As our last blog post of the year, we thought it was fitting to pass the reins over to a pair of longtime guests, Josh and Mackenzie, to share their story about a particularly special stay they had with us this year. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Josh and Mackenzie were married at Hawks Cay this summer, marking the 22nd year Mackenzie’s family has spent a summer vacation with us. Scroll through the photos captured by Evan R Photography and read their story below. Mackenzie has even shared some advice for brides as we get ready for engagement season.
Josh and I met through my best friend since high school, Lauren, whose husband was Josh's best man. When it came time to choose the location for our wedding, it was a no-brainer. My family has vacationed at Hawks Cay every summer for the last 22 years - it is definitely our home away from home. We found it in a fishing magazine, back when the hotel was still green and pink, there were no villas and only one square pool. Josh came with us the summer prior to our wedding and couldn't say enough about it, even saying after his first visit, "I can't wait to raise our kids here." Josh and I were so excited to have everyone we love together, enjoying the fun and beauty Hawks Cay has to offer.
My advice for brides is to let a location speak for itself. At Hawks Cay, we loved all the natural island beauty, so we made sure to use it as our inspiration for photos, centerpieces, accents, colors, etc. Between the staff at Hawks Cay and my wedding planner, I didn't stress about one thing during the planning process, which only made the wedding weekend that much more enjoyable. When you have complete trust of everyone putting your special day together, you’re able to just enjoy the company of friends and family. And that was ultimately our favorite part of the wedding – the intimate atmosphere created where we could relax and celebrate with our loved ones. My last piece of advice for future brides is to choose a wedding planner you trust and allow them to do their jobs. In the end it will take loads of stress off you, allowing you to enjoy your day!
Mackenzie
If you’re interested in tying the knot in paradise, you can find more information about our Florida Keys venues and wedding packages and even get a quick quote here.