Whether your dream wedding is an intimate affair with only your closest friends and family or a grand and glamorous soirée, Omni Hotels & Resorts provides elegant service, thoughtful attention to detail and breathtaking backdrops for your nuptials.
Take for instance, the stories below of two wedding destinations that could not be more different — or more special.
Jessi + Justin | Omni Amelia Island Resort, Florida
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
When Dallas couple Jessi Bruton and Justin Lasher exchanged vows at Omni Amelia Island Resort, it was more than a destination wedding — it was a homecoming for the Florida natives.
“When Justin and I started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted a small, intimate event,” Jessi says. “We considered doing a destination wedding, somewhere like Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, where we had spent the anniversary of our first date. But we didn’t want the cost of the travel to become prohibitive for any of our guests.”
That’s how the couple came to find the ideal wedding venue at Omni Amelia Island Resort, located just a short drive away from their hometown. The resort offered everything they were looking for, including the Romantic Celebration Wedding Package, which is geared toward weddings of 25 guests or fewer.
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
“I knew it was fate,” Jessi says. “Justin and I would have a destination wedding for us, but a drivable location for our families; it was perfect.”
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
Casual Elegance
The couple fell in love with Omni Amelia Island because it’s a nontraditional beach destination, which inspired both the décor and design choices.
“The resort sits on the ocean with miles of pristine sand in either direction but, in my opinion, the true character of the region is along the Intracoastal Waterway,” Jessi says. “On the Intracoastal side of the island, the resort property feels like classic Southern low country, with saw grass-lined marshes and Spanish moss-draped live oak trees. I knew a naturally gorgeous setting wouldn’t need excessive decoration—we could make the outdoors our décor.”
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
Nature inspired the color palette of blush pink, eucalyptus green and antique gold, as the overall theme of “casual elegance” took shape for the outdoor wedding. The bouquets were made of peonies, roses and succulents, and the bride hand-painted each of the gold-kissed wedding invitations with a wash of watercolor.
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
The Big Day
Jessi wrote her vows over breakfast and coffee on the balcony of the bridal suite, overlooking the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean, while Justin penned his on the balcony of the best man’s oceanfront room. “It was important for us to make a true, heartfelt declaration of love, and not simply recite words,” Jessi says. Later in the morning, Jessi had her hair done at The Spa at Amelia Island in a style that she calls “the epitome of casual elegance: pulled away from my face with a natural cascade of curls down my back,” she says.
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
The ceremony was held on Oak Point Lawn, a breathtaking location graced with natural beauty that does not need much, if any, additional décor. The couple chose a simple arrangement of golden lanterns with greenery to frame where they would stand, but didn’t take away from the gorgeous live oak tree that served as a backdrop for their vows.
As the bride entered, escorted by her father, David, a violin soloist played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. The ceremony was officiated by their friend Alayna Oram, whom Jessi has known for more than a decade. “Alayna has had a front-row seat to my relationship with Justin, so it just seemed natural to ask her to officiate our wedding,” Jessi says. “She’s one of the most eloquent and authentic people I know.”
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
Immediately after the ceremony, servers passed out Champagne and hors d’oeuvres to the guests while the couple took photos. “I can’t say enough about how drop-dead gorgeous the property at Omni Amelia Island Resort is,” she says. “It felt as though there were endless opportunities for backdrops.”
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
Savor and Celebrate
While the couple was photographed, guests began to move to the reception on the deck of Marsh View Bar & Grill, a Southern-inspired restaurant at the resort’s golf clubhouse.
Image courtesy of Flora + Fauna
“Part of the beauty of the Oak Point/Marsh View combination is that they’re mere steps from one another, so there’s no need for guests to caravan from one location to the next,” Jessi says.
The couple had four rustic farm tables set end-to-end, symbolically representing their families joining into one. The table was decorated with a 28-foot-long floral table runner, gold chargers and gilded, hand-painted watercolor place cards that were held in place with wine corks.
Overhead, string lights turned on as the sun began to set to create a romantic, elegant space where family and friends could celebrate with the couple.
Meaghan + Mitchol | Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh
For high school sweethearts Mitchol Pappan and Meaghan White, their past and future joined together on their wedding day at Omni William Penn Hotel. After years of singing Shania Twain’s “From This Moment” on road trips home from college, the couple chose the tune as their wedding song and, in doing so, set the tone for their theme of elegance and romance.
When the couple selected Omni William Penn Hotel for their wedding reception of nearly 300 (including a wedding party of 20), Meaghan shared that she had fallen for the hotel’s historic grandeur. “We chose this venue because we fell in love with its elegant features and astonishing details everywhere you look,” Meaghan says.
Elegance and Romance
The couple’s wedding planner, Bonnie Walker of Bonnie Walker Events, derived inspiration from the lavish setting and then embellished it. Walker introduced a color scheme of ivories, golds and varying florals, and created several one-of-a-kind features that included a stage for dueling pianos and a breathtaking sea of hanging chandeliers.
“The most memorable part of the planning process would be creating the elegant concept of the ballroom,” Walker says. “The couple chose Omni William Penn Hotel because of the grandeur and romantic elegance of the space in addition to the outstanding food. That being said, those two elements made it easy to create a spectacular event.”
After exchanging vows at their church, the couple and their guests began the evening with a cocktail reception in Omni William Penn Hotel’s Urban Room, where they were greeted by gold-mirrored bars, gold molding and white corner pedestals.
Grand Ballroom Reception
As guests moved into the Grand Ballroom for the reception, they were greeted by a 12-foot-by-8-foot entrance wall with the couple’s monogram and gold filigree elements. “The overall goal was to create a soft, romantic, impactful statement,” Walker says.
The interior of the ballroom was equally breathtaking. Tables of different sizes, shapes and varying furniture filled the room. A sweetheart table was elevated on a small, round stage and complemented by two gold tables with mirrored tops for the bride, groom and bridal party.
One of Walker’s unique design details drew inspiration from the hotel’s famed lighting fixtures. Omni William Penn is well-known for its grand, historic chandeliers, and at the Pappans’ reception, 16 large chandeliers hung from the canopy over the dance floor.
“The Grand Ballroom was dripping in crystals for a dramatic, yet romantic effect,” Walker says.
Looking Back
After an evening of dancing to the 15-piece ensemble Studio E band, where Walker says “every single guest was up and dancing throughout the entire evening,” it was time for the after-party in the Urban Room. A comfort-food station was set up with miniature waffles with fried chicken, french fries, miniature gourmet burgers and grilled cheese with tomato soup shooters. Guests danced to music played by a DJ.
Unique Destinations, Unforgettable Experiences
Whether your vision for your wedding is big or small, opulent or rustic, in the heart of the city or on a far-flung retreat, Omni Hotels & Resorts brings genuine hospitality and dedicated service to your big day.