Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club Wedding
Margaret and Aaron tied the knot on St Pete Beach during their beautiful Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club wedding. The two having been waiting their whole lives for their wedding day to come and created it out of a vision of their personalities and being able to entertain their guests “to the max” as Aaron laughingly describes it.
My couple’s love story began back in the Fall of 1993 when one brief encounter in math class during their sophomore year in high school changed everything. They became quick friends from that day on, and for both it became one of the best friendships ever to exist. Through the years, they never grew apart, even when distance separated them through college or different career paths. Love came and went for both, neither having found that perfect one, but their friendship continued to strengthen as they supported each other.
With their friendship growing deeper and deeper as the years passed on, 2016 became a milestone year for their friendship to turn to a relationship. As Margaret explains, “time seems to have an amazing way of showing what is truly important. It played a big role in the friendship that began 25 years ago. And then, in 2016, timing meant everything when it led to these “best friends” opening our hearts to begin the next chapter in our lives. This chapter has shown how two people can find where we truly belong, where we have found a home, where we are happy, and where we have the true love that started growing all those years ago.”
Having been friends and partners through life, Margaret fell in love with how compassionate, loving, and generous Aaron is. As she lovingly dotes on Aaron, “he has a heart of gold; he would give the shirt off of his own back to help someone else.” For Aaron, Margaret’s constant compassionate and caring nature is what he loves most. As Aaron explains, “I love that she worries about me and everyone around her and their well being. I can never understand how patient she is, with me or anyone else, and a thankful every day for it.”
Loving Margaret for many years, Aaron had known he found the one for sometime before his proposal. Planning a weekend getaway to Clearwater Beach, he surprised Margaret with a massage and after asked her to be ready shorty after for dinner – in fact he stressed this a little, but Margaret didn’t realize what was to come! Coming back to the hotel, Aaron rushed in to their room where Margaret was getting ready and asked her to come out on the balcony to see a sign. Pointed in the wrong direction, with windblown hair, Margaret couldn’t see much of anything until Aaron turned her around and redirected her eyes to a grassy area below. Looking down, Margaret was in complete utter shock and joy – all of their friends and family were holding a huge (seriously, huge!) banner that said, “Moon, will you marry me?” Turning to Aaron, Margaret laughingly said “Oh, stop it” followed by and of course, “YES!” Margaret reminisce that after their tearful embrace of her saying yes, it “was the best feeling in the world.”
I could truly see the love between Margaret and Aaron that had been built through years of friendship. Starting from the moment we arrive, Margaret greeted us outside with the biggest smile. I knew from that moment it was going to be an incredible wedding day seeing the joy in her smile. Heading up to our bride, we captured Margaret having hair and makeup completed, along with her details, and of course putting on her gown. I am such a sucker for a keyhole back, which can only be even more gorgeous when it is a lace keyhole back – and of course, Margaret’s dress had one! It was such a perfect choice for a beach wedding!
Once our groom and his groomsmen arrived, we captured them suiting up and a bunch of fun group shots in a teal hallway that was literally the same color as the bridesmaid dresses – seriously how perfect! Aaron picked out so many fun details for his guys, from personalized cufflinks to socks! His dad, and best man, a huge fan of the Tampa Bay Rays even had custom suspenders – well done on the details Aaron!
After suiting up, Aaron awaited his bride-to-be for their first look. As Margaret walked up to Aaron, tears began to flow between the two of them. It was such a beautiful moment that they had together before we headed downstairs for formal portraits with their family and bridal party, followed by their beach ceremony.
Set along the gorgeous Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve, the two shared their vows among friends and family. During their ceremony, a sand pouring unified the two together with their love never being able to be separated, just like the grains of sand. After their sand pouring we were off to newlywed portraits along the shore before heading to their cocktail hour.
Another moment alone, in addition to their first look, you could just see how love had flooded in to their hearts in realizing they were officially Mr. and Mrs.! With a gorgeous light yellow sunset in the distance, we captured many beautiful portraits along the water before heading into their reception.
Dancing filled the night, along with an anniversary dance (several couples had been together well over 50 years!), and hugs goodbye before we headed out for the night. Wishing Aaron and Margaret a beautiful life together, filled with the same deep connection they had since the day they met over 20 years ago!
Venue: Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club
Coordinator: Liz Kamali Events
Makeup: Anamary Valdes
Hair: Kandice ShaRhea
Floral: Alta Fleura
Cake: I Heart Cupcakes
DJ: Breezin Entertainment
Stationary: Minted
Dress Shop: CC’s Bridal
Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Men’s Shoes: Florsheim
Ring Designer: James Allen
