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A Bride’s Tale

April 2025

Graytful to Be with You

By Farah Rohman Saffel | Photography by Leah VanHoose and Shelly Swanger

Brandon and I first met in Atlanta on a warm summer day. I had just moved from Alabama, where I grew up, and was thrilled to finally live in the city I had always dreamed of calling home. It was my first day at a new office when our paths crossed for the first time. Although we didn’t work directly together, Brandon and I quickly bonded over lunch outings, with him introducing me to his favorite spots in Atlanta.

Our lunch breaks quickly became mini-adventures, deepening our connection as we discovered shared values. Those moments felt extraordinary and unforgettable, a theme throughout our relationship. Over the years, we navigated big moves, the pandemic, career changes, Brandon learning to cook, and travels. We even worked together on renovating our outdoor living area, designing a space to enjoy nature and create lasting memories.

In November 2023, on a crisp fall night, Brandon proposed under twinkling patio lights. It was an intimate moment that perfectly reflected our love. Surrounded by the home we were building,I knew I was saying yes to a lifetime of love and adventure.

After six months of lightning-fast planning, we got married in June 2024, and the journey that began with a simple lunch in Atlanta has blossomed into a lifetime of love and adventure.

Our Wedding Plans

Wedding planning was an emotional yet rewarding experience, made possible by the love and support of our family. They helped organize every detail, hosted events, and provided unwavering encouragement. With only six months to plan our destination wedding in Florida from Atlanta, we faced a fast-paced timeline filled with tough decisions. Brandon’s family and our support system were essential in navigating these challenges. We prioritized what mattered and surrounded ourselves with uplifting people to keep us grounded.

One of my favorite moments during wedding planning was when Brandon and I visited his parents, Tom and Dana, in Naples, Florida. We discovered stunning chocolate seashells showcased on a bed of brown sugar sand. We loved them so much that we ordered them to use as wedding favors.

Our Venue

We wanted to select a location that was not only naturally beautiful and coastal but also convenient for our family and friends to travel to. The water has always been significant for us—Brandon grew up around boats, and I’ve always cherished the ocean—so it felt entirely fitting to find a destination that reflected that. Brandon’s parents also lived here, and we always loved visiting them!

Since his first visit, Brandon felt a special connection to Grayton Beach, Florida. Its stunning coastal views made it the perfect spot for our wedding. While exploring venues along Scenic Highway 30-A, we discovered the romantic Monet Monet, suggested by Brandon’s dad. It offered a beautiful beach ceremony and a lush garden reception. Our theme was a “Warm Romantic Summer Evening,” focusing on relaxation, intimacy, and elegant experiences for our families and friends, complemented by delicious food.

Our Wedding Day

The night before our wedding, we hosted a cozy beach bonfire along 30-A, welcoming our guests to a magical evening by the shore. We created a warm atmosphere with two bonfires, rugs, and white decor. Guests enjoyed tea, seashell-shaped cookies, and s’mores to roast over the fire. It was a beautiful night filled with laughter, connection, and the soothing sounds of the waves.

The next day was our wedding day. Our ceremony was around sunset, so we spent the morning getting ready. Our color scheme was pearl sparkle, cream, and sunset pastels. We wanted an ethereal theme that reflected the soft hues of the seas, sky, and garden.

I wore a sparkling Pronovias Privee fairytale gown that had been expedited from Barcelona just for this moment. It shimmered with every movement under the warm Florida sun. Brandon wore a white custom-made suit and Ferragamo loafers.

The moments before the ceremony were filled with joy. The girls got ready in our beautiful 30-A rental while Brandon prepared nearby. Just as we were about to leave, it started to rain! My mother-in-law called to reassure me, checking the weather and confirming it would stop soon. She was right! The rain settled the sand, making walking easier and freshening the air as if to reset before the magic began. They say rain brings good luck!

Before the ceremony, we met in the gardens for our first look—a moment forever cherished in my memory! Brandon radiates confidence and love and makes me feel ready for all the special moments to come that day.

Our ceremony took place during the golden hour as the sun set, creating a warm glow over the beach. A string quartet filled the air with music we had chosen together. With my mother on one side and my father on the other, I walked down the aisle, surrounded by elegantly dressed guests holding white parasols. At the end of the aisle, we stood on a pastel carpet beneath a beautiful white floral arch framing the blue water. We exchanged personal vows and said, “I do.” It was magical!

As guests left the beach, they brushed off the sand before heading to the gardens for cocktail hour, where we served our signature passionfruit and espresso martinis. Upon arrival, guests found their name cards on a golden mirror and had the opportunity to write a note in our guestbook—an autographed photography book by Tom and Dana.

Brandon and I lingered on the beach, taking photos as the sun set on the horizon. When we arrived at the reception, we had a moment to ourselves before it was time for our first dance! We had spent a month learning our waltz, and now, under the twinkling string lights, we performed it for the first time as husband and wife.

Food was a crucial part of our wedding, and we discussed every detail of the menu to showcase our love for exceptional cuisine. We enjoyed a delightful garden dinner featuring beef tenderloin, fresh local grouper, and various desserts, including tarts, macarons, and our five-tier cake. I designed the cake, incorporating a shell border and white chocolate sea-inspired accents, with meaningful flavors like tiramisu, vanilla passionfruit, and strawberry.

One of the most touching parts of the evening was the heartfelt speeches from our parents, filled with love and humor. We danced the night away with my nieces, who never left the dance floor! Towards the end, we surprised our guests with crispy french fries. To mark our love, we added a lion-shaped lock to the bridge at MonetMonet and dropped the key into the water, symbolizing our everlasting commitment.

As the night came to a close, we made our grand exit under the corridor of dazzling sparklers and said goodbye to our family and friends.

After “I Do”

The next evening, Brandon’s parents hosted our final wedding event, the farewell soiree. We celebrated with all our friends from the area at the Saffel home. A local chef catered delicious Tuscan hors d’oeuvres, and we enjoyed live music by the pool. It was a beautiful, relaxing evening and the perfect way to wind down and reflect on the excitement of the past few days. Watching our families come together, bond, and celebrate as one was the most incredible wedding gift we could have received.

We haven’t gone on our honeymoon yet, but we recently decided to visit somewhere meaningful and beautiful: we plan to go to Greece this summer! We chose Greece for its relaxed atmosphere, island-hopping adventures, breathtaking views, rich history, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. To make it even more special, Brandon’s parents also honeymooned in Greece and have incredible stories to share.

— V —

Special Thanks

The biggest thank you and shoutout goes to Mr. and Mrs. Saffel, Mr. and Mrs. Rohman, our family, and our friends. We love you all so much!

We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dance choreographer, Blaine, at Academy Ballroom Atlanta for creating a magical dance just for us!

Hair and Makeup: I would also like to thank our makeup and hair artist, Shelley Waller of Destin Mobile Makeup Box, who was phenomenal!

Photography: Leah VanHoose and Shelly Swanger

Videography: StoryLive Productions

Officiant: Will Thompson

Cake: Chef Kim

Music: DJ Darrin

String Quartet: Bon Terra Strings

Flowers: Our Greenhouse

Stationary, Digital Cards, Guest Experience Design, and Website: Extrospect Labs

Rings: Ascot Diamonds, Blue Nile

Wedding Dress: Pronovias Privee

Bride’s Shoes: Ceremony – Louboutin, Reception-Jimmy Choo