Real {Florida} Beach Wedding: Ilana + Samuel

Ilana  and Samuel first connected on an online dating site. However, it was their offline connection that sealed the deal – they were obviously made for each other.

Their Florida beach wedding was beautifully photographed by Villetto Photography. This wedding is breezy, yet elegant! What an effortlessly happy look. :)

Bride: Ilana DeBerry
Groom: Samuel Curry
Occupations: Bride – Underwriter; Groom – Personal Trainer
Wedding Date: 07.28.2012
Location: Lido Beach Resort, Sarasota, FL

How They Met ….. “Samuel and I met, dare I say it, on an online dating site. I was a single mom at the time and had no time for traditional dating; and Samuel was busy with his career, and over the local dating scene. I was trying out the site for a free trial and he had been on the site for 6 months with no real connections. Our first date was bowling and after I beat him, the rest is history ;).”

How He Proposed ….. “Samuel proposed to me at home, after a rather normal date night. Like most women, the first thing I do when I get home is I run and take my heels off. I was in the closet when Samuel kept calling me back to the living room. So, I ran back to the living room, and there he was – on bended knee – and popped the question! It was a surprise, sweet and personal with no one around, just us in our home. I think I kept asking him what he was doing. I was sort of in a state of blissful shock!”

Wedding Details ….. “We planned our wedding in 6 months which was a whirlwind, but many memories were made with our families. We are a nature-loving couple, and we especially love the beach. So, a beach wedding in July in Florida in the middle of hurricane season and 100 degree weather was the plan. I guess most people would think that was a crazy bride’s plan, but every detail was pulled off without a hitch. It was literally a perfect day! Samuel and I are very spiritual people and feel you can’t get closer to God than through nature. I can still hear the waves breaking on the shore as we said our “I Do’s”, and feeling the sand between my toes. 

After our ceremony, our guests feasted on a whole grouper baked in banana leaves and served at a carving station with several choices of chutneys to go along with the giant fish. It was absolutely delicious and went along well with our beach-themed wedding.”

Incorporating Culture ….. “I am half-Panamanian; so, I requested my DJ play a segment of salsa and merengue music by Celia Cruz. It was great! My 70+ year old Aunt was tearing up the dance floor, as well as most of my cousins and uncles. It was also a nice tribute to my late grandmother who loved Celia’s music and actually resembled her.”