Kelly & Tommy

Kelly & Tommy

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT AMELIA ISLAND

By Julie Simmons Photography by Todd Smith, Amelia Island Beach Weddings

No matter where you call home, Amelia Island’s blue waters, expanse of lush marsh grass, and canopies of oaks are amazing backdrops for saying, “I do!” Local brides know all the secrets and relish planning their wedding celebration, but for brides planning from afar, it can be a little unnerving to be so far removed from everything. At least until you meet Todd Smith, explains newlywed Kelly Rumph. