Avis & John {Carillon Beach Meeting House Ceremony & Inlet Beach Reception}

I chose to have my ceremony at the Meeting House at Carillon Beach.  I know what you’re thinking: “Weren’t you sick of having weddings in the Meeting House all the time?!”  I would be lying if I said that these thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind, but at the end of the day it was exactly the feel that John and I wanted on our wedding day.  It was quaint, it felt like a chapel and it comfortably fit my 70-ish closest friends and family.  As for the reception, we chose to have our reception at the Pavilion in Grande Pointe (Inlet Beach).  This offered a lovely indoor-outdoor reception that was close to Carillon and would accomodate our group if the weather was chilly in December.  Thankfully, the weather was perfect for inside dining and outside dancing!  Although it’s weird to see myself in pictures on our blog, enjoy a glimpse inside a wedding planner’s wedding!

First, I thought I’d start with an image from our engagement session with Paul & Mecheal Johnson. John’s prized possession, his boat, was the focus of our day out on the water together!

Wedding time…

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A little inside joke between me and John ;). Plus, those were some amazing shoes that the bridesmaids chose! We chose to keep the colors at the ceremony very neutral and timeless.

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The lovely Carillon Beach 🙂 Thanks for the fabulous images from Wesley Leytham and the VUE Chicks! The image on the right was even published in “Coastal Weddings Fall 2011” Magazine!

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My groom.

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My sweet dad and I as we walked through the Promenade. We chose to have a 5pm ceremony, knowing that the entire ceremony would be after sunset. This created a very romantic, candle-lit feel (but it gave my photographers a little challenge)!

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We chose to have our mothers light the first candles in the Meeting House, then they took their flames and had everyone in the congregation light their own candles. Of course, Victoria was there to help ‘fluff my dress’ at the entrance. Her husband, Perry, was right there the whole time. He had to do my traditional job of bringing the bride and bridesmaids to the ceremony location on time. Thanks, Perry! By the time my dad and I walked up to the Meeting House, the lights inside were dimmed and everyone’s candles were glowing. It was beautiful.

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I love the image of my grandma’s hands, holding her candle. I kept reminding my dad to smile! 🙂 I think he was worried about tripping and trying not to cry.

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Wesley Leytham caught this magical image of our first kiss from behind the Meeting House. I just love it!

awww 🙂

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Perfect little details. I wanted a very romantic reception with golds, blushes, creams, muaves and deep shades of coral.

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Grande Pointe was completely transformed with lavish fabric hung from the rafters that touched the floor. The crystal beading and giant plume feathers added a glamourous touch. Do any of you girls recognize those chandeliers?! Those are our signature office chandeliers. I just loved them!

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John is an investigator for the Walton County Sheriff’s office. Two of his groomsmen were fellow deputies who decided to pull a little prank on him. A damage waiver was signed (i.e. for the rollling and shaving cream on his car that we would find later that evening), but then they informed him that the “incident” took place in Bay County… Out of their jourisdiction. Ha! It made for a humorous evening.

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This is the story of our boating experiences together. Rhonda’s {Confections on the Coast} groom’s cake portrayed us very well!

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I gave free reign to Rhonda in the design of my cake. She knows that I tend to like the girly cakes, and she went from there… I thought her work with the sugar flowers was just amazing! This was also the debut of my custom-requested flavor of cake: chocolate-hazelnut! DELICIOUS! One of my other favorite parts of my wedding was our coffee/hot chocolate and dessert bar! We had every liqueur possible to add to the hot chocolate and coffee… Frangelico, Godiva, Bailey’s, Peppermint Schnapps, Disaronno and Grand Marnier. YUM! It was the perfect cool-weather treat for our guests!

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Victoria put paper lanterns with battery-candles all along the path inside Grande Pointe. It was beautiful!

