Pre-Wedding Gathering

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Golf

Sunset Boat Cruise (2 hours)

Welcome to our White (Beach) Wedding

The Destin/Fort Walton airport (VSP) is 38 minutes from our rental at 242 Miami St., Miramar Beach. DSI airport is 16 minutes. -- Hilton Gardens is one mile from our rental. For parking ease, we suggest Uber or Lyft when coming over. Bars and restaurants are within walking distance. -- Frangista Beach, where the wedding will be, is a ‪9-minute walk from our rental. We will have a golf cart to help people back and forth. From the owner: This vacation home is near theme parks and near the beach. Destin Commons and HarborWalk Village are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Miramar Beach and Destin Beaches. Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park and Destin Yarn Shop are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Our Wedding

I suppose we should start by saying Steph stalked Dave on Facebook before he finally agreed to a date. (Thank God she doesn't know how to edit this.) When she, err, he, finally said yes, Dave took her to Cork &amp; Cleaver, known for its steak. Steph had the walleye. Broiled. She squirted lemon on it. As you can guess, it was horrible. Plus, she ordered only water.Did she speak up? No. Dave urged her to get a drink. ("Must be a fitness freak," he thought. "She'll be good for me."). Finally, meekly, she said "maybe just one." ... And proceeded to say "Bud Light cold. No glass. Keep 'em coming," to our waiter. Meanwhile, Dave ordered the filet mignon, which was delicious. Being incredibly observant, after a few bites he noticed her staring at his steak and her fingers inching toward the edge of his plate, her fish basically untouched. "Is it OK?" Dave asked while subtly moving his own plate from her hand. "You're not eating?" "No," she said, near tears. "I'm not hungry ... How is the steak?" So, Dave gave her a taste. He figured it was only a bite. Then, he gave her some more. And more. Still hungry, Dave tried her walleye and, immediately, recoiled. "Good God that is horrible!" Dave exclaimed. "Oh good," she said, raising a beer again. "I didn't want to say anything." So, we split the filet mignon and bonded over badly broiled walleye. We laughed a lot that night, just as we continue to do so throughout all of our adventures, bad decisions and luck. This is why Dave is now in charge of ordering when we dine out. Steph also hates the pressure of planning and decision making, so she put Dave in charge of telling our story here. And she has no idea how to change it. The lady has no sense of humor whatsoever, and Dave loves her for it. When he proposed, at yet another restaurant called "Harry's Steakhouse" in Grand Forks, he said "I'm going to tease you until the day we die." Steph smiled and said, "You better." The attached photo is from Valentine's Day 2024. We tried the Cork &amp; Cleaver again to celebrate our time together. While we will always be grateful for what started there, we won't be recommending the C&amp;C to future couples. It should be noted that Stephanie made Dave write these exact words. Yes, she still doesn't know how to edit this page. Fingers crossed, she may now want to take over planning from here on out.

A Fishy First Date

Our Story

Photos

We couldn't think of a better wordsmith to marry us, so we were excited when JH agreed to get his license. The success of this entire beach wedding and marriage now rests on JH's shoulder. No pressure. Seriously, though, Dave and John have worked together, written together and, mostly, laughed together while not necessarily solving any world problems during late nights. It is an honor to have John Henry as our Officiant. It makes for another great story, and nobody tells a better one than JH.  He may just make a second career of this.


John Henry

You may hear Dave (me) called "Dakota" when you're in Destin. That's Robbie's doing. He is one of the first people I met outside of the newspaper in Fort Worth. A mutual friend asked my name and he said "everyone, this is Dakota," and it stuck, so much so that his mom said she'd known me for 15 years before realizing my real name. Can't say enough about the Turman clan. Robbie and his wife and two teens have visited me everywhere I've lived. I couldn't ask for a better Best Man. 


Robbie Turman

I grew up with two older brothers and always wondered what it would be like to have a sister.  Since Janet joined our family, every year that we get older (and it does NOT show) we've grown closer. I love it.

I realize each time we see each other just how incredibly lucky I am to have this beautiful soul in my life. I am honored to have her as my Matron of Honor, as well as my sister-in-law. I can never thank her enough for being such an incredible presence in my life. She keeps Keith happy, and she even likes Dave!


Janet Day

Keith is the OLDEST of the three Day siblings. (Brian, second OLDEST, can't make the trip, but will be in Destin in spirit!). About Keith: When we are asked who would like to oversee something in the family, Brian and I always vote Keith. He's been taking on that role since our Dad passed in 2011, so there is no other person I'd want giving me away than my "much" older big brother. When you see Keith and Janet, say hi. 
He rocks!

Keith Day

Steph said "let's make sure this is a fun wedding ... would Pat the ring bearer?" We can't say enough about Patty. Even though he loves to say "big whoop," to anything Dave, he's also the first person there when you need him. I dare you all to challenge our ring bearer to a push-up contest in Destin. You'll probably win, but he'll do it. Life would be boring without Patty in it!

Pat Aamold

Wedding Party

Q + A

When you book, ask for the Dondoneau-Fuchs wedding block.

Hilton Garden Inn Destin Miramar Beach

This is where we will be staying and having our wedding reception and Thursday night's pre-wedding gathering. It is about a mile from the Hilton Gardens. We suggest Uber or Lyft instead of driving over. No reservations. Just listing this so you know where the festivities will be.

Beach Bait Villa

Travel

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

There are plenty of restaurants and shops in Destin, Miramar and the surrounding area. White sand beaches, and probably the most popular attraction is Crab Island, a popular sandbar with food and drink. Fishing charters, party boats, paddleboards, snorkeling and so much more. There is an outlet mall, zoo and even a catch-and-release pond in our area.

Stephanie & Dave

Stephanie & Dave

Travel

Hilton Garden Inn Destin Miramar Beach

Beach Bait Villa