AN Organic, Garden-Themed Wedding in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida with Greenery and Wildflowers
Although Hannah and Ari both grew up in Georgia, sharing mutual friends and living just fifteen minutes from each other, they never met until college. The couple still jokes about how they probably attended the same gatherings long before they became acquainted. Fortunately, their time at the University of Georgia gave them the perfect opportunity to cross paths.
“During Thanksgiving break our sophomore year,” Hannah shares, “we unexpectedly ran into each other at an REI in Atlanta. Ari was shopping for ski gear with his dad, while I was there with my mom and sister—browsing for deals, of course. He stopped to say hello and was instantly warm and charming. The moment I got back into the car, my mom and sister began grilling me about who he was and, more importantly, why I wasn’t dating him.”
“Although I had heard through friends that Ari was interested in me,” she continues, “I hadn’t thought much of it until that moment. Shortly after returning to campus, my sorority hosted a date party where the girls could set each other up. I asked a sorority sister who was close friends with Ari to set us up, and the rest truly is history.”
Eight Years of Adventure
From that very first date, Hannah was smitten.
“Ari’s kindness and thoughtfulness drew me in immediately,” she recalls. “He made me feel like the most important, special, and beautiful person in the room, always giving me his full attention.”
“I was first drawn to Hannah because of her beauty and sense of adventure,” says Ari. “Whether skydiving, hiking, or camping, I knew I had found a partner who wouldn’t back down from anything. But what made me fall deeper was discovering her strength, resilience, and the positive energy she brings wherever she goes.”
“The instant we saw each other, I felt calm and completely at home.”
The next eight years were filled with adventure: traveling to new places, camping trips, exploring national parks, and eventually moving to New York City. One of the couple’s favorite things to do together has always been hiking and taking in beautiful scenery, so it felt only natural that Ari would propose on a hike.
During the summer of 2024, Hannah and Ari visited Acadia National Park for their annual hiking vacation. About thirty minutes into the first hike, Ari insisted they veer off the trail for an incredible photo spot he had read about.
“After scrambling down some rocks,” says Hannah, “he told me we had reached ‘the spot.’ He set up his phone on a tripod to capture what I thought was just a regular photo, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. In workout clothes, hiking boots, and no makeup, it was absolutely perfect. We chose to wait to share the news with friends until after our vacation, wanting to savor that special time just the two of us.”
Planning a Wedding in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Hannah was the type of girl who always dreamed about her wedding, so she was thrilled when it came time to start the wedding planning process.
“I’m very Type A and organized,” she explains, “the friend who plans vacations, birthday parties, and just about everything. I wanted to be involved in every detail. Ari was also very involved, focusing mainly on logistics, music, and food. Together, we knew we wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of us.”
Since Ari’s parents have a condo in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, that became the obvious choice for the couple’s wedding destination.
“Early in our relationship, it became our happy place, a second home we always loved returning to,” Hannah says. “Planning a wedding there allowed us to share our favorite spots with our guests and create a destination weekend that felt like a vacation in a place deeply meaningful to us, surrounded by the people we love most.”
An Organic and Enchanting Garden Theme
Leading up to the wedding day, the bride and groom were constantly reminded about how quickly it would all pass—so they were very intentional about slowing down, staying present, and soaking in every moment together. The groom’s morning was filled with tears, which were eight years in the making, while the bride was experiencing a whirlwind of excited nerves and anticipation.
“I remember being completely consumed by the thought of seeing Ari for the first time that day,” she describes. “The instant we saw each other, I felt calm and completely at home.”
The ceremony and reception took place outdoors, with the magnificent surroundings of WaterColor complementing the wedding décor to perfection. Greenery and wildflowers added an organic and enchanting ambiance to the ceremony space, and a stunning chuppah blended seamlessly with the trees. There were also floral arrangements along the ceremony aisle, designed to look as though they were growing straight out of the grass.
Dinner was held beneath a sailcloth tent that brought the couple’s wedding dreams to life. Hanging greenery and rattan lanterns floated overhead, complemented by colorful floral arrangements, a green-painted bar, blue glassware, and beautifully layered linens throughout.
“I kept the entire dinner setup a surprise for Ari,” says Hannah, “and watching his reaction—completely blown away—was one of my favorite moments of the weekend. It truly felt like the most beautiful and joyful dinner party we have ever attended.”
One of the most unique elements of the couple’s WaterColor wedding was hosting dinner and dancing in two separate locations. After dinner, guests were led on a short walk to the dance floor, following a live saxophonist in a celebratory second-line procession. The garden theme continued in this space, but with a darker, moodier, and more romantic feel.
In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, Hannah and Ari chose to have a cookie skillet bar with ice cream, and guests were treated to a nonstop parade of food throughout the night—with mini cheesecakes, espresso martinis, and late-night chicken fingers and fries served right on the dance floor.
After the wedding, the newlyweds stayed in Santa Rosa Beach for a weeklong mini-moon, spending their days at the beach, reliving the weekend, and settling into a new chapter of life together. Their “official honeymoon” took place in March 2026 and consisted of a five-week adventure through Southeast Asia.
WEDDING TALENT
Location & Catering: WaterColor Inn & Resort; Planner: Shindigs by Sheril; Floral & Event Design: Myrtie Blue; Rentals: Panache Tent + Event, H&M Event Rentals; Linens: Nuage Designs; Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav; Hair: Gallant Glam; Makeup: Julieann LeVan Beauty; Groom's Attire: SuitSupply; Groom's Watch: Jaeger-LeCoultre; Engagement Ring: Suzy B Jewelry; Invitations: Robyn Feinberg; Entertainment: Big Bling and the Funk Machine; String Trio: Top Hat Live; Saxophonist: Chris Godber; Cinematography: Josh Kidd Films; Photography: Wesleyann McMullen