A Look Back

Reflecting on Memories Made During Weddings at Hilton Sandestin Beach

At Hilton Sandestin Beach, we have the pleasure of standing alongside brides and grooms on the biggest day of their lives. We host hundreds of rehearsal dinners, Florida beach weddings, indoor and outdoor receptions and more every year. It’s an honor that our team truly enjoys – and a feeling like no other.

On a wedding day when I first arrive on property I feel excited and energized, I know that this is the day our couple has been dreaming of since they were kids and I want to make it perfect for them. When the ceremony begins it still leaves that butterfly feeling in my stomach and it seems like the beach waves slow down for a moment in time. With the sunset in the background and the love in the air, you can't help but feel pure happiness. This is one of the biggest days in this couples lives and we get to be a part of that!”
-Sarah Wandall, Wedding and Special Events Manager

“Seeing the bride in her dress all dolled up and the look on her groom’s face when he sees her for the first time is just a beautiful thing. You see and feel the love between the bride and groom, with their families enjoying this memorable time with each other. It simply gives you ‘all the feels’ as people say these days! That is the moment when you realize why you love doing what you do.”
-Angela Coteat, Wedding and Special Events Manager

With a rare backstage pass to the entire wedding, our team has seen it all. We’re lucky to be able to witness beautiful weddings (on the beaches of Florida and in our ballrooms) of all shapes and sizes. Many weddings incorporate traditions that are important to the families of the bride and groom.

“During one wedding, the groom’s shoes were taken by a groomsman right before the ceremony started. This is an Indian tradition where the groom goes into the ceremony with no shoes and after the ceremony has to find who has his shoes and once he does, has to pay to get them back. At first we thought a scuffle was breaking out in the foyer, but it turned out they were taking the grooms shoes!”
-Meagan Hale, Wedding Planning Assistant

The Jacksons Photography, www.thejacksonsphotography.com

“We hosted a wedding with a groom who is Nigerian. He incorporated some traditions from his culture into the wedding like the outfits and dances. The mother of the groom and all of his aunts wore traditional Nigerian dresses with fabulous matching headdresses and did a special dance around the deck before they made their grand entrance. The bride and groom also changed into traditional outfits and took sunset pictures on the beach in them. It was absolutely gorgeous and the love you saw between them was just the icing on the cake!”
-Angela Coteat, Wedding and Special Events Manager

And of course, beautiful decor is at the heart of every ceremony and reception. On the Gulf Coast of Florida, beach weddings rarely need extra decor as the white sand and emerald waters provide the perfect, natural backdrop. But during the reception, decor really shines through. Every couple has a unique story and identity — often reflected in the way they decorate tables, ballrooms and even their cakes.

“I really loved the centerpieces at a recent wedding. The couple had big rustic lanterns with flowers flowing out onto the table and it was so romantic and simple, yet a statement.”
-Sarah Wandall, Wedding and Special Events Manager

“My favorite décor piece was a reception arbor. It was a wooden doorframe-styled arbor with a large, beautiful floral piece across the top and coral, pink and white flowers draping down from the posts alongside white chiffon. The bride topped it off with a chandelier and floating candles in the center. It was gorgeous and such a great idea to have it at the reception to enjoy longer and include in pictures!”
-Angela Coteat, Wedding and Special Events Manager

“At Indian wedding ceremonies they have a mandap, a sacred structure where Hindu ceremonies take place. The mandap symbolizes growth and wellbeing. One wedding we held had gorgeous pink drapery and flowers around the base of the mandap.”
-Meagan Hale, Wedding Planning Assistant

Thank you to all the brides, grooms and families who have chosen to celebrate at Hilton Sandestin Beach. It’s truly our pleasure to help you plan the perfect Florida beach wedding, and to see your dreams come true on the big day!