To show the press and a group of travel writers what a WaterColor wedding experience could be like, Water-Color Inn staged a faux wedding and fashion show at poolside on Sept. 14.
Hilary Fosdyk, Jessica Lewis, Carla Cleaveland and Kelly Sandro made lovely “brides” as they modeled a collection of Nicole Miller gowns, bridesmaid dresses and accessories around the pool’s patio with the white dunes as a backdrop.
The brides’ entry under an arborcovered walkway, allowed them to then proceed between the seated guests and around the pool, creating a dreamy reflection in the pool’s waters.
Blue crystals twinkled above the pool, reflecting the blue water of the pool and gulf.
A reception on the green behind the Inn followed and provided a sample wedding menu of WaterColor’s gourmet fare, including individual miniature wedding cakes served to each guest.
The cost for a wedding varies, but typically costs on the national average, around $35,000 - $40,000 for a wedding and its trimmings, said wedding coordinator Patrick Brewer.
Brewer said they tend to hold the number of weddings each year to 30, with April, May, September, October and November being the most popular. Those are mostly destination weddings coming from Atlanta, Birmingham, Jackson, Chicago, Dallas and New York.
“Destination weddings are an increasingly popular trend as couples take a different route from the traditional. This area is quickly becoming a hotspot for destination weddings and honeymoons due to its rich and diverse set of amenities,” said Wade Berry, communications coordinator at Water-Color.


SEASIDE
In South Walton’s first resort community – Seaside – Carolina Smith said the town is seeing more destination weddings each year, coming from all over the Southeast. The town rents a venue, said Smith, and brides are referred to Criolla’s for catering services. For the venue, a beach wedding at Seaside costs between $3,200 and $3,800. For the Seaside Chapel, the cost is $4,200. Last year, Seaside saw 265 weddings, with May and June being the most popular months. Smith said September and October are also popular. “We’re seeing more every year,” she said. The wedding costs don’t include a reception site, which, held at Seaside could cost between $1,500 and $3,500, depending on number of guests and location. The most requested location for a wedding at Seaside is the Seaside Pavilion, which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and Seaside Chapel.

CARILLON BEACH
On the east end of Walton County, Carillon Beach offers several locations for a “storybook” wedding – The Meeting House, The Village Green, Bellview Park Green, The West Pool or the beach.

• The Meeting House is a non-denominational chapel overlooking Lake Carillon with a glimpse of the Gulf beyond. It has a capacity of 92 seated and costs $2,750 to rent.

• The Village Green is an option for the bride who prefers an outdoor “garden look” or if the number of guests exceeds the Meeting House capacity. The Village Green has a tented capacity of 200 at a cost of $3,000 to rent.

• Bellview Park is a green space adjacent to the West pool with a tented capacity of 250, renting for $2,500.

• The West Pool and patio lends a tropical look to weddings for a poolside event. With a capacity of 150, it rents for $2,250. These prices are according to the resort’s Web site.

ROSEMARY BEACH
Lynn Daugherty at Rosemary Beach said the resort can do two weddings a weekend except in June and July, the town’s busy months, when weddings aren’t done. Daugherty said fall and spring tend to be the most popular seasons for weddings in Rosemary, which are performed on the East or West Green or in the Town Hall. To rent a green is $2,500 and to rent the Town Hall is $3,700, said Daugherty.