The Jekyll Island Club Charm for Meritt & Joey
Meritt and Joey’s connection traces back long before they officially met. Their mothers were high school peers in Ormond Beach, Florida, and their families attended the same church growing up. However, it wasn’t until their final year at Florida State University that Meritt and Joey finally connected, sparking a relationship that seemed destined to be.
Like many brides, Meritt had been dreaming of her wedding since she was a little girl. Once when she was younger and visiting The Jekyll Island Club with family, she witnessed a wedding at Crane Cottage. The groom, a prom dress designer, showcased his creations, leaving a lasting impression on Meritt. Inspired by this, she knew she wanted a similarly elegant affair for her own wedding. Thus, Meritt and Joey curated a classic black-tie event that embodied timeless sophistication.
The wedding festivities unfolded at The Jekyll Island Club, with Crane Cottage serving as the picturesque backdrop. The Sunken Garden provided a serene setting for the ceremony, while the courtyard and reflecting pool lawn hosted the cocktail hour and reception, respectively. Stepping onto the resort grounds felt like stepping back in time, adding a touch of magic to the celebrations. To streamline the destination wedding experience, the couple reserved accommodations at Crane Cottage, Cherokee Cottage and additional resort rooms, ensuring all their loved ones could stay together.
Given the natural beauty of the venue, the floral arrangements and decor were kept understated yet chic. Southern charm permeated every detail, with the couple incorporating their wedding monogram on invitations, cups, napkins and even the dance floor. Personalized touches extended to the welcome baskets, crafted from Georgia peach crates and filled with local treats like Striplings Jerky and Coca-Cola, along with a custom welcome newspaper.
As both Meritt and Joey are alumni of Florida State University, they wanted to infuse their alma mater’s spirit into the celebration. Meritt gifted Joey a replica of the FSU spear for memorable photos, while pom-poms added a festive touch to their grand reception entrance. A highlight of the evening was Meritt’s choreographed routine with her bridesmaids, showcasing her FSU cheerleading team roots and adding an extra dose of excitement to the reception.
From Meritt’s hot pink Jimmy Choo pumps to the last brushstrokes captured by the live wedding painter, Meritt and Joey’s wedding was one imbued with charm, destined to inspire the dreams of more generations of little girls dreaming of their own big day.
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHER Rhonda Bradham Photography
CEREMONY VENUE Jekyll Island Club Resort – Sunken Garden
RECEPTION VENUE Jekyll Island Club Resort – Crane Cottage
FLORAL Marble & Pine Floral Design
PLANNER Cricket Elrod with Jekyll Island Club Resort
HAIR & MAKEUP Cindy Page with Primp & Spa-rty
BRIDE’S GOWN Coreena’s Bridal, Georgetown
ALTERATIONS & HEIRLOOM ROBE CREATION Alterations by Julie (Julie Zenisek)
BRIDE’S SHOES Jimmy Choo
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Bella Bridesmaids
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR Indochino
GROOM’S SHOES Gucci
GROOMSMEN’S FORMALWEAR Generation Tux
RINGS International Diamond Center
STATIONERY – SAVE THE DATES Georgia Artwork
STATIONERY – INVITATIONS To Have and To Hold, Georgetown
RENTALS Beachview Event Rentals
CATERING Jekyll Island Club Catering
CAKE Cathy Huber Cakes
CEREMONY & COCKTAIL HOUR MUSIC Music by Pegge
ENTERTAINMENT The Faze Band
LIVE PAINTER Natasha Urbanowicz with Cloud Studio Agency
