At the start of her senior year in high school, Lindsay Smith went into a store to buy a pair of tennis shoes and left having met her future husband, Damond Chiles. “He asked for my telephone number as I was leaving,” recalls Lindsay, who wrote her name and number on a piece of paper for him. Twelve years later, Damond incorporated that same piece of paper into his proposal. A series of envelopes containing clue cards (the phone number was enclosed in the first) led Lindsay on a scavenger hunt around their home to find Damond down on one knee holding a ring. 

A year later, 200 of the couple’s loved ones gathered on the lawn of a beautiful, ocean-view estate for a colorful, alfresco celebration. Lindsay, who was stunning in a strapless mermaid gown, selected bold, rich tones for the details and décor of the ceremony and reception. Bridesmaids wore floor-length dresses in a radiant orchid hue and carried posies featuring magenta roses and purple hydrangeas. The bride held a vibrant bouquet of fuchsia phalaenopsis orchids, hot pink peonies, and crimson roses. Dramatic arrangements of similar florals decked the altar, while blush and red petals decorated the aisleway.

After Lindsay and Damond exchanged emotional vows, a cocktail hour showcased the couple’s favorite songs and snacks. Mellow R & B music entertained guests as they sampled bacon-and-bleu-cheese sliders, ceviche shooters, and buffalo drumettes (the groom’s food of choice to watch Sunday football). “[Everyone] really got a glimpse of [what] we love to do during our downtime!” reveals Lindsay. Dinner tables were adorned with ivory linens, silver accents, and centerpieces composed of red roses, purple and fuchsia hydrangeas, and bright phalaenopsis orchids. Attendees enjoyed a selection of comfort foods from serving stations and slices from a five-tier wedding cake for dessert.

Instead of a traditional father-daughter dance, Lindsay and her sister surprised their father with a reenactment of the way they all danced together as children. “It was a very memorable and sentimental moment,” she recalls. Overall, the couple agrees that they wouldn’t change a thing about their nuptials. The venue was comfortable for the large guest list and every aspect of the event reflected their personalities and love for one another. The bride sums it up best in saying, “I still get chills thinking about my wedding day.”