Emily and Chris
“Our wedding theme and design were very classic and timeless, with a lot of white florals, coastal decor, and simplicity with the tablescapes. My bridesmaids were in a pale yellow, which looked so beautiful next to the green palm trees and sand backdrop.
Our colors were white, light blue, and pale yellow. I love simplicity and minimalism, but I thought the pale yellow was a beautiful accent color to the groomsmen’s heathered beige suits. I chose a light blue font for the invitations, which felt very coastal.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Emily and Chris’s classic, timeless Clearwater Beach wedding was a breezy May celebration in shades of white, light blue, and pale yellow, with the Gulf as the backdrop. The destination bride and groom gathered 98 guests on a private beachfront lawn, keeping the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one place.
“We live in Bluffton, SC, and we chose Clearwater Beach, Florida, because we both love the beach and wanted to get married on the beach,” the bride shared. “I focused on the guest experience, so while I was planning, I thought about how each element would resonate with my guests, from the cocktail hour food to the signature drinks.”
From The Planner
“Working with Emily, Chris, and their families throughout the planning process was such a wonderful experience. With a destination wedding, having someone local who can help guide the decisions, offer trusted recommendations, and take care of the details that are difficult to manage from afar makes such a difference. My goal was to give Emily and Chris that support while still making sure every decision felt completely like them.
I also had the pleasure of working closely with Emily’s mom throughout the process. As the wedding got closer and there were naturally more details to think about, there were definitely moments when a little reassurance was needed. I kept reminding her that everything was going to come together beautifully, that we had a plan, and that our team would be there to make sure the details were handled. Seeing her able to relax and truly enjoy the wedding day with her daughter made it even more special.
Watching everything we had planned together come to life was incredibly rewarding. From Emily and Chris’s beautiful ceremony on the sand with the Gulf as their backdrop, to a fun cocktail hour on the lawn overlooking the water, and finally their upbeat outdoor reception, every part of the celebration flowed together beautifully.
The entire wedding felt relaxed, joyful, and genuinely reflective of Emily and Chris. Seeing them — and their families — able to be present, celebrate, and enjoy their guests while our team handled the details behind the scenes is exactly what we hope for with every wedding we plan. It was a truly magical Sandpearl wedding and such a pleasure for Special Moments Event Planning to be part of their day.”
—Tammy Waterman, Master Wedding Planner, Special Moments Event Planning
The Venue
Sandpearl Resort
“We were looking for privacy, amazing food, and attentive service. My husband and I always knew we wanted to get married on the beach, and the setup of the lawn next to the beach was perfect for my vision.
I wanted the entire event in one area so guests didn’t have to walk to another location or get into a bus to switch locations. The convenience factor was huge. We looked at a variety of venues, and Sandpearl Resort stood out to us with its beautiful beach and tropical vibe. The outdoor lawn was perfect for what we were looking for. Privacy was one of the most important elements, and having the ceremony and reception all in one private area at the resort was what sold me.”
From The Venue
“We loved how thoughtfully Emily and Chris utilized our outdoor spaces. They held their ceremony on North Beach and rented a beautiful aisle walkway, allowing the bridal party to enjoy the beach setting without actually having their toes in the sand. The bride also had a great vision for the ceremony seating in a semi-circle, giving every guest a wonderful view of the couple.
The entire celebration was held outdoors, but they thoughtfully designed each part of the day to feel like its own experience. They used one portion of the Gulf Lawn for cocktail hour and then transitioned guests to the other side of the lawn for dinner, creating a natural separation between each part of the celebration while still taking advantage of the beautiful property and views. We loved how intentional they were with the layout—it truly showed how you can create distinct spaces for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception while keeping the entire wedding outdoors.”
—Jojo Baker, Sandpearl Resort
The Inspiration
“Our wedding theme and design were very classic and timeless, with a lot of white florals, coastal decor, and simplicity with the tablescapes. My bridesmaids were in a pale yellow, which looked so beautiful next to the green palm trees and sand backdrop.
I wanted to look back at pictures in 20 years and still be in love with the design, the simplicity, and the overall classic feel of the event.
Our colors were white, light blue, and pale yellow. I love simplicity and minimalism, but I thought the pale yellow was a beautiful accent color to the groomsmen’s heathered beige suits. I chose a light blue font for the invitations, which felt very coastal.”
The Rentals
Gabro Event Services
“Our wedding planner recommended Gabro Event Services, and we were more than pleased. They provided all of the furniture rentals, which elevated the event.
They were extremely accommodating with last-minute rentals, and the setup and teardown were seamless.”
The Planning
Special Moments Event Planning
“I was looking for someone who could guide me and help me stay organized but also let me make my own decisions. Tammy Waterman and her team at Special Moments Event Planning did just that! She was so organized from our first conversation and led me through the whole process seamlessly. Just when I felt overwhelmed, she swooped in and assured me she would handle it.
Planning a wedding out of state is difficult, so I needed to trust my wedding coordinator to fulfill my needs when I couldn’t physically be there. Tammy also had an amazing relationship with vendors and recommended the best of the best. She handled all of the ordering, so I didn’t have to worry about a thing.
On the day of, she and her team were super attentive, keeping an eye on us throughout the entire event from start to finish. The ceremony and reception setup was absolutely perfect and exactly what we discussed. Every little detail was accounted for, and she could almost read my mind with how I envisioned things to look.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
“All of them were exceptional, but our photographer, K&K Photography, was incredible and exceeded our expectations on every level. Kelly and her husband were the kindest, sweetest humans and made us feel so relaxed on our wedding day. Kelly was such a calming presence while we were taking photos and knew the best places around the resort. She timed the sunset photos perfectly, and we have the most amazing photos for life.”
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
“We continued the beach vacation and flew to Turks and Caicos for the week after our wedding. We knew we were going to be so tired after the festivities and just wanted to recall all the memories together in a relaxing setting.”
