1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?
We both love great food, so initially our venue’s reputation for amazing food is what piqued our interest. After seeing the beautiful view at the ceremony site and the beachfront area for the reception, we knew that this venue was “the one.” It was gorgeous and low-key at the same time, which was exactly what we wanted. We were treated wonderfully by staff of Hacienda and really couldn’t have made a better choice!
2. Which four details from your wedding were your favorites?
1. The music-We had a trio for the ceremony, and a mariachi band for the reception. I walked done the aisle to “Sweet Child of Mine,” and the recessional was “Home” by Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeroes. The trio did such a great job of making this fun but still classy. We the song “Home” because it is so fitting to our life. Dave and I will travel around the world for his career, so home will be “whereever I’m with you (him).” The mariachi band was amazing, and the perfect touch for the fun celebration we wanted our wedding to be!
2. The flowers- Oh my, what can I say about the flowers? They were amazing! The tables at the reception were my favorite. It was like an absolute dream. The flowers were so beautiful, and the places settings were so perfect. I adored the napkin and flowers at the place settings. There is one photo of the tables with the ocean in the background that is to die for! My bouquet was amazing as well!
3. The lace aisle runner- This detail gave my wedding a little bit of the vintage feel I wanted. I had a hard time deciding between a beach or vintage style, and Amy, our event designer, did an unbelievable job at incorporating both!
4. One last thing- Amy surprised us with a caricature artist at our cocktail hour and reception. It is definitely not something I would have originally thought to include, but it was so great. He was very professional and really kept people highly entertained as well as giving them a memento to take home!
3. Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.
Walking down the aisle with my mother, who I love dearly. The photos of that are absolutely priceless to me. Also, seeing David at the end of the aisle smiling at me and having no control over the giant smile on my face in return! He held my hand the entire ceremony and for some reason that sticks in my mind too.
What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?
We love the beach! Sunset Beach is a beautiful place where we have been blessed to have family vacations. It was amazing to be able to share our special day with friends and family in such a relaxed environment.
Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?
Barefoot ceremony in the sand
Pictures. We had an amazing photographer that made us feel comfortable and a natural setting that was great for wedding pictures.
Dancing! We had so much fun at the reception. It was nice to see friends and family cutting loose and having a good time. Cookies and milk shooters were served at the end of the night, creating a fun end to a memorable day.
Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.
We were very serious about not seeing each other before the ceremony. Scott had not seen me or my dress until that moment when I walked over the boardwalk with my dad. What a great feeling! Facing each other, with the ocean in the background, saying our vows, is a moment that will not be forgotten.
If you’re hosting a beach wedding, you have lots of options for sea-themed decor motifs – anchors, sailboats, seashells, fish, and yes, starfish, just to name a few. We think starfish just scream “summer,” while feeling natural and whimsical at the same time. Check out a few of our favorite starfish escort cards, and even more beach-themed escort cards here.
Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?
Only three? All the DIY stuff was an obvious choice, we’re a little partial. Our take on northern and southern details and the things I wore were our favorites also. My groom built our cake dock to match our coastal theme, and it was so incredible. He and my dad found all the driftwood for our arch and then they built it…so special!
We assembled everything to match our coastal theme with nautical rope and our monogram. Our top favorites had to be the eight knot boutonnieres, mini faux docks that we used for the table names, and our escort cards that were a mini message in a bottle. My aunts, sisters, dad’s girlfriend, and bridesmaids helped me do everything. Since we both lost our mothers before we were engaged, the time these ladies spent with me meant more than they will ever know.Everything was a labor of love, and it was awesome to see it all come together.
All the little things we did that were a northern and southern touch were also a favorite. Since I grew up in a real small, southern town, and my groom straight from the big apple, we wanted to express that in our style and food. Ahi tuna, spanakopita, and shrimp and grits were a few foods on our menu; we used southern mason jars instead of vases for centerpieces and our antique bottles were all from New York City.
My something borrowed, blue, and old was also a favorite. I wore my childhood best friend and matron of honor’s veil, our names and wedding date were embroidered in blue under a ruffle in my dress, and I wore our late mothers’ jewelry: my mother’s engagement ring and my mother-in-law’s bracelet, it was very meaningful to have a piece of them with us that day. We were completely surrounded by sentimental details everywhere on our wedding day.
Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.
Um, the whole day? Gosh, being surrounded by everyone we love was a feeling impossible to put into words. The surprise dance with my dad was priceless, but for just one moment, it was when the doors opened and we saw each other the first time. My groom was set on us not seeing each other before the wedding, not even for a first look, and I’m so glad he was. There was nothing like that door opening, looking straight down the aisle directly to him. He had the sweetest, proudest look on his face, and I had a perm-a-grin. It was a moment we will never forget.
What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?
The panoramic view of Virginia Beach is beautiful and there isn’t a better place to see the sunset.
Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?
The flowers, the cake, and my bridesmaids’ earrings
Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.
It all seems like a blur to me. I do remember when Trevor, Bruce’s son who’s five, interrupted the wedding ceremony before I said my vows and told me “Heather, don’t be shy” it was so cute and unexpected, it made me laugh.
