A Tropical Island Wedding in Florida

Trending Videos

bride and groom walking down the dock — KT Crabb

Sarah and Alex met on Halloween in 2018 when their mutual friend, Michael, hosted a costume party. A few weeks after the event, Sarah made the first move; she asked Alex to grab drinks and the two hit it off right away. Two years later, on September 5, 2020, the couple took a trip to Kenai Fjords, Alaska, to spend the week fly fishing. Alex surprised Sarah with a helicopter ride through the area, and when they landed in Bear Glacier, he popped the question. "It was breathtaking!" Sarah remembers.

They spent just over a year planning their June 12, 2021, wedding at Little Palm Island, Florida, a private island resort where all 20 of their attendees had accommodations. "We were captivated by how private and intimate Little Palm felt and wanted our guests to feel like they were on vacation as opposed to a big destination resort," Sarah says. There are only 30 rooms available on the island—and kids under 18 aren't allowed—so the bride and groom knew they would have the island to themselves for their wedding weekend.

As for the challenges the pair met during the planning process? Sarah's twin sister was set to be married just three months before her and Alex's big day; the bride says ensuring their big-day décor looked different was the hardest part. To mitigate this, the couple worked with a planner from Simply You Weddings, along with their florist, Avant Gardens, to design an intimate, unique celebration with "tropical elegance" in mind, complete with a green-and-white color palette.

01 of 16

Colorful Invitations

beachy wedding invitation suite — KT Crabb

Sarah and Alex worked with The Write Touch to create all-text invitations within their green-and-white color palette (which featured a pop of yellow!); calligraphy by Laura Lines Calligraphy added a whimsical touch. The couple selected stamps that featured Florida birds, Ernest Hemingway, and some saltwater flies—including Lefty's Deceiver, which, according to the bride, is arguably the best saltwater fly pattern in the world. "It was created by Lefty Kreh in 1991, the year I was born," she says.

02 of 16

Sunset Sail

The couple kicked off their wedding weekend with cocktails on a boat.

Fresh Ideas for Your Wedding Weekend

03 of 16

Rehearsed and Ready

bride and groom on the dock after rehearsal — KT Crabb

After the boat ride, Sarah changed into a white Johanna Ortiz dress paired with a Cult Gaia clutch and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

04 of 16

Tropical Touches

table setting with pineapple and fruit centerpieces — KT Crabb

The pair's rehearsal dinner took place overlooking the ocean. Tropical fruits like pineapples, plantains, and papayas were used throughout the tablescape.

How to Throw an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner

05 of 16

Big-Day Looks

bride and groom by palm trees — KT Crabb

For her big day, Sarah fell in love with a Lela Rose monochromatic print, but the style it came in was more formal than she envisioned for her beach wedding. Lela and her team were able to customize Sarah's wedding dress using the fabric she wanted, creating a V-neck gown with a deep back and a bow embellishment. Sarah borrowed her twin sister's pearl earrings (that she wore to her own wedding!) and finished her look with Loeffler Randal shoes. Alex donned a Vince linen shirt, Billy Reid khaki pants, and Viberg loafers; his watch was his only accessory.

06 of 16

A Moment with Dad

Sarah shared a first look with her dad on the deck of her suite at the resort, which calmed her pre-ceremony jitters.

07 of 16

Petite Bouquet

The bride held a bouquet of white ranunculus, mini cymbidium orchids, dendrobium orchids, and freesia, finished with a satin stem wrap.

22 Petite Wedding Bouquets That Make a Big Statement

08 of 16

Bamboo and Grass

Their ceremony took place just steps from the ocean, where a bamboo arch was decorated with dried palms and grasses.

09 of 16

Here Comes the Bride

bride and father walking down the beach to altar — KT Crabb

As a musician played "Southern Cross" by Crosby Stills and Nash, Sarah made her way down the aisle, accompanied by her father.

10 of 16

Sunset Ceremony

outdoor wedding ceremony on beach — KT Crabb

The couple opted for a religious ceremony officiated by their mutual best friend, Michael, who introduced them back in 2018. The couple hired a one man band, Brian Roberts, who played Bob Marley's "Stir It Up" for the recessional. "We loved his carefree island vibe!" Sarah says.

11 of 16

Cocktail Hour with a View

bride and groom watching sunset — KT Crabb

Alex and Sarah snuck away from their cocktail hour—during which they served watermelon jalapeño margaritas and light bites like yellowfin tuna tacos—a few minutes early to snap a few sunset photos on the beach.

The Best Sunset Wedding Photos

12 of 16

First Dance on the Beach

The newlyweds shared their first dance to "Is This Love" by Bob Marley. "He is one of our favorite artists and we thought it perfectly captured our relationship—easy and fun!" Sarah says.

13 of 16

Waterfront Dinner

long reception table on the beach — KT Crabb

Dinner took place on the beach, where one long table was paired with cushioned wooden chairs. Rattan chandeliers hung above the table for a Caribbean feel. "I was inspired by India Hicks," Sarah says. "India is originally from London, but has lived in the Bahamas the last 25 years and her design aesthetic reminds me of all my childhood memories in the Abacos."

14 of 16

Textured Settings

Place settings featured woven chargers embellished with small seashells; orange linen napkins were topped with dinner menus finished with a wax seal. A lush palm garland spanned the length of the table and was interspersed with more tropical greenery and bright ripe mangos.

Tropical Wedding Ideas That Will Transform Your Big Day

15 of 16

Party Crasher

outdoor wedding reception dinner — KT Crabb

After dinner—the pair offered two choices per course so guests could experience the island fare—the group concluded the evening with a dip in the pool. A sweet deer named Dottie, who lives on the island, joined in during the late-night fun: "She came for the wedding cake, but stayed for the party," Sarah laughs.

16 of 16