EPPING FOREST YACHT CLUB WEDDING BY TONYA BEAVER

Jenna & Matthew Wedding Day Photos

Wedding Day Information:

Hotel accommodations for guests: Double Tree Riverfront Jacksonville

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Enza’s Italian

Wedding coordinator: Ernestine

Ceremony Location – Epping Forest Yacht Club
Reception Location – Epping Forest Yacht Club @eppingforestevents
Florist – Jacksonville Flower Market @jacksonvilleflflowermarket
Catering – Epping Forest Yacht Club Provided by epping 
Photography – Tonya Beaver Photography 
DJ – DJ Jeff Bell @thejeffbellexperience
Officiate – Family Friend, Scott
Cake – Classic Cakes @classiccakes100
Dress – Debra’s Bridal @debrasbridalshop
Veil – Debra’s Bridal
Groom’s suit – Men’s Wearhouse 
Bridesmaids dresses – Azazie
Groomsmen suits – Men’s Wearhouse
Invitation – Zazzle
Jewelry – These were my moms pearls and the earrings were just Amazon lol
Shoes – also Amazon 
Makeup – Paulina Perez
Hair – Paulina Perez Chudni and Becky (idk their instas but they are from Paulina’s team)

Transportation: Jax Party Bus (Our guests loved having the party bus bring then to the wedding and take them back to the hotel)

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About the Couple

How did you two meet?

We met on Tinder during COVID. We actually talked over the phone for many weeks until the restaurants opened up. During that time, out “first date” was over facetime. We got tacos and margaritas from our respective places and ended up on facetime for hours.

How did he propose?

He proposed in the Atlantic City Boardwalk on July 22, 2022. We were on a vacation to Philadelphia and went to Atlantic City for the weekend. He chose this location because when we moved into the house we watched Boardwalk Empire together as our first show together. 

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

We debated between a few color scheme. I knew I wanted a majority white/cream/neutral and was looking for a pop color. Ultimately we landed on white and cream to tie in simplicity, gold to match the venue, and red because I love roses. I wanted the wedding to have a romantic evening vibe and felt that the romance red roses were perfect. I incorporated lilies as my mom’s favorite flower.

We chose the cake together. That was Matt’s favorite planning appointment. We ate cake at 10AM (Lol). I chose the white chocolate ganache layer and Matt chose the chocolate with koluah filling layer. We couldn’t choose just one so we did a layer of each. 

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

I wanted something timeless and classic to tie in our theme. I had a wedding invite from a friend’s wedding with the foil writing and loved it. I ended up with zazzle because they had the design with greenery and the gold foil. I loved including Matt’s photo on the back of the small cards. I did the vellum bands and wax seals myself.

I actually own an Etsy business (not doing wedding things), but I am very crafty and can always learn a new craft. I actually ordered the custom wax seal from a seller on Etsy, but it added a perfect touch to the invites. It was very timely to make that many wax seals but so worth it. It was so much fun putting them together and then slowly getting the RSVPs back.

What was the most fun part of wedding planning?

Dress shopping was so much fun. It was so great to have everyone there supporting me and I went shipping towards the beginning of wedding planning. I found my dress by the end of one day. Other than that, I enjoyed the DIY and personalization aspect of wedding planning.

I worked hard to make sure each guest felt special and it really added to the experience. Choosing the table characters with Matt was so much fun. We used our favorite fantasy characters on the tables along with love quotes from each character. It was really cool to see the variety we ended up with. 

What part did you not like as much?

Coordinating, following up, and replanning things with vendors. We had a couple rough patches with the venue and it made it so difficult to plan with other vendors. No matter how much planning and thinking of everything I did, there was always something someone wanted or something I had to readjust outside of my vision.

There was still so much that did not go right on the day of too. This was definitely a learning curve because some of the things that weren’t right could’ve been avoided if someone asked me the day of. It was stressful and a little disappointing to see some little details I worked on so hard not turn out the way I planned or communicated to the people I had to trust to set up stuff on the day of. At least the guests did not notice or know the difference!

What is the biggest pieces of advice you wish you would’ve known before your wedding day

• Things will not go your way and unfortunately you have to keep rolling with it and enjoy the moments. Take in every moment and no matter what you’re married to the love of your life!
• People say it goes by fast and they really do mean it. It seems like the wedding flew by from the time we did our vows until the rest of the night. 
• As the Bride, make sure you’re speaking up for yourself. If you want a drink, say it! If you want more appetizers, say it! Personally for me, there was few moments I could get away to grab things for myself (and I was restricted moving in the dress in tight spaces) and I felt bad stopping other’s fun to get me things. I wish I would’ve been able to taste more of our food and I felt like it was rare that I had a drink in our reception. Sometimes right when I got one, I’d get called up to do something and have to put it down and then never got it back.

