Feature Resort & Venue: Seaside, Florida

Seaside, Florida
Simple Elegance Meets Wedding Perfection

By Will Estell

If you’re a fan of the beach and thinking about -or in the process of- planning your upcoming destination wedding, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about Seaside, Florida. Secondly, if you’re like many people in this country -and abroad- who have heard acquaintances, friends, and family speak about this eloquent beach side town, but haven’t yet experienced it for yourself, then by all means keep reading because you simply have no idea what you are missing. And you certainly don’t want to pass up the opportunity to put this piece of coastal paradise on your short list of places to celebrate your upcoming special day.

How Seaside Came to Be
To completely appreciate and understand what makes Seaside so special to so many of those who have had the pleasure to visit the famous little town, one should first get a quick lesson in the history of this now famous epitome of new urbanism that has served as one of the most significant forces in putting Northwest Florida on the international map.

Seaside was developed in 1981 by Robert Davis on the 80 acres of coastal land that had been purchased by Davis’ grandfather, J.S. Smolian, back in 1946. Just a empty piece of beachside land near Seagrove Beach. Smolian’s plan for his serene property was to turn it into a Summer camp for his employees and their families, but this plan never took off because his business partner wasn’t interested in developing what he saw as being a worthless piece of sand. Still the Smolian family, along with young Davis, continued coming to the area Summer after Summer until Robert himself was a young adult.

Jump ahead many years and Robert Davis had grown up to be a student of history and business, and became an award-winning developer in Miami in the 70’s. It was after this success that Robert Davis began thinking about the perfect little tract of beach property on what is now Northwest Florida’s famous Hwy. 30A.

Davis’ vision for Seaside was a throw-back to the simpler times when small coastaltowns consisted of wood-frame cottages so well adapted to the climate that they enhanced the sensual pleasure of life by the sea. These cottages had deep roof overhangs, ample windows and cross ventilation in all rooms. They were built of wood and other time-tested materials and with reasonable maintenance, could last several generations. After much research, and many travels throughout the south, Davis and his colleagues had explored and learned the building principles of these old style cottage homes, and were ready to began building their beach town, which became the town of Seaside, Florida in 1981.

A Style All Its Own
Perhaps what makes Seaside stand apart from most anywhere else, coastal or otherwise, is the town’s individual style. A certain something that is almost beyond words; something that must be experienced in order for one to really get what Seaside is about…and why once you visit, you will most likely continue to come back again and again, perhaps forever.

Daryl Davis, co-founder of Seaside, and the founder of Seaside’s retail development, made it her personal project to refine, embellish, and grow the idea of Seaside style. The stores she owns and oversees, especially The Seaside Store, and Pizitz Home & Cottage, epitomize this idea of the luxury of simplicity. Seaside style is about bright colors, a laid back yet elegant appearance, people of all ages walking the town, exploring the shops, smiling and speaking to others, and enjoying a slower, more relaxed and fun pace-of-life. Perhaps one of the town’s own slogans says it best: The New Town, The Old Ways.

Seaside style has literally become an adjective used around the entire country to describe architecture, design, community development, even fashion. Make no mistake though, as many hardcore Seaside fans will attest: Only Seaside is “just like” Seaside.
Crystal Beaches and Emerald Waters

Seaside is the leading vacation destination of the entire Gulf Coast region and among its many attributes, the pristine beaches that run the full length of the small beach town are among the primary factors in this popularity. Seaside began with the beach. A beach noted for its fine, white sand and clear turquoise waters. Today, that one-half mile stretch of beach is reverenced for its beauty and recognized as belonging to all of us -residents and visitors- alike. At the end of every Seaside street, stands a beach pavilion, an open gateway to the last of America’s beautiful, unspoiled beaches. There are nine beach pavilions, each architecturally distinctive and each standing as a symbol to the towns commitment to being at one with its natural surroundings; while at the same time serving as a model of coastal modernism.

Planning Your Seaside Wedding
Having your wedding in Seaside is to have the wedding that dreams are made of. As stated a few lines earlier, “only Seaside is just like Seaside”. From the emerald green waters to the crystal white sands, rows of pastel colored cottages, unique shops and eateries, and the laid back, comfortable pace of everyday life that embodies this famous coastal town…everything about Seaside is everything that makes a wedding in Seaside, a dream come true.

Instead of a single location for your wedding, The town of Seaside- and the professionals at Seaside’s Cottage Rental Agency- offer a multitude of locations and wedding venues all within walking distance of one another, while all uniquely different to best suit not only Seaside’s style, but your individual style as a bride.

Whether you choose to exchange your vows in Seaside’s non-denominational Interfaith Chapel-with its white walls, pine floors and 19th century architectural style, or in one of the many beach pavilions where you can enjoy an intimate sunset ceremony -barefoot in the sand with the coastline as your colorful backdrop- or even on one of Seaside’s lavish town greens…one thing is certain: Cottage Rental Agency’s professionally trained wedding planners can assist with everything from obtaining your marriage license and officiate to your catering, music, florals, photography. Best of all, the dedicated staff of Cottage Rental Agency can provide their services for just about any size wedding. So, whether you are planning on a small intimate ceremony for 40 or an elaborate, multi venue, ceremony and reception for 250, you will be in very capable hands.

As for your reception, Seaside’s Cottage Rental Agency offers a number of venues and spaces, each of which offers a unique setting to match whatever your vision may be.

