The Barn at Water Oaks Farm

Laurel Hill

“I selected The Barn at Water Oaks Farm because it was beautiful! I had seen pictures of it when it first opened and instantly knew that I would want my wedding to be there. All of the detail that was put into this venue made it so unique, and the venue had everything we could think of, such as a bridal suite that we could all get ready in. I also really liked that The Barn had a rental room full of decorations so we didn’t have to go out and buy decorations that would only be used for one day. The Barn at Water Oaks Farm was very accommodating to my family and me. “I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day; the weather was perfect, and The Barn offered so many beautiful spots for us to get our pictures taken. The memories that I made there will forever be with me!” — Kayla Smith, Franklin, Tennessee

At a Glance

▪ INDOOR VENUE ▪ OUTDOOR VENUE ▪ THIRD-PARTY VENDORS AVAILABLE ▪ DINING ▪ DECOR RENTALS

MICRO AND MINI WEDDINGS Make Huge Impacts

Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better when it comes to weddings

By Rebecca Padgett Frett

We would be remiss not to acknowledge the many ways, for better and for worse, that COVID-19 has impacted the wedding industry. Couples and wedding professionals alike have had to reconceptualize weddings, become more creative than ever and band together all in the name of love. A positive that COVID-19 brought to the forefront was reminding us of the intimacy at the core of a wedding.

Terms used with increasing frequency over the past year include downsized, microwedding, minimony, intimate gathering and elopement. While the circumstances that brought forth the occurrences of these style ceremonies are less than ideal, I believe smaller weddings are here to stay for the long haul.

Traditionally, elopements were performed in secret, with family and friends only being informed after the ceremony. It is viewed as non-traditional yet the most intimate because it focuses on the couple rather than the guest experience.

A minimony is typically 10 to 20 attendees who witness the vows and commitment ceremony performed by

an o ciant. After, events could include a rst dance, a meal, a cake cutting and photographs.

Microweddings have become the most popular recently because they hold the same aspects of a large wedding but with a downsized guest list of less than 50. For many, this has become the ideal option because it allows you to utilize your valued vendors and create your special day … just on a smaller scale.

“Smaller weddings do not equate to fewer special moments,” said Kristi Summerlin, who works in marketing and sales for SunQuest Beach Weddings. “If anything, smaller weddings can allow you to refocus your budget on elevated experiences.”

Summerlin said these experiences could include a beach bon re, hiring a band or acoustic act or celebrating with a candlelit dinner on the beach.

Diane Bardhi, owner of Sweet Tea Events in Tallahassee, emphasized that the number of wedding day vendors usually stays the same no matter the wedding size, but the money saved by inviting fewer guests can be allocated to another distinctive feature, such as a videographer, photobooth or a dessert bar.

At smaller weddings, guests notice the details you put time and care into. You will be able to create a customized experience that both grants your wishes and makes your guests feel all the more special for making the invite list.

Meals have become a major way to make a microwedding shine, especially since plated meals are used more often than bu ets or food stations. Individually packaged and portioned appetizers and plated meals not only cater to fewer points of contact but also to more culinary creativity.

“Smaller weddings provide the opportunity for a good deal of detail work,” said Samantha Roche, director of events and operations for Andrew’s Catering. “It allows for the couple to be extremely speci c with each facet of their meal; from custom recipes to elaborate plating techniques, the options are endless.”

While a large wedding venue is always an option, microweddings expand your venue options, allowing you to think outside of the box to include spaces such as a rental home, your favorite restaurant, public parks and other more intimate spaces. While travel may be limited, couples still nd ways to make their destination weddings happen.

“Hilton Sandestin Beach has seen a huge increase in rescheduled destination weddings,” said Angela Kramer, wedding and special events manager at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. “Guests are now looking to plan something stateside to avoid traveling overseas. Thanks to our enviable location on Florida’s northwest coast, we can o er a safe domestic destina“Smaller weddings tion without sacri cing stunning do not ocean views.” There is no de- equate nying that choosing a downsized wedding requires to fewer special deliberation, but on that day, what moments.” you will value most is the time you get to spend Kristi Summerlin, SunQuest Beach Weddings with each guest. Those you hold most near and dear will be present to witness your marriage and celebrate you.

