A Casey Key Beach Wedding in Florida with Orchids and Sunset Colors
One interesting fact about Lea and Robert Hecht’s relationship was they never had to formally meet each other’s parents and family for the first time. They both grew up in Northern Virginia – Robbie in Vienna and Lea in Alexandria – and had been close family friends since they were children. Their fathers met through work on Capitol Hill over 20 years ago and became regular member-guest golf partners while their mothers planned yearly couple vacations to Casey Key, Florida. As kids, they ran the coat check at the annual Cox Christmas party together; but because of an age gap, it wasn’t until after high school that they got close.
The College Years
During college, Robbie, Lea, and their sisters were finally invited to an expanded Cox-Hecht vacation on Casey Key. Lea was attending Virginia Tech, studying engineering – which, coincidentally, was where Robbie had just graduated with an engineering degree. They were just friends at this point, and loved trading stories about their time in Blacksburg and attending Nationals baseball games.
“Surrounded by their family and closest friends, it was the best moment of their lives.”
During her freshman summer, Lea interned for Robbie, giving them the opportunity to get to know each other even better. A crush ensued. Lea left to go back to school, but the underlying feelings of attraction remained. A few years later, during the annual Florida trip, the two lifelong friends shared their first kiss and started a relationship on the beach that has become central to some of their most cherished memories together.
A Family Trip Engagement
Three years after that first kiss, Robbie decided to propose during their annual family trip. It had to happen upon arrival, as both parents and siblings knew he had a ring. Robbie secretly handed off the ring box to a neighbor and close friend as they left the airport. He and Lea hopped into the car to take an unusually long and scenic drive to the house. When they arrived, he had to convince Lea to take a walk on the beach. Although she wanted to get changed out of travel gear and go right out on the boat, she eventually agreed to a quick walk.
During their walk, the couple “happened” upon a conch shell, which is a rare find. Robbie got down on one knee and when he picked it up, Lea was shocked to see a ring box beneath it. On the same beach where they shared their first kiss and started a romantic relationship, Robbie asked Lea if she would marry him; and she said, “Yes!”
Planning a Casey Key Beach Wedding
It didn’t take long for the wedding planning process to begin. Of course, there was only one place the couple could envision themselves tying the knot. Being a residential area, planning a Casey Key beach wedding was unheard of, and it was essential to partner with a fantastic team of experts.
Upon meeting Jennifer Matteo, it was clear she was the perfect person for the job. She introduced the couple to Tailored Twig floral design in Tampa, and their entire team approached every task with eagerness to make it the most memorable weekend. They built a one-of-a-kind platform for the ceremony that extended from the beach, over the surf, into the water, complete with pink and orange floral arrangements to reflect the fabulous Gulf Coast sunset. They also transformed a classic tiki bar at the Casey Key Fish House into an elegant wedding reception venue with seating areas and standing cocktail spots for guests to enjoy the band and dance floor. The day after the wedding, Jennifer and Lea’s mom, Heather, surprised everyone with a beach party that would rival Nikki Beach.
The Wedding Weekend
Lea and Robbie’s Casey Key wedding weekend consisted of one special event after the next. On Thursday evening, the wedding party traveled by boat to their favorite restaurant, Waterfrontoo, for the rehearsal dinner. It was one of the most special and memorable dinners of their lives, with family and wedding party sharing a memory and offering a toast to the couple. After dinner, they celebrated into the night with the rest of their guests as they arrived in Florida.
On Friday, the couple woke up excited and nervous for the biggest day of their lives. After getting ready that morning at a venue on the key, the bride stepped onto a boat in a Pronovias wedding dress and veil with her dad, and the two of them took a ride up the intercoastal to the house for the first look. That 15-minute boat ride was a very special moment for the bride to enjoy with her father before the rest of the wedding day unfolded.
On the water’s edge, surrounded by Florida palms, Robbie turned around and there were no words to describe how beautiful his bride was.
“It was truly everything a man could wish for in a wife,” he recalls.
A few hours later, standing on an overwater platform with clear blue skies and turquoise waves breaking below them, the bride and groom were married by Robbie’s pastor from his home church in Virginia. Walking barefoot back up the beach, surrounded by their family and closest friends, it was the best moment of their lives.
On theme with the wedding weekend, guests were transported down the intercoastal by boat from the ceremony on the beach, to the reception at the Casey Key Fish House. Beneath a high tent with orchids and palms sprawling from ceiling to floor, Lea and Robbie shared their first dance as husband and wife. The guests were treated to a Casey Key Fish House dinner including filet of beef and their most requested entree, almond crusted snapper. Toasts were made by Robbie’s best man, Adam, Lea’s maid-of-honor, her sister Torie, and Lea’s father Chris with spark boxes lighting up the celebration vibe. After a surprise tribute Abba song for the Cox and Hecht ladies, The Headliners band ramped the party up with wedding classics and songs by the couple’s favorite band, The Killers.
The newlyweds are grateful for all the people who worked tirelessly to make this weekend extraordinary. Wedding planner Jennifer Matteo, Tailored Twig floral design, Eric Lagopoulos and his staff at Waterfrontoo, Rev. Mark Shaltanis, the Casey Key Fish House, Jarar Kazmi and his team at Sollis Studio, and most importantly, their parents. It truly was a one-of-a-kind wedding weekend that exceeded every expectation.
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Casey Key Fish House; Planner: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning; Floral Design: Tailored Twig; Rentals: Artistic Spaces Inc, US Tent, Event Effects, Over the Top Linens; Invitations: Emily Baird Design; Entertainment: The Headliners Band; Wedding Dress: Pronovias; Bridal Salon: Calvet Couture Bridal; Hair & MUA: Brides by Kelly Anne & Co; Photography & Cinematography: Sollis Studio