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I spared you all of our silly dancing pictures, but thought you might enjoy our ‘send-off’! Some of the deputies in attendance called the on-duty deputy to handcuff and escort us out of the building. Needless to say, it was a fun ending to a perfect night! I will be forever grateful to our top-notch vendors. I can tell you that I would not have chosen anyone else to make our wedding day so memorable! xoxo

{CREDITS}
Venues & Coordination: Carillon Beach Meeting House (exclusive to Carillon Weddings)
Reception: Grande Pointe Pavilion at Inlet Beach
Photography: Genya & Wesleyann {VUE Photography}; see my wedding blogged here! Wesley Leytham {Rae Leytham Photography & ShootShed}
Engagement Session: Paul & Mecheal Johnson {Paul Johnson Photography}; see this session blogged here!
Cinematography: Joanna & Robert Banks-Morgan {Diva Productions}
Floral/Event Design: Christina Springfield of Events by Nouveau Flowers
Catering:  Townsend Catering
Cake:  Rhonda Joodi of Confections on the Coast
Reception Music: DJ Paul of GTS Entertainment
Dress: The Bridal Loft, Pensacola
Makeup: Renee Armour {Two Fishes Artistry} & Elisa Rowland {Mary Kay Consultant}

Not that you need another reason to order a photo booth… but I would just like to give a shout out to some of my favorite wedding moment “capturers” in the area! You are all so wonderful and I’m glad you could be a part of our wedding! It’s fun to see these professionals out and dressed to play! Thanks for the memories! {Paul, Mecheal, Wesleyann, Genya, Wesley, Joanna & Robert}

Jaclyn & Jerry {November Wedding at Carillon Beach}

After coordinating her little sister, Allison’s wedding back in March, we couldn’t wait to start the planning process with Jaclyn!  Two Pittman-weddings in one year?!  We LOVED it!  This gave us such a wonderful opportunity to work with the same family we had grown to adore.  Not many planners can say that!  It was great to see some familiar faces amongst the guests as well.  The best part of planning two sister’s weddings in one year is that we could compare just how different their styles were.  While Allison is very elegant, laid back and casual, Jaclyn’s wedding, like her personality, was a bit more ornate, glamorous & girly. 🙂  She wanted lots of flowers and a huge chandelier in the middle of her dance floor.  The entertainment even ended up being multi-faceted!  She had a classical string quartet to welcome the guests to the cocktail hour, a casual band for dining, then a more r&b/hip-hop band for the evening set (perfect for the younger, dancing crowd)!  Peruse and enjoy looking through Alli’s beautiful wedding, then compare it to Jaclyn’s wedding!  These two show you just how personalized and different our weddings are for each bride.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

What a breath-taking image! For being a bit camera shy, Jaclyn photographs so well! Because Rae Leytham was expecting her twins right around the corner, there were some additional photographers to make sure every inch was covered! Check out their credits!

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Jaclyn chose to have all of the Meeting House chairs removed and replaced with beautiful gold chiavari chairs. Her entire wedding was furnished with these gorgeous chairs. Large arrangements in the window brought a fabulous pop of color to the ceremony.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

This was the proud daddy’s last walk down the Meeting House aisle to give his final daughter away. This Fall ceremony was beautiful as the sun started to set through the Meeting House windows.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

An indescribable moment as Wes gives Jaclyn away.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

A formal-attire event, Jaclyn set the tone by using timeless colors and rich fabrics.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Clear skies and no sand on their toes! Jaclyn and Jerry chose not to go down to the beach for sunset pictures, but that surely did not stop the photographers from capturing some fantastic shots!

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Pretty little details! As favors, there were boxes of “bride” and “groom” truffles in every box. We decided that the escort cards would look displayed the best among the sea of truffles! Townsend Catering offered another full and delicious menu for their guests!

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Unlike Allison’s wedding, Jaclyn chose to have a seated buffet. This means that their guests got all of the choices of a buffet, but the formality of a table setting. The glassware was special-ordered so that the tables looked exactly how Jaclyn imagined them.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Jaclyn revived the classic look of a fully-lined tent; something we don’t see often in Carillon.  It was gorgeous and created this wonderful ballroom-feel, while being outdoors and in a tent.

