Cailyn and Chandler
Cabot Citrus Farms
“Every part of the celebration reflected what matters most to us: our faith, our families, our love of golf, and the covenant we were making before God.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Cailyn and Chandler’s intimate Brooksville wedding was a June celebration of faith, family, and their shared love of golf. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback coach Chandler Whitmer and golf influencer Cailyn Henderson planned their day in just one month, exchanging handwritten vows beneath the trees at a world-renowned golf resort in front of seven guests, their immediate families, before playing a hole of golf in their wedding attire.
“From an Instagram message that arrived before its time to the folded prayer I discovered while packing for Tampa, God’s hand was present throughout our story. Everything happened quickly, but it happened with certainty—and we would not change a thing,” the bride shared.
The Proposal
“I suspected Chandler might propose over Memorial Day weekend, but he surprised me the week before. We woke around 5:30 one morning for one of our usual sunrise walks along Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. About 20 steps into the walk, I noticed a photographer near the water but assumed she was there to capture the sunrise. Moments later, Chandler turned toward me, and I immediately knew. He referenced one of our favorite sayings—‘Forever ain’t long enough, so we might as well start now’—before getting down on one knee.
I was so happy that I hugged him before he could even place the ring on my finger. With the ring still in his hand and the water nearby, he was silently thinking, ‘Please don’t drop the ring!’ We were both shaking, and even Chandler, one of the calmest and most confident people I know, had a tremble in his voice. Our relationship may have moved quickly by the calendar, but it never felt rushed in our hearts. From the beginning, we felt God’s hand in our story.”
The Venue
“We initially considered Banff or California. Then, while playing golf at Cabot Citrus Farms, Chandler’s mother suggested that we marry there. We instantly knew it was perfect. Cabot had become our home course and a meaningful part of our relationship, not only because of its beauty but also because of the genuinely kind people we had met there.
Although Cabot does not typically host weddings, the team graciously agreed to welcome our intimate celebration. Even more providentially, Dannah, a member of the Cabot team and a former wedding planner, offered to coordinate everything. With the help of Dannah, our mothers, and the entire Cabot team, it all came together beautifully.
Because we planned the wedding in only one month, we decided to keep the celebration small and invite our immediate families. Family means everything to Chandler and me, and having such an intimate gathering allowed everyone there to spend meaningful time together. So many decisions were made at the last minute, but it felt as though God continued placing exactly what we needed in our path.”
The Photography
Susan Elizabeth Photography
“Photographing what may be the only wedding ever held at Cabot Citrus Farms was such a special opportunity, and I was so grateful and excited to be part of it! The property is absolutely incredible, and we had so much fun exploring the different areas of the course on golf carts.
Cailyn and Chandler are both so sweet, down-to-earth, and genuinely hilarious together. You can immediately see how perfectly matched they are when you’re around them.
One of my favorite moments was at dusk, when Cailyn kicked off her shoes and started swinging her golf club in her wedding gown! Not only did she look absolutely stunning, but I loved capturing that fun, authentic side of her. Following them around as they played The Wedge together was such a fun way to end their wedding day!”
—Susan Tibak, Susan Elizabeth Photography
The Wedding Day
“We began our wedding day in the most fitting way possible: on the golf course. I played 18 holes on The Roost with my dad, while Chandler played Karoo with his dad and my brother. Spending that time with my dad on the morning of my wedding was something I will always treasure.
Although Chandler and I had planned not to see each other before the ceremony, it was also my birthday—the first one we had ever celebrated together—and we missed each other. We decided to spend a quiet 15 minutes together while he gave me my birthday gift. It became one of the sweetest moments of the day.
My dad drove me to the ceremony in Cabot’s large black golf cart, which we affectionately called ‘the Batmobile.’ We were married beneath beautiful trees, in front of a wooden cross that Dannah’s dad had hand-built for us and inscribed with our favorite Bible verses. A violinist played some of our favorite Christian music, and we exchanged vows we had written ourselves. I had never imagined writing my own vows, but our emotions felt too genuine not to express in our own words. Chandler is not typically an emotional person, so seeing tears in his eyes during the ceremony is a moment I will never forget.
Afterward, Chandler and I played a hole of golf in my wedding dress and his tuxedo and shared it as our first newlyweds golf video. We ended the day with an intimate candlelit dinner at one of Cabot’s cottages, surrounded by our immediate families. Every part of the celebration reflected what matters most to us: our faith, our families, our love of golf, and the covenant we were making before God.”
The Honeymoon
“The following morning, we left for Lake Tahoe. We wanted somewhere with the mountain beauty of Banff that we could plan quickly within the United States, and Tahoe was perfect.
We played golf, rode Jet Skis on the freezing lake, searched for new iced-coffee spots, and hiked Maggie’s Peak. I had no idea how high the hike would take us, but reaching the top together made it even more memorable.
Our honeymoon eventually became several weeks of travel. From Tahoe, we went to Denver for a GolfNow work trip where we did course reviews, then traveled to Georgia to celebrate the Fourth of July with Chandler’s family before visiting mine in Indiana.
It felt like one long newlywed adventure filled with golf, iced coffee, and time with family. Most importantly, it allowed us to enjoy our first weeks of marriage before Chandler’s football season began.”
