We all know pink is the ultimate girly-girl color, but when paired with crisp whites and French blues against a beachy backdrop as in Kelly + James’ Florida wedding at the Amelia Island Plantation, ultra-feminine pink takes on a surprisingly fresh and modern feel. The SW girls especially love how Sarah D. Harper perfectly captured the distinctly romantic and whimsical feel of this Florida wedding (isn’t the bride’s silk organza and lace Marisa gown simply dreamy?) while also managing to highlight the fun and lighthearted edge in the tasteful splashes of color the couple infused into their seaside nuptials. The bridesmaids’ vibrant Amsale sheaths and matching Artistic Florist bouquets really pop against the all-white background, don’t they? Hungry for more of this pink-and-white celebration on magical Amelia Island? Read on to hear about Kelly + James’ delectable four-tiered cake. (Trust me: you won’t be disappointed!)
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met on Valentine’s Day at the Mellow Mushroom while in school at Valdosta State University. I was there with my roommate and he was there with his friend. We spent the evening dancing and decided to exchange numbers before we left. After waiting for several weeks to hear from him, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer! I broke all the rules and called him first. We’ve been together ever since that momentous phone call.
Describe the proposal: He proposed on his birthday! He took me on a picnic lunch atop Kennesaw Mountain in our hometown. After finding a secluded spot to enjoy our sandwiches, he got on his knee and asked me to marry him! It was a romantic and intimate moment.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Beachy, personal and unique.
Favorite design element of your big day: We loved the lush grass, shaded forests and amazing beach at Amelia Island! We were surrounded by old oak trees with twisty branches that looked whimsical and magical. It was such a quaint and intimate island!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I brought my mom, sisters, best friend and mother-in-law for the special occasion of finding a wedding dress. I loved every dress I tried on from the beginning but, after a day of shopping, we still hadn’t found “the one.” I went back to the first store we had visited a few weeks and tried on a dress that made my mother cry twice! That’s when I knew it had finally found the one! The dress was perfect for our Amelia Island wedding. It was a Marisa gown with silk organza and lace detail. It was comfortable, light-weight and classic.
Describe your wedding flowers: I really loved my flowers! My bridal bouquet featured hot pink Glorioso Lillies and my bridesmaids’ bouquets were a mix of bright pink flowers. We also had shepherd hooks decorated with fuchsia ribbons and green mum flower orbs. The tall, whimsical centerpieces at our reception were made of curly willow with a few Glorioso Lillies attached to the branches. The arrangements really reminded me of the oak trees around the island.
Describe your wedding cake: It was, without a doubt, the best cake I have ever tasted! It was a four-tiered buttercream cake. The bottoms two tiers were nicknamed “For the Love of Choloate” because of their layers of chocolate sponge cake, chocolate ganahce and chocolate truffle mousse and the top layers, made of vanilla sponge cake with fresh strawberries and whipped creams, were called “Summer’s Dream.”
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/line? We customized our vows to fit our needs. We included a water ceremony that was very special to us. Our favorite line from the ceremony: “This day, the promises you made will change the ocean. Every time you look upon the Atlantic, be reminded that something of your wedding has been added to this ocean, just as the love you have given and received today has sealed and changed you forever.”
What are you looking forward to in the future? Celebrating our one year anniversary back on Amelia Island and starting a family of our own!
Congratulations, Kelly + James! Enjoy your one-year anniversary back on the island!
The wedding was beautiful. How lucky for you that you chose a photographer who captured the uniqueness and beauty of the day. Your memories have been captured forever in your pictures. This looks like perfection to me!Best wishes for many happy days together.
I was lucky enough to be a part of this fabulous wedding. It was amazing from the location to the fun reception. Everyone I talked to said this was with out a doubt the best wedding they have ever been too. I didn’t know such spectacular weddings existed. :)
Kelly + James wedding is absolutely beautiful! It is so classy:) Good wedding planning Kelly, its absolutely perfect!
beautiful pictures. Bride could be a model. Love the pictue of bride and groom walking away on the beach. Also like the unusual flowers in the brides bouquet. Never have seen those before. Wonder if they come in other colors.
The wedding was beautiful and a great time was had by all. The food was wonderful and everything was planned to the tee. I relly enjoyed the "weekend" wedding and the family time before and after the wedding. To the beautiful couple I wish all the happiness and love that a lifetime will allow.
I was the made of honor for Kelly and James wedding. Kelly (my sister) was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. The wedding was flawless and like a fairty tale!!!
Ameila Island was definately a great place for a wedding. Kelly and Jamie made a great looking couple. The wedding was perfect from the ceremony with the trip down to the beach after the ceremony to the receiption.
I absolutely love her unique wedding cake. Her baker did an amazing job. It almost looks too pretty to eat.
What a beautiful bride and a wonderful story to start your life together!
Your wedding photos are beautiful! Kelly, I wish you and James a lifetime of happiness!
Kelly and James’ wedding was very beautiful, personal, unique, and fun. You could see bits of their personalities that went into the planning and execution. It was such a blessing to be there to witness. It was a lovely evening!
Absolutely beautiful!!! this definitely looks like a fairytale wedding:)
I have never seen such beautiful wedding pictures. Kelly is a very beautiful bride. Have a wonderful life together.
Awsome pictures!! These pictures look like they just came out of a magazine!!