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

The Lanier’s first dance as a married couple was to Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love.” Isn’t that a great looking head table across the back?

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

A truly gorgeous and intricate cake! Jaclyn surprised us when she picked out a cake she liked from Rhonda’s books… and it was Allison’s! Rhonda took Alli’s dots as inspiration and created an intricately detailed work of art! I think Rae Leytham photography take some of the best cake pictures I’ve ever seen!

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Daddy’s little girls! It was so fun for us to see this family of Carillon brides enjoying themselves twice in one year!

Jaclyn and Jerry at Carillon Beach

Their getaway car was a vintage Thunderbird that was borrowed to them by a close friend of the family. That’s certainly the way to end your night in style! Congrats, Jaclyn & Jerry!!

{CREDITS}

Venues: Carillon Beach Meeting House & Village Green, exclusive to Carillon Weddings

Photography: Rae Leytham Photography; Jaclyn’s wedding blog

Additional Photographers: Mary Beth Tyson Photography & Michael Newman Photography

Floral/Event Design: Events by Nouveau Flowers

Minister: Rev. Charles Pettis

Catering: Townsend Catering

Cake: Confections on the Coast

Ceremony/Cocktail Music: String Quartet (WMP)

Dinner Band: Todd Sparks’ band (GTS)

Evening Band: NewSouthPlayers

Katie & Matt {October Wedding at Carillon Beach}

A perfect, Fall wedding was definitely in the makings for this Phoenix, AZ couple!  It all started back in September of ’09 when Katie’s mother came to pay us a little visit.  Susie had heard from a past-Carillon Weddings MOB, that Victoria was the person to see for a perfect wedding!  We knew we were in for a treat when this very enthusiastic family graced us with their presence.  Katie knew she wanted a very relaxed, yet elegant look.  GREEN was definitely the color of the year and we took it to a whole other level!  The linens made such an amazing impact on the reception decor!  We sat with Katie and her mother and picked out some of these fabulous green linens that they envisioned with Christina at Events by Nouveau.  Apples, limes & lemons were also a very “fresh” and organic touch to their Village Green reception.

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Katie’s gorgeous blue eyes really made an impact with that pretty, blonde hair! She anxiously awaited the day as she got ready in her “Permanent Vacation” rental house in Carillon Beach.

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Katie’s handsome groom was finally able to see her as she walked into the Meeting House. Her light & airy ceremony set the tone for the entire day. Perfectly-placed and whimsical flowers lined the window that overlooks the lake.

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Who doesn’t love multi-functional arrangements?! From the ceremony, to the dining tables… these made a seemless transition! They were perfectly paired with the mahogony chiavari chairs.

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Before Katie & Matt went down for their sunset pictures, they were able to share their first dance as husband & wife! The lake was the perfect backdrop!

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Green-galore! Katie opted to go from a seated dinner to a more casual, strolling-reception. The easiest way to make this transition was to take away the place cards, plan a delicious station-menu, plan great lighting over a dance floor under the stars, encourage lots of dancing with a fabulous DJ & to provide cigars to entice the gentlemen to the dance floor!!… Mission Accomplished!

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

Sunset during firefly season is always gorgeous! Can you spot them flying above the walkover?! What a perfect night.

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

A beautiful green, grapevine-inspired cake was the perfect pick!

Katie and Matt at Carillon Beach

I was completely impressed to see a wedding group that was on the dance floor the entire night!! After we were able to drag them off the Green, it was time for the sparkler send-off! The perfect end to a perfect day!

