One of the greatest joys of living in Florida is we can continue to celebrate outside long beyond when couples in many other states need to cozy up indoors.
When Claudia and Justin announced they wanted to plan a tented garden wedding in the middle of December, it was never out of the question! Today, we’re thrilled to share so much more about this sweet, festive day at Carillon’s Meeting House and Village Green — two of our favorite wedding venues along the Gulf Coast.
C and J spent their wedding morning getting ready with their bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members. Claudia shared a first look with her dad at their rented beach house called “Kindness Matters.” Their house was just two doors away from the venue! We always love this time of the wedding day- getting ready shots, detail shots, the excitement of realizing the photographer has arrived and it’s almost “go” time! It’s an added bonus when the rental house is a pretty backdrop.
Afterward, Claudia headed to the Carillon Avenue entrance to The Promenade via Carillon’s dedicated golf cart. We love that the venue management staff take such good care of our couples and provide a chauffeured golf cart for these moments! Justin waited at the Meeting House until the planners and photographer gave the signal. The weather and lighting were perfect at this location! The path is lined with brick pavers, beautiful Camilla bushes and tall trees- all to create the perfect garden atmosphere. Added bonus? Their adorable golden retriever, Joey, joined in for couple’s portraits! [There’s no faster way to make a planner smile while reviewing hundreds of wedding pictures than to see a sweet fur-baby all dressed up for the day!]
C and J wanted their wedding day to be romantic, elegant, yet also simple. Claudia loves Christmas decorations, and with her wedding date a week before Christmas, she took the theme and ran with it! We left all of the beautiful draping garlands inside and outside the Meeting House in place, along with the Christmas tree. We decided on an evergreen, gold and white color palette, with as many twinkle lights we could get our hands on! Claudia’s long sleeve A-line gown with satin buttons down the entire back was the perfect gown.
Post-vows, guests walked a few steps outside and gathered under a sailcloth tent on the Village Green.
We decorated the white bar front with a boxwood wall behind it, neon “Better Together” sign, and lined the tables with loads of candles. Claudia brought custom drawn cups and koozies with Joey’s picture, gold pashminas and light-up Christmas necklaces. [Claudia’s probably still drinking out of her Joey cups!]
Guests enjoyed the most delicious passed appetizers from KBC (Kelsey Barnard Catering from Dothan, AL) along with a charcuterie spread to beat the band! [Hands down favorite apps are the Bee’s Knees Sliders and Caprese Salad Bites.] They served a stations style dinner, with Vanilla Wedding Cake for dessert from Sweetly Sisters. We accented the tabletops with Evergreen Velvet Napkins and Cake Table Linen from BBJ/LaTavola. The cocktail table linens (Gold Emma from Nuage) were a frilly, textured rose pattern with gold thread- the perfect linen to compliment the design story.
Claudia and Justin, we loved planning your wedding day, and we don’t think it could have been any more beautiful. As I said that night, I couldn’t have picked a better couple to end our year with. We love you guys!
Q: Was there anything that helped keep your nerves in check on the day-of? (Besides the glass of champagne!)
Having a schedule helped keep my nerves in check on the day of the wedding. I was so surprised at how nervous I was when I woke up, but once makeup and hair showed up, everything just fell into place. I truly did not have to worry about anything on our wedding day and that is all thanks to Renee and A Wedding Collection!
Q. Were there any DIY aspects to your wedding?
I am not a very big DIY gal, but my mom and I did make custom welcome boxes for all our guests and that is by far the most creative project we have ever done. Inside the welcome boxes, we included a custom map of Carillon Beach and all the locations we were having events (bride’s house, bonfire location, ceremony, reception). The box also had fun treats such as Christmas cookies, candy canes, popcorn, and water.
Vendor Details
Hair & Make Up: Gallant Glam | Flowers: Vine & Petals | Photographer: PS Cobia | Reception Music: Teddy Williams | Cake: Sweetly Sisters | Catering: KBC | Officiant: Written in Stone | Ceremony Music: Jim Armstrong | Rentals: Panache Tents | Venue: Carillon Meeting House | Wedding Planning and Decor: A Wedding Collection
