The Crab Trap

Rehearsal Dinner |                  The Crab Trap

Welcome Drinks | The Crab Trap

Home of David & Sally Simpson

Wedding Reception Immediately Following

Immanuel Anglican Church

Wedding Ceremony | Immanuel Anglican

Reception

Fort Walton Yacht Club

Farewell Brunch | Ft. Walton Yacht Club

We're both so grateful to you, our family, and friends over the years. We cherish you and can't wait to celebrate our wedding with you soon.

Our Wedding

Best Beach Date Ever - How We Met

We met on the beach when Natalie was visiting her family in Florida for the Fourth of July. We both had a mutual friend named Hinge and they suggested that we should meet. After our fun beach date, we both knew there was something special. The only problem was that Natalie was flying back home to New York City the next day, and Richard didn't want her to leave. He asked her to go to breakfast before her flight home, and over waffles and coffee at the Waffle House, Richard convinced Natalie to cancel her flight and to give him a 1-week chance to see where this feeling of something special would lead. We spent time together each day that week, including Richard getting to know Natalie's family. Richard planned a fun getaway at the end of the week to the Oyster Republic, Apalichicola Florida. If you ask Richard, his plan was to sweep Natalie off her feet. If you ask Natalie, it made the decision to break up with him even harder. A few weeks later, Richard flew to New York to visit Natalie. He knew by the end of the week that he wanted to marry her. He visited Tiffany's in New York and chose a cushion cut, yellow diamond ring. For Natalie, her feelings for Richard grew as well and she felt she found her Forever-By-My-Side guy. When Richard asked David to have dinner with him, David nervously suggested pickleball and lunch. Throughout their conversation, Richard easily conveyed his love for Natalie and David easily conveyed his blessing over them. Understanding Natalie's relationship to her brothers, Richard's phone call to Alan led to a blessing of prayer for them.

Under the Tuscan Sun - Our Proposal

Natalie and Richard both cherish being Italian, and had never been to their homeland. They often talked about how they wanted to go to Italy one day. Since Natalie was meeting friends in Spain to attend a friend's wedding, Richard suggested they meet in Italy after her trip. In their excitement and after several glasses of red wine, Richard asked Natalie's parents to join them too. At a beautiful vineyard and villa in Montepulciano, Richard asked Natalie to be his bride under the Tuscan sun.

Our Story

Photos

This is a beach front hotel located on Okaloosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach. They also have Kids Suites available for $238. To reserve a room, please call the Reservation Department at 850-301-9000 opt.#1. The last day to book with group rate is Wednesday, April 2.Address:1299 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEFort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Holiday Inn Resort

This is a bay front hotel located near the Shalimar Bridge in Ft. Walton Beach. The last day to book with group rate is Thursday, April 3.Address:843 Eglin PkwyFort Walton Beach, FL 32547

TownePlace Suites

This hotel is located in Ft. Walton Beach, adjacent to the Okaloosa County judicial center and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds and Event Center.Address:300 Liberty Ln NWFort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

This hotel is located in Ft. Walton Beach across from the Okaloosa County judicial center.Address:1930 Lewis Turner BlvdFort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Home2 Suites by Hilton

Travel

Waffle House

Waffle House is a special spot for us. This is where Richard and Natalie met for breakfast the day after their first date and he asked her to cancel her flight back to New York. He said, give me 1-week chance to see where this something special goes. Waffle House is also a special spot for Natalie's dad, David. He has had many sit-downs with Natalie's past boyfriends at the Waffle House. Oh my!

The Beach Where We Met

Okaloosa Island - Public Beach Access 7 - Emerald Promenade Beachwalk.Location: 900 Santa Rosa Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach.https://myokaloosa.com/parks/access7Okaloosa Island has several public beach access points on Santa Rosa Boulevard. If you decide to stay at a hotel that is not on the water, you can still access the beach from one of these parks.

The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a popular beach destination located on the Gulf of Mexico on Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach. The Boardwalk is a county park and public beach access point with convenient public parking. It has a wide range of activities, including restaurants, gift shops, a kid’s beach front playground, splash pad, and sand volleyball courts.

Destin Harbor

The Destin Harbor is home to the largest commercial and charter fishing fleet in Florida.  It's also known for its waterfront access, restaurants, and water activities. The harbor is surrounded by the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, which is a popular attraction. If you are interested in booking a fishing trip, ask anyone in Natalie’s family for suggestions with booking a boat or trip. We have many friends who have worked the docks over the years. Or, just ask Father Mike!

Crab Island

Crab Island is located on the north side of the Destin Bridge, just inside the Destin East Pass at the entrance to the Choctawhatchee Bay. Crab Island is a raised sandbar and is only accessible by boat. It used to be an island, but sands from the Gulf of Mexico have eroded it over the years. You can rent a pontoon boat if you are interested in visiting Crab Island.

Seaside & Watercolor

For those staying longer than the wedding weekend, you may want to checkout neighboring beach towns like Seaside and Watercolor, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach on 30A (Florida Scenic Highway 30A). The Simpson family has had many staycations at Watercolor over Labor Day weekend.

Things to Do

We believe, "We love because God first loved us."1 John 4: 19 We believe the gospel is this: "We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” (Tim Keller, "The Meaning of Marriage"). We believe that marriage is a living picture of the gospel of grace. We believe that marriage is a covenant created by God. That the union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. We believe that marriage should look beyond our own self-absorption, that it should look outward to the service of God and others in God’s world, through love of God and neighbor. We invite you, family and closest friends, to our wedding ceremony where we will share our covenant vows. In this respect, this is a black-tie optional event but we welcome you all in any form to this momentous event in our lives. Our covenant wedding ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 3 at 3:00 in the afternoon at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, Florida. With love, Richard and Natalie

Natalie & Richard

Natalie & Richard

Photos

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