Allie and Zach’s wedding weekend at the Coral Bay Club unfolded as a joyful, deeply sentimental celebration rooted in family, history, and the coastal place that shaped so much of their story. Although they officially met in college, Allie jokes that she’d had crush on him long before they ever spoke, having spotted him years earlier through mutual friends.
Using inspiration collected over years, Allie envisioned a reception that felt fresh, personal, and uniquely theirs, filled with green tones, layered patterns, custom touches, and heirlooms woven throughout. The striped dance floor, hanging pendants, soft patterns, and statement bar came together in a way that exceeded every expectation Allie had imagined during months of dreaming and mock-ups. Their rental partners even built a custom wallpapered backdrop for the band, something they’d never created before.
The sentimental details were at the heart of everything. Allie’s veil was made from the lace of her mother’s wedding dress, the very same lace that perfectly matched both sisters’ gowns by coincidence. She carried her grandmother’s rings as her “something blue,” wrapped her bouquet with her grandfather’s handkerchief, and pinned it with a frog brooch honoring her grandmother’s favorite symbol. Silver trays from her mother’s collection held matchboxes and small décor pieces, while her best friend needlepointed a custom ring bearer pillow inspired by the calligraphy from their save the date. Even the branded limes for the bar, an idea Allie had fallen in love with, became a core memory.
When the wedding day arrived, Allie spent the morning getting ready at the club with her bridesmaids, wanting their experience to feel relaxed and fun after hours of early glam. She slipped away every so often to peek into the reception tent, still in disbelief that the months of planning had transformed into something even more magical in person.
Allie shared emotional first looks with her brother and her dad, both moments she’ll cherish forever. She and Zach chose not to see each other beforehand, wanting that moment at the aisle to be the very first time. It was everything they hoped for: true, emotional, and deeply personal. Their priest invited them to turn and look out at the room during the ceremony, and seeing all of their friends and family, from every chapter of their lives, became one of the most powerful memories of the entire day.
After the ceremony, the two slipped away to a quiet room for a few minutes to share a plate of food and breathe in the reality of the moment. The reception was a whirlwind in the best way, filled with coastal air, green tones, laughter, and dancing. The wedding cake, perfectly color-matched to the paint swatches of their bar backdrop, was one of the most creative elements of the night.
The night ended with an exit, a change of clothes, and more celebrating with friends on the water. It was only on their honeymoon, when Allie signed her new name for the first time, that the magnitude of it truly sank in. The weekend had been everything she hoped for: woven with intention, guided by family, rich in tradition, and overflowing with joy. Nothing could have dampened how right, peaceful, and deeply happy the day felt.
