A Casual Beach Wedding at the Palm Island Resort in Cape Haze, Florida

Mallory Reardon (29 and a vice president at an insurance agency) and Justin Porter (30 and an emergency room technician and firefighter) got engaged about twelve years after they met in high school. Justin popped the question in their hometown. “It was just the two of us on that beach and it was absolutely perfect,” says Mallory. The couple planned an intimate beach wedding over the next seven months. As Mallory has family and childhood memories in Florida, the Connecticut couple decided to have their wedding at the Palm Island Resort in Cape Haze, Florida. “I wanted the wedding to be very natural and laid back,” says Mallory. In lieu of a color palette, the couple focused on highlighting their natural setting. Mallory and Justin had a simple beach ceremony under a white fabric draped bamboo arch. ?Thirty minutes later, the couple joined their family and friends for a tented cocktail hour and reception. Each guest found his or her seat listed within a custom labeled message in a bottle. Mallory and Justin then served a buffet dinner complete with prime rib and grilled Mahi Mahi with mango salsa as well as a two-tier seashell accented wedding cake. The couple spent their night dancing with their guests. “It truly was the best day of my life!” says Mallory.