Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Wedding Travel
  4. Destination Weddings
  5. An Intimate Island Wedding with an Al Fresco Reception on the Beach
Martha Stewart Weddings

An Intimate Island Wedding with an Al Fresco Reception on the Beach

Sara Dickinson, Freelance Writer
By Sara Dickinson October 22, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
bride and groom walking down the dock
Credit: KT Crabb

This couple invited just twenty guests to celebrate their "tropical elegance" themed wedding on an island off the coast of Florida.

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
bride and groom walking down the dock
Credit: KT Crabb

Sarah and Alex met on Halloween in 2018 when their mutual friend, Michael, hosted a costume party. A few weeks after the event, Sarah made the first move; she asked Alex to grab drinks and the two hit it off right away. Two years later, on September 5, 2020, the couple took a trip to Kenai Fjords, Alaska, to spend the week fly fishing. Alex surprised Sarah with a helicopter ride through the area, and when they landed in Bear Glacier, he popped the question. "It was breathtaking!" Sarah remembers.

They spent just over a year planning their June 12, 2021, wedding at Little Palm Island, Florida, a private island resort where all 20 of their attendees had accommodations. "We were captivated by how private and intimate Little Palm felt and wanted our guests to feel like they were on vacation as opposed to a big destination resort," Sarah says. There are only 30 rooms available on the island—and kids under 18 aren't allowed—so the bride and groom knew they would have the island to themselves for their wedding weekend.

As for the challenges the pair met during the planning process? Sarah's twin sister was set to be married just three months before her and Alex's big day; the bride says ensuring their big-day décor looked different was the hardest part. To mitigate this, the couple worked with a planner from Simply You Weddings, along with their florist, Avant Gardens, to design an intimate, unique celebration with "tropical elegance" in mind, complete with a green-and-white color palette.

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Colorful Invitations

beachy wedding invitation suite
Credit: KT Crabb

Sarah and Alex worked with The Write Touch to create all-text invitations within their green-and-white color palette (which featured a pop of yellow!); calligraphy by Laura Lines Calligraphy added a whimsical touch. The couple selected stamps that featured Florida birds, Ernest Hemingway, and some saltwater flies—including Lefty's Deceiver, which, according to the bride, is arguably the best saltwater fly pattern in the world. "It was created by Lefty Kreh in 1991, the year I was born," she says.

2 of 17

3 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sunset Sail

guests on sailboat
Credit: KT Crabb

The couple kicked off their wedding weekend with cocktails on a boat.

  • Fresh Ideas for Your Wedding Weekend

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rehearsed and Ready

bride and groom on the dock after rehearsal
Credit: KT Crabb

After the boat ride, Sarah changed into a white Johanna Ortiz dress paired with a Cult Gaia clutch and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

4 of 17

5 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tropical Touches

table setting with pineapple and fruit centerpieces
Credit: KT Crabb

The pair's rehearsal dinner took place overlooking the ocean. Tropical fruits like pineapples, plantains, and papayas were used throughout the tablescape.

  • How to Throw an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner

5 of 17

6 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Big-Day Looks

bride and groom by palm trees
Credit: KT Crabb

For her big day, Sarah fell in love with a Lela Rose monochromatic print, but the style it came in was more formal than she envisioned for her beach wedding. Lela and her team were able to customize Sarah's wedding dress using the fabric she wanted, creating a V-neck gown with a deep back and a bow embellishment. Sarah borrowed her twin sister's pearl earrings (that she wore to her own wedding!) and finished her look with Loeffler Randal shoes. Alex donned a Vince linen shirt, Billy Reid khaki pants, and Viberg loafers; his watch was his only accessory.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Moment with Dad

bride hugging father
Credit: KT Crabb

Sarah shared a first look with her dad on the deck of her suite at the resort, which calmed her pre-ceremony jitters.

7 of 17

8 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Petite Bouquet

white wedding bouquet
Credit: KT Crabb

The bride held a bouquet of white ranunculus, mini cymbidium orchids, dendrobium orchids, and freesia, finished with a satin stem wrap.

