Westin HHI Wedding
Georgia couple Ally and Tim decided on an oceanside Westin HHI wedding. A beach getaway is a great way to incorporate a festive vacation for friends and family. Then topping off the week with a celebration of love creates lasting memories. Focusing on the experience of guests was what made a Westin HHI wedding an easy choice. A resort like Westin HHI offers high-end accommodations, easy access to the beach and several on site pools, relaxation with their spa, and food and entertainment at the restaurants.
Grand Ocean Views
Though captivated by the beachside view, Ally preferred a luxurious and whimsical design. Her vision came to fruition thanks to design and coordination by Christina Baxter Weddings. Every design begins with the canvas that is the venue, and the Westin HHI Hotel’s Grand Ocean Terrace is a stunner. With 5,000 square feet of space, there is ample room for larger weddings. With a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can always view the beautiful beach and crashing waves. Its elevated rustic wood beams paired with oyster-shelled walls are a natural masterpiece. The Grand Ocean Terrace’s color palette of soft neutrals lends itself to any design concept. The calming grey, white, and cream tones are a great foundation for the mixed textures created by the oyster wall and oyster chandeliers. The Grand Ocean Terrace is the perfect tabula rasa for any wedding designer.
Bespoke Design
The color palette of mauve with accents of white, purple, and blush pink created a soft and whimsical atmosphere. Tablescapes incorporated these hues in the flowers with various roses, cafe au lait dahlias, peonies, astilbes, and hydrangeas that were placed in an eclectic array of gold metallic vases. Florals were accompanied by white taper candles and metallic votives. Custom mauve glass goblets and gold-trimmed chargers completed the table designs. Place cards were made of hand-torn paper with gold calligraphy and tied with pink or white ribbon. Overhead was a large chandelier adorned with greenery, hanging roses, crystals, and oyster shells. For a sweet treat, the dessert table offered a lavish spread that included three white cakes, a macaroon tower, miniature key lime pies, blush and white cake pops, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Talk about yum!
Custom napkins were inspired by an art sketch of the couple. This is one of my favorite bespoke touches of the wedding design. One of a kind glass signage by J.Lily Design created a welcome sign and seating chart for guests upon arriving at the ceremony on the beach view deck. The ceremony site included raffia fans on each seat to beat the heat and a natural wood arbor with cascading flower sprays. The ceremony design had unique touches but did not take away from the sandy ocean views provided by nature. This is a perfect balance of honoring the natural landscape while highlighting bespoke design touches.
Romantic Fashion
Ally’s bridal fashion for her West HHI wedding is breathtaking! The hand sewn lace on the illusion bodice that seamlessly flows into the skirt is the epitome of modern romanticism. This gown paired with Jimmy Choo open-toed heels that shimmer complete Ally’s bridal ensemble. I love that she decided on a half pulled back hairstyle. Though an up do is timeless, wavy tresses create a dynamic aesthetic that is as impactful in person as it will be in the photos. For her makeup, Ally preferred a natural, sun-kissed look. The perfectly tan skin and nude lip are reminiscent of a day at the beach. With the talent of Bride’s Side Beauty, that beach inspired look is elevated to bridal glam.
For Ally’s second bridal look, she swapped her classic lace gown with a two-piece ensemble of a crop top and tulle skirt. The perfect outfit for a rocking celebration! She also updated her bridal hair with the addition of a flower crown to tie in a shared design element with her bridal party. I’m personally a huge fan of two bridal looks on the wedding day. Just be sure to get couple portraits in the second outfit. I find that once the couple have had some time to let loose and mingle that is a great opportunity for a few more couple pics. If you’re opting for a second bridal look, be sure to take advantage of another photo op!
Mauverless Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids wore flower crowns and mauve gowns with mix-n-match top designs. Thanks to Bella Bridesmaids’ on site dress coordinator, each bridesmaid was able to have a unique gown design. Flower crowns add whimsy and forestry romanticism to the bridal party’s style. The flowers in their crowns and their bouquets were complimentary. A rose motif created a flawless look for these ladies.
The Love
Ally and Tim exchanged vows on the Westin’s Oceanfront Deck. Though the sandy beach and ocean views were just behind them, the couple only had eyes for each other. A word of caution about beachside weddings, the wind can be an uninvited guest. Be sure to have a touch-up plan for hair and budget that into the timeline. This way let the gusty wind blow, but be assured that you’ll still look amazing for the remaining festivities.
Though there are so many sweet moments from Ally and Tim’s Westin HHI wedding, some of my favorite captures are with Ally’s grandmother. Every photo with her reflects the love of family throughout generations and the joy we have in the company of our favorite people. There are sweet, tender moments like when she hugs Ally at the reception. And there are celebratory pics where she shows everyone she still knows how to party. The dance floor is not only for lovers but also for grandparents who know how to bust a move!
Glowing with Bliss
The couple continued the festivities into the evening with the help of the Night Years band to get everyone on the dance floor. Be sure to find the photo of Ally and her grandmother on the dance floor. Her grandmother not only has the moves, but also keeps the beat with a tambourine.
These receptions photos are a great example of how uplighting can add to the feel of the images. Always using flash would negate the moody purple and pink hues that blanket the dance floor. By selectively forgoing flash, I documented not just the dancing but the feel of the celebration. It is always important to me to capture a wedding authentically with a documentary approach.
As the reception came to a close, the newlyweds concluded their evening by gathering everyone outside to wish them off through an arc of waving glow sticks.
Thank you Ally and Tim for choosing my team to document such a momentous day in both of your lives. I wish both of you a marriage filled with joy, laughter, and adventure!
VENDORS
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa | Event Design & Coordination: Christina Baxter Weddings
Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Floral Design: Jardiniere Events | Bridesmaids Gowns: Bella Bridesmaids | Bridal Hair & Makeup: Bride’s Side Beauty
Ceremony Musicians: Charleston Virtuosi | Band: Night Years | Desserts: Custom Confections
Custom Signage: J.Lily Design | Videography: Life in Rewind | Rentals: Beachview
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