1. bBeEauAtCifHul
The stunning strands of Jacksonville, Florida, don’t need a lot of
frills. Accentuate the beauty of sand and sea with earthy tones,
natural elements, pearly touches and just a hint of sparkle.
photography by shannon greer
styling by rodney hall & meeka johnson
SHIMMERING
ON THE SAND
On Sophie: Gown,
$2,850, and shrug,
$1,975, St. Pucchi.
Earrings, $225, Cheryl
King Couture.
SITTING PRETTY AT
ONE OCEAN RESORT
(opposite) On Sophie:
Gown, $3,600, Christos.
Necklace, $220, Ben-
Amun. Bracelets, $100
each, PearlParadise
.com. Hairpin, $60,
Everything Angelic.
56 destination weddings & honeymoons month/month 2011 57

2. STEALING A KISS AT LITTLE
TALBOT ISLAND STATE PARK
On Sophie: Gown, $3,480, Jenny
Packham. Earrings, price on request,
Diamond in the Rough. Bouquet, price on
request, Glenn Certain Studio.
On Anderson: Suit, $299.99, Andrew
Fezza. Shirt, $150, Tween. Tie, $49.99,
Pronto Uomo Couture. Pocket square,
$60, Thomas Pink. Shoes, $175, Allen
Edmonds. Ring, $2,780, Kirk Kara.
58 destination weddings & honeymoons month/month 2011 59

3. NATURAL BEAUTY
On Sophie: Gown, price on request,
J. Mendel. Necklace, $1,560, Miriam
Haskell. Earrings, $2,700, Roberto
Coin. Cocktail ring, $169, Cristina V.
Engagement ring, $3,510, Kirk Kara.
FLIRTING ON THE BOARDWALK
(opposite) On Sophie: Gown, $3,950,
Claire Pettibone. Earrings, $32,
AnnaBellagio. Bracelet, $180,
Everything Angelic. Ring, price on
request, Diamond in the Rough. Hair
accessories, $105, Nicole Miller. On
Anderson: Shirt, $395, and pants, $495,
ISAIA. Tie, $105, Thomas Pink.
60 destination weddings & honeymoons month/month 2011 61

4. BAREFOOT ELEGANCE
On Sophie: Gown, $949, Alfred
Angelo. Earrings, $265, and
bracelet, $480, Cheryl King
Couture. Ring, $3,510, Kirk
Kara. Headpiece, $375, Cheryl
King Couture. Bouquet, price
on request, Glenn Certain
Studio. On Anderson: Suit,
$349.99, English Laundry.
Shirt, $119.50, Gianni Orvietto.
Ring, $2,780, Kirk Kara.
A TOAST AT THE
LOBBY BAR (opposite)
On Sophie: Gown, $935,
Nicole Miller. Earrings, $120,
Kenneth Jay Lane. Ring, price
on request, Diamond in the
Rough. On Anderson: Suit,
$2,390, and shirt, $395, ISAIA.
Pocket square, $70,
Thomas Pink.
62 destination weddings & honeymoons month/month 2011 63