The large Lyceum Meeting Room offers a traditional indoor ballroom space; great for all out receptions with both set down dining, and dancing. For smaller more intimate events, the Seaside Pavilion presents an unforgettable reception, with a remarkable view. The Inn by the Sea, a nine room Vera Bradley designed bed and breakfast, offers a formal dining area, a great room with plenty of room to mingle, and a beautiful expansive front porch perfect for an indoor-outdoor reception. Another option is the Seaside Motor Court, offering plenty of room for a great outdoor courtyard event, while also offering the unique accommodation options for family, friends and bridal parties to stay in the quaint 60’s style bungalows that make up the one of a kind motor court. Brides can even choose to have a grand pool side reception at the West Side Pool, or a beautiful lawn reception at Water Tower Park.

Last but not least, for the quintessential beach reception, Cottage Rental Agency will arrange a catered reception –under a tent, or under the stars- on the crystal white sand, offering casual elegance while celebrating your big day, barefoot in the sand.
Best of all, Cottage Rental Agency’s professionally trained wedding planners will work closely with you to insure that even the smallest detail is taken care of flawlessly. From selecting your ideal event venues, to scheduling your personal planning day with Seaside’s group of preferred vendors, directing your rehearsal and wedding day events, and even tying down the perfect Seaside accommodations for you, your family, and all of your guests.

Where to Stay & Play in Seaside
As the official provider of Seaside, Florida rentals, Cottage Rental Agency offers the very best in accommodations for you and your guests. In fact the accommodations provided by Cottage Rental Agency, combined with the ambiance of Seaside the town, are so appealing that many couples who get married in other places around the country choose Seaside for their honeymoon location; as do many couples who are married in Seaside and just want to stick around for a few more days…or weeks.

Whether you need a one room bungalow, rooms in the designer inspired Vera Bradley Inn, or a spacious six bedroom house. Cottage Rental Agency can provide it all for you and your wedding guests, and as for what to do while you are in Seaside…well, where do you start?

Seaside offers you over forty establishments ranging from eighteen specialty shops, galleries, clothing boutiques, and even one great book store –SunDog Books- to its seventeen restaurants and eateries…including the now famous, Bud & Alley’s, with its multiple beachside choices ranging from a taco bar to gourmet pizza to the exquisite Waterfront Restaurant, and the coastal favorite Rooftop Bar, overlooking the gulf waters and the town of Seaside. All of these within a two to three minute walk from each other, insuring that you will never get bored, and you never have to drive to get around while in Seaside.

By booking with Cottage Rental Agency you and your wedding guests will have the added benefit of a host of amenities ranging from concierge service to multiple swimming pools to tennis and croquet to on-site bicycle rentals and a fitness facility. Cottage Rental Agency even offers a great place for the children in your group with its Camp Seaside day camp facility.

The truth is, if you are considering a wedding on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, or for that matter anywhere else, you owe it to yourself to give Seaside a look, because remember…Only Seaside is “just like” Seaside. •

To find out more about Seaside and Cottage Rental Agency visit them on the web at: www.cottagerentalagency.com or www.seasidefl.com or call or email a Seaside wedding planner today at: Weddings@CottageRentalAgency.com or 800-591-8696 and tell them you read about Seaside in Gulf Coast Bride.

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A Word from our Publisher

Destination Beach Weddings in Destin, Panama City Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, 30A, Orange Beach. Gulf Coast Bride is Your Source for Planning Your Wedding on the Gulf Coast.

Everything You Need to Plan Your Perfect Destination Beach Wedding.
From Destin; Panama City Beach; Seaside; WaterColor; 30A.com to Fort Walton; Pensacola, and Orange Beach...You will find it all in the pages of
Gulf Coast Bride magazine each and every issue.

From Destin, Florida to Seaside, Florida -all along Northwest Florida's infamous 30a- from Panama City Beach, Florida, Pensacola, Florida, or over to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama, Gulf Coast Bride magazine and gcbride.com serve as a bride's single best method of learning about and planning her upcoming Florida or Alabama gulf coast wedding.

Gulf Coast Bride magazine is your "one Stop Shop" for accessing the best of the best in beach accommodations, venues, beach wedding photographers, catering companies, florists, beach wedding planners, cake designers, resorts, restaurants, entertainment companies, tent rentals, even limo's and transportation to and from the wedding and associated events. Anything and everything you will need for your upcoming Gulf Coast or Emerald Coast beach wedding you can find in the pages of Gulf Coast Bride magazine. Best of all, brides coming to Destin, Seaside, The Beaches of South Walton, 30A, Panama City Beach, Pensacola, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores, Alabama can find Gulf Coast Bride magazine on major newsstands in over 30 states across the USA.

So whether you live in Dallas, TX or Atlanta, GA, Booneville, MS or Madison, WI you -the bride- can pick up your copy of Gulf Coast Bride magazine and begin planning your perfect gulf coast or emerald coast wedding right from the comfort of your home. Best of all, be assured that the advertisers who make up Gulf Coast Bride are some of the very best known and well respected resorts, wedding planners, caterers, photographers, videographers, florists, and entertainers on the entire gulf and emerald coast. In addition you will find the editorial content, photos, real brides, real weddings, and feature resort and venue articles to be very helpful in planning your upcoming gulf coast wedding...just as the thousands of brides to be who purchase and use Gulf Coast Bride magazine, each and every quarterly issue, have discovered.

Who knows we may just show up to cover your upcoming Gulf Coast destination wedding.

Julie Skinner, Editor-in-Chief
Gulf Coast Bride magazine

Will Estell, VP. Publisher Jeff Borrelli, Pres. CEO
3G Media, LLC. 3G Media, LLC.