A bride and groom holding hands and standing close together outdoors in a sunlit open plaza. The bride is wearing a white wedding gown with a long train decorated with large roses. The groom is dressed in a black suit and tie. In the background, there are buildings with modern architecture, and a few people walking or riding bicycles.

Garden party at Ruskin park: The Bracco’s Soirée

About the wedding 5-17-2025

Chandler and Daniel’s wedding at Ruskin Park in Seaside, Florida felt like a love letter to classic Southern romance with an effortlessly feminine edge. Tucked right behind the Town Square, surrounded by mature trees, perfectly set in front of the Seaside Chapel creates an intimate, storybook feeling for a day that was equal parts refined and deeply personal.

The ceremony unfolded in the heart of the park, where guests gathered for Chandler to make her entrance with a quiet confidence, her look striking yet soft, perfectly suited for the natural elegance of the setting. Daniel waited with a calm smile, the moment feeling unhurried and sincere—exactly the kind of energy that defines Seaside weddings at their best.

As the sun dipped lower, Ruskin Park seamlessly transformed for the reception. Long tables dressed in crisp linens, pops of pink, soft florals, and warm candlelight invited guests to linger well into the evening. The atmosphere was joyful and relaxed, filled with movement, conversation, and moments that felt spontaneous rather than staged. From the first dance beneath the trees to the celebratory cake cutting, every part of the evening reflected Chandler and Daniel’s shared love for thoughtful details and meaningful gatherings.

One of our favorite personal touches from this wedding was that the bride designed her own napkins and textiles herself through her creative business, Chan Art. Instead of sourcing standard linens, she treated the reception tables like a canvas—layering soft, painterly florals with intentional color and texture that tied seamlessly into the overall design. From the custom napkins beneath each place setting to the way the patterns complemented the paper goods, every detail felt deeply personal and thoughtfully executed. It was a perfect example of how incorporating your own artistry into your wedding doesn’t just elevate the aesthetic—it tells a story that’s uniquely yours.

Details we love

That VEIL!: Chandler’s veil was a true standout—delicate yet bold. A statement that instantly caught our eye. Floating effortlessly behind her as she moved through the day, it added a layer of softness that elevated her entire bridal look. The length and weight of the veil created beautiful movement, catching the light during the ceremony and transforming into a cape during the reception. Rather than overpowering her gown, it complemented it perfectly, framing each moment with a quiet sense of romance. It was the kind of detail that didn’t need explanation—elegant, and unforgettable in its design. The bride curated her look in the bridal capitol, known as New York City. Designed by the dynamic duo behind Nicole + Felicia Couture.

Tell us about your big day!:

Chandler: “We first crossed paths during our sophomore year at the University of Georgia. Since then, we have graduated, moved to Atlanta, and purchased our first home together. We both cherish our getaways to 30A and Seaside as a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and work!
In April 2024, Danny planned a trip to Seaside for a weekend retreat. Unbeknownst to me, he was preparing to propose that Saturday. Under the beautiful foliage at the corner of the Ruskin Park stage, he popped the question, and I said “yes”! From that moment on, we began our wedding planning journey.
We were thrilled to book the same beautiful location where we got engaged for our wedding! With family traveling from Georgia and New Jersey, we chose Seaside to allow our guests to experience all the wonderful attractions the town has to offer. From the beach to the wedding, we filled the weekend with festivities!
We kicked off the wedding weekend with a Thursday night beach bonfire welcome party. On Friday, we hosted a bridal luncheon at a private home, followed by a rehearsal in the park and a delightful rehearsal dinner at Café 30A. We rented the upstairs private room for about 65 guests.
Saturday was the big day! We shared private vows that morning over coffee and breakfast at the Court Hotel before heading our separate ways for the day. Both of our parents had rented townhomes right by the park to prepare in the morning. Rolland’s Beauty Bar arrived bright and early to get everyone ready! It was incredible to watch the wedding setup unfold from the house.
The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all took place in the lovely Ruskin Park. Grayton Beach Catering did an exceptional job transitioning the space for each segment without any chaos or confusion. The ceremony took place on the stage, beautifully framed by pink trellises. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, with a color palette featuring shades of green and pink. As an artist, I designed many elements myself, from the invitations to the napkins, incorporating that design throughout the event. My vision was to create a coastal garden party. I was heavily inspired by different abstract floral paintings and playing around with scaling patterns.
During the cocktail hour, we included several custom details, such as a charm bar for guests' glasses at each table, along with custom cocktail napkins, stir sticks, and more. For the reception, I aimed to maintain a subtle coastal theme and collaborated closely with our florist, Morgan Aycocks, who designed centerpieces using shell containers and cascading hydrangeas and tulips.
As the dance floor came alive, trays of espresso martini shots were passed around, and not a single person was sitting down! Captain hats and boas made their rounds as well. Many aspects of this wedding were thoughtfully curated by wonderful small businesses and friends. It was a magical night, with the entire park dancing—from the dance floor to guests on their balconies.
We exited with ribbon sticks, inviting our guests to follow us to Bud and Alley’s to continue the celebration! It was truly an unforgettable evening, and we departed for Greece and Italy the very next day. Ruskin Park will always hold a special place in our hearts; it was the perfect venue for our wedding!”

