Brandy and Matt {Nocatee Wedding} | Jacksonville Florida Wedding Photography

Brandy + Matt Wedding Day

Wedding Weekend Info (written by the couple):

Hotel accommodations for guests: Hilton Garden Inn Ponte Vedra Beach

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Casa Marina

Ceremony Location: The Green at Crosswater Hall in Nocatee

Reception Location: Crosswater Hall at Nocatee

Caterer: D’Vine Cuisine: Hope is AMAZING!!

The food was great and she was one of the most affordable caterers we found in the area. She also came up with a great cocktail hour idea – there was a “bride’s table” that had chips, salsa, and quesadillas paired with margaritas and Matt had a “groom’s table” with shrimp & grits and bourbon sweet tea. We got so many compliments on it – everyone loved it!

Wedding Coordinator: A friend of a friend

Photographer: Tonya Beaver Photography

Tonya and her assistant, Amber McCarthy. Where do I even begin to explain the amazingness that is this duo?! They were super patient with my 10,000 questions leading up to the wedding and were on-point the day of. There were a couple of fiascos with my other vendors (more on that later…) and Tonya & Amber were my go-to’s for suggestions or reassurance. Easily one of the brightest spots in our special day. And obviously all of their photos area AMAZING. #girlcrush

Videographer: My maid of honor’s husband, Jared Mauldin (he is also the social media manager at Flagler College). He was super laid back and not afraid to direct groups and crowds for video opportunities. Great attention to detail and even though I’ve only seen a teaser of our video, it’s amazing!!!

Cake: Heavenly Cheesecake out of Daytona Beach. Delicious cake and super easy to work with.

Florist: Divine Florist in Green Cove Springs.

I actually thought that I had set up an appointment with Bold Blooms, who I was originally referred to, however I was told they sold the company (which I recently found out was not true; she sold the storefront and moved to a warehouse) so I went with Divine Florist.

The first appointment went great and I felt really comfortable with her. My wedding theme was ‘peacock colors’ (teal, blues, purples, and deep pinks) and we had a whole conversation about her growing up on a peacock farm. She showed up on my wedding day with a baby blue bouquet with hot pink, purple, yellow, and orange flowers sticking out of it. I went back and showed her the picture we talked about at her shop, trying to stay calm, and she got very defensive.

Long story short, the feel of my wedding didn’t look anything like I had wanted it to because all the flowers were wrong. One of my bridesmaids was working with the florist to rearrange and try to get the orange and yellow out and I came out to check their progress 3 different times and the florist ended up yelling at me every time until I finally started to cry.

I just stayed in the bridal room to calm down and sip champagne when I heard that she later yelled at my mom as well. Unfortunately, I would not recommend Divine Florist (Green Cove Springs) to anyone, however I still hear great things about Bold Blooms, which is indeed open for business.

Officiate: Jason Sedillo, a great friend that flew in from San Antonio to marry us.  Best officiate ever!!!

Hair: Erin with Paulina Perez –

AMAZING. I changed my mind on what hairstyle I wanted 3 different times and she still managed to make it perfect the day of the wedding even though it was her first time trying the 3^rd style on me! And she’s super patient. 

Make-up: Kiara with Paulina Perez – also AMAZING.

Entertainment: Island Sound.

Unfortunately this was another disappointing vendor. He got the majority of our songs wrong and I ended up having him plug in my phone and playing Pandora during dinner. The dance floor was sparse most of the night. He was very nice and I think he knew he dropped the ball; the company ended up giving us a full refund for their services.

Transportation: Barr’s Transportation –

AWESOME. Super easy to work with. We got ridiculous quotes from other transportation services because it was prom season. They were reasonable, flexible, and on time to every pickup!

Wedding Dress: Brides by Demetrios in Altamonte. I loved my dress but when it was ready to be picked up from the store and I tried MY dress on for the first time, the saleswoman asked me if I was on Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Umm… no, I will not be buying anything else from you, thanks!

Wedding Shoes: Badgley Mischka from DSW

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids – the girls there were super sweet and helpful.

Groom and Groomsmen Wear: Michael’s Formalwear at the Town Center. I don’t think the groomsmen had any trouble, however my husband didn’t have the most pleasant experience. His shoulders are very wide so oftentimes, the shoulders will fit but the rest of it is huge on him.

He went back 3 different times the week before the wedding and had to convince the saleswoman that the awkward fitting alterations were not “good enough” (she kept saying that is as good as it was going to get). They finally got it right though and he looked fabulous. 

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Before the Wedding …

How did you two meet?

Matt was on Match.com looking to flirt with girls from his work desk and I joined Match.com looking for attention after a bad breakup. Neither of us were actually planning on meeting anyone in person, but after 3 days of chatting we met at Urban Flats for a beer and have been inseparable ever since.

How did he propose?

Matt spent 3 months learning how to play the ukulele and sang Jack Johnson’s “Angel” to me on Ponte Vedra Beach. After he finished the song, he turned around and dropped to one knee with the ring in his hand.

How did you decide on your color scheme, flowers, and cake?

Pinterest! And teal is my favorite color. Everything was pretty much my decision and Matt would just smile and nod. 

How did you decide on your invitations, and who did you use?

I wanted a peacock feather that wasn’t tacky-looking. I originally found them on Etsy but went straight through their website instead – www.impressinkdesign.com. It took me a little too long to decide on an invitation and they were super great about helping me turn around my order in time without paying any expediting fees. Very sweet staff and super easy to work with.

What was the most fun part of wedding planning?

For me it was finding my wedding dress, but as a couple it was definitely picking out booze at Total Wine. We thought it would be an insignificant event (like grocery shopping) but the staff turned it into a mini wine/liquor tasting and it ended up being a super fun date night. We discovered some fabulous new vinos that have become our favs!

Which part did you not like as much?

All the last minute coordinating. I only hired a day-of coordinator, so I planned everything leading up to the day of the wedding and that is a full time job! And I already have a full time job!

After the Wedding …

What was the high point of your wedding day that you hope to remember forever?

All of our friends and family members in one place – many had traveled from out of state, some from other countries, all to celebrate a decision that we made. Also, NSYNC’s Tearin’ up my Heart as one of the last songs.

If you could give yourself any advice prior to the wedding, what would it be?

Don’t leave anything up to interpretation with your vendors. The florist had written down ‘pink, purple, blues’ next to ‘tropical colors’ in the contract. Apparently that meant orange and yellow. I also gave the DJ ideas of the types of songs that we wanted (as I kept reading that it makes his job harder if you pick entire playlists; you should let them do their job because they know how to read crowds) and he was completely off from beginning to end.

Where did you go for your honeymoon?

Maui for TWO WEEKS!!! I had a little cry when it was over and I had to come home.

Tonya Beaver Photography Studio Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL

318 First Ave N

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

To view more Wedding Sessions, please visit:

https://www.tonyabeaverphotography.com/weddings

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Hi, I’m Tonya, a Jacksonville Florida Photographer. I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and babies. I would love to hear all about your photography needs to see if we’re a right fit for each other. As a photographer, I get to capture the most exciting and life changing experiences in people’s lives.

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