  • 22 Petite Wedding Bouquets That Make a Big Statement

8 of 17

9 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bamboo and Grass

palm tree arch at altar
Credit: KT Crabb

Their ceremony took place just steps from the ocean, where a bamboo arch was decorated with dried palms and grasses.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Here Comes the Bride

bride and father walking down the beach to altar
Credit: KT Crabb

As a musician played "Southern Cross" by Crosby Stills and Nash, Sarah made her way down the aisle, accompanied by her father.

10 of 17

11 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sunset Ceremony

outdoor wedding ceremony on beach
Credit: KT Crabb

The couple opted for a religious ceremony officiated by their mutual best friend, Michael, who introduced them back in 2018. The couple hired a one man band, Brian Roberts, who played Bob Marley's "Stir It Up" for the recessional. "We loved his carefree island vibe!" Sarah says.

11 of 17

12 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktail Hour with a View

bride and groom watching sunset
Credit: KT Crabb

Alex and Sarah snuck away from their cocktail hour—during which they served watermelon jalapeño margaritas and light bites like yellowfin tuna tacos—a few minutes early to snap a few sunset photos on the beach.

  • The Best Sunset Wedding Photos

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

First Dance on the Beach

bride and groom first dance on the beach
Credit: KT Crabb

The newlyweds shared their first dance to "Is This Love" by Bob Marley. "He is one of our favorite artists and we thought it perfectly captured our relationship—easy and fun!" Sarah says.

13 of 17

14 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Waterfront Dinner

long reception table on the beach
Credit: KT Crabb

Dinner took place on the beach, where one long table was paired with cushioned wooden chairs. Rattan chandeliers hung above the table for a Caribbean feel. "I was inspired by India Hicks," Sarah says. "India is originally from London, but has lived in the Bahamas the last 25 years and her design aesthetic reminds me of all my childhood memories in the Abacos."

14 of 17

15 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Textured Settings

table setting
Credit: KT Crabb

Place settings featured woven chargers embellished with small seashells; orange linen napkins were topped with dinner menus finished with a wax seal. A lush palm garland spanned the length of the table and was interspersed with more tropical greenery and bright ripe mangos.

  • Tropical Wedding Ideas That Will Transform Your Big Day

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Party Crasher

outdoor wedding reception dinner
Credit: KT Crabb

After dinner—the pair offered two choices per course so guests could experience the island fare—the group concluded the evening with a dip in the pool. A sweet deer named Dottie, who lives on the island, joined in during the late-night fun: "She came for the wedding cake, but stayed for the party," Sarah laughs.

16 of 17

17 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

bride and groom embrace
Credit: KT Crabb

Photography, KT Crabb
Venue and Catering, Little Palm Island
Event Coordination, Simply You Weddings
Event Design, Flowers, Rentals, and Lighting, Avant Gardens
Invitation Design and Calligraphy, Laura Lines Calligraphy
Invitation Paper and Printer, The Write Touch; Arzberger Stationers
Bride's Gown, Lela Rose
Bride's Accessories, Kelly's Closet; Mikimoto
Bride's Shoes, Loeffler Randall
Hair and Makeup, Studio Marie-Pierre
Groom's Attire, Vince; Billy Reid
Music, Brian Roberts
Cake, Cakes by Karol
Favors, Weezie Towels

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sara Dickinson

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple's Whimsical Garden Wedding in California
    • 9 Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers
    • 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023
    • Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 17
    2 of 17 Colorful Invitations
    3 of 17 Sunset Sail
    4 of 17 Rehearsed and Ready
    5 of 17 Tropical Touches
    6 of 17 Big-Day Looks
    7 of 17 A Moment with Dad
    8 of 17 Petite Bouquet
    9 of 17 Bamboo and Grass
    10 of 17 Here Comes the Bride
    11 of 17 Sunset Ceremony
    12 of 17 Cocktail Hour with a View
    13 of 17 First Dance on the Beach
    14 of 17 Waterfront Dinner
    15 of 17 Textured Settings
    16 of 17 Party Crasher
    17 of 17 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    An Intimate Island Wedding with an Al Fresco Reception on the Beach
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.