We love when couples come back to Sandestin to relive their wedding memories on their anniversary. One particular couple, Brittany and Erik, wrote a very sweet story and sent us photo’s of their time during their First Anniversary vacation, and I hope you enjoy reading it and looking through the photos as much as we did
Our Time at SanDestin
By: Brittany & Erik Wangenheim
Erik & I got married at SanDestin Golf & Beach Resort May 12, 2012, and returned to its beautiful beaches one year later for our first anniversary. Sandestin was such a wonderful place to get married because it offered the natural beauty I was looking for during our sunset ceremony, a variety of activities for my guests to keep them entertained over the weekend, and the peaceful atmosphere full of tranquility providing a weekend getaway for all.
We married on the LeCiel patio at sunset where we exchanged our vows in front of our family and friends right beside the warm waters of the bay. It was absolutely stunning, and I could not give more praise to Brian at Myrtie Blue for the floral and event décor as well as Barbara Miller for her coordination of the evening. The great aspect of this venue is that it is the only covered spot that really sits on top of the bay area. It also opens up to a beautiful ballroom directly behind the awning. I loved this venue because out of the many I looked into, it provided me all of these things: an absolutely breathtaking sunset view of the bay for my guests, the availability to create a beautiful floral and event décor design through the awning structure, the privacy of a cornered spot on the bay, a connecting ballroom so my guests did not have to drive to another location for the reception, the walking distance between the hotels of Baytown Wharf and our wedding spot, and the layout of the venue – a large ballroom with two sets of open doors to the patio (awning area) where guests could come and go if they’d like to have a drink outside by the bay or come inside for dancing and food. It really was the perfect venue for what I was looking for. I think beach venues can be a little intimidating for the elderly (stability) and your musicians (sound), so this is the best of both worlds. We had a spectacular time and received so many compliments from our guests on the food, service, décor, and choice of venue. I even had my Bachelorette Party in the Village where I took the same girls on my sixteenth birthday! I have grown up going to Sandestin and will always return there for the best memories and beautiful ocean views.
Photo Below of Wedding Day:
For our First Year Anniversary, we stayed in the Luau, located on the beach side of property. We received free bikes, kayaks, and tennis for four hours each day. It was one of the most special vacations we have taken together since our honeymoon in Seattle, Washington. The Sandestin team had everything ready for us when we arrived and left us a delicious red wine and congratulatory card in our room. We spent our weekend taking a dinner cruise on the bay with Solaris Cruises (live music, great food, anniversary packages available), riding bikes to our wedding venue to relive the memories, spending time on the beach, eating the local seafood of the Baytowne Wharf Village, and making a new favorite spot – Elephant Walk (delicious food, flawless service, drinks/food by the beach or a nice dinner). Bake My Day also made us a delicious Anniversary cake based on our original wedding cake which was delivered to the resort as a surprise from my mother.
We really felt appreciated and valued for choosing Sandestin and plan to return each year together. We like to think of Sandestin as our “home away from home”. We love Sandestin. Thanks guys!
