“You could feel the amazing love between Carrie and Karl from the first meeting I had with them! He actually proposed with a message in the bottle that washed up on shore while they walked on a beach in Hawaii! After hearing that story, I knew that their day would be special. We were able to have some fun with color, and bring in some bright turquoise chiffon for the ceremony. The candy bar was a MUST since 1/3 of the guests were children!! And one of my favorite touches was the Bridal Bouquet with the rhinestone brooch center!!! STUNNING!” – Carrie Darling, Carrie Darling Events
“YOU KNOW, WE ACTUALLY HAD A WEDDING WEEK SINCE OURS WAS A DESTINATION WEDDING – WE WERE ALL ON VACATION TOGETHER. IT WAS JUST OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND A FEW REALLY CLOSE FRIENDS – OUR WEDDING WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 PEOPLE. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US FROM THE BEGINNING AND TO BE ABLE TO SPEND SUCH AN AMAZING TIME WITH THEM WAS SUPER SPECIAL. BUT IF I HAD TO CHOOSE SOMETHING I WOULD SAY HAVING MY KIDS WALK ME DOWN THE AISLE WAS INCREDIBLE AND HAVING THEM STAND UP WITH ME AND KARL WAS PERFECT. IN SUCH A SMALL SPACE THERE WAS A LOT OF LOVE AND HONESTLY, YOU COULD FEEL IT!!!
..I LOVE DIY PROJECTS BUT I DID NOT DO ANYTHING AS SUCH FOR THE WEDDING. I WILL SAY THOUGH, MY WEDDING PLANNER (WHO WE WERE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE) CARRIE DARLING AND HER HUSBAND, MATT DARLING, WERE INCREDIBLY CREATIVE IN BUILDING MY CANDY BUFFET…THAT’S A BIT OF DIY!
1) IF IT’S IN YOUR BUDGET – GET A WEDDING PLANNER…OUR PLANNER WAS WONDERFUL AND SHE TRULY TOOK THE STRESS OFF THE DETAILS AND THE WORRY OF THE DAY (WHICH IS KEY!). A WEDDING PLANNER IS WORTH EVERY. SINGLE. PENNY.
2) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPER SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE AND TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE WORKING WITH IN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING. PERSONALLY, WE HAD FANTASTIC PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE TO GUIDE THE WAY AND ENSURE THINGS WENT WELL. BY THE END OF EVERYTHING, I REALLY FELT AS THOUGH I GAINED FRIENDS IN THOSE WHO WERE HELPING TAKE CARE OF THINGS IE, THE PHOTOGRAPHER, EVENT PLANNER, WEDDING PLANNER. THE MORE YOU BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST THEM, THE LESS STRESS YOU WILL HAVE.
3) NOW I’M SURE A HUNDRED PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE FOLLOWING BUT IT REALLY IS TRUE: AS STRESSFUL AS PLANNING CAN BE, TRY TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE. I REMEMBER THINKING, AT MY RECEPTION, THERE WAS ONLY 2 HOURS LEFT IN THE NIGHT AND I WAS HORRIFIED. I DIDN’T WANT IT TO END. I LOVED EVERY OUNCE OF THE DAY – FROM THE FOOD TO THE VARIOUS VENDORS TO OUR GUESTS AND I DIDN’T WANT THIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO STOP. I LOOKED AROUND THE ROOM AND REMEMBER THINKING HOW AWESOME IT WAS TO SEE THE UNFOLD AS IT HAD. SO, IF YOU CAN, DON’T FORGET WHAT THE DAY IS ABOUT, STAY POSITIVE THAT EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT AS IT SHOULD AND ENJOY THE TIME AHEAD OF YOU BECAUSE IT WILL BE OVER IN A BLINK OF THE EYE!” -Carrie, the Bride
photographer: Brandon McNabb Photography // wedding planner, design, candy buffet: Carrie Darling Events // wedding officiant: Catherine Fazzina of A Beautiful Florida Wedding // ceremony/reception venue: Marco Island Marriot Resort // bridal/bridemaid dress: The Bridal Event // groom’s attire: Tommy Bahama // music: Steely Pan // makeup/hair: Southbeach Hair Salon & Boutique // invites/programs: Champagne Press // seating cards: dm paper designs // cake: Marco Island Marriot Resort Pastry Chef
