WEDDING BLOG

Anne and David’s Key Largo wedding felt like an open invitation into the life they had already built together. They met during their senior year at the University of Miami—he was a platform diver, she ran track and cross country—and what started off easy and casual eventually turned into something steady. Just a few months after graduating, Anne moved in with David and his roommates without overthinking it. That same instinct carried them through bigger decisions, including a move to the Florida Keys in 2021, where they built a life around the water, their careers, and their dog, Rusty.

So they kept it simple: bring everyone to the Keys, let them settle in, and spend a few days together the way they normally would.

What We Love About This Key Largo Wedding:

• A full weekend that gave guests time to actually connect before the wedding day
• A venue that doubled as both the backdrop and the gathering space for everyone
• A relaxed, boho setup by the water without going over the top
• Thoughtful details like custom cups and a fishing-inspired seating chart

Featured Vendor:
Darcy Graf Photography

Letting Guests Settle In Before the Main Event

Anne and David didn’t want their Key Largo wedding to feel rushed, so they stretched it into a full weekend. They started with a welcome party at The Square Grouper, one of their favorite spots in the Keys, and made sure everyone got there together by renting a school bus. It set the tone right away: fun, easy, and a little unexpected.

The next day was intentionally unstructured. Some guests hopped on boat rides around the bay, others stayed by the pool, and people had time to actually meet before the wedding. By the time Saturday came around, there was no catching up to do. Everyone already felt connected.

Junebug Tip: If you’re planning a destination wedding, building in this kind of buffer makes a difference. It gives your guests space to settle in so the wedding day itself feels more relaxed.

When the Venue Becomes the Weekend Hub

They knew early on that the setting mattered, not just for photos, but for how people would experience the weekend. Dolphin Point Villas stood out right away. It sits on Florida Bay, with open views of the water and enough space for guests to spread out.

“60 of our guests were actually able to stay on the property,” Anne shared. “It ended up being the perfect place for everyone to gather throughout the weekend.”

Because the venue started as a blank space, they brought in LMAE Events to help shape it. The result was a boho setup with pampas grass, eucalyptus, and warm tones like terracotta and champagne layered in a way that felt right for the setting without feeling overdone.

Choosing Outfits That Fit the Setting

Anne didn’t end up choosing the dress she originally imagined, and that’s exactly why it worked. The Nathalia gown from Grace Loves Lace stood out immediately. “It was by far the most flattering piece of clothing I have ever put on,” she said. “And it was so comfortable, which I hadn’t even considered before.”

David went with a tan seersucker suit that perfectly fit the setting. Together, their outfits felt consistent with everything else, easy, comfortable, and in line with the overall look of the day.

They chose to do a private first look, even though it wasn’t something Anne initially pictured. “It was a great way to get the nerves out and just feel the emotions of the day together.”

It also meant they were able to get photos done earlier and spend more time with their guests later. That small shift made the day feel less rushed and more enjoyable.

Choosing Vendors Based on How They Make You Feel

When it came to building their team, Anne and David paid attention to something simple but telling—how people showed up from the start. “We wanted our wedding vendors to bring good energy and make us feel like we were hanging out with our friends.” They paid attention to conversations, responsiveness, and how easy each vendor was to work with before booking anyone. Those early interactions helped them narrow things down. 

That approach led them to a team that felt genuinely supportive, including Junebug vendor and photographer Darcy Graf Photography. By the time the wedding day came around, everything felt collaborative instead of transactional.

Letting Someone Who Knows You Tell Your Story

Their ceremony was led by a close college friend who had been there from the beginning. Instead of something generic, it felt like someone telling their story with real context and familiarity.

They also included Rusty, their dog, who walked down the aisle with David.

Music choices were just as intentional. Every song was chosen because it meant something to them, helping them stay present during the ceremony.

Keeping the Focus on Food, Photos, and Flow

Their Key Largo wedding budget came down to three things: food, photography, and the overall feel of the day. Instead of following a traditional format, they built the reception around movement and interaction.

They skipped a formal bar and went with self-serve beer and wine, paired with a tap truck that guests loved. Dinner was set up as food stations so meals were prepared fresh and people could eat when they wanted. “We wanted people to feel free to move around and mingle, not be stuck at a table all night.”

Using Personal Hobbies as Design Inspiration

Instead of standard table numbers, they named tables after different fish species and paired them with photos of themselves with each one. David even hand-tied fishing flies for the seating chart, tying in something he genuinely enjoys.

They also created custom reusable cups with their initials, which guests used throughout the night and took home after. It was practical, personal, and fit the setting. “We just tried to have fun with it, and it definitely paid off.”

Reworking Traditions to Feel More Natural

Anne and her dad skipped the traditional dance and chose to do a toast instead, sharing a family tradition that felt more natural to them.

David and his mom took a completely different approach. They started their dance to “Highway to Hell,” then invited everyone onto the dance floor. That moment shifted the energy right away, and the dance floor stayed full the rest of the night.

Letting the Day Reflect Their Actual Life

Anne and David’s Key Largo wedding worked because they kept coming back to what mattered to them. They didn’t rush the process and took two years to plan, giving themselves time to give them time to plan a day that matched the life they’d already built.

“Stay true to you,” Anne shared. “It’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else wants. But this is your day.”

They also leaned into small details and clear priorities, which made decision-making easier along the way.

By the time the weekend wrapped, it didn’t feel like an event. It just felt like a few days in the Keys with their favorite people, plus a wedding in the middle of it.