From the seaside-at-sunset inspired palette to the dolphins playing in the wake of their reception boat, Kyleen and Jeff treated themselves and their nearest and dearest to a perfectly Floridian wedding on the sand and sea of Captiva Island. Hunter Ryan Photo captured all the lovely moments and gorgeous details of a day that went from the beach of a private estate to the decks of the Lady Chadwick.
The couple, who live in Annapolis, met at a spin class at their gym. Every Tuesday and Saturday, he would sit next to her and chat, finally working up to asking her out to dinner. Says Kyleen, "Dinner was at a wonderful restaurant on the water. The 2nd date we got sushi then he took me home to meet his dog, Sampson. The 3rd date was a Memorial Day party at his parents home with family friends. I guess he was interested!" Don't you just love a man with a plan?
Jeff owns a successful general contracting business in Annapolis, Maryland Contracting and Design, and was born and raised in Annapolis; Kyleen was born in upstate New York, and is a physical therapist and Manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation at a large community hospital in Annapolis. Kyleen tells us that they're a perfectly balanced match: "What I love about Jeff is that he is my calm. I can be very 'Type A' - always busy making sure everything gets done, everything is perfect. Jeff is much more relaxed than I am. He is incredibly patient, which I love. My dad commented on how well we work together the first time my parents visited us and we were in the kitchen making dinner."
"Jeff says his favorite thing about me is that I'm sweet and sassy! I'm not sure where the sassy part comes from but he swears I am!"
The two wanted a beach wedding, and Captiva Island was an easy choice: Jeff had spent much of his life visiting the island. He took Kyleen there on the first Christmas they spent with his parents, who live in Ft. Myers part of the year, and she fell in love with it, too. They chose a palette inspired by the beach and the sea: blue, soft coral, peach and tan. Guests signed pieces of sea glass for the couple's guest book. Hollie from Sweet Southern Charm provided vintage rental pieces for the design, and also worked as their coordinator for the day.
“It is a very relaxing place, laid back, and beautiful. It was special to him so we thought it was the perfect place.”
Kyleen's favorite part of the wedding: having so many of their family and friends make the trip for their big day (90 in total): "It was so much fun to see my college and high school friends, meet some Jeff's family from the west and mid-west and see everyone get to know one another. "
Other favorite moments for the bride included walking down the aisle with her dad and seeing Jeff for the first time, and the speeches given by the entire wedding party at the reception. Says Kyleen, "My dad also gave a speech that night. He told a story about me I'd never heard before and didn't realize he remembered 20 years later! He made everyone cry, including myself."
I loved that the reception was on a boat - the sunset that night was spectacular, right down to the dolphins chasing the boat and we pulled out of the marina. I just loved our wedding... Jeff was very hands on with the planning so we can easily say it was one we BOTH wanted.
Leslie Adams catered the reception, and worked with the couple to create all their favorite dishes. And instead of a regular wedding cake, they brought in their favorites from The Bubble Room in Sanibel: orange crunch and red velvet.
Yum. Congrats, you two!
