Chris and I were married in the Port St. Joe State Park on Cape San Blas, Fl. It’s a great day in Jones’ history and one of the best weddings I’ve ever planned… seriously, as a wedding planner I can honestly say that eloping is the way to go!
Due to a crazy schedule I didn’t buy a dress until the week before the wedding. I enlisted my mother to help me drop it two sizes with a large pair of sewing shears and my grandmother’s old sewing machine. Knowing beauty options would be limited in a tiny beach town I chose to save the money (and the ozone – lord knows those ladies LOVE hairspray) and do my own hair and makeup – not too shabby!
The plans were simple, we would spend the day on the beach, head in around 4 to get dressed and then wait the arrival of the five people who would make it all happen – the personal chef, the photographers (Paul and Michelle are still the most amazing photographers I’ve ever seen), and Don, the Justice Of The Peace who asked if it would be ok if he brought his “Lady Friend” who was visiting from out of town.
For the sake of tradition we picked up a pound cake in Apalachicola and decorated it ourselves.
We accidentally left the champagne for the post ceremony toast at the house so we pulled into The Tradin’ Post for a bottle of their best… Cooks for $8.
I like to tell people that Chris’ redneck cousins showed up at the last minute! These were some of the campers staying in the campground.
We originally planned for a beach wedding but after seeing the beautiful boardwalks we couldn’t resist.
Don’s green notebook still cracks me up!
Sigh… he looks so happy being married. I forgot to mention that after we decorated our cake Chris prepared it to travel by pulling the plastic bag back up and tying it off like a loaf of bread. Any other bride would have lost her cool… I’m just saying.
To wait for the sunset we opted to do a little traditional cake and champagne right there on the boardwalk… don’t worry, the explanation of the horrible toasting glasses is at the end of this post.
Before Don agreed to marry us he requested that we meet him in the local Hardees for a quick bite and a couple of questions. After an hour of sharing our history together he agreed that we should be married and asked for directions to the beach house. He was a perfect match for us and I was tickled to death that he used our wedding as an “occasion” for his Lady Friend… he even cried a little during the ceremony.
When the State Park found out we were getting married they gave us free entrance along with Jr. Ranger packets as a wedding gift. To this day they let us in free of charge (even though we insist on paying) when we come to watch the sunset in celebration of our Anniversary.
After the sun set we said goodbye to Don and his Lady Friend and headed back to the house where the personal chef (tipsy) was preparing the meal of the century. Hats off to anyone who can cook a meal like that after slugging a bottle of cooking wine! Unfortunately I can’t remember her name or her company, I’d love to plan a repeat one of these years.
Our only request for the meal was that everything come from the Gulf. Seriously the best meal of my life!
And now for the champagne “flutes”… We invited our dear friends to the beach the weekend prior to the wedding but because we made it such a point to not invite family or friends it was understood that they would take off the day before we were getting married. They asked us not to buy toasting flutes because their wedding gift was a lovely set from Tiffany’s. Well, when the morning came for them to leave they (she) couldn’t believe that we were really kicking them out. Come to find out she actually brought a dress for herself and a suit for their 1 year old to wear during the ceremony. I remember her asking “You don’t want photographs all dressed in your wedding gown and holding Jack??” When it became clear that we were holding firm she produced these coral champagne flutes and said the Tiffany glasses hadn’t arrived. I’m not saying she did this on purpose to get me back for kicking her son out of my wedding… but I’m just saying! Any-hoo, it’s a fun story and I love seeing how Paul and Michelle did their best to cut the coral out of as many photos as possible.
Cheers, Sweetie! Thanks so much for asking!
Spice Jones 
I still think your wedding photos are the best I’ve ever seen. Happy Anniversary!
Thanks Michelle! I like them too! Take a moment to click on their blog and you’ll see some truly amazing wedding photos. xo!
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