Katie Brawley Photography
Claudia Chavarro and Paul Hulsberg officially met on Christmas Eve 2018. However, they have met before. They both work at Suntech Hospital in Gainesville, Florida—she is a mental health therapist and he is an interventional radiologist—and admire each other from a distance. But it wasn't until they matched on the dating site that Paul invited Claudia to dinner. After a job offer moved him to Naples, they dated a long distance for a year before reuniting in southwest Florida.
In February 2020, the couple travelled to Cartagena, Colombia, so that Claudia could show Paul where she came from-but Paul took over at least one adventure plan: a marriage proposal directly from a fairy tale. When the two were swimming on a private island beach, Paul said that he found something shiny in the water and dived into the water to investigate. "When he appeared again, he had the ring in his hand," Claudia recalled.
More than a year later, on March 13, 2021, they held their wedding at the South Island Resort on Captiva Island. The entire wedding weekend is carefully planned, inspired by the beach environment, the laid-back island atmosphere and the personalities of the bride and groom. “All their guests will attend from outside, so they want a space that feels like a vacation,” said planner Felicia Gostisbehere. "Water became a special place where Paul and Claudia met and fell in love."
Read on to learn all the unique details that magically blend together in the wedding, planned by Felicia Gostisbehere of Avec Moi Event Planning and Design, and filmed by Kaity Brawley.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
The tone of the wedding is based on an amazing invitation kit, which includes a custom badge by Kelsey Malie Calligraphy. Felicia Gostisbehere, the planner of Avec Moi Event Planning & Design, created a brand identity for each of her couples and used it to customize all aspects of the wedding. For Claudia and Paul, this means "elegant neutral and pink tones to reflect Claudia's softness and elegance; and deep, rich copper and brown tones to reflect Paul Refined masculinity," she said.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Even at their welcome reception, the couple wore dresses suitable for the atmosphere and tone of the wedding, especially Claudia's sand-colored fringed dress: Azulu's Tierra dress.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
When guests arrived at Captiva on the weekend, they gathered on the terrace of the Harbourside Bar & Grill, part of the South Island Resort for a welcome party. The atmosphere is laid back and romantic. As the sun sets, the lights and fire pits of the tavern illuminate the entire space.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
For the hairstyle and makeup on the wedding day, Claudia adopted a look that enhanced her natural charm. "It's important for me to keep my look," she said. "I like my long, natural, thick hair, so it's important to cut it off. The larger curls remind me of waves. I think it looks effortless."
Katie Brawley Photography
She decorated her gown with a pair of heirloom earrings from her grandmother, and the chic pink Loeffler Randall high heels brought pop colors and sprayed with Jo Malone English pear and freesia.
Katie Brawley Photography
I like how I feel in this dress. I not only feel very beautiful, but also very comfortable.
Katie Brawley Photography
Her dress is Lesley, a masterpiece of blue floral lace by Enzoani. "I like the feeling of wearing a skirt," Claudia recalled. "I not only feel beautiful, but also very comfortable. Although our wedding is a formal event, it is still on the beach. I want to have a relaxed, relaxed beauty."
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
The flower girl wore a pink dress on Etsy with a tulle skirt and delicate tulle shoulders. "When Claudia was ready, one of the flower girls-Paul's niece Sadie-ran up to Claudia and helped her put on her shoes," Felicia recalled. "That was one of the purest moments of the day."
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
From the beginning, it was important for Claudia that the bridesmaids really liked their dresses. Her mission is accomplished through the different styles of Jenny Yoo hand-selected by Felicia. "I hope that the various fabrics, textures and color sizes that resonate throughout the wedding design can also be passed on to the bridesmaids," said the planner. The gown is made of embroidered tulle, silk, crepe and velvet, and features pink, copper and green. Each bridesmaid holds a bunch of simple white sweet peas-a cohesive element that visually connects their appearance.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Paul firmly opposed wearing a tuxedo; instead, he chose a custom suit from Jos A. Bank, using sand tones suitable for the beach environment. He paired it with a pointed white shirt and brown shoes, and cut his hair and beard on the week of the wedding. Like his bride, Paul also chose Jo Malone's scent: wood sage and sea salt, which is another ode to the environment.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
The appearance of the best man is similar to that of Paul, but slightly different for comparison. Each one is matched with a corsage of hay. But Paul's son Arthur was the real star of the show, wearing a tan suit and pink bow tie that matched his father.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
When I stood on the green overlooking the sea, I immediately knew this was the best place to take an oath.
Katie Brawley Photography
The sunset point in the South China Sea laid the foundation for the ceremony. "When I stood on the green overlooking the sea, I immediately knew this was the best place to take an oath," Claudia recalled. "Everything felt so right." The unique ceremonial setting puts the bride and groom in place. In the middle of an elevated, wicker-backed chairs form a circle. "Their purpose is to make Paul and Claudia feel immersed in the love around them while listening to the soft buzz of a nearby harp," Felicia said. Behind all this: the endless ocean.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
"Before I walked into the aisle, I was very anxious," Claudia recalled. "My brain is blank, but I can hear the voices of my photographers Felicia and Kaity. I feel so much love and care from these two women, I can hardly control my emotions. When Felicia is like a marathon Kaity put a veil on me as an athlete ran across the field to make sure everything was perfect. At that moment, I knew that all the small details had been handled very well." She followed Elvis’s "Can’t help falling in love" The tune walked towards Paul along the aisle.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
When the three of us poured sand together, Arthur was very excited.
