HOLLY ALLAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
LETTER FROM THE
As the publishers of AMELIA ISLAND WEDDINGS, we have the sincere pleasure each spring and fall to feature one of the most important occasions in anyone’s life: their wedding. It’s always a thrill to feature in these pages some of the beautiful couples who have begun their lives together here on Amelia Island. As we are often told, these happy stories of hope and love make for great reading. Despite Covid throwing a monkey wrench into everyone’s wedding plans last year, couples adapted to the changed circumstances, just as we all did. Some large spring weddings that were postponed became more intimate gatherings in the fall, often in family homes. Other couples waited until early this year to have something closer to the wedding they originally had planned. Regardless of the circumstances, every wedding was impacted in some way. One of the only things that didn’t change was that couples still wished to exchange vows here on Amelia Island. In the last decade, Amelia Island has become one of the top destinations wedding locations in the Southeast, and perhaps the whole country. Since we began highlighting weddings over fifteen years ago, Amelia Island has attracted many, many couples who wanted to celebrate an unforgettable wedding weekend with their family and friends. With its historic churches, stunning natural beauty, and a wide array of 2 AMELIA ISLAND WEDDINGS
Editor
outstanding venues, it’s not hard to see why our enchanting island paradise has become so popular. In addition to destination weddings, we always enjoy featuring Amelia Island families who have celebrated a son or daughter’s wedding here at home. It is an honor to share with you these celebrations with a local connection. Families with Amelia Island roots really know how to celebrate a wedding here, finding their favorite places for bridal luncheons, rehearsal dinners, barbeques, fishing and golf, after-parties, and nextday brunches. In this issue, all our featured wedding stories have strong connections to Amelia Island, having been either born and raised here or having parents living on the island. These couples have used their local know-how to create unforgettable wedding weekends for their family and friends. The stories we share with you are joyful and inspiring. In addition to the couples featured here, we want to congratulate everyone who has celebrated their wedding in the last six months. Seeing people at this magical moment in their lives is a deeply moving experience, a hopeful moment that is both heartwarming and life-affirming. As in the stories from this issue, the heart of the occasion always shines through in every wedding, whether large or small, lavish or simple. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Amelia Island Weddings as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Visitors and residents alike know all about Amelia’s unique allure: the long stretches of unspoiled beach, scenic pockets of marsh, and moss-draped oaks. Whether you’re a resident, a regular visitor, or a newcomer to Amelia, we hope our magazine will inspire you to imagine the extraordinary possibilities available to you on this beautiful 13-mile-long barrier island.
STAFF Philip Kelly Deana Basile Kelly Publishers Deana Basile Kelly Editor Tom Barrett Art Director Karen Miller Julie Simmons Teri Sopp Dickie Anderson Marla McDaniel Contributing Writers
CONTACT US Sweetpea Media, Inc. P.O. Box 16624 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 904-277-8012 islander@ameliaislander.com www.ameliaweddingsmag.com
Amelia Island Weddings Magazine is published twice a year in Spring and Fall. All editorial contents including maps and photographs are copyrighted 2021 Sweetpea Media, Inc. Reproduction of any material contained herein in any manner, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other artwork cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited materials. The cover and the magazine’s contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Amelia Island Weddings Magazine is distributed free of charge on and around Amelia Island. Back issues may be purchased from the publisher for $2 per copy plus postage if sent through the mail.
