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!”