We gather here today,

WE HAD ARRIVED at Jensen Beach Florida two days early. Our wedding on October 14th, 2023, was closing in quickly and my now husband, Ty, and I had much to finalize. 

For the long weekend, the wedding party stayed at the Old Colorado Inn—a charming little hotel nestled in the heart of Downtown Stuart, Florida. The inn offers a variety of rooms, suites, and rental homes, all connected by a picturesque central courtyard. With its old-Florida charm and cozy bed-and-breakfast feel, it quickly became our “home base” as guests trickled into town.

The night before the wedding, after our rehearsal dinner at The Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House, we invited everyone back to the hotel. The staff at the Old Colorado Inn were incredibly accommodating, and the celebration continued well into the night at the cozy hotel bar.

THE MANSION

The Mansion at Tuckahoe offers a unique blend of Southern elegance and Old Florida charm, all set within a classic tropical landscape. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a winding brick driveway that winds beneath a canopy of palm and oak trees. Perched atop a hill on pristine grounds, the stunning two-story seashell-white mansion overlooks the tranquil waters of the Indian River Bay—making for a truly breathtaking backdrop, especially at sunset.

The ground floor features a grand foyer with multiple fireplaces, striking terrazzo flooring, and expansive windows that allow natural light to pour in from every angle. With ample space for mingling and relaxing, the area comfortably accommodated our wedding of approximately 110 guests. In the event of inclement weather, this space is also suitable for an indoor ceremony without sacrificing elegance or ambiance.

Adjacent to the foyer is a versatile service area that’s ideal for setting up food stations, a bar, or additional décor. The venue also includes an on-site kitchen for catering use. In addition to the elegant winding staircases, there are elevators to the second floor, where the bridal and groom suites are located.

With its historic charm, lush surroundings, and thoughtful design, the Mansion at Tuckahoe creates an unforgettable setting for any special occasion.

GETTING READY

The day started early, but the energy was full of excitement. We spent the morning catching up, sipping champagne, blasting music, and getting dolled up. I’d say we cleaned up very nicely! The bridal suite at the Mansion at Tuckahoe was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate me, my three bridesmaids, our hair and makeup artists, and the photographers. It featured a fully equipped, ADA-accessible bathroom with a shower and vanity—everything we needed to settle in and get ready.

As people rushed around bringing each detail to life (there will always be some chaos), the suite felt like a calm, tucked-away space—removed from it all in the best way.

Ty and I exchanged small gifts before the ceremony. I gave him a bottle of cologne—Gucci Guilty—and a personalized label of Smirnoff Ice, which he was delightfully “Iced” with. In return, he gave me a customized Florida Gators jersey with “BRIDE” on the back to match his “GROOM” jersey. It was thoughtful, fun, and so perfectly us.

Just down the hall on the same level was the groom’s suite. Though close by, the suites have fully separate bathrooms and balconies, so there’s no risk of accidentally bumping into each other before the big reveal. The shared upstairs lounge was glowing with natural light—ideal for getting-ready photos and golden hour balcony shots.

THE CEREMONY

The Mansion at Tuckahoe offers several ceremony locations on its grounds—the Courtyard, the Amphitheater, and the waterfront Terrace. We chose the front‑lawn Amphitheater because we planned to use the Terrace for the reception and needed ample time to set it up.

The Amphitheater comes ready with a stage, sound hookups, and an awning for shade. Since the space dips into a gentle “bowl,” terraced seating is built right into the landscape, giving every guest a clear view. For décor, we framed the stage with an arbor draped in faux eucalyptus garland and accented with fresh flowers. Baby’s‑breath bundles adorned the aisle chairs, and each guest was welcomed with a program and a paper fan—a thoughtful idea from my mother‑in‑law that proved essential in Florida’s unrelenting heat.

Note: It's very important to have a backup plan in the event of bad weather, that this venue requires the submission of an indoor seating arraignment prior to the event date, as a precautionary measure.

COCKTAIL HOUR

The time went by quickly! Honestly, don't count on having time to eat, as you and your group will be occupied with taking photos. There are numerous spots on the property that serve as excellent backdrops. I wish we had a bit more time to capture all the indoor and outdoor shots we wanted. My suggestion is to plan your desired photo ideas in advance and inform your photographer. This way, you can make sure the moment is captured just the way you like.

