real weddings
G OING
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A Florida couple heads north for an intimate destination wedding warmed by candlelight and comfort food.
Amanda Felix and A.J. Mays went to the same high school in Tampa, Fla., but it wasn’t until years later that they fell in love. When the time came to make their relationship official, the pair wanted a destination wedding that reflected their grown-up tastes. “We’ve had so many friends get hitched over the last several years all around the Tampa Bay area,” Amanda explains, “and we knew we wanted something different.” The bride set her sights on one of her favorite Southern cities, and a Google search led her to the nearby Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, 17 miles from downtown Savannah in the relaxed beach town of Tybee Island. “The first thing my husband said when we walked into that chapel was that this was the place he envisioned me walking down the aisle to become his wife,” Amanda beams. “We knew it was right for us from the moment we walked in.” The wedding chapel—built for the 2010 Nicholas Sparks movie The Last Song and inspired by the look of a 1908 seaside Baptist church—provided the ideal starting point for the couple and their event designer, Nicole Schwalge of Ivory & Beau. “Amanda told me she wanted lots of candlelight and a very romantic setting,” Nicole says, “and this venue lends itself perfectly to a Southern, vintage wedding.” Pinning and Winning The serendipity continued as the trio set out to plan an elegant, atmospheric event that Amanda and A.J. could truly call their own.
By Sarah Hinson | Photography by April Patterson
Amanda and A.J.
Season: Fall Palette: Navy, coral, blush Guests: 70 Planning time: 14 months Rehearsal dinner: Sundae Cafe Ceremony and reception: Tybee Island Wedding Chapel
spring /summer 2014 savannah weddings
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