1. Real Weddings

A Romantic and Traditional Wedding at Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida

Laura Whitlock (29 and a software sales executive) and Alex Lang (29 and a pharmaceutical sales representative) met at a housewarming party and became

Laura Whitlock (29 and a software sales executive) and Alex Lang (29 and a pharmaceutical sales representative) met at a housewarming party and became engaged at Millennium Park in Chicago. Alex told Laura they were going to dinner with his boss when he popped the question. “He had his brother hiding out disguised as a city tourist taking pictures of the whole thing,” says Laura. “It was perfect and I was speechless for days!” The couple spent their 11-month engagement planning a gold, blush and ivory accented wedding in Duck Key, Florida. “We wanted everything to have a classic and romantic look. We thought that this overall theme would look timeless in pictures for years to come,” says Laura. White hydrangeas tied with pink ribbon lined the aisle as she and Alex said “I do” in San Pablo Catholic Church. After a traditional ceremony, the couple went upstairs to the church’s prayer garden to take photos while their guests moved to the nearby Hawks Cay Resort for the cocktail hour and reception. An acoustic guitar player and hors d’oeuvres entertained their guests along the resort’s dolphin deck. All then moved inside and found their seats among the couple's ivory and blush linen covered round reception tables. Gold chargers, gold candlesticks, rustic wooden table numbers and low white hydrangea and rose centerpieces were used as accents. Laura and Alex served a plated dinner of beef tenderloin, snapper and mushroom ravioli as well as three-tier gold accented wedding cake with overflowing white hydrangeas between each layer. Their guests enjoyed a night of dinner, dancing and dolphin watching along the deck. However, Laura and Alex’s celebration continued beyond that night with a Saturday morning brunch and sunset cruise. “It was a weekend to remember with our closest family and friends!” says Laura.

Pink and White Program with Pink Boutonnieres
White Hydrangea and Pink Tea Rose Accent
Laura accented her Allure Romance wedding dress with a white rose bouquet, curled down hairstyle and her mother’s pearls. The pearls were also worn by Laura’s sister on her wedding day, she says.
Laura chose a strapless Allure Romance champagne wedding dress with an ivory lace overlay and sweetheart neckline. The mermaid gown was accented with a pearl necklace and elbow-length veil.
The couple accented their ceremony at San Pablo Catholic Church with hydrangea aisle decor and pink ribbons.
“Even though this was considered a destination wedding for us, we wanted to keep a lot of traditional wedding elements that we both really valued,” says Laura. The couple was wed at San Pablo Catholic Church in Marathon, Florida before taking pictures in the church’s prayer garden.
Laura and Alex’s Recessional
Each bridesmaid’s strapless black Alfred Angelo cocktail-length dress was complemented by the groomsmen’s classic black Calvin Klein tuxedos. The men also carried personalized pocket watches.
After an outdoor reception along the Hawks Cay Resort’s dolphin deck, the couple and their guests moved into an adjoining ballroom for the reception.
Laura and Alex were seated at a blush linen covered sweetheart table at the front of their dance floor during the reception.
Gold Candlestick and White Floral Centerpiece
The couple decorated each round reception table with ivory or blush linens, gold chairs, gold chargers, gold candlesticks and white hydrangeas and rose centerpieces for a romantic look.
Alex and Laura chose a three-tier strawberries and cream flavored confection baked by Sweet Savannah's for their wedding day. Its vanilla buttercream icing was accented with lush white hydrangeas between each layer.