty of the scenery and the ceremony’s sentiment take center stage. “Our most important goal was to make our children feel special and included,” says Holiday. “My youngest daughter was the flower girl, my oldest daughter was the junior bridesmaid, Clay’s daughter Laley was my bridesmaid and his son Brady was our best man. We thought it was important for each child to have a significant role in our special day. We also wrote our vows to include each of them.”

An al fresco reception followed in a close friend’s backyard, where the newlyweds and their guests dined on traditional Southern barbecue fare and danced the night away to an upbeat mix of country, hip hop and pop tunes. The decor followed a beach-inspired theme with tables topped in burlap runners, shells, starfish and bunches of bright blue hydrangeas that brought a fresh pop of color to the outdoor space. “The day was a true reflection of who we are — simple and authentic,” says Holiday. “We didn’t see the need for an extravagant wedding or an over-the-top ceremony or reception when we knew our wedding day was really about celebrating us coming together as a family.”