Kelly and James’ wedding photos are by far the most beautiful I have seen. The photos caption the beauty and tradition of true southern charm which is filled with family and friends. The location of the wedding made for a perfect back drop. The gorgeous ocean and beach of Amelia Island blended with Kelly’s southern belle touches made the perfect wedding which was reflected in the details of the photographs. I know Kelly and James will cherish these photos and the memories of their wedding well into their future. Congratulations!
The wedding was even more spectacular in person (even though Sarah Harper did a great job capturing it!!). It was an all-around perfect day: The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and you could feel the love beaming off James & Kelly. It was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to!
As the wedding coordinator for the Kelly and James I can only say that it was such a pleasure to be a part of their big day. Kelly planned the perfect day and it was simply beautiful. She was as you can see a gorgeous bride. She and James have a long life of happiness to look foward to. The photographer did an outstanding job capturing the emotions of the day!Anne UrbanWedding CoordinatorDestination Weddings by DPC
These pictures are beautiful! What a gorgeous wedding!
The pictures from Kelly and James’ beach front wedding are absolutely amazing! From the dress and the "I Do" shoes to the elegant cake and scenery, this wedding looks like it was the most unique and classiest wedding of all. Ameila Island looks like a perfect place to have one of your most memorable moments at. I hope Kelly is available to help me plan my wedding when the time comes! Is she for hire?? :)
Congratulations Kelly. These pictures are awesome. You had such a beautiful day and were certainly beautiful.
What amazing pictures! You and your wedding were absolutely beautiful! :) Congratulations!!
Congratulations Kelly and James!It was so fun looking at your beautiful pictures and reading your comments.Many happy years!Laura
Congratulations! The photographs are gorgeous! Of course they would have to be with such a beautiful bride! Everything seemed to be perfect…the dress, the location, the flowers, the cake, and celebrating with family and friends. I wish Kelly and James a happy and healthy long life together.
What an unforgettable night! Everything about this wedding had such a personal touch. Everything thought out to the tiniest detail. It was truly magical. Congrats to the newlyweds!
WOW! These photos are fantastic!! Absolutely beautiful…
Kelly and James…The pics are beautiful, I hate that we were unable to attend. I know that you will have a wonderful life together. Congrats!!!!!
incredible wedding- INCREDIBLE COLOR PALETTE
The wedding was absolutely beautiful. Kelly was absolutely beautiful and don’t forget James. I enjoyed the family time and friends. The wedding, food and fellowship was awesome.
I had the honor to be standing up next to the most beautiful bride in the world, my best friend Kelly. Not to be biased, but this wedding was the most detailed, well coordinated, romantic-but fun wedding I have ever been too! From the gorgeous flowers to the signature cocktails to the signature Crispy Creme doughnut display at the reception, Kelly’s wedding was original and well planned. Her photographer, Sara Harper, was the most professional, sweet photographer I have ever met. She does such great work, I will be using her soon as a family photographer! Good luck Kelly..I know you are a speech pathologist-but should plan weddings on the side!!
I am a guy, and have to say your wedding rocked! Guys dread going to weddings, but your wedding was well worth it!
When your the mother of the bride you can only pray that your daughter’s wedding day is everything she has planned and dreamed of. I can honestly say Kelly and James wedding was all she had hoped for and more. As you can tell Kelly is all about details and that is why Sara D Harper made the perfect photographer for her wedding.Amelia Island Plantation was truely a wonderful venue to host the wedding ,there was something for everyone and AIP is just so beautiful.. Thanks Sara for doing such a great job at capturing the most beautiful bride on her wedding day and showing what a fun and magical night it was for all ! What a great way for Kelly and James to start they’re lives together.
A lovely bride…a handsome groom…a beautiful wedding!
The sentiments of their wedding vowed coupled by these amazing photos…just magical! What a beautiful couple :-)
The photos and the article seemed to capture everything about the wedding. It looked lilke a fairy tale wedding.Congratulations to you both
Once again Kelly, you were stunning and I am so angry that I missed it! Looking at the pics, let’s me know that I missed out on one gorgeous ceremony and a fun reception! I know you and James will have a long and happy life together. Hope to see you soon! Love ya girlie!
WOW! What a BEAUTIFUL BRIDE! I LOVE these pictures! Kelly looks amazing. I’d love to see more pictures. Kelly and James look like they belong in a magazine!
These photographs are breathtaking. What a gorgeous wedding. I love everything about it….the location, the colors, the decorations, the flowers, the rings, the dress, etc. I hope to have such a beautiful wedding someday….
This was truly a beautiful wedding with a a beautiful couple standing beside the ocean. What a magnificent backdrop. The bridal party was gorgeous in their pink dresses (girls) and guys in their white pants and blue shirts. And of course, my neice, Kelly, the bride, was simply beautiful in a Cinderella wedding. My family and I were happy that we could be part of this.
Kelly and James wedding is absolutely gorgeous. It is very classy a down to earth good southern wedding. It captures all the elegance and beauty that a southern wedding should.
What a beautiful wedding. The pictures are magnificant. Wishing you the best of luck always….
Sara D. Harper is genius at capturing the wonderful details of life, obviously. Kudos to the bride for thinking of those wonderful details to capture…gorgeous wedding and gorgeous photos!!
I love the special touch of the "I do" on the shoes…in blue no less. I love the seahorse monogram, I wish there was a photo of the invitation that set the tone for this beautiful wedding.