Christina and Sam’s wedding planning journey was certainly one for the books…
The day before I was catching a flight to Germany for the holidays, I get a call from a very worried Christina. I actually went to college with Christina as we were in the same sorority, and I was initially meant to be attending her wedding as a mutual friends date. The wedding was scheduled for April of 2022 in Cancun, Mexico! However, this call changed everything. When Christina called me, she informed me an immediate family members health had drastically changed, and that the wedding needed to be moved forward, and kept within a drivable distance from their residence in Florida. She just kept asking “Is this even possible?”, she was nervous and had no idea how to go about planning a wedding from start to finish in than 6 weeks… yes, 6 weeks.
As soon as I returned home from my holiday travels, we got right to work! We created her design plan, booked her venue and every single vendor needed within about 3 weeks. Although our planning calls were rather lengthy, Christina & Sam were fully trusting in each and every direction and piece of advice that was given, and in what literally felt like the blink of an eye, we were in Savannah, Georgia getting these two hitched!
The extended weekend started first thing Friday morning when had their final venue and vendor walkthrough at the wonderful Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Spa Resort, followed by a day of golf for the gentleman, and a day of brunch & relaxation for Christina and her ladies prior to their bachelor/ bachelorette parties, respectively. Saturday morning we held their ceremony rehearsal, and although everyone was a little slower moving than usual, it still proved to be a beautiful, crisp, chilly February morning on the riverfront. After a little r&r, family and friends gathered at New Realm Brewing Company (this location has since closed) for their rehearsal dinner.
Come wedding day, Christina and her girls started hair and makeup bright and early with Beyond Beautiful by Heather, as the Just Us team began our setup at the Westin.
Before we knew it Kato Floral Designs, Eventworks Rentals, BBJ LaTavola, & JLK Events arrived to begin their reception & ceremony setup; with Danielle Hutchinson Photography & Whitt Photography & Film arriving shortly after to begin shooting the couples details.
As any true southern wedding (and for a couple who isn’t the biggest fan of cake to begin with), Publix handled our cake needs. Can you say hello vanilla buttercream – yum!
As most couples on their wedding day, Christina was rather nervous. To take the edge off before putting on her wedding dress, she solo-shotgunned a beer on the balcony of her room at the Westin. Once she was dressed, she had her first look with her dad and wedding party, before Sam and his groomsmen arrived to the Hotel via ferry.
Their ceremony was held on the Westin’s River Concourse Lawn, overlooking the stunning historic downtown Savannah Harbor. Although the wind this day made things a little chilly, the sky was clear and made for the perfect backdrop. All About You Entertainment provided our music for both the ceremony and reception, and Christina & Sam were married by Christina’s adorable grandfather William.
Cocktail hour was then held just above the ceremony space on the lawn of the River Lawn. The bar was opened, hors d’oeuvres were passed, and guests enjoyed a beautiful view of sunset over the harbor.
When it came time for the reception, guests were transported by The Westin staff to the Golf Club, just across the street from the main hotel. Once they arrived, guests were greeted with a glass of champagne to assist in finding their seats for dinner.
The reception kicked off with a rather spirited grand entrance of the wedding party, following such the newly Mr. & Mrs. made their way into the entrance of the Club Pavilion and went straight to the dance floor for their first dance. Following such, dinner and our newlyweds were blessed, with dinner service starting shortly thereafter. Once guests had finished their meals, our hearts were captured with toasts by the best man and maid of honor, Christina & Sam cut their cake (with the absolutely adorable help of their 1 year old daughter Avery), and they took part in the traditional parent dances.
After the formalities, guests truly partied the night away with All About You Entertainment! The night concluded with a sparkler exit down the golf club’s main drive.
I absolutely love working with couples like Christina & Sam, as once I had finished cleanup of the event spaces after the wedding had ended and was driving back to my Hotel, I received a call from Christina…. Now even with the timeframe of their planning, we were constantly on the phone with each either; but the weird part about this is that it was on her wedding night. I answered the phone to a very happy Christina asking “Can I go downtown now?” My answer was, “Well of course you can, you can do whatever you want!”. Christina then responded with “Well, I’ve gotten used to your guidance these past few months, and wanted to be sure it was okay”.
This is truly the biggest compliment a planner could ever receive. I have not only the best job in the world, but the absolute best couples!
xoxo Just Us Weddings Team
