This is soontobemrswalsh's White Wedding!

We had a communication breakdown with Coquina on the Beach in Lido Beach, all because we don't want to rent out the whole hotel. We thought about eloping, but that would probably make our families so sad...and possibly angry for awhile. Our children would also miss the expenience. So it's become a top priority that during the weekend, we have plently of time to spend with all of our guests and we want it to feel like an intimate family reunion. We are only inviting 60 of our closest friends and families to the wedding and reception. We also decided that it's important that it's a private affair, so the beach idea was thrown out. There are so many other beautiful, historical places in Florida. I was researching vintage Florida, and most early victorian settlers/visitors came here by steamboat, then later by train. I haven't been able to find any steamboats, but I'm thinking it would be a great idea if we could find an old train station, maybe a trainride from ceremony to reception, paddlewheel boat, or prettify an old industrial warehouse or a rustic barn. FH LOVES this idea, he works with metal and is making our rings himself already...so it blends perfectly with who we are. Wondering if anyone has come across a smaller venue that would fit our vision? Any ideas or comments are greatly appreciated!!!

Hey all you gorgeous brides-to-be!!!

I have alittle time on my hands If anyone has questions or needs information about a DIY Florida destination wedding. Beach weddings are NOT supposed to be expensive! I'm not an expert or anything, just an informed Sunshine State Native who wants to help Let me know :)

Long story short, another wedding was scheuled at our venue so our wedding date was changed last weekend from June 2013 to April 20th 2013. Our favorite colors are red and blue, but I'm thinking that these colors by themselves are too summery for early spring, so I'm changing my red to pink and adding splashes of cherry. This combination is really hard to pull off and make it look right.

HELP! I need opinions as I'm having a hard time deciding on a neutral for the guys. Cherry trees have dark brown bark, so how about pink, cherry, blue, white, and brown? After looking a pics, brown looks really dark and alittle out of place on the white sand at the beach. Navy blue could work or perhaps the guys could wear white trousers with blue/pink/cherry shirts and bouts. Is white on a beach tacky before labor day? what do you think?

My first inspiration board! My MoH made me do it so she could get a better idea of the whole shabang, but it turned out to be alot of fun. We found our venue, Coquina on the Beach Hotel on Lido Key Beach, FL. It has a pool area and small covered picnic shelter with a grill for the reception. Only 2 picnic tables fit under the picnic shelter, so wer'e planning on pulling them out to have that be the food area and renting 5 umbrella tables. We are going to pull my FHs old red truck onto the reception side to display the cake. Our idea was to be married on the beach at sunrise, then breakfast bar/refreshments and beach games, finishing with cake and dancing. BUT it can be pretty hot in June morning/afternoons in Central Florida, so we've been talking about sunset wedding followed by a latern-light reception. Manangement said we could have a bonfire with insurance and permit, but it's expensive so wer'e still debating it. Defining a dancing area on the beach is tricky, so I'm researching pool reception setup and decorations as well. Other great news is that the mermaid dress pictured is ordered (in white) and on it's way! YAY!!! I'm sort of anxious though because I'm alittle on the short side (5'4") and 120lbs. I've heard the mermaid makes short brides look shorter ( I'm not wearing heels on the beach) but my FH is 6'1" so I'm gonna look short no matter what.

This is my first blog ever :) I found this site looking for new ideas for our red and ocean blue wedding, but blogging looks like so much fun I have to give it a try!!! If anyone has inspiration on a red & blue beach wedding send my way please. I've been checking out photos of beach weddings and almost ALL are blue + white = BORING!!! (at least to me, as there is definately enough blue at the beach = sky and water.) We don't want to blend in, we want to bring some color to the beach, but not a tropical rainbow.The FH and his men will be in casual white. I'll be wearing a white mermaid dress and holding red peonies tied with blue and white ribbons. The BMs dresses are red, and I'm having a hard time figuring out something blue for them to carry...maybe blue pomander balls or a white lantern as it will be a sunset wedding. Decorating a beach pavillion is also tricky as it will be dark by then, anyone had experience with this or ideas...feel free to comment. THANKS!!!