Langham, Hood Wedding

Destined plans may sometimes fall out of order and proposals may not always go as planned, but these surprises are what make life’s journey, and the story that follows, so worthwhile.

For Kendall Trotter Langham, the Emerald Grande at Harbor Walk Village in Destin, FL., just feels like home. It’s where she and now-husband, Jimmy Lee Hood II, met, and they felt it was the perfect place to get married. Turns out it was, and the two officially shared a last name on December 19, 2009.

Jim, the Vice President of Mortgage Banking for Vision Bank, met Kendall during the construction phase of Emerald Grande in February 2006. Kendall sold the condos, and Jim wanted to finance them for Emerald Grande’s owners. From the beginning, the two were an all-star pair.
While Jim and Kendall obviously worked well together, Jim’s proposal plans took a little ironing out. First, he planned on proposing on their one year anniversary at Commander’s Palace. His plan was to have his parents and Kendall’s parents meet there for dinner, and then pop the question while everyone was downstairs enjoying cocktails. He even wanted to play their special song on the piano and sing to her, while many of their friends waited upstairs to celebrate once Kendall said “yes.” However, before their one year anniversary, they were excited to learn they were expecting, so the engagement was moved up a bit.

At Jim’s second attempt at proposing, he planned a nice, relaxing evening at home with both sets of parents over for dinner and board games. While playing the game Mad Gab, Jim’s mother made a “clue” that asked “will you marry me?” Everyone knew what was happening, except for Kendall of course! The ring, however, was all wrong when Jim went to pick it up earlier that day. He was upset, and took it back to the jeweler. He just couldn’t give it to Kendall that way.

The third time was…well, almost a charm! The ring was ready. Jim was ready for the perfect setting. He met Kendall at Emerald Grande around five o’clock one afternoon to “check” something out. Together, they walked down to the beautiful Captain’s Deck (where their future wedding ceremony would take place). Jim hoped to propose here, but a rehearsal was being set up for the next day, and Kendall didn’t want to impose on the bride’s time. Jim was disappointed, but proposed to Kendall on the balcony outside of her office while she was leaving for the day. Despite the small dent in Jim’s plan, Kendall says the proposal was perfect!

Naturally, Emerald Grande was Kendall and Jim’s first choice when it came to a location for getting married. Located on a beach that’s simply eye candy, it is also convenient for out-of-town guests who want to shop, dine out and enjoy local entertainment.

Stephanie Tate of Savoir-Faire Weddings was the wedding planner, and helped pull in all the intricate details of the ceremony and reception. Stephanie’s work is becoming very well known and has appeared in numerous feature wedding editorials. Candice KausHagen of Candice K Photography in Destin, FL., was absolutely amazing at capturing all the life-long memories of the day, insuring the couple many great memories in print, for years to come.

180 guests attended the ceremony, which was held on the Captain’s Deck at the Emerald Grande at Harbor Walk Village. Kendal wore a Maggie Sottero gown and opted for Swarovski crystal combs and cymbidium orchids in her hair instead of a veil. She wore Martinez Valero shoes with antique Swarovski crystal earrings and a bracelet. Her Matron of Honor wore a long, Jim Helm chocolate strapless dress.

Her handsome groom wore a chocolate brown Parisian tux with an ivory shirt, tie and vest. His Best Man wore the same tux, but with champagne tie and vest. Erin Drake, owner of Enlightened Events International supplied the floral décor and lighting, which Kendall found to be amazing!
A rock ceremony was performed during the wedding to symbolize how Jesus built the church on a rock, and on that same rock Jim and Kendall’s relationship is built. Another highlight to the rock ceremony was Jim’s little sister, Tiffany, singing while it was being performed.

The reception was held in the elegant Emerald Grande Ballroom. The Emerald Grande catered, and the food was out-of-this-world! Since Kendall loves fajitas, a fajita station was set up, along with risotta, and a chef that cooked fresh shrimp, chicken and veggies to top the risotto. Other delectable dishes included crab cakes, filet bites, baby lamb chops, a seafood bar and even duck confit over a blue cheese mouse tartlet. Yum!

The sweetest (and most exciting) part of the reception happened when it was time to cut the cake. Kendall and Jim had their doctor call their cake baker, Heidi, at Bake My Day, to reveal the sex of their baby. Then, Heidi made the inside of the cake either blue or pink, so that Kendall and Jim could cut into the cake and instantly know. Once it came time to cut the cake, it was true blue! Family and friends delighted in the surprise, and were all ecstatic to learn the sex of the baby in such a unique, memorable and sweet way.

Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Tip Tops out of Mobile, AL., a Motown band. Kendall and Jim danced to Michael Buble’s “Everything,” and Kendall danced with her father to “My Girl.” Jim shared a sweet dance with his mother to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.

The couple decided not to do a formal send off, because they didn’t want to miss any of the rockin’ band! After a night of sheer celebration, Kendall and Jim retired to their spectacular corner condo at the Emerald Grande.  
Though the couple had a mini-moon for a few days in Orlando, they are planning an extravagant 14-day trip to Italy for their one year anniversary. The happy Grandmothers can’t wait to keep the baby boy!
Jim and Kendall happily reside in Destin, FL. Where they are counting down the days until the new little Mr. Hood arrives.

 
Accommodations, Venue, Catering:
Emerald Grande Resort
Destin, FL
(850) 337-8100
www.emeraldgrande.com
 
Wedding Planner:
Stephanie Tate
Savoir Faire Weddings
(850) 499-6336
www.savoirfaireweddings.com
 
Floral, Décor, and Lighting:
Enlighten Events International
(850) 420-7687
 
Cake:
Bake My Day
(850) 269-0763
www.bakemydaydestin.com
 
Entertainment:
Tip Tops- Motown band.
www.tiptopattractions.net
 
Photography:
Candice K Photography
www.candicekphotography.com