L
hey say you will meet the love of your life when you least
expect it…this is true for Holly Kidwell and Blake McEachern.
What began as a normal afternoon picking up groceries at
Fresh Market in Destin, turned into the most important day of their lives
when these two met by chance in the checkout line. It didn’t take Blake
long to know she was meant for him. “Within only a few months after
we started dating I knew she was the one... She was such a sweetheart
with a great personality and was probably the most generous and giving
person I had ever met, plus she was a natural with kids. When I saw how
amazing she was with her 2-year old niece and 5-year-old nephew... That’s
when I knew that I wanted her to be my wife and the mother of my
children,” said Blake. As their relationship grew, so did her love for Blake.
Holly described, “When I really got to know Blake, I saw how sweet and
generous he was to everyone around him and that made me want to be
a better person. It was then that I realized that I couldn’t imagine my life
without him!” Blake decided to pop the question in Nassau, Bahamas
while celebrating Holly’s birthday on a cruise. While walking hand in hand
along the beautiful beach, the couple were the only people along the
shore for miles, and Blake decided this was the perfect intimate moment
to ask Holly to be his wife. What they didn’t know is that the Hotel
Manager saw the proposal and not only gave them the visit for free, he
also offered them a complimentary night stay if they ever return!
The wedding was held on May 14, 2016 at Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht
Club. The ceremony was held on the front lawn and the reception
took place both inside and on the tri-level deck out side, where the
entire lower level was converted into a dance floor. The location was
full of natural beauty with lush green lawns and glistening blue waters,
providing the perfect backdrop for their natural color scheme. The
spacious clubhouse was filled with beautiful décor in shades of white,
cream and champagne tones with small accents of navy to tie the whole
look together. Touches of gold were incorporated in the décor and the
bridesmaid dresses to add a little sparkle and elegance. Holly chose a
modern meets classy mermaid style off white beaded lace wedding dress.
It was a truly stunning gown, with a low cut back and the addition of a
shoulder drop sleeve. Her something old was a broach on her bouquet
that belonged to Holly’s best friend Megan’s grandmother and her
something new was a stunning pair of diamond earrings that were a gift
from Blake the morning of the wedding. Her something borrowed was a
diamond tennis bracelet that belongs to the stepmother of the groom,
Vicki McEachern, and her something blue was the embroidered wedding
date inside the wedding dress done by her mother. The groom’s cake was
a nod to Blake’s obsession with Alabama Crimson Tide football with a big
red “ROLL TIDE” written across the top.
The reception was accented with green vines, minimal flowers wooden
candle boxes and glass arrangements; keeping the focus on the stunning
scenery, the bridal party and their family and friends. The evening went
off without a hitch and included a fully stocked s’mores bar, plenty of
dancing and a spectacular sparkler send off. The couple loved spending
their honeymoon exploring Italy as newlyweds. They shared many new
experiences and created memories throughout Rome, The Amalfi Coast
(Positano and Capri), and Pompeii. Blake and Holly love life as a married
couple in Destin and are looking forward to a lifetime of adventures
together.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Coordinator: Lynn Hamlin at Simply Elegant Affairs
Photographer: Fantasia Lyons - Little Miss Creative
Caterer: Hugh Candlin at Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club
Floral Design: Simply Elegant Affairs
Invitation/Stationary: Simply Elegant Affairs
Bridal Dress: Simply Elegant - Fort Walton Beach
Wedding Cake: Publix - Destin
Venue for Ceremony & Reception: Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club
Hair Stylist: Johnathan Doria at Pure & Couture
Makeup Artist: Amy Hathcox from Amy’s Day Spa in Tampa
Holly Michelle
Kidwell
Kendall Blake
McEachern
story by Courtney Murray | photography by Little Miss Creative
T
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