Tucker, Garrard wedding

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the 8th of November 2008 when Cindy Tucker and Jeff Garrard got married. Classic and sophisticated were the tones of their fall Destin, FL wedding.  The vows were sweet, the family joyful and the bride glowing. 


Cindy had no idea that she would meet her husband-to-be at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Resort. Cindy walked past Jeff and after seeing Cindy’s big, brown eyes, he knew he had to meet her. After he introduced himself, Cindy and Jeff spent the next five hours talking and laughing.  Jeff asked for her phone number and after refusing his request a few times, Cindy gave in. The next day, Jeff called. Cindy had plans to go to brunch and invited Jeff along. The problem was, Jeff lived in Birmingham and Cindy in Destin. Jeff returned two weeks later to take her on their first “official” date. Jeff and Cindy dated long distance and commuted the five hours back and forth on a weekly basis. 

When Jeff came to visit Cindy for the weekends, they made it a tradition to go out for ice cream on Sunday nights at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. Every time they passed the fountain, they would make a wish. Each time, Cindy wished for more; more weekends with Jeff, for Jeff to relocate closer to her, for an engagement and finally a proposal.  And a proposal she received at this very same fountain ten months later. Jeff dropped to one knee and said “Cindy, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life making your dreams come true.” With that, Cindy said yes and an engagement for marriage was made. 

A November wedding was set and this lovely couple embarked on their wedding planning. While traveling to South Florida, Cindy and a friend stopped in a local dress shop in Fort Lauderdale, FL - Victoria’s Bridal. Luggage in hand and no appointment, Cindy spotted the sample sale sign in the window. She prayed that she find the perfect gown off the rack. After quickly grabbing a handful of dresses, she tried on the first one and fell in love. Two days later, she picked up the dress and flew it back home to Destin with her. To make things more perfect, her friend and bridesmaid told her she had acquired a pair of designer wedding shoes and wanted to show them to her to see if they would match the dress. The bridesmaid brought the shoes over, not knowing what the dress looked like, and they matched perfectly. 

The ceremony took place at the First Baptist Church in Destin, FL. Though Cindy and Jeff are Methodist, their church had been previously booked for another wedding and First Baptist was kind enough to allow Cindy’s Pastor the use of their building. 

The flowers were a bouquet of stargazer lilies and white roses and designed by Susan Lesko, of Flowers by Susan. The bridesmaids wore off the shoulder, black cocktail dresses from David’s Bridal and the groomsmen wore traditional black tuxedos with black vests and bow ties from Amore Bridal in Destin, FL.  Cindy lucked out to have two bridesmaids who helped her get ready for her debut down the aisle - Jamie, from Paint me Pretty, a professional makeup artist who helped Cindy with her makeup and her good friend and bridesmaid, Keisha, the reigning Miss Alabama, did her hair. 

The reception was held at One Water Place in Kelly Plantation in Destin, FL. The event was designed by Cindy, once she fell in love with the white and gold color palette.  Beachwalk Catering Company in Destin, FL created a brunch reception for the guests. Jeff and Cindy chose brunch, as this was their first meal together. The brunch included mimosas and bloody marys, prime rib, salmon, turkey, Caesar salad, French toast, and pasta salad. Hors ‘devours were passed at the onset of the reception to include crab cakes and spring roles. 

Mr. Big of Primetime Entertainment in Pensacola, FL provided a musical ensemble to include jazz, funk, motown and blues. Cindy and Jeff danced to Al Green’s I’m Glad You’re Mine while Cindy chose My Girl by the Temptations for her dance with her Father.

A layered buttercream and cheesecake bridal cake was decorated with fondant roses and bows and created by Publix in Destin, FL. The bridal party was transported to the wedding and back to the reception in a stretch hummer limousine and guests were shuttled in black, limo busses from the parking area.  

The couple honeymooned in Italy and now reside in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.