Katie Brawley Photography
The couple exchanged personalized vows, and then the four-year-old Asher joined them in the sand ceremony of the altar. "This is very important to me because Asher and I welcome Claudia to our family," Paul said. "When the three of us poured sand together, Arthur was very excited, and even said to Claudia,'How do we clean up all this now?'"
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
After being declared as husband and wife, the newlyweds walked along the aisle towards the performance of "Somewhere Above the Rainbow" played by Ukulele.
Katie Brawley Photography
After the ceremony, the guests jumped on a sky blue trolley and were sent to cocktail time on the lawn. They went in and saw Claudia and Paul pouring champagne on a coupe glass tower.
Katie Brawley Photography
I want it to feel as if this day was created specifically for Paul and me.
Katie Brawley Photography
"When I think about my wedding day, some things are very important to me," Claudia said of the planning process. "I want it to feel as if this day was created specifically for Paul and me."
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Elements & Accents' white Bentwood chairs are placed on the lawn, and the tables are covered with textured lace. The waiter serves local appetizers such as tuna and crab cakes with mango salsa. A custom-made tea towel is draped on each waiter's arm, with the menu and the couple's monogram printed on it.
Katie Brawley Photography
"The important thing is that their wedding design makes them feel perfectly balanced," Felicia said. "She is a gentle, passionate, and feminine beauty; and he, a masculine, sensitive and highly emotional soul." Felicia incorporates rich, masculine tones in the details, such as custom leather inlaid on dark wooden frames card.
Katie Brawley Photography
"Starting to set up five days before the wedding, the carpenter laid a custom wooden floor with Claudia and Paul badges displayed on it," Felicia said of the tent reception space. Champagne and cameo-colored crepe cloth covers the ceiling, and the upward lighting of flame tones illuminates the room. Five crystal chandeliers are delicately suspended at the highest point, and the ceilings on both sides are decorated with luminous leaf patterns.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Cone candlesticks dyed dark coffee brown are placed on the table, and the paper menu uses the same floral paper lined with the invitation envelope to tie the design together. The core flowers reflect the loose, organic appearance of seaside plants, with textured grasses, neutral flowers and dry leaves. The place setting was completed with earth-colored linens, natural bone tableware and vintage champagne coupe.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
The signature drink pays tribute to Claudia and Paul: fruity mango Bellini for the bride and classic Old Fashioned for the groom. Even the dress code of the bartender is related to the decoration scheme. Everyone put on Etsy's apron and leather bow tie.
Katie Brawley Photography
Felicia worked with the team at The Artistic Whisk to create a cake influenced by a classic sculpture featuring the emblems of Claudia and Paul. in? Layers of vanilla bean cake with strawberries, and chocolate with chocolate.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
In the months before the wedding, Claudia and Paul practiced the choreography routine for their first dance, "Jackie Wilson Said" by Van Morrison. Later, when the party started, the playlist featured American and Latin music. "I want a band that can play both at the same time," Claudia said. "The important thing is that their Latin performance sounds real." She found what she wanted in the Bay Kings Band.
Katie Brawley Photography
Dinner is provided by the venue, with colorful waves and filet mignon and lobster tail turf, topped with roasted root vegetables, asparagus and carrots.
Katie Brawley Photography
Katie Brawley Photography
The bride is Colombian and she wants her guests to experience the authentic Hora Loca of South American wedding traditions. Drummers beat their instruments, while men on stilts and women in headdresses entered the room in a lively procession. "With Claudia leading the way, within a few seconds, all the guests stood up and danced," Felicia said.
Katie Brawley Photography
But the most special dance is yet to come: repeat their first dance. After several months of practice, Claudia was not satisfied with the first dance of the newlyweds. So after dinner, she asked Paul to dance with her. The bridegroom grabbed the microphone and said to the crowd: "My baby wants what I want, baby gets it." "When the guests burst into laughter, Paul and Claudia danced their dance again, but this time they didn't care," Felicia recalled. "It was so funny to see Paul swinging Claudia back and forth in his arms. Their brilliant smiles never left their faces." Finally, all the tension was wiped out, and the newlyweds— And Arthur-spent the night of their lives.
Planner Avec Moi Event Planning and Design
Wedding venue South Island Resort
Floral design blooming floral design
Enzoani bridal gown designer blue
Bridal Boutique Palm Bride
Bridal shoes Loeffler Randall
Hair and makeup JLC salon
Bridal rehearsal designer clothing Azulu
Bridesmaid dress Jenny Yoo
Dress code for groom and best man Jos A. Bank
Ring Bearer Costume Black N Bianco
Wedding ring Tiffany & Co.
Signs and Acrylic C&B Signs Inc.
Entertainment ceremony string: Yuxian; cocktail time and reception: Bay Kings Band; Hora Loca: Black and Wine Event
Linen welcome reception: I make linen; wedding: BBJ Linen, La Tavola
Rental elements and accents, hybrid discs, vitality event rentals
Draping and staging swag decoration
Dance floor and walkway wrap Letz Dance
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