Bratcher, Stanley wedding

On June 5, 2009, Larry Stanley and Lauren Bratcher became husband and wife, as friends and family joined them in a beautiful beach ceremony at Mimosa Mornings on serene Grayton Beach, near Destin, Florida.

Lauren and Larry actually met while Lauren was dating someone else – also a close friend of Larry’s. When Lauren and her significant other decided to take a break, Larry knew it was his chance to ask Lauren out, and hopefully take her on a date. Persistent on dating Lauren, Larry would not take “no” for an answer as he continued to ask Lauren on numerous dates. Lauren eventually gave into Larry’s determination and for their first date went off-road riding in her Jeep Wrangler. They had such a great time together that they continued to see each other and thus began their love story.

During Lauren’s family trip to Destin,  in August of 2007, Larry decided  to “pop the question” to Lauren. Following a romantic dinner for two at Beachwalk Café, the couple decided to go for a sunset stroll on the beach. They decided to sit and watch the sunset, and as soon as Lauren looked over at Larry, he was on his knee with ring in hand asking her to be his wife. She said yes and they went back to their condo to tell her family the great news.

Lauren and Larry both vacationed along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast as children and knew they wanted to get married on the sugary white sand of Grayton Beach. They chose to hold their ceremony on the beach at Mimosa Mornings beach house, where they would have plenty of room and wonderful views for themselves, their families and friends.

To insure she had the wedding of her dreams, Lauren trusted her planning to the remarkably capable, It’s A Shore Thing Wedding & Event Planning, who made certain that everything was perfect, right down to the smallest detail.

As the ocean waves provided the perfect sound, Lauren began down the sugary sand aisle wearing a “Grecian – style” Vera Wang gown. She carried a flourishing bouquet of hydrangeas and gardenias with a vintage lace wrap and her mother’s rosary sewn on the lace. Her bridesmaids wore deep teal halter dresses from Anne Taylor and carried plum and eggplant Calla Lilies wrapped with bronze ribbed trim. All floral arrangements were provided by Nouveau Flowers of Destin, and made the entire design and décor come together. Larry modeled an ivory tux while  his groomsmen wore tan suites.  As friends and family looked on, the couple repeated their vows and joined as husband and wife… right there in paradise.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to stay and attend the reception to celebrate the newly married couple. The reception was designed in a “beach chic” style with accents of bronze, coral and gold. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal- handled by Townsend Catering Company- consisting of salad, sliced beef tenderloin, fresh grilled fish, roasted asparagus with prosciutto, and roasted red skin potatoes and French baguettes.

The bride’s cake, created by the talented professionals at Confections on the Coast, consisted of four irregular elongated tiers covered with gold painted polka dots on white fondant icing. It was deliciously layered with vanilla bean, key lime and strawberry.

After the delicious meal and cakes, the couple, their family, and friends enjoyed a great night filled with dancing, conversations, and fun- all captured on camera by Blu Chic Photography. Lauren says “Everything was perfect! It was way more than we hoped for”.