Intimate weddings have caused many to recon gure and reconsider their special day. While that image may be ever changing, what continues to strengthen is the meaning of marriage. ▪

JESSICA WINKLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Trending Now

LIVE PAINTING

Preserve your wedding day forever in a tangible gift to yourselves — a live painting captured on canvas.

JENNIFER G PHOTOGRAPHY

SLEEVES

Wear your heart on your sleeves. Capes, off the shoulder, balloon sleeves, bishop sleeves, embellished long sleeves and more will be everywhere this year.

KAY MEYER PHOTOGRAPHY LILY & SPARROW PHOTO CO.

JENNIFER G PHOTOGRAPHY PHOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY

PLAYFUL BLOOMS

Think outside of the garden box with bright, textured blooms, such as celosia, tweedia, orchids, poppies, zinnias and more.

CHINA AND LINENS

With more couples than ever opting for plated meals, all eyes are on intricate plates and pretty linens.

ALICIA OSBORNE PHOTOGRAPHY

BOLD COLORS

The new all-white wedding is color — and lots of it! The bolder the better, with hues such as fuchsia, teal, sunflower yellow, lavender and papaya orange.

ALICIA OSBORNE PHOTOGRAPHY

ACTS OF GRATITUDE

2022 is all about giving back. Consider handwritten notes to guests, localized wedding favors and opting for donations to your favorite charity via your registry.

INDIE PEARL PHOTOGRAPHY

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

Now more than ever, couples are embracing the great outdoors — from beachside or oak-shaded ceremonies to tented and pergola-covered receptions. PRINT AND PATTERN DRESSES

Mixing and matching prints and patterns brings personality and whimsy to any wedding.

BRANDI ROBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY ALICIA OSBORNE PHOTOGRAPHY LOUNGE SEATING

Create cozy and comfortable spaces for your guests to lounge. These double as Instagram-worthy photo spots.

WOODLAND FIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY

LIVE MUSIC

Whether out on the dance floor or enjoying from your seat, your guests will love the energy of a live band in a year absent of most live music.

ALICIA OSBORNE PHOTOGRAPHY

INDIE PEARL PHOTOGRAPHY

Dessert Takes The Cake By Janecia Britt

Awedding cake is the cherry on top of an amazing night. But why settle for a classic, white confection when your wedding day should be an event that is uniquely yours?

Whether you aren a fan of standard bigday cakes or are obsessed with a speci c sweet treat, your wedding dessert is the perfect opportunity to share your tastes with your guests. Ready for inspiration? Consider dressing up a traditional cake with additional treats (macarons or cake pops, for example), opting for an entirely di erent sweet (hello, brownies and cheesecake!), or embracing a non-cake dessert that celebrates your wedding location or heritage. Below we’ve rounded up a few options that will make your big day extra sweet.

DOUGHNUTS Doughnut walls have gained popularity at weddings over the last couple of years. Rethink that trend by displaying these desserts in a pyramid shape. The result? A treat that resembles a wedding cake but still deviates from tradition.

PIES Thanksgiving lovers, this one’s for you. Substitute wedding cake with a variety of pie avors for a truly personalized wedding reception menu. Whether you crave pumpkin pie all year-round or a crisp apple alternative is your go-to, having wedding pies instead of cake is a no-brainer.

MACARONS A macaron is a sweet meringue-based confection loved by Francophiles everywhere. Displaying these sugary discs can be tricky but certainly not impossible. A custom stand will allow them to be turned on edge and stacked, creating a cohesive, elegant display.

CANNOLI TOWER Cannoli are Italian pastries consisting of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, lled with a sweet, creamy lling usually containing ricotta. A cannoli tower is a popular idea for weddings; decorate it with fresh blooms and fresh berries for an elegant touch.

CROQUEMBOUCHE Croquembouche, a classic French wedding cake, is a beautiful tower of u y, bite-size cream- lled choux pastries just like éclairs, assembled into a cone shape using caramel syrup. The traditional decoration for the dessert is spun sugar ribbons, but they can also be drizzled with chocolate, icing sugar or caramel. ▪

Hotel Effie

This is where your story begins

Intimate or grand, choose indoor spaces that are bright, light, and airy or outdoor venues that leave you breathless. It’s as though Hotel Effie was made for romance. Keep your journey close, at the heart of Hotel Effie, or broaden your event horizons to include the great spaces also available to you at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.