Bride Wears Lace Mermaid Wedding Dress to Paradise Cove Wedding
Bridal invitations with blue and white accents
Beach Weddings are alluring to not just the Florida bride, but to everyone who wishes to look onto a romantic oceanfront as you join your partner in union. What’s the perfect gown for a beach wedding? We are so glad you asked! A mermaid wedding gown, of course!
Our bride Tayler looks beautiful in her Pronovias lace, mermaid style wedding gown at her wedding at Paradise Cove. Styled by Roberta Noronha, Tayler wore ‘Despina’ and the ‘Aurelia’ veil by Ines Di Santo.
Wedding ceremony setup at Paradise Cove
Wedding ceremony setup at Paradise Cove
Bride wears Ines Di Santo Veil to beach wedding
Vendors & Their Instagram Handles
Venue - @paradisecoveorlando
Dress - ‘Despina’ by Pronovias
Food/Bar - @cocktails_catering
Flowers - @pixie_and_petals
Wedding Planner - @cherish.events
Photography - @ktcrabbphoto
Videography - @vanilla_brides
Dessert - @morganhunterdesserts and @dippindots
Officiant - Reverend Kevin Knox
DJ - @djrey__
String Quartet - @classern
Transportation - @vipweddingtransportation
Bride wears lace wedding dress to beach wedding
Bride poses with bridesmiads
How did you & Chris meet?
Chris and I met through mutual friends my freshman year of college at UCF and began hanging out almost every day. After a couple of pool parties, a weekend trip to the beach, and a few late nights spent talking into the early morning hours, we quickly became an item (no matter how much he denied it at first). A midnight run to Waffle House during a house-party sealed the deal and we thought, “Okay. This could be something.” Twelve years later and we're getting married!
Where was your first date?
A midnight run to Waffle House during a house-party sealed the deal (and became our "official" first date) and we thought, “Okay. This could be something.” Twelve years later and we're getting married!
How did Chris propose?
Destin, Florida is a special place to us and we try our best to visit every year. To celebrate graduating with my doctoral degree in August 2019, we decided to vacation over July 4th weekend and Chris thought it would be the perfect time to finally propose! If anyone knows us, I use color-coded Google spreadsheets to map out trips down to the hour, so I did not make it easy on him to plan. July 4th came quickly and we had reservations for dinner at Baytowne and were going to watch their firework show afterward. We found the perfect spot to view the fireworks and about 20 minutes into the show Chris asked if this was the finale. I thought he wanted to leave early to avoid traffic (because he always does), but instead asked a couple nearby to take a picture of us, got down on one knee, and proposed! I screamed, shouted "YES," and we were engaged.
Bride poses with bridesmaids on the beach
What was your wedding dress shopping experience like?
I always thought I knew what I wanted in a wedding dress, so I only picked two places to try on dresses originally. Once I visited the two stores with my mom and bridesmaid in tow, I realized I had zero idea what I wanted in a dress. After much contemplation, I had not found "the one" yet, and asked around for recommendations. The same store, The Bridal Finery kept popping up. So, I decided to make an appointment and instantly fell in love with Roberta and Tali. They encouraged me to try on different dresses than what I originally thought I would wear, and stumbled upon my forever dress. With a few words of encouragement, a couple snips, and A LOT of rhinestones, I had my wedding dress!
Bride and groom married at Paradise Cove
What bridal accessory was your favorite?
My favorite bridal accessory was the veil. I envisioned a super long cathedral length veil encrusted with lace and rhinestones, and wow, it was everything I ever wanted. My vision came to life and is something I cannot wait to hopefully pass down to a future daughter (or granddaughter).
Groom waits for bride at the alter
Bride and groom kiss after beach wedding
Bride shows off wedding ring at beach wedding
What do you love most about Paradise Cove?
What we loved most about Paradise Cove was it is a one-stop-shop kind of venue. From the gorgeous ceremony spot overlooking the private lake, to the beer canoe, bar, and market-lit cocktail hour area, and the stunning expanded (and covered) reception area, there wasn't another venue in town that hit all of the marks for us. Paradise Cove also reminds us of where we got engaged in Destin, Florida, and is much more our "style" that many of the other venues we looked at. We could not have been happier we selected Paradise Cove.
Bride and groom pose on the beach
What is one thing you wish you knew before you started wedding planning?
Do not procrastinate! If there is something important to you (DJ, caterer, photographer, etc.), book them early! I told myself many times, "We are only 7 and 8, months out, they will be free." Not always, I learned. Also, if you have a wedding planner, use them! That is what they are there for. We used our planners a lot towards the end, but they were always there to help, just a phone call or email away.
Bride and groom pose on the beach
How would you describe the overall feel of your wedding?
I would describe our wedding as laid-back rustic with beach vibes. Even though we did not get married on a beach, having the venue located on a lake (with a beachfront) helped inspire our vision for the day. We combined a lot of white flowers, greenery, and natural wood details to create a casual, easygoing aesthetic. We tried to embody the carefree vibes that are synonymous with a seaside vacation.
Wedding ceremony setup at Paradise Cove
Wedding ceremony setup at Paradise Cove
Wedding ceremony setup at Paradise Cove
What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides?
Lists! Use a lot of lists! Everything I did I made a list for it, and truly went item by item checking things off. Whether it is from a wedding planning book or binder, one from your wedding planner, or something you make along the way, staying organized is key! Also, I highly suggest planning for a private dance at the end of the night as guests line up outside for your grand exit. This was by far the most special part of the night and both of us said more than once how happy we are we decided to do something just the two of us at the end.
Bride and groom share first dance
Where will your honeymoon be?
We will go to Aruba for our one year anniversary to celebrate once everything is fully opened back up!
Bride and groom share first dance
What are you enjoying most about newlywed life?
Finally getting to call Chris my husband! It sounds so much more official than fiancé (even if that is more fun to say).I can't wait to start trying to have a family and build new memories together.
Bride and groom cut their wedding cake
Bride and groom pose with bridal party at Paradise Cove
Guests party at reception at Paradise Cove
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