Sunset family elopement at Redington Beach, Florida

WEDDING DATE March 16, 2020. We are from Canada and spend March break on the gulf coast every year. We chose the date at the beginning of our vacation so we could relax and enjoy the beach afterwards, and every year for our anniversary.

THE PROPOSAL Clancy and his son, Cale picked a ring together. They prepared a special dinner for me and worked to tape the ring box under the table before I got home from work. When Clancy gave the signal, Cale asked if I would be his Step Mom, and Clancy offered the ring and asked me to be his wife.

WEDDING PLANNING MANTRA Planning wasn’t difficult for us, really. We wanted a small, simple, special wedding with pictures that were not posed or stuffy. Our life mantra is to live for “remember when,” and not have too many “wish I would have’s.” When we did meet a planning challenge (like Covid-19 and the decision to travel), we always deferred to “remember when.”

FAVORITE MOMENT All of it. The ceremony was so personal and prepared perfectly to include my step son. The setting was everything I ever dreamed of as a little girl, and so meaningful as our family vacation spot, and the entire process of photos was so much fun! If I had to pick one moment it would be our first dance on the beach. I can’t believe Heidi, our photographer, provided music to go! So very special.

THE DRESS Clancy is a competitive bass angler and he was out of town for a tournament. I decided to surprise him at the weigh-in, and to do some shopping the next day. I had a gut feeling that my dress was waiting for me there. At 10 a.m. I walked into the first store of the day and spotted my dress, which fit perfectly. I held onto it for our nearly two-year engagement.

BEST ADVICE Enjoy the process and the moments. Give yourself all the “remember when’s” that you can. Tomorrow is not promised and time flies way too fast.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR DAY Love. Love. Love.

HE SAYS … She was the most stunning bride ever.

SHE SAYS … He’s my everything.