A Modern Beach Wedding at the Marco Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida

Jenny Lam (35 and a research and development manager) and Josh Goldman (39 and a gastroenterologist) met through Match.com, but as chance would have it, they had a friend in common that already tried to set them up on a blind date. “I didn’t tell him until about a week-and-a-half later that I was the one our friend was trying to set him up with,” says Jenny. A year later on a trip to Argentina for New Years, Josh popped the question while they were hiking in the Patagonias. “We were taking pictures with a beautiful glacier lagoon and the mountains in the backdrop and then all of a sudden he pulled out the ring and proposed!” says Jenny. The couple envisioned a destination affair on the beach for their wedding. “My family and friends are scattered everywhere, so I figured if they are going to take a flight for my wedding, they might as well go somewhere beautiful!” says Jenny. They originally looked to the Sanibel and Captiva Islands to host the wedding, but with no venues available for the dates they wanted, the couple turned their attention to Marco Island, FL. The Marco Beach Resort had everything they were looking for — a stunning beachfront location, plenty of options for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception and a contemporary, elegant feel that fit perfectly with their vision. “I booked it without even seeing it,” says Jenny, “and it couldn’t have been more perfect!” The couple incorporated their Chinese and Jewish traditions into the day, opting for a dark red, burgundy and silver color palette as a nod to Jenny’s background (red symbolizes good luck and happiness) and a Conservative Jewish ceremony for Josh. The couple chose to host the ceremony on the beach, decorating the space with red rose petals along the aisle and a modern chuppah dotted with bunches of red roses under which they exchanged vows. Cocktail hour followed directly after on the beach, guests sipping on drinks with a string trio playing contemporary music in the background. “People flew in from all over the country for the wedding, so I wanted them to have fun and enjoy the scenery, including the Gulf Coast sunset,” says Jenny. From there everyone moved to the outdoor terrace for dinner, before kicking off a festive evening full of dinner and dancing in the lounge-inspired ballroom, complete with a photo booth, special light effects and a live performance by Jenny’s friend, a violinist, who prepared three songs to play with the DJ. “Everyone was having so much fun that we extended the party for another hour!” says Jenny.