We are the Millers
Three Weeks Later, Still Floating
Three weeks ago, Cody and I stood barefoot in the sand, four days before Christmas, with the kind of Florida weather you can't plan for and can only be grateful for.
Soft air. Gentle light. Calm. The kind of day that feels like it was meant for you all along.
From the moment the day began, nothing felt rushed. Nothing felt forced.
It felt intentional and that made all the difference.
Getting ready was quiet and grounding. I did my own makeup, something that felt important to me, and hair was done by Marissa from Cosmic Glow & Co.
My dress - simple, elegant, and timeless - from B.Bridal in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it felt like me.
My bouquet was created by Couture Florals in Destin, Florida while I designed and create our ceremonial florals myself, wanting every detail to feel personal and thoughtfully placed.
One of my favorite moments of the day even though I didn't get to witness it was being able to gift Cody the embroidered pocket square I had made for him. It had his initials and a little 'I love you most' embroidered in my own handwriting. The boudoir album I created for him was clearly my favorite. I just knew he was going to love it.
Photographed and edited them myself - The Miller Boudoir Edit.
A first look that felt like us
We chose Eden Gardens for our first look, private vows, and pre-ceremony portraits, and it couldn't have been more perfect. The moss-draped trees, the stillness, the softness of the light - it felt intimate and timeless.
As photographers, we often guide our couples through a traditional first look - the tap on the shoulder, the turn, the reaction. But for us, that didn't feel right.
I'm introverted by nature, and I wanted something gentler. Something more endearing.
So instead of tapping him on the shoulder, I walked up behind Cody and wrapped my arms around him. We stood there for a moment. No rush. No pressure. Just breathing each other in. When he was ready, turned around - and he looked at me. And then he looked again. And again. And again.
That moment is one I will always carry with me.
We followed that with private vows, tucked away at Eden Gardens - something I recommend to every couple. I know many couples choose to keep things traditional and wait until the ceremony to see one another, and that is beautiful. But there was something incredibly special about grounding ourselves together before the ceremony even began.
His vows were touching and full of intention - he promised many things, including to share the king pillow every night (a promise I plan to hold him to). Those quiet vows, spoken just between us, set the tone for entire day.
Because we built our timeline intentionally, our portraits never felt rushed. We slowed down.
We took our time. We stayed present.
This is something I will always tell my couples: your wedding day is about being together.
Not about racing the clock. Not about meeting expectations.
Set the traditions aside. Set the opinions aside. Do what feels right for you and your spouse because at the end of the day, it is yours and it goes by so fast!
Our i do
Our ceremony took place at South Walton Beach just off the iconic Highway 30A.
It was everything I had envisioned. I wanted an elevated, Italian-inspired aesthetic - soft neutrals, whites, and intentionally simplicity. I didn't want a traditional bright beach elopement look.
I wanted elegance. Luxury. Intimacy.
Stephanie Robertson of 30A Beach Weddings executed the ceremony setup flawlessly, handling every detail with care and intention. From the layout to the flow of the ceremony, everything felt seamless and calm - allowing us to be fully present.
We honored my dad and our two grandmothers with a reserved chair adorned with a single rose I placed there as I walked down the aisle. Before the ceremony began, we took a moment of silence to honor them - a quiet pause filled with love and remembrance.
Our officiant was Cody's childhood best friend which made the ceremony deeply personal and meaningful.
My two children carried our rings to us, a moment that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
We read our vows again during the ceremony.
Cody's were a short, sweet and heartfelt version of his private vows but I had saved something special for my ceremonial vows - words meant not only for him, but for our family to hear. There wasn't a dry eye, including our officiant's.
And then we said I do.
During our first kiss, Cody said, "I'm going to dip you."
Completely unplanned. I was not prepared, and we probably looked like a couple of baby giraffes trying to balance in the sand, but it was real and joyful and so us.
As we walked back up the beach, strangers applauded and congratulated us. Even as an introvert, it was incredibly touching - like the world paused for just a moment to celebrate alongside us.
We were blessed with the perfect sunset.
Even some of my local friends, said it was one of the prettiest they've seen.
Ending the day
We finished the evening at Harpoon Harry's in Panama City Beach.
Harpoon Harry's is always one of our favorite places to eat when visiting the coast so when we were planning dinner locations it just felt like the perfect place.
There we shared dinner, cut our cake by Sami K Cakery, toasted, and had our first dance on the beach. The staff was incredibly accommodating and kind, making the evening feel relaxed and effortless.
It was quiet. Intimate. Full of warmth.
And just like that, our day came to a close - stacked with sweet, meaningful moments that we will both carry with us forever.
Looking Back
Our wedding didn't need to be big. It didn't need to extravagant. It needed to be ours.
And that's exactly what it was.
Vendor Love
Photographer: Cheyenne Carter - Juniper Weddings
Coordination: Stephanie Robertson - 30A Beach Weddings
Florals (Bouquet): Couture Florals
Cake: Sami K Cakery in Pensacola
Dress and Veil: B.Bridal in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hair: Marissa Wolfrom - Cosmic Glow & Co
Makeup: Done by me
Ceremonial Florals: Designed and created by me
All Photo Edit: The Miller Edit
