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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 

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