A Beach Cottage Engagement at Nokomis Beach

A supposed family beach photo shoot, turned engagement, involving a photographer disguised as an elderly woman? Yes, you do want to read more about our bride, Tammi’s incredible engagement in Nokomis Beach, Florida! Keep reading to learn more about their dreamy engagement, their wedding plans, and their love story!

Name & Partner's Name: Tammi  Nitti (soon Mrs. Enander) & David Enander
Event Type & Location:  Engagement- Enander Family Beach Cottage on Nokomis Beach, Florida 

Where was your first date?: It was around early 2016, and we were both attending the University of Central Florida, him finishing his Bachelors in Business Management and me finishing my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. UCF was hosting their annual Light Up UCF, which included an impressive Christmas light display, farris wheel, reindeer, and ice skating rink. He knew I had never ice skated despite my love for ice hockey, #GoRangers! He surprised me, and took me ice skating, and thankfully I didn’t fall.  Then we stood in the fake snow storm watching the light show set to music. 

How did your partner propose? : In April 2019, we planned to stay at the family beach cottage for the weekend. He said we were going to do a family photo shoot of us with our dogs on the beach, so I got all dolled up. Upon his suggestion, we went to scope out a spot to take pictures because his best friend, who was also our photographer, was “running late.” In reality though, his friend was disguised as an elderly women sitting in a beach chair, hiding the camera behind a book about 100ft away. Our secret camera man captured the moment David got on one knee, and the moment after when I tearfully embraced him. Knowing I collect jars of sand from beaches all over the world, David quickly retrieved a heart shaped glass jar to fill with sand from the exact spot he knelt on the beach. This was a perfect proposal. I couldn’t stop laughing when I realized his friend had borrowed his grandmother’s beach cover up, hat, and sunglasses to disguise himself. So many surprises! 

What was your dress shopping experience like?: Dress shopping was magical once I found Now by The Bridal Finery but before that, it was actually pretty rough. The first time I went dress shopping was fairly early in the engagement and I was heavier at the time. I went to 4 appointments at your standard dress stores and they all felt rushed and the stylists helping me really didn’t seem to have a good grasp on my style. Worst of all when I spotted a dress I wanted to try on, the stylist said: “No. you won’t get that over your hips.” It was pretty embarrassing. Not just that but I felt like the inventory was... well... basic. Basic lace, basic Silhouettes, basic embellishments. I have a very unique and trendy style. I like to push it and stand out but in an elegant way. So, I lost almost  20lbs before going on a second try. Accompanied by my mom and sister, I went back to a couple of those standard places, and again it felt rushed and my style didn’t really click with the stylists. At least I was fitting in more things so my options were better,and I found a dress I liked a lot. My mom cried when I put it on. BUT I just wasn’t sure about it. Aren’t I supposed to feel that spark? Also, I had an appointment at The Bridal Finery the next day, a store I had just heard of within the past few months but seemed to have great customer service and a unique & stylish dress inventory. I had been looking forward to seeing what they had to offer for so long while dropping weight to expand my options. Although my mom and sister were hoping I’d say yes to that very flattering dress, I told them I wasn’t convinced and left empty-handed. I was determined to see what The Bridal Finery had up their sleeves. Waiting until I saw Tali and the girls at The Bridal Finery was the best choice I had made since saying yes to David. This is where it got magical. I’m not much for fairy tail wedding stories, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like Tali is the fairy godmother of all brides. As soon as I walked through The Bridal Finery’s doors, I was impressed. It felt calm and relaxed, yet sophisticated and personal. It didn’t feel like just another appointment they were squeezing in amidst the hustle and bustle of 12 other parties like the other places. No no. The Bridal Finery ladies closed the doors for my appointment and allowed more than enough time in my appointment for me to try as many dresses as I needed. I felt a wave of optimizing which inspired me to try new things, and new things were plentiful. On top of that Tali took time to get to know my style and she just “got me.” They even have undergarments for you! After trying quite a few stunning dresses but not feeling that spark, I went for a second scan of their dresses. I spotted a curly streamer of sheer ivory fabric peeking out of the rack. I separated the surrounding gowns that had engulfed this delicate, yet unavoidable dress. I tilted my head back. I remember thinking “Huh. That’s fun, and kind of sexy.” I pulled it out and scanned the semi-transparent lace top, and flowing sections of streamers down the skirt. It wasn’t like anything I had been searching for. It was sexy, unique, elegant, magical. I had to try it! Tali helped me step in and pulled it up. Before she was done securing the back I had looked in the mirror and I felt a weird thing in my chest like a quick flutter of certainty. Yeah, that spark thing is real. “Tali, I love this dress,” I whispered while she clipped the back. We were so excited, and she helped me get situated on the platform. Then Tali opened the curtains to reveal my giant smile hovering over this amazing treasure of a dress to my mom and sister. They hated it right off the bat! I was so disappointed and briefly thought, okay maybe I’ll try on a few more then. So I tried on others they had picked out and they loved the others, but my heart had already made up its mind. When my family gave me a doubt, Tali knew where my heart was, and upon her suggestion, we closed the curtain and I tried on my sexy jellyfish dress again. Another spark and I realized “when have I ever cared if my family hated what I was wearing? Ummm never!” Finding your dress is not about making your mom cry or conforming to others’ expectations. Yes it was unlike anything I had planned on, but it was perfect. I felt for awhile that because I’m in my 30s I needed to wear something mature and sophisticated and serious, but with this dress I felt like it was both age appropriate, and fun/sexy. Tali pinned my hair up so beautifully, placed a veil on my head, and opened the curtains again. I said  “I don’t care if y’all don’t like it, this is it. I love it. This is the one.” Then I danced around and played with the streamers while Tali smiled in the background and comforted my mother. We talked about a few slight changes to the top which actually made my mom start to really like it. We also talked about my expected continued weight loss. Tali assured me that because they have a dressmaker, not a seamstress, that rule about not taking in more than 2 dress sizes goes out the window! Tali had already provided water and ice coffee the whole visit (which won my sister over), but once I said “YES” she popped a fresh bottle of champagne! I didn’t want to leave my dress but I know it was in good hands with my #FineryGodmother while it gets cleaned up and ready for its tweaks. 

We loved Tammi’s dress shopping tips that she shared with you all! Want to hear a few more to add to your bridal prep? Click here!