t was sophomore year at Clemson University that a blonde
haired beauty met her real life price charming. Emily Kyle Lyerly
grew up in Destin, Florida, and was destined to meet Austin
Colby Specter from Columbia, SC. Their relationship blossomed amongst
the purple and orange over the course of their college years, leading
up to the moment that Austin proposed to Emily Kyle over dinner on
the Atlanta Beltline. When Austin presented her with a scrapbook he
put together she immediately knew “this is the moment!” The couple
took a trip down memory lane, reliving the moments and emotions they
have shared as a couple until Austin got down on one knee and popped
the question. Dinner was followed by a rooftop celebration with both
families who traveled into town. Austin had planned out every detail and
had even worked with Emily Kyle’s parents to set a wedding date before
ever popping the question: April 28, 2018! With Emily Kyle’s roots in
Destin the couple chose to keep all of the wedding events local. Family
friends hosted an engagement party on the harbor at the Boathouse, the
rehearsal dinner followed by “Champs & Sweets” was held at the Destin
Bay House, and the bridesmaids luncheon was in Indian Bayou hosted by
the mothers of all the kids Emily Kyle grew up with. Guests stayed at the
beautiful Henderson Beach Resort and kicked off the wedding festivities
with a beach bonfire courtesy of 30A Sunset Beach Service.
The bride and bridesmaids got ready in matching champagne tunics
along with the help of Alyssa Hagans with Morgan King Makeup, and
Dawn & Company, the bride’s hair stylist since age 13. The excitement
grew as the groomsmen relaxed upstairs, the band prepared in the
garage, and the vendors set up in the backyard as guests began to arrive.
Wedding guests were shuttled from The Henderson Beach Resort to
the family home, where they were greeted by Fancy Grass pop-ups, a
festive local business that “fancifies your lawn to celebrate life’s most
memorable moments” which in this case included a champagne bottle,
wedding cake and chapel! Emily Kyle had envisioned an “Elegant Garden
Party” and Arden Sanders with It’s a Shore Thing pulled together every
sentimental detail seamlessly. As it was held at the home she grew up
in, Emily Kyle had walked out the back door many times before. But
the moment she stood in the kitchen with her father, waiting to walk
out the back door, down the stairs and across the backyard towards
Austin is a moment she and her father will never forget. An elegant
white tent was situated next to the pool laden with fresh Provencal
herbs, topiaries, boxwood, ivory satin ribbon, pops of pink and topped
BEHIND THE SCENES
Emily Kyle
Lyerly
Austin Colby
Specter
Newlyweds of Destin
27
story by
Courtney Murray
| photography by
Pure7
Wedding and Event Planning: Arden Sanders with It’s a Shore Thing
Floral Design: Sally LaCourse with Florals by the Sea
Catering: Donna Townsend with Townsend Catering Company
Personalized Details: Heidi LoCicero and Peyton LoCicero with
Frillseekers Gifts
Makeup: Alyssa with Morgan King Makeup
Hairstylist: Dawn & Company
Wedding Dress: Belfiore Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Carmen Marc Valvo
Suits: The Black Tux
Videography: Swell House Media
Photography: Pure7
Ceremony Music: Top Hat Live & Erin Hagans
Cake: Betty Weber Cakes
Hotel Accommodations: The Henderson
Lawnscaping: Magdi Malek with Lawnscape Services
Shuttle: Sunshine Shuttle
Pop-Ups: Fancy Grass
Tiger Mascot: Clemson University
Band: AzIzz
I
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