G
rica Hughes was born in Fort Walton Beach, but moved every
two or three years as she was raised in a military family. John
Wirka, Jr. was born in Orlando, but his US Army Special Forces
career brought him to Destin. A day in 2014 brought the two together
at KC’s SandBar and Grille when John approached Erica and her two
friends, armed with three roses and a “smooth” pick up line. John was
immediately taken with Erica and asked her out for their first official
date a week later at Dave and Buster’s in Panama City Beach. To this
day, John buys Erica a rose whenever there is a vendor selling flowers,
to commemorate that special night. July 11, 2015, started out as a
normal date night at Dave and Buster’s for some fun and games. On
the drive home they decided to stop at Red Bar in Grayton Beach for
a nightcap. Afterward, they walked down to the ocean, and underneath
a beautiful star studded clear night sky John got on one knee and asked
Erica to marry him. It was a perfect moment that the two of them will
always treasure. Two weeks later John was off to Ranger School and
the couple’s communication for the next three months was limited to
letters and a three-minute phone call every few weeks. “I got really
good at checking the mail during that time and John got really sick of
eating MRE’s,” recalls Erica.
The wedding ceremony took place on May 21, 2016, on The Grand
Lawn of Sandestin Resort in Miramar Beach, FL. Their vision was
natural, woodsy, laid-back, and to acknowledge Armed Forces Day,
they had American flags and signs sprinkled throughout the ceremony
and reception to honor all service members. Their style aesthetic was
classic with neutral colors. The bridesmaids wore taupe convertible
dresses and the groomsmen were dressed in classic black suits with
brass bullet casing boutonnieres. The groom and his best man wore
their Army Service Uniforms. Erica’s bouquet used lots of greenery
with a splash of white and wildflowers with eucalyptus, green and
white hydrangea, and white calla lilies wrapped in burlap and twine.
She was absolutely stunning in her strapless mermaid gown. The satin
dress had a sweetheart neckline with a vintage lace pattern overlay in
an ivory and spun gold color. Her something old was a handkerchief
incorporated into her bouquet with an embroidered “H” for her
maiden name that her maternal grandmother gave Erica’s mother when
she was born. Something new was her wedding dress and earrings.
She wore her paternal grandmother’s pearl bracelet as her something
borrowed. Her something blue was also entwined in the bouquet, a
turquoise rosary from her paternal grandmother that was made by a
family friend.
The reception was held in the Azalea Ballroom of The Grand
Complex on Sandestin resort where guests danced away to the tunes
of Post Pluto, an amazing funky band out of Pensacola. The music for
the entire event was important to the couple. Erica described, “John is
a huge 90’s grunge fan and I am a classic rock girl; we found the song
“Thank You” by Led Zeppelin covered by Chris Cornell for our first
dance song. One of my favorite parts of the wedding planning process
was picking out the perfect songs to go along with the day/evening.”
John and Erica are both avid scuba divers and they definitely wanted to
get some diving in while on their honeymoon, so Belize was the perfect
location. The newlyweds are excited to embark on their new adventure
together, residing in Miramar Beach.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Coordinator: Heather Cleveland & Coral Holland
Photographer: Sass&Soul Photography
Caterer: Sandestin Resort, Chef Javier Rosa
Floral Design: It’s A Perfect Day Weddings, Freeport
Bridal Dress: Simply Elegant
Wedding Cake: Publix at Grand Boulevard
Venue for Ceremony: The Grand Lawn, Sandestin Resort
Venue for Reception: Azalea Ballroom
Hair & Makeup: Barbie Ortiz-Hayes of Aveda Avantgarde Salon
Erica
Hughes
John
Wirka, Jr.
story by Courtney Murray | photography by Sass&Soul Photography
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