J
odie Kelly Stevens was born and raised in Destin and is a
professional dressage rider (horse trainer), while Josh David
Baxley, an Arkansas boy, was brought to Destin by the Air Force
where he is still currently active duty on Eglin. These two come from
separate worlds, but fate brought them together. Their proposal was
like a fairytale. Jodie’s parents gave the couple a cruise to the Greek
Islands for Christmas that left out of Venice, Italy. Knowing how excited
Jodie was to ride the gondola, Josh decided that paddling through the
back canals in Venice was the perfect opportunity to propose marriage.
As they were enjoying the breathtaking views, Josh got down on one
knee in the boat and asked Jodie to be his wife; she was totally shocked
and of course said yes!
On November 12, 2016, the two became one at their friend’s,
the Geary family’s, gorgeous home at Kelly Plantation. Not only is
this location stunning, it has a special meaning as well. Before being
developed, this land belonged to Jodie’s great grandmother, Mattie Kelly
(Memom). “To get married at a special friends’ house, on what used to
be family land, is as unique as it comes,” said Jodie. On this perfect fall
day the beautiful bride, her bridesmaids and family entered down the
mouth of Indian Bayou on the Charter Boat Relentless. This was extra
special because Jodie’s dad built this boat himself, in their backyard.
“My dad runs it full time with fishing charters, and it is this lifestyle that
revolves around fishing, boats and the water that bonds Josh and me in
unexplainable ways,” described Jodie, “If we aren’t working, he and I will
be found somewhere in, around or on the water, and on the Relentless
as often as possible!”
Every aspect of their wedding represented something special and
unique to the couple. Having both families deeply rooted in the military,
Josh was married in his Air Force uniform. When Jodie was 13 she
got her horse Manhattan, which began her passion for working with
horses. They’ve been through thick and thin together, so of course
Jodie couldn’t get married without Manhattan! Jodie’s wedding rings
are a combination of new and old. The center stone of her engagement
ring has been in her mother’s family for over 100 years and she and
Joe designed the ring together. Her wedding band belonged to her
grandmother who was married 60 beautiful years to her grandfather,
Big Joe, before she passed. Josh’s nine-year-old daughter Hannah was
the beautiful flower girl. Hannah was six when Jodie met Josh; “She
has shown nothing but grace and excitement as I have become a
permanent fixture in her and her daddy’s life. I look forward to being
a part of her life as she grows up,” described Jodie. From the special
trio of family friends that sung during the ceremony, to their incredible
bridal party and parents, Jodie and Josh surrounded themselves with
friends and family as they began their new life together. They spent
their honeymoon basking on the sandy shores of the Crane Resort in
Barbados. It was quiet, relaxing and breathtakingly beautiful... everything
they could have hoped for to begin their new lives together.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Coordinator: Jennifer Lewis at It’s a Shore Thing
Photographer: Pure 7 Studios & Pure 7 Films
Caterer: Townsend Catering Company
Floral Design: Sally at Florals by the Sea
Wedding Venue: Geary Home
Reception Venue: Kelly Plantation
Wedding Gown: Destin Bridal Affairs
Hair & Makeup Artist: Jessica Austin at Make Me Blush
Invitations/Stationary: Frill Seekers
Jodie kelly
stevens
josh david
baxley
story by Courtney Murray | photography by
Pure 7 Studios
J
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