Advice we’d give to another bride and groom is no matter what, you’ll be married on the wedding day. A groomsmen told us before the wedding “your wedding night could one of the only times you’ll have all your favorite people under the same roof to celebrate and love on you, so take it all in and enjoy it” and that really stuck with us. It’s so true!

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

My favorite parts were the private vows together, the first dance, and then dancing in a room full of our loved ones and seeing everyone’s fun and excitement. These were such special moments between Matt and I that made the wedding so surreal and gave us moments to just focus on each other.

I want to always remember how I felt in these moment and how I really married my best friend. Matt and I had such a great time with everyone and I wish I could go back and relive this night having all my favorite people celebrate and love on us.  

In your words, can you give a storyline of your wedding day?

Our wedding went by so fast and I wish I could relive the day. The morning started we the girls and I arriving to the suite and getting everything situated. The beauty team arrived shortly after us and got straight to work. The room was filled with the best uplifting, girl-power, wedding day songs. I really enjoyed having my closest girls, mother, step-mother, and mother in law with me on the biggest day of my life. I felt so loved and supported.

Once photography arrived rest of the day completely flew by. I enjoyed a private moment with my mom getting in my dress and receiving a very special gift from her. She had the handkerchief made as my “something blue” and she had it embroidered with her favorite story she read to my siblings and I as kids. It was so surreal to be in my dress and ready to walk down the aisle. The girls looks amazing!

Matt and I chose not to do a first look, but wanted a special moment just the two of us. We shared private vows and a private prayer prior to the ceremony. This is one of my favorite moments from the day. It felt as if the world had stopped for this moment and even through the business of the day time stopped for this moment. It was so special to be able to share our vows with each other  in this private setting. 

After a little bit later, it was time to meet him at the aisle. From the golf cart I could see the bridal party lining up and faintly hear the quartet in the wind. I did not feel nervous in this moment, but I was so ready to stand with him. I had the honor of both dads walking me down the aisle and sharing this special moment with them. It made me so happy to reach the aisle and see all of our favorite people looking back at me. It was relieving to join Matt at the end and stand in front of everyone while we promise our love to each other forever.

Our friend officiated our wedding and made it so special and personal to us. We chose to do the glass unity ceremony by Unity In Glass. At the ceremony we poured glass crystals together representing our families, Matthew, myself, and Christ. I am so excited to get the finished vase back and have it as a lifelong reminder of our wedding day. 

It was so relieving to enter our reception room and see everyone waiting and cheering for us. This was a real moment for me that truly our closest loved ones and friends are supporting us and celebrating our love. Matt gave a special thank you and blessing to the group. We enjoyed having these moments together as the realization hit that we really were married now! Soon we were whisked away for our sunset photos.

I almost backed out of these and I’m so happy we took the time to go back out. The sunset was so beautiful over the water behind the venue. It was wonderful to take another moment to ourselves. When we came back we rushed around the room to visit each table before toasts started. I loved getting a chance to talk with the guests individually.

It was challenging to see everyone in this short time, but I am so thankful for everyone in that room and all the people that we got to speak to, receive well wishes, and snap a new photos with. We had our maid of honor, best man, and dads give toasts. Following the toasts we all moved downstairs in the mansion to start the party.

Our first dance was so Nervous by John Legend. Our first dance is another favorite moment from the night. In this time, it felt like only Matt and I in the room. However, when I looked around we had so many people trusty happy and smiling back at us (maybe a few tears even). We had a special dance to recognize our grandparents during the reception. The rest of the night we spent dancing and singing the night away.

Our DJ threw a fantastic reception and our dance floor was always full. It seemed like this part of the night went by even faster than the rest of the day but I will never forget these moments with my friends, family, and new family on the dance floor. All the time planning was so worth it when I think back on all the timeless and unforgettable memories made in this small time on July 29.  

Tonya Beaver Photography Studio Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL

318 First Ave N

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 

To view more Wedding Sessions, please visit:

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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. 

Not only in Jacksonville, but all over North Florida: Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, St. Augustine, etc. 

I know there are quite a few photographers in Jacksonville so it can be overwhelming. But I invite you to check out my wedding, family, and newborn portfolio. Also, feel free to check out some of my reviews that my previous clients have given me. Jacksonville is one of the most beautiful areas for photographing engagements, weddings and family photos. From the beach, golf clubs, parks, downtown, gorgeous churches and so much more. I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you more!

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