Wed: Lauren & Tyler in Palm Coast

It's no secret that I'm a huge Gator fan, so when I received this lovely Southern and University of Florida-style affair at the Hammock Beach Resort from Details Flowers & Photography I honestly did a little happy dance. Lauren and Tyler met at a party at UF, and were both raised in Florida, so their vision of "really fancy tailgate" with loads of southern charm seems like the perfect fit... and who wouldn't want to attend a wedding like that? This is great inspiration for those of you out there that are thinking of incorporating some meaningful, less-than-traditional details into your big day while still keeping it classy.

The groom, Tyler, chose the colors based on his "most passionate obsession"... the Florida Gators. The couple then added sophistication by incorporating Southern-inspired details: seersucker (the men's suits), lace (Lauren's gorgeous Chantilly lace gown) and the local chocolate truffles they gave as favors to their lucky guests.

I love the story of how the couple met, as told by Lauren: "In June of 2007, I met Tyler through mutual friends during a get together at Tyler's house in the University of Florida's student ghetto. Unfortunately for Tyler, he had an exam the following morning and our first meeting was a desperate Tyler begging not so politely for the party to quiet down so he could continue studying. It was love at first sight! I was immediately attracted to this studious fellow and we spent the rest of the summer enjoying each other's company and ironically, not studying too hard. A year and a half later, the friendship blossomed into a romance when Tyler returned to Gainesville from an internship in Philadelphia to rekindle our summer romance! Two and a half years later he proposed. "

What Lauren loves about Tyler... "I love that Tyler makes me dinner every night and has the patience to put up with all my impatience. He is the passionate, artistic half of the relationship and I wouldn't be whole without him. "

... and Tyler about Lauren: "I love that Lauren is motivated and driven in all aspects of life. She is my level headed, grounded, and responsible half."

(Yup, that's another tebowing wedding party!)

Lauren shared their engagement story with us:

While I was away for the summer doing veterinary externships out west, Tyler met with my parents and asked for their permission. We traveled to Colorado in August 2011, which would be our third trip to the state together. On the second day of the trip, we spent the day in Aspen to hike at Maroon Bells. In an aspen tree grove, Tyler got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Tearfully, I said, Yes! I had always joked that I wanted to get engaged on the top of a mountain, and Tyler delivered. At the end of our hike, Tyler's family met us with champagne to celebrate. The rest of the week we enjoyed fly fishing and white water rafting and the wedding planning began!

A father escorting his daughter down the aisle is always a special moment; for Lauren, it had particular meaning: "My father has parkinson's disease and watching him get off his wheelchair to walk me down the aisle, was quite an emotional experience for everyone. He was feeling really great that day and it was a God given gift he was able to use his legs that day. I think everyone will remember that as the most memorable moment."

Both Lauren and Tyler's parents and grandparents are happily married (or were until they parted), and the couple celebrated this with placing all their photos on a table leading into the reception. Says Lauren, "We are both very proud of our committed lineage."

And thanks to five weeks of waltz lessons, they dazzled the crowd with their choreographed first dance.

How perfect is their head table? I love the idea of a comfy loveseat for the newlyweds.

Congratulations, Lauren and Tyler! Thank you for sharing your sweet story with us... and of course, Go Gators!

VENUE/VENDOR INFORMATION:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hammock Beach Resort | Photography: Details Flowers & Photography | Event Planning & Coordination: Signature Weddings | Floral & Event Design: Details Flowers & Photography | Cinematography: CollabCreation Films | Hair Styling: M3 Weddings Hair & Makeup Services | Cake: Publix | Ceremony Music: Melody Long Anglin | Band: The Buzz Catz | Submission: Two Bright Lights

you might also like:

• Engaged: Tiffany & Steve's Sweet Shoppe Session in Winter Park
• Engaged: Jackie & Jon in Fort Myers
• Engaged: Laken & Austin in the Panhandle
• Groom Attire: Preppy, Chic, Floridian