We chose a Bossa-nova inspired playlist for cocktail hour. It's jazzy, classy and up-beat. I think it's a great way to play your favorite songs with a twist. Our guests were served hors dourves of meatballs, stuffed shells and _.

Our guests mingled, and we laughed several times about how it's the "weirdest cross over episode of your life."

When we got our pictures back, we had so much fun looking at the most random collections of people in each photo: Ty's Pennsylvania family but also with one college buddy. My dad with an old coworker of mine. It was hilarious to think "what we're they talking about..." but that is the FUN of it all- all your favorite people in one place, sharing their love for you!

THE DRESS

The dress I chose was a beaded fit-and-flare gown featuring a deep V neckline, dainty spaghetti straps, a low open back, and a short train. The “Cerulean” gown by Theia Couture strikes the perfect balance between classic simplicity and sleek sophistication—with a fully-beaded finish that adds just the right touch of glamour.

I found this stunning piece at The Glamour Closet in Chicago, a boutique I can’t recommend enough. Their collection is full of beautiful designer gowns, all offered at discounted prices—definitely worth a browse if you're dress shopping!

That said, a fully-beaded gown does carry some weight, which is something to consider for your big day. For our Florida wedding, it was warm, but the gown's light straps and open back helped keep me comfortable throughout.

THE RECEPTION

While the ceremony may be the heart of the celebration, the reception is the soul. It’s the time for laughter, dancing, and making unforgettable memories with loved ones. At that point, you can relax—the paperwork is done, and it’s officially time for fun!

Before we knew it, we were walking into our reception on the waterfront patio. The space caught a gentle breeze from the bay, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the city lights across the water sparkled behind us. Beneath a clear tent adorned with three chandeliers, Ty and I stepped onto our checkerboard dance floor for our first dance: “Baby, I Love Your Way” by Peter Frampton.

We tried our best to recreate the steps we’d practiced over and over again in our living room—it went okay (lol), but it was perfect in its own way.

Ty and I sat at our own sweetheart table, while our wedding party was nearby with their significant others. We had a separate table reserved for our parents, and ten round tables of eight for our guests.

At each setting, we left a "Wedding Mad Libs" sheet for guests to fill out, with a little prompt on the back: Where should we go for our honeymoon? Do you have any fun travel experiences or stories? It ended up being such a fun and personal touch—we loved reading through everyone's answers afterward.

Our color palette—gold, green, champagne, and black—came to life in the table arrangements, featuring faux eucalyptus strands, florals, and flameless candles. Each table also included a framed couple’s photo, which added a sweet personal touch without going over budget.

Dinner began at 7:00 p.m. with a served Caesar salad, followed by a buffet-style main course. The menu included Grilled Mahi Mahi, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and a vegetarian option of stuffed pasta shells. Sides included seasoned potatoes, steamed vegetables, and warm dinner rolls.

As night fell, the tent came alive under the glow of chandeliers and DJ lights. We danced under the stars and had an absolute blast. Ty shared a heartfelt dance with his mom to “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, and I danced with my dad to “She’s Got a Way” by Billy Joel. The DJ kept the energy up, the drinks were flowing, and the dance floor stayed full all night long.

We also had a photo booth set up inside, complete with props and instant print-outs. It was a huge hit—once people realized it was there! A quick tip: make sure to use signage and have your DJ announce when features like the photo booth are open. It makes all the difference in getting guests to enjoy every little part of the evening.

REFLECTIONS

All said and done, there’s something truly magical about having the people you care about most gathered in one place. In our fast-paced world, it’s rare to experience a moment where you feel completely surrounded by love and community—but that’s exactly what the wedding gave us.

One of the most beautiful parts, in the days and weeks after, was hearing the little stories from our guests—each with their own perspective and experience. My cousin mentioned stumbling upon hundreds of baby turtles hatching on the beach. One of Ty’s groomsmen proudly shared that he received “several compliments” on his Cotton-Eyed Joe dance routine. We still laugh about that moment.

Of course, not everything went perfectly. We didn’t have champagne for the toast—oops! I was flustered at first, but when I asked around later, no one even noticed. The seating chart got a bit disorganized, but everyone found their spot, enjoyed their meal, and carried on with the celebration.

Looking back, those little hiccups reminded us of an important truth: perfection isn’t a prerequisite for joy. Embracing the unexpected made our wedding feel even more real—an authentic, joy-filled day that was entirely and beautifully ours. And those are the memories we’ll treasure for years to come.