1. Real Weddings

Lindsay & Chris: A Beach Wedding in North Redington Beach, FL

Though Chris had been going to school in Tampa for four years, it wasn’t until he was about to graduate that he met Lindsay. Lindsay was meeting a fri

Though Chris had been going to school in Tampa for four years, it wasn’t until he was about to graduate that he met Lindsay. Lindsay was meeting a friend of hers, and the two met up with her friend’s boyfriend and some of his pals -- Chris included. They eventually dated for fourteen months before Chris proposed to Lindsay. The Bride Lindsay Martens, 24, art director The Groom Chris Thilburg, 25, pharmaceutical sales The Date November 5 Though the two had talked about marriage, Lindsay thought Chris would wait since they were saving money to buy a house. Two weeks before they closed on their new home, Lindsay and Chris went out on a friend’s boat. They docked at an island and took a walk on the beach. “I was looking at the Gulf; then I saw Chris on one knee pulling the ring out of his pocket,” Lindsay remembers. “Before he could get any words out of his mouth I said yes.”

“We didn’t have to do too much decorating -- having a view of the ocean was perfect,” Lindsay says. She and Chris celebrated with their guests on a second-floor deck at the resort. They strung white lights along the railings and huge, pink and orange, paper lanterns overhead.
Lindsay and Chris wed in a beach ceremony at sunset just beside the resort that hosted the reception.
Lindsay and Chris cut into a three-tiered cake covered in pleated, lime green icing and topped off with tropical flowers.
The couple stood before a bamboo arch decorated with tulle and tropical flowers. Seashells lined the aisle, and starfish hung from the chairs.
“All of our flowers were shipped directly from Hawaii,” Lindsay says. She carried a vivid, tropical bouquet of green cymbidium orchids, fuchsia Cattleya orchids, and orange protea tied with a lime green ribbon.
“Being a graphic designer, I wanted to design everything,” Lindsay says. She and Chris’ guests were first introduced to their tropical theme by the save-the-date cards the bride created.