Burton, Secosky Wedding

Sindie Secosky and Daniel Burton were married on July 4^th, 2009, before friends and family on the beautiful Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
 
Sindie and Dan, both Captains and Blackhawk pilots with Army Aviation, met while attending the Aviation Captain’s Career Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  They were both tremendously focused individuals but couldn’t help being distracted by each other.  Call it Dan’s humor, or Sindie’s good looks, that’s besides the point, love was on the move.  Slowly, as the military course progressed, they were placed in smaller groups in which Sindie and Daniel became acquainted and soon began dating.  Beautiful moments were shared away from their day-to-day responsibilities.  “During the summer, we would take weekend trips to Sandestin and stay on the resort. That’s where we fell in love,” recalls Sindie. This wonderful place to relax and refresh created the momentum for their beautiful love story to unfold.
 
Following graduation, Sindie and Daniel were sent to duty station at Fort Riley, Kansas.  While at Fort Riley they received orders to be deployed in Iraq for 15 months.  They always knew there was the opportunity for deployment, but were grateful to be deployed together. Though they were only dating they knew they’d be spending the rest of their lives together. Though it was an unspoken desire, both of them knew that when they returned, they were going to hang up their Army berets and choose the lives of civilians. As Sindie recalls, those were the longest 15 months of her life.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Dan secretly conspired with Sindie’s friends to buy her the perfect ring.  He knew he wouldn’t be able to give her a real engagement ring while deployed, but he he could purchase a gold ring from the local Iraqi jeweler.  Which he did.  Dan also purchased a beautiful engagement ring back home and had it sent to his mom in Baton Rouge.  His mom then took pictures of the ring and sent them to Dan. 

On Valentine’s Day, Sindie was expecting to get together to simply exchange gifts. Dan gave her a card he made from construction paper.  When she turned the card to the back page it said in big letters “Will you ?” She paused with a confused look on her face.  But, as she glanced back towards Dan, he was on one knee with the ring in his hand. He asked simply “will you spend the rest of your life with me?”  Sindie said, “yes!”  At that moment he then took her to the computer and showed her the ring he had for her back in the States.

Since Sandestin had so many fond memories for Sindie and Dan, there was no guessing as to where they wanted to tie the knot.  They decided to host the marriage at the place they first fell in love, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The wedding ceremony took place as the sun was setting over the beautiful emerald bay on Sandestin Resort’s BayviewTerrace. It was absolutely the perfect ending to their perfect day.

For the ceremony, Sindie walked down the aisle wearing a stunning, floor-length ivory gown with a halter-top that had an elegant, wrap bodice, and a drop-waist with a beautiful jeweled belt. She carried a fresh bouquet of hydrangeas, yellow roses and calla lilies. Her Bridesmaids wore beautiful canary yellow, floor-length gowns and carried bouquets of hydrangeas and yellow roses.

The groom and groomsmen suits from J Crew. The suits had very fine black and white textured patterns that had a grey textured appeal.  The groomsmen wore yellow ties and Dan modeled a striped ivory and silver tie.

Wedding guests were invited to celebrate with the newly married couple in the Bayview Room.  Guests experienced a great time together. Not even to mention the stunning backdrop view of the bay, offered at this one of a kind location. The room was elegantly decorated with white orchids and yellow rose petals elegantly scattered on the tables.  The night was lit with beautiful candle lights.

The bride’s cake was designed by Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s famed pastry chef, Yascha Becker. They chose his signature cake, which was an ivory, four-tiered cake. Intricate designs of white and hints of yellow gave this cake an elegant modern flare. For the groom’s cake, they chose bite-sized chocolate cakes with their monogram on each one. The menu was heavy hors d’oeuvres, with a steamship, round cutting station and a flambeau gumbo station. As a special touch to the evening, the couple toasted with Mango Champagne. The night was anything but a blur for Sindie and Dan.  Sandestin provided the perfect experience.  They were able to slow down, enjoy friends and family.  Dan and Sindie had a beautiful evening together, one they’ll not soon forget.
 
Accommodations/Venue/Catering:
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
(850) 267-6736
www.sandestin.com/gcbride 
 
Photography by:
Grady Carpenter Photography