{CREDITS}

Venues:  Carillon Beach Meeting House & Village Green, exclusive to Carillon Weddings

Photography: Rae & Wesley Leytham of Rae Leytham Photography; Katie’s wedding blog

Floral/Event Design:  Christina Springfield of Events by Nouveau Flowers

Minister:  Rev. Harry Houseman

Catering:  Donna & David Townsend of Townsend Catering

Cake:  Rhonda Joodi of Confections on the Coast

Ceremony/Reception DJ: Paul Kirker from GTS

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

Who doesn’t love a fun, out-going and laid-back couple?! This definitely describes Angie and Tim.  They were so wonderful throughout their entire year of wedding planning with us.  I remember talking with Angie and her mother about their fabulous family vacations to Tuscany, so it was was important to them to create the same look and feel of a Tuscan evening.  The details were perfect and the night was beautiful!  One of our favorite parts of the night was when Rae Leytham Photography announced the option of the ShootShed, and the guests started RUNNING towards the photo booth to get their hilarious pictures!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

The beautiful bride rented the home, “Do Da Days”, and just loved every minute of it! The house was close to the beach so Angie was able to sneak away and read a book with her big sun hat on!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

Angie’s dress was just perfect on her!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

Angie and Tim chose not to have any bridal party to stand with them, instead they had their siblings seated to special music to signify their importance. They chose to have a gorgeous arrangement of olive leaves/branches that were later transferred, in their urns, to the reception.

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

After their ceremony, Angie & Tim were able to escape together for some alone time and these gorgeous beach pictures!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

One of the best parts of getting away for sunset pictures, is being able to see their Village Green reception across the Lake Carillon! The lights around the perimeter are just magical at night!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

For escort cards, Angie & Tim had old pictures of themselves printed in sepia color-tone, and strung for everyone to see! It was such a sweet idea and surely a conversation-starter! Something fun they also incorporated were a double-magnum and magnum-sized wine bottle that they had guests signed. Someone special to the couple had given these to them before he passed. The silver Sharpie maker worked perfectly!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

The conversation pieces! 🙂

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

In the reception, the guests walked into Angie’s “Tuscan Wedding.” After meeting with the florist, we knew the best touches to make this a complete look. From beautifully weathered vases, to apothecary jars and urns, the simple greenery and flowers were exactly what Angie dreamed of! There were even stationary fans that lightly rotated over the head table. We had the tables numbered with little tags that hung around the neck of wine bottles.  One of my favorite details was that her sweet, grandmother embroidered all of the “B’s” for the napkins at the head table.  This just added such a personal touch… I loved it!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

The gorgeous, cream-colored “bark” linens and the beautiful mahogany chairs looked fabulous with the wicker chargers!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

The Brack’s first dance was to “The Sun is Shining Down” and their guests just loved watching them twirl around the dance floor! Here’s another great shot of the head table and the fans!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

You could just feel the laughter in the tent as Tim, Angie’s father, gave them a welcome toast/speech! Champagne was passed around for everyone to enjoy!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

Although they had a fabulous cake for dessert, the surprise came out later in the evening, when freshly-baked cookies and milkshakes were introduced! It was a delicious treat for their guests, plus who could pass up that perfect lounge area by the lake?!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

This was definitely a dancing crowd! There was certainly never a dull moment! From the looks of it, some of the hilarious props from the ShootShed made their way to the dancefloor!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

Here’s a taste of just how fun photo booths can be! I know that Angie & Tim’s guests really enjoyed being able to sneak in and take some silly pictures in between dances!

Angie & Tim {June Wedding at Carillon Beach}

A breath-taking ending to a wonderful evening. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Brack! We’re so happy for you!

{CREDITS}

Venues & Coordination:  Carillon Beach Meeting House & Village Green (exclusive to Carillon Weddings)

Photography: Wesley & Rae Leytham of Rae Leytham Photography

Floral/Event Design:  Events by Nouveau Flowers

Officiant: Rev. Harry Houseman

Catering:  Townsend Catering

Cake:  Rhonda Joodi of Confections on the Coast

Ceremony Music: Solo Violinist (Wedding Music Plus)

Reception Music: DJ Paul (Gulf Talent Services)

Makeup: Renee Armour of Two Fishes Artistry