Fun fact about the couple:

Chandler: “We met in our sophomore year at the University of Georgia! Go Dawgs! Chandler was hired by Danny's fraternity to paint some fun designs on their party tables, and it just so happened to be when Danny came back to school at the beginning of the semester from New Jersey. He stuck around while she painted, and the rest was history.”

Group of six women wearing light pink dresses, smiling, some holding white fans, at a celebration or wedding.

A collection of decorative items including a gift box wrapped with pink ribbon, a white envelope with cursive writing, a paper fan, assorted seashells, a floral-themed invitation, a seashell-shaped paper doily, a small bunch of blue flowers, and a round box with a monogrammed lid, all arranged on a white surface.

Pink dresses hanging in front of a large window with trees outside.

A woman in a white wedding dress holding a parasol outdoors.

A waiter in a black apron serving appetizer bites on a tray, with some placed on black napkins and others on a wooden board, featuring crackers topped with a mix of finely chopped ingredients.

A white floral arrangement featuring green hydrangeas, pale pink roses, and other pastel flowers on a pedestal at an outdoor event.

Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with wooden chairs facing an altar with white pillars decorated with pink and white flowers, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Table set for an event with beige paper plates, floral napkins, water glasses, gold-tone cutlery, and a floral table runner with a menu card on each plate. A vase with green leaves and pink and cream-colored flowers decorates the center of the table.

A newlywed couple shares a kiss at their wedding reception, with a wedding cake and a glass of rosé on the table nearby.

A bride standing near a window with sheer curtains, wearing a white dress and a veil decorated with large white roses.

An outdoor wedding or event setup with long tables covered in white tablecloths, decorated with floral centerpieces, glassware, and tableware. Wooden chairs with slatted backs are arranged around the tables. The scene is shaded by large trees, with white buildings in the background.

Bride in a white wedding dress with large rosette details and veil holding a bouquet of flowers, standing next to groom in a black tuxedo, at an outdoor wedding venue.

A young man in formal attire adjusting his bow tie near a window with wooden trim.

A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet and smiling, standing outside with bridesmaids in pink dresses holding flowers and umbrellas, a white picket fence, and a house in the background.

A three-tiered wedding cake decorated with white frosting swirls and ruffles, topped with two white swans. The cake is on a decorative gold stand on a floral tablecloth with gold and floral accents. In the background, there are blurred string lights and a building.

A couple dressed in wedding attire dancing closely at their wedding reception, surrounded by friends and dancers.

Group of men in black tuxedos with white shirts and black bow ties, standing outdoors on a sunny day, smiling and talking to each other.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a yellow lace dress and gold bangles is painting on a canvas outdoors. The painting depicts a wedding scene with a bride, groom, and wedding guests. The background shows a building and some outdoor furniture.

Vendors

Ceremony Venue: Ruskin Park-Seaside Fl
Reception Venue: Ruskin Park-Seaside Fl
Photographer: Haley James Photography
Wedding Planner: GBC Events
Cake & Sweets: GBC Events
Catering: GBC Events
Décor & Rentals: GBC Events
Florals: Marigo Flowers