1. Real Weddings

Julie & Matt: A Coastal Wedding in Hillsboro Beach, FL

Matt and Julie met during their second year at Florida State University. Both biology majors, they had plenty of opportunities to get to know each oth

Matt and Julie met during their second year at Florida State University. Both biology majors, they had plenty of opportunities to get to know each other in class. After dating for three years, they separated after graduation, only to reunite when Julie took a job in Broward County, where Matt lived. The Bride Julie Krawczyk, 32, biologist The Groom Matt Mitchell, 31, biologist The Date November 1 Matt knew that planning a weekend getaway or a romantic dinner would make Julie suspicious that he was going to propose, so instead he planned a surprise 30th birthday party and invited their friends. During the party, which was held at a marina-area rooftop cafe, the couple took off for a walk on the beach. Once the two were alone, Matt asked her to be his wife. Both beach-lovers, Matt and Julie knew they wanted a wedding with a coastal theme, and chose the Hillsboro Club as their wedding site. “We immediately fell in love with its old-Florida feel,” said Julie.

Julie and Matt’s three-tiered, fondant-covered wedding cake was painted with sea oats and dunes as a nod to those found on Florida’s coastline.
To create Julie’s bouquet, the florist used gerbera daisies, orchids, and roses and wrapped them with an ivory ribbon. Julie added a pin to her bouquet in honor of her cousin who had died of breast cancer the previous year.
Julie and Matt’s signature wedding colors were cornflower and yellow to represent the water and the sun. Her bridesmaids wore cornflower-blue dresses and carried bouquets of yellow lilies and white gerbera daisies.
Julie and Matt danced to “Love Song,” by 311, their favorite group, and the first band the couple saw in concert.
Julie and Matt’s ceremony took place on a deck overlooking the beach at The Hillsboro Club. A monogrammed aisle runner and flowers decorated the weathered deck.
Instead of using a traditional guest book, Julie and Matt picked up a Beaches coffee-table book from Pottery Barn for their guests to sign.
Matt’s boutonniere was made of a simple yellow orchid accented with a seashell.
Instead of a traditional unity-candle ceremony, Matt and Julie held a sand ceremony. They each collected sand from their hometowns and poured it into a vase. In addition Julie used sand from each of their favorite beaches to decorate the reception tables.