5. on location
jacksonville, florida
T his city (the state’s largest, in fact) on Florida’s northeast coast has a lot going for it. Yes, there
are the expected urban attractions — sports teams, museums, a great zoo. But what caught
our attention are the 20 miles of pristine beaches, wide and hard-packed enough for strolling,
running, playing ... and of course, wedding. We based ourselves in Atlantic Beach, a classic coastal
enclave just 26 miles from Jacksonville International Airport (talk about convenience).
where to stay Follow Atlantic Boulevard until you reach the
waves, and you’ll find One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa, a AAA four-diamond
property. Standing out from its surroundings, this stylish
stay offers an unexpected option well beyond the typical beach-town
motel. Inside is a tranquil spa, top-notch dining and 193 chic rooms
and suites with ocean views. Newlyweds will love the latter option,
each equipped with a balcony and
a whirlpool tub; one is even named
for author John Grisham, who used
to frequent the hotel. Bonus: The
property is close to the cobblestone
streets of Beaches Town Center,
known for its kitschy shops, casual
eateries, art galleries, ice-cream
parlors and beach bars.
where to wed For a serene
ceremony here, you really can’t beat
the beach — the hotel faces one of
the prettiest strands in the state. Say
I do with your toes in the sand just
on the other side of the dunes, then
walk a few steps back to the hotel
for the reception. Our fave spot: the
alfresco veranda attached to the bar,
with a fire pit and partial roof (in case
a plan B is required). For an indoor gala, the grand ballroom can hold
up to 250 guests and be transformed into whatever your heart desires.
Plus, there’s an onsite planner to handle the details and hotel pastry
chef Nancy Slatsky to create your favorite confections.
what to do Golf is a given in Florida, and the hotel can arrange
an outing to Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club, where the
Mark McCumber Royal Course is fit for golfers of all experience levels.
Bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway, the course has a natural Old
Florida setting, and massive oak trees with swaying Spanish moss line
the greens. Melt away wedding stress with a trip to the spa, where the
relaxation lounge looks out over the water and the signature treatments
include an ocean-mud wrap and a seashell massage. The little ones in
your group will stay entertained at the onsite Sea Turtles Kids Club,
where they can build sand castles, do art projects and take photography
lessons. For a taste of Florida’s unspoiled natural beauty, pack a picnic
for a day trip to Little Talbot Island State Park, a short drive and
ferry ride away. This protected seashore is a secluded spot for escapists
looking for a side of nature with their beach. Along with salt marshes,
pristine dunes and maritime forests, you’ll find more than five miles of
undeveloped white-sand beaches dotted with driftwood and home to
an array of wildlife, including river
otters, gopher tortoises and bobcats.
where to eat Azurea, One
Ocean’s signature restaurant, fea-tures
fine dining in an elegant at-mosphere.
We especially loved the
Pacific ahi tuna carpaccio and the
duck two ways with foie gras, both of
which would be great at a reception.
Or if you’re feeling bold, opt for the
Adventurous Palate, an undisclosed
five- or seven-course selection hand-picked
by executive chef Ted Peters.
On the more casual side, the Pool
Bar & Grill serves up lighter fare
like sandwiches, salads and burg-ers.
Craving Italian? Walk to Mezza
Luna in the Beaches Town Center
for specialties like create-your-own
pasta, lasagna Bolognese and wood-fired pizza, plus fresh seafood and
steak selections. If it’s oysters you’re
after, hit up Sliders Seafood Grille,
also in the Town Center. With a laid-back
beach vibe, it’s the perfect place
to enjoy the crustaceans, plus other
straight-from-the-sea options like
shrimp, scallops and lobster.
End your night with cocktails in the
resort’s lobby bar, served by resident
mixologist Hugh Thompson, who’s
won multiple awards for his unique
blends. And yes, he can even come up
with a one-of-a-kind concoction for
your big day. — Rebecca Kinnear ■
Opposite, clockwise from above left:
Enjoying oysters at Sliders Seafood
Grille; one of Jacksonville’s many
beaches; a custom cake by One Ocean
Resort; a rustic boardwalk leads to an
unspoiled strand. On Sophie: Gown,
$3,950, Christos. Sash, $50, Nina.
Necklace, $68, Monet. Bracelet, $195,
Cheryl King for Icing Couture. Cocktail
ring, $295, Faye Kim. Wedding band,
price on request, Roberto Coin. On
Anderson: Shirt, $175, pants, $400,
and vest, $275, Black Fleece by
Brooks Brothers. Tie, $105, Thomas
Pink. Shoes, $620, Fratelli Rossetti.
Ring, $2,780, Kirk Kara.
64 destination weddings & honeymoons for more info, see the 411 on page 104.
month/month 2011 65
Opposite, clockwise from top left: shannon greer; diane macdonald/getty images; shannon greer; joe vogan/alamy