Some numbers are important, others unusual and occasionally they come together to form unique combinations.  Such was this special day for Natalie and Michael when they were wed at the Williams House on Amelia Island on the special date of 11/11/11.  Joined by 30 family and friends they were married on the Williams House front porch with Byron officiating on a cool but beautiful Friday afternoon.  A reception followed in the back courtyard with lot’s of nice goodies prepared by Deborah, the Williams House chef and wedding coordinator.   Georgeous seasonal flowers added fall color to the proceedings and a champagne toast to bride and groom was followed by traditional cake cutting. As usual Cinnamon was all around the Williams House entertaining children and seeking out crab cakes or other tasty morsels. Our best wishes to the bride and groom as they begin their new life together!

Natalie and Dad enter the wedding

Byron leads Natalie and Michael through their vows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall color in centerpieces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natalie and Michael in rose garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah and Jami prepare the food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding guests arrive at reception

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A toast for the bride and groom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon entertains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family portrait

Wedding on carriage at Williams House

We have had so many weddings this fall that I decided to split it into two groups.  The one pictured at left was a first, performed on the carriage in front of the Williams House .  Normally carriages bring brides into the wedding, but in this case the carriage was the wedding venue.  Another trend we are seeing is the use of cupcakes and cupcake stands in place of the traditional wedding cake, or used with just a cake topper above cupcakes.  It does make cutting the cake a bit of a challenge, but eases the guests eating and taking home of leftovers from the cake.  We have a couple of bakeries in town that are perfecting this  approach.  Cinnamon our resident cat is usually present for our weddings unless barred from the event due to allergies or issues with cats.  He particularly enjoyed a recent event with (you guessed it) his favorite “shrimp” on the menu.  I’ve noticed over the time I’ve performed weddings that the groom is often the one who gets a bit emotional at time of vow reciting, so I have started preparing them ahead of time for this potential.  Unlike the bride who has invested hours studying, preparing, debating, reviewing and detailing her wedding, most grooms come in just ready to share in the moment and participate.  So..when finally on our porch, dressed in tux with family and friends staring at him, his beautiful bride advancing up the aisle it all begins to register and it may be more difficult than he imagined just to repeat a few vows. Hence we try to give him a heads up and a bit of support at this special moment.  Small or large we enjoy making weddings a special time for bride and groom and their families.  Hope you enjoy these pictures.

Jami and Jaime help us make beautiful weddings

Williams House Wedding in rose garden

We’ve had several  weddings and a vow renewal this fall at the Williams House ranging in size from two to eighty people.  Most weddings are held on the front porch but in smaller groups we often use the rose garden, or beneath the 500 year old live oak in the back courtyard.  Receptions are mostly in the back courtyard and are generally Deborah’s  delicious food creations although a few of the larger weddings have used local restaurants or caterer’s. Byron performs many of the ceremonies since in Florida you need only be a notary to perform weddings.  We enjoy the process for weddings from the first time meeting bride or bride and groom through the visits by family and friends and exploring how the Williams House can make a destination wedding fulfill the dreams of brides.  Most weddings are coordinated by Deborah and the bride and groom generally need only plan for centerpieces, get a license, choose appropriate attire, and show up.  We really enjoy taking the hassle out of the wedding process and letting the bride and groom enjoy their special day and their family and friends.  A sampling of photos from recent weddings are attached.