Sunlit Vows and Stormy Skies on Jekyll Island

Set against the storied backdrop of JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB, Anna and Chandler’s wedding weekend unfolded as a celebration of easy love, coastal beauty, and joyful connection. Planned by MAGGIE HUGHES EVENTS and captured with warmth and honesty by CRYSTAL PHOTOGRAPHY, the day balanced old-world charm with a relaxed, dance-all-night energy that felt entirely true to the couple.

They met the old-fashioned way — out with friends on the same night, a drink offered, a conversation that stretched long past what either expected. What began as an easy exchange quickly turned into something lasting. That night never really ended; it simply turned into a life together.

Chandler’s proposal was a complete surprise — even though Anna thought she had already figured it out. Convinced the big moment would happen during a planned trip months away, she didn’t think twice when a last-minute getaway to Rosemary Beach came up. They headed to the shore at sunset with their dog, just for a quiet drink before dinner. Chandler, oddly insistent on timing, waited for the moment when the sky turned golden — and then dropped to one knee. It was simple, heartfelt, and exactly them.

The stationery set the tone from the very beginning. Anna envisioned a hand-painted watercolor of Crane Cottage on their invitations and found the perfect artist in GEORGIA ARTWORK — a local creative whose connection to their home state made the collaboration feel especially meaningful. The result was a suite that felt deeply personal, artful, and completely their own.

With coastal views high on their wish list, Anna’s mum gently nudged them toward JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB — a place Anna hadn’t visited since childhood. One weekend visit was all it took. Crane Cottage, with its sweeping marsh views and timeless architecture, felt instantly right. Guests stayed on property at the Club House, whose early 1900s charm paired beautifully with modern comforts, creating a weekend where everyone could linger together. Surrounded by lush landscaping and natural beauty, the setting needed very little added decor — it was already quietly breathtaking.

The morning unfolded in a room filled with champagne, music, and laughter as Anna got ready with her closest friends. It was relaxed, joyful, and full of that pre-ceremony energy that only happens when your favourite people are all in one place — glam in progress, nerves humming quietly beneath the excitement.

Choosing to do a first look turned out to be one of the best decisions they made. With rain threatening the ceremony timeline, those private moments together became a grounding pause before the whirlwind of the day. Chandler, her constant, was exactly who Anna wanted to see first — and the images from that quiet exchange remain some of their most treasured. Moments later, the skies opened.

The dress code was “coastal cocktail,” and guests embraced vibrant colours and florals that echoed the island’s easy beauty. Anna wore her mother’s wedding gown — a couture 1980s design with Alençon lace and a cathedral train, lovingly preserved and subtly updated for the day. The result was both sentimental and striking, blending family history with modern ease.

Florals by A COURTYARD FLORIST were intentionally understated, allowing the island’s natural greenery to take centre stage. Soft blues and whites were woven through arrangements of eucalyptus, hydrangeas, and delphiniums, with dramatic floral moments placed in the Crane Cottage fountain. It felt organic and coastal — a gentle enhancement rather than a distraction from the setting itself.

Just before the ceremony, a thunderstorm rolled in fast and fierce. With umbrellas battling the wind, guests were redirected to Faith Chapel, a stunning backup location with original Tiffany stained glass and beautifully detailed architecture. Though different from the garden ceremony Anna had envisioned, it became one of the most memorable parts of the day. As the vows ended, the rain cleared — gifting them golden light for portraits that felt all the more magical for having been earned.

With photos taking up much of cocktail hour, guests enjoyed extra time at the bar — never a bad thing. The reception that followed was exactly what Anna had hoped for: flowing drinks, good food, and a dance floor that stayed full. Glow sticks, playful glasses, and a DJ-led playlist turned the evening into a full-on celebration, with even Anna’s dad claiming the dance floor as his own.

Plans for a delayed honeymoon shifted beautifully when Anna and Chandler discovered they were expecting twin girls. This year, they’ll return to JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB with their babies to mark their first anniversary, and next year, grandparents will step in so the two of them can slip away for a long, warm escape — a new chapter unfolding with the same ease and joy that marked their wedding day.

Anna and Chandler’s celebration is a reminder that perfection isn’t about perfect weather or perfect plans — it’s about choosing joy, rolling with the unexpected, and ending the night exactly where you hoped to be: together, surrounded by the people you love, dancing until your feet hurt.