Within moments of meeting Haven and Jonah, their excitement to spend the rest of their lives together is obvious from the way they look at and talk about each other. Matched by their close friends who just knew they were perfect for each other, the couple started their relationship with an evening of drinking wine and eating stinky cheese together and continued to fall more and more in love until Jonah proposed exactly three years later to the day in Helsingor, Denmark on a trip to visit his family. I feel honored that this beautiful couple chose me as their wedding photographer for their gorgeous 30a wedding by the bay.
A Wedding Proposal in Denmark
“In August of 2015, we went on a trip to Denmark to visit some of Jonah’s family, which also happened to fall during our 3rd anniversary. On the day of our anniversary Jonah gave me an anniversary gift of a Kate Spade purse and some funny finger puppets… this turned out to be a distraction. The whole time Jonah was standing behind me with the ring. When I turned around, he was holding my “real” present and asked me if I wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Coastal Style Wedding Details
Though Haven and Jonah live in New York City, they made the trip to Florida for a 30a wedding in Panama City where Haven grew up. Local wedding planner and florist, Rachelle Youd, worked with the couple to plan their perfect wedding that expressed their personalities and style while emphasizing their relationship with each other and with the family and friends that came to celebrate with them.
The light and airy wedding style and coastal colors in the wedding details reflected the beachy atmosphere from the watercolor invitations to the floral bridesmaid’s dresses by Paper Crown to the paper fans set out for their guests at the ceremony.
Haven spent the hours before the wedding excitedly getting ready with her bridesmaids in their matching robes. After a few tender moments with her father, her mother helped her get into her off-shoulder wedding dress designed by Sarah Seven that made her look effortlessly beautiful before walking out the door to marry the love of her life.
Oaks by the Bay Park Ceremony Under Live Oaks
Haven and Jonah’s official wedding festivities began at the Oaks by the Bay Park in the historic St. Andrews neighborhood surrounded by their families and closest friends. Purposefully selected as the wedding ceremony location, the unique 30a wedding venue had once been a favorite spot to visit while Haven was young.
The Oaks by the Bay Park offered a peaceful setting for Haven and Jonah’s outdoor wedding ceremony with the beautiful live oaks covered in Spanish moss that Haven had always loved growing up. They planned an interfaith ceremony that incorporated both of their religious backgrounds that Haven described as“the perfect mix of the two of us, our faith, and our closest friends and family.”
Wedding Day Tip! After the ceremony, we slipped off to the nearby beach for their first portraits together as a married couple! Setting aside enough time for these photos is incredibly important, because the rest of the photos will likely include guests and it’s likely the only time during the wedding that the bride and groom will have just to themselves.
Boho Chic Reception Details
While the floral details at the ceremony continued to add to the overall bohemian chic style, the candles and vines resting on suspended wooden planks made the reception area even more magical. The floral place cards and table numbers complemented the distressed tables and chairs while the cake made by Sweet for Sirten looked absolutely delicious with a simple floral design.
Time to Party!
With a romantic decor that transformed the lawn at Harbour Village in the St. Andrews neighborhood into a dreamy wedding celebration, the newly married couple started the party off with their first dance followed by a fun father/daughter dance. After hours of dancing, laughing, and enjoying time they had with their guests, they continued the festivities at the local bourbon bar after a celebratory sparkler exit, which just happened to be one of Jonah’s favorite moments.
“My favorite part of the wedding was after the reception, leaving dinner to the post reception. Walking under a wall of sparklers, seeing all our friends and family was a special moment.”
A Wedding is Just the Beginning
After the wedding, the newlyweds spent 17 days traveling through Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Cambodia on a honeymoon that matched their wedding with, as they put it, “So much delicious food, friendly people, and beautiful scenery!”
Now they’re looking forward to the next exciting adventure, the start of Haven’s new career as an oncologist and Baby Girl Sachar!
30a Wedding Vendors
– Wedding Planner: Rachelle Youd Designs
– Catering: Townsend Catering
– Florist: Rachelle Youd Designs
– Wedding Cake: Sweet for Sirten
– Makeup: Angela Law Beauty
– Dress: Sarah Seven Flagship Salon in NYC
– Bridesmaid Dresses: Paper Crown
