REAL WEDDINGS
Destination is the Key
Christy Olliff & Andy Booth
7/9/10, Key Largo, FL
“Don’t be afraid to see each other before the wedding. It’s such a
special
moment shared
between just the two of you. - Chisty Olliff
Photography by Emily Harris, eharrisphoto.com intimatebridalportraits.com
Destination is the Key
T
By Lindsay Wolfe
he First Encounter: After several attempts by mutual friends to get them together, Christy Olliff and Andy Booth first met at a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. Andy had recently moved there and was living with the boyfriend of one of Christy’s friends. “I remember she kept telling me about him and how we should meet,” Christy says, “I was making chicken dip when he walked in.” They spent a little time talking but at the end of the night, they parted ways. Three months went by before their paths crossed. Andy’s college friends were hosting an annual outing but Christy had no intention of going. “I was at a bridal shower and got dragged there by a friend,” Christy says. “We really hit it off that night and the rest is history!” In Preparation: Christy and Andy knew they wanted a destination beach wedding but it was important to them to stay within the U.S. to make it easier on friends and family to attend. “We used Google maps to find places no more than 1 hour away from a major airport,” Christy says. After looking at several possible areas, Christy and Andy narrowed it down to the Florida Keys because “the atmosphere is exotic, the water is turquoise but it is still in the states” Christy says. The couple then planned a trip to drive through the Keys to check out all the locations they had found online. When they walked into the Hilton Key Largo Grande Hotel & Beach Club, “it was exactly what we were looking for” she says. Choosing a color pallet for the wedding came easy to Christy, she says, “I wanted to incorporate the greenery of the resort, the coral of the sunset, the turquoise of the water and the white of the sand.” With her vision in mind, Christy utilized the expertise of the onsite planner, Charlene Lopez, to help her select the right vendors for her big day. Christy says, “Charlene made it easy to plan from far away.” The one detail that was very important to both Christy and Andy was the photographer. The couple knew they wanted a photographer who had a photojournalist approach to weddings. Christy says, “we hate to pose for pictures, we only have about
5 pictures of us together.� After coming across Emily Harris Photography online, Christy says, “I was blown away.� After talking to Emily on the phone, Christy says, “we really connected and I knew we would feel really comfortable.� The Big Day: Christy and Andy both spent the day getting ready separately surrounded by friends and family. After a suggestion from the photographer and much discussion, the couple decided to see each other before the ceremony and “share that moment just the two of us� Christy says. Although she originally “thought it would take away from the ceremony,� Christy says, “it is a totally different feel and it was one of the best decisions I made.� For the ceremony, the couple selected the private white sandy beach at the hotel. Christy and Andy wanted to incorporate the natural beauty of the resort so they opted for a palm branch and rose petal aisle that lead to a bamboo arbor framing the crystal blue ocean in the background. Since it was a July wedding the ceremony was “short and sweet because we didn’t want people sweating too much� Christy says. The reception was held in a beautiful ballroom with a private terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Blooming Design & Events created a tropical yet romantic feel to the reception by accenting the turquoise guest tables with floating candles and rose bouquets in lush shades of pink and coral. With the famous sunset in the background, guests enjoyed signature items such as Gulf Shrimp, crab cakes, and Key Lime infused dishes and sauces. Christy says, “I loved our wedding cake!� The creation by Edda’s bakery was a three tired white cake with turquoise fondant ribbon and a single beautiful magnolia blossom to signify Christy’s Georgia roots. Guests danced the night way to music by Event My Way, and since everyone was staying at the property there was an after party in the hotel bar. The Retreat: Christy and Andy chose the new Calabash Cove on the beautiful island of St. Lucia for their honeymoon. With only 25 rooms on the property, the couple had “a private cottage on a cliff overlooking the ocean� Christy says. The resort had all the amenities they were looking for and the helpful staff catered to their every need. “It was absolutely so relaxing and quiet� Christy says. “It was everything we wanted!�
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