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Another week as come and gone, and besides it meaning that we are one week closer to Thanksgiving, it also means that it is time to wish another one of our Just Save The Date couples a very Happy First Anniversary!  Today, we are celebrating Justine & Jonathan, who tied the knot in Key West last November.

Justine & Jonathan are high school sweethearts, who grew up in Orlando (coincidentally, right down the street from each other).  After graduating from high school, Justine went to the University of West Florida and Jonathan was commissioned into the United States Coast Guard.  Fast forward a few years to 2011, and now they were getting married (after a very tearful proposal in the Orlando International Airport).  Since Jonathan had already been stationed n Key West, and Justine was soon to join him, they decided, what better way to celebrate the joining of their two families than to get married in Key West, their new “home.”

After months of planning, the details came together for a truly special wedding in the Southernmost city.  After a quick ceremony rehearsal the day before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a casual rehearsal dinner at Finnegan’s Wake, Jonathan’s favorite restaurant in town.  Wedding day kicked off with beauty preparations for the female members of the Wedding Party, including the bride and groom’s moms.  Thanks to the Beauty Boutique & The Glam Squad, everyone looked stunning.  The guys even got in on the preparations by sneaking in a few photos while getting dressed.

Justine and Jonathan chose a color palette of coral and navy blue, to not only accent the tropical location of the wedding, but also to coordinate with Jonathan’s military dress uniform.  The guys wore khaki pants with a coral dress shirt and navy tie; while the girls wore coral dresses (from Forever 21) with a navy sash.  The dresses weren’t complete without the carefully coordinated Tom’s Shoes that each bridesmaid, as well as the bride, wore.

Justine and Jonathan, along with their families and closest friends, had their ceremony at the iconic Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea.   Guests joined together for an afternoon mass lead by Father John Baker.

After the ceremony, guests were ushered out to the front of St. Mary’s, while the wedding party took some photos…but nothing too serious for this couple!

After photos, as a surprise to the Bride & Groom, Jonathan’s father had arranged for a limo to drive the couple and their wedding party around the island to take photos before the reception.  Stops included the Southernmost Point, Mile Marker 0, Higgs Beach, the Coast Guard Cutter at the Truman Annex and the famous Key West Seaport & Bight.

After taking photos around town, the Wedding Party joined the rest of the guests for cocktail hour at Dante’s, where everyone enjoyed drinks and delicious appetizers.  Following cocktail hour, guests were invited to take their seats on the lower level of Dante’s, overlooking the resort-style swimming pool, as the wedding party made their entrance down the staircase to Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’.  Justine and Jonathan then went into their first dance, followed by a blessing by Jonathan’s dad, Jim, and toasts by the Best Man (JC) and the Maid of Honor (Sam).

Following toasts, everyone enjoyed a tropical dinner and then kick started the party with the Father-Daughter dance and Mother-Son dance, followed by lots, and we do mean lots of dancing!  Jonathan and Justine also took part in cutting their delicious (and color coordinated) cake from Publix, followed by the garter and bouquet toss.  All of these festivities were again, followed by lots of dancing.

Shortly before 11pm, the guests gathered to send the newlyweds off in style. They formed a human sparkler tunnel that led to their awaiting get-away car, which was decorated by the Best Man and the Groomsmen.

After a short cruise ship honeymoon, Justine & Jonathan returned to Key West to make their house a home.  We are so lucky to have this sweet couple and their families part of the Just Save The Date family and are even more fortunate to be able to see them on a regular basis.  Best wishes always and congratulations on your first year as Mr. & Mrs!

 

{Vendor List}

Ceremony Venue: Basilica of St Mary Star of the Sea/ Reception Venue: Dante’s Key West/Photographer: Shawn Dunlap-Family Friend/Flowers: Just Save The Date/Limo Rental: Keys Limo/ Hair & Makeup: Beauty Boutique & The Glam Squad/ DJ: A#1 DJ/ Cake: Publix

~Kelly