Wedding at Surfside Resort in Destin, FL

Colin and Erika’s (yeah, she kinda has the best name EVER) wedding in Destin on the beach and at the Surfside Resort was full of laughs, emotion, amazing friends and family, tears and two people SO in love.

To view Erika and Colin’s full wedding gallery, click here.

“We had a beach theme for our wedding (considering the wedding was on the beach). This was the one wedding detail I’ve known I’ve wanted since I was a little girl. I grew up on the beach in Destin, and I had a cousin that got married on the beach when I was 10, so that’s when I knew I wanted that too. Overall, we wanted the wedding to be a big party and just make sure everyone had a good time.” – Colin and Erika

We started the day off with both Colin and Erika getting ready at Surfside Resort.

“My dress was from Alfred Angelo, and a lot of detail, so I only wore earrings with it. I was deciding between 2 very similar dresses (both initially picked out by my bridesmaid Lindley), but the back of the dress and the lace pattern are what sold me. I knew a style of earring I was looking for, and Colin heard me describing it to my mom and sister one day, and bought me the perfect pair for Christmas.”

Colin and Erika chose the Surfside Resort and Royal Palm Grill because they “wanted to keep all the festivities at the same venue, and Surfside /Royal Palm Grill allowed us to do that. We loved Nicki (the venue’s coordinator), the food, and the view! It offered a beach ceremony and an indoor reception that still had a great view of the beach. There was no other venue like it in Destin.”

“Colin wanted our ceremony to be genuine and not too cheesy. We had our friend Kate officiate our wedding and she did an amazing job. We knew she would make it personal and make us laugh as well as cry. We wanted fairly traditional vows, but Colin wrote them and they were perfect.” – Erika

“Heather was my sister and maid of honor. We’re very close, so that was an easy pick. Amanda has been my best friend since middle school. Emily and I met while working together on a cruise ship and instantly bonded because we are so similar. She’s come to the states to visit me 3 times since then, so I definitely owe her an Australia trip! Lindley and I met in physical therapy school and sat next to each other for 3 years. We grew even closer once we graduated and became roommates at the same apartment complex I met Colin, so I have a lot to thank her for! Lindley and I both met Megan while playing kickball in Orlando (where we live) and have grown to be best friends. I had the best bridal party every and I’m so thankful for every one of them!”

“These guys have all affected my life and shaped the person I am at various points in my life. They’ve always watched out for me and helped me be better (or worse some nights) and that meant a lot.”

“Die a Happy Man was the song we danced our first dance to. When it first came out, it was so representative of how I felt about her, we knew that would be our song someday.” – Colin

From the Bride and Groom:

What were some of your favorite memories from your wedding day?
– Everyone smiling and laughing and having a good time
– My sister’s Maid of Honor speech.
– Our first dance.

What were some of the sweetest memories from your wedding day?
– Kate’s entire ceremony
– During our first dance, it felt like we were the only people in the room (until the confetti popper).
– Right before my uncle walked me down the aisle, he told me how proud of me my dad would be. After the ceremony, my aunt and uncle told me that during the ceremony there was a pocket of sun that opened up in the clouds and closed as it was done…like my dad was right there with us. Gave me chills.

What were some of the funniest memories from your wedding day?
– Getting to put cake on her face.
– Shaking my booty.
– And we had wedding crashers.

What is something that happened on your wedding day that you didn’t expect?
– How fast it went! And it was much harder than I thought to get a chance to talk to everyone!
– The confetti popper during our first dance! Thanks for that Aunt Lee haha!

Advice for future brides:
Don’t worry about making everyone happy and do what you want to do. Everyone is going to have a great time no matter what.

Advice for future grooms:
Do your best to take burdens off of her, she’ll appreciate it.

Thanks goes out to…
Our friends, family, and bridal party for all their love and support. Our amazing wedding coordinator Nicki Cox (Island Sands Beach Weddings) for being so fun and putting together the most perfect day and weekend. And of course, our wonderful photographer Erika Smith! You have been so fun and great to work with. Thank you so much!!

The Wedding Professionals who made it all happen:

Planning, Coordination, and Florals: IslandSands Beach Weddings | Photography: Indie Pearl Photography | Getting Ready Location: Surfside Resort | Ceremony Location: Destin Beach | Reception Venue: Royal Palm Grille | DJ: Diamond Dan |  Hair: Megan Gregory (Bride) and Nancy Boyer (Bridesmaids) | Makeup: Alyssa Frederick | Cake: Kim’s Cakes | Bride’s Dress: Alfred Angelo | Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse