Grace and Ryan’s wedding was a beautiful reflection of family, friendship, and intentional design. Hosted at Grace’s family estate, the celebration brought together 350 guests for a day filled with meaningful traditions, heirloom details, and a reception transformed by the creative vision of planner and designer Rachelle Youd.
As the owner of a Florida clothing boutique, Grace brought a refined eye for color, texture, and style to every aspect of the wedding. The result was a celebration layered with personal touches—from peacock heirlooms honoring beloved family members to a custom-made flower girl dress for the couple’s dog, Blanche. While the reception design was breathtaking, it was the relationships, memories, and family history woven throughout the day that made it truly unforgettable.
“What started as a friendship became the foundation of a relationship that has always felt easy.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Grace and Ryan attended the same elementary school, but only remember each other from middle school. They even went on a group “date” to the movies, although neither of them could have imagined they would one day get married. They remained friends throughout the years, and in eleventh grade, Ryan asked Grace to prom. A few weeks later, he told her he only wanted to go to prom with his girlfriend, which was his way of making things official. What started as a friendship became the foundation of their relationship, and both believe that being best friends first is one of the reasons their relationship has always felt so easy.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
One of the funniest moments from their wedding day happened just before the ceremony. The groom was late to the church because the driver accidentally forgot to go pick him up. Thankfully, Grace’s Maid of Honor, Ellory, caught the mistake and made sure Ryan got there. He ended up being only about ten minutes late, and Grace had no idea any of it was happening at the time. Looking back, it is one of their favorite stories from the day.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Grace and Ryan planned a 350 person wedding in just six months while navigating several major life changes. In March, Ryan matched into a residency program, and until then, they had no idea which city would become their first home as newlyweds. Once they learned they would be moving to Tampa, they had to quickly find a place to live while continuing to plan their wedding.
At the same time, Ryan was finishing medical school and graduated just one week before they said “I do,” while Grace was helping run her family’s business alongside her mother. After a much needed honeymoon in Cabo, they packed up their lives and moved to Tampa. It was a season filled with excitement, uncertainty, and more than a few moving parts, but they could not have done it without the support of their incredible vendors and parents, especially Grace’s mother, who helped make their dream wedding possible.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Honoring family was one of the most meaningful parts of Grace and Ryan’s wedding day. All of the men in the family and wedding party wore brooches, and the men on Grace’s father’s side wore peacock brooches that belonged to her late grandmother.
Her grandmother’s maiden name was Peacock, and she collected peacocks throughout her home. Grace remembers playing with those very brooches as a little girl, which made incorporating them into the wedding especially meaningful. Since her passing, Grace often notices peacocks in unexpected places and has always viewed them as little God winks from her grandmother.
Ryan also honored his grandfather by wearing his cufflinks on the wedding day. Their planner even surprised them by incorporating subtle peacock details throughout the reception. Grace’s mother also gifted her a memorial bouquet charm featuring symbols representing several loved ones who had passed away, including a peacock, a piano, a cross, and a sewing machine.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
The ceremony was the most meaningful part of the day for Grace and Ryan. There was something incredibly special about getting married in the church where Grace grew up, surrounded by the people who had supported them throughout their relationship.
The ceremony was officiated by both Grace’s pastor and a longtime family friend, making the moment feel even more personal. While every detail of the day was beautiful, exchanging vows and beginning their marriage was what mattered most.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Adaptability has been one of the greatest lessons in Grace and Ryan’s relationship.
During their first year of marriage, they have navigated Ryan’s intern year, a move to a new city, and all of the changes that come with building a life together. While Ryan has adjusted to the demanding schedule of residency and long hours at the hospital, Grace has adjusted to a new job and living farther from home than ever before.
Through each transition, they have learned how to support one another, communicate through challenges, and embrace the unexpected. They are still very much in this season of life, but it has already taught them that some of life’s most rewarding chapters often require the greatest amount of growth.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Their favorite thing about one another is how much fun they have together.
Whether they are traveling somewhere new, spending time with friends, or simply running errands, they genuinely enjoy being together. Laughter has always been a constant in their relationship.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
One of Grace and Ryan’s favorite parts of wedding planning was finding ways to make the day feel uniquely theirs.
Including their dog, Blanche, in the wedding was especially meaningful and quickly became one of their favorite memories. Grace had an old pageant dress shortened for the wedding reception, and her talented seamstress, Mrs. Alycia Mathis, used the leftover fabric to create a custom flower girl dress for Blanche.
On the wedding day, Blanche proudly wore her dress and even jumped up onto a pew during the ceremony, giving everyone a good laugh. It was one of those unplanned moments that made the day feel even more special.
Photography: Jay Barr Photography / @jaybarrphotography
Planning & Floral Design: Rachelle Youd Designs / @rachelleyouddesigns
Content Creator: Georgia Cloud / @cloudweddings_
Entertainment: Fly By Radio / @flybyradio
Invitation Suite: Helen Made Designs / @helenmadedesigns
Rentals: Panache Rentals / @panacheeventsfl
Hair: @hair_byalison88
Hair: @hairbyjennifermcintosh
Makeup: Haus of Beauty / @hausofbeautytallahassee
Dress: Margaret Ellen Bridal / @margaretellenbridal
Seamstress: @alyciabmathis
Food: Brenda Pettis
Cake: @_vickybakes_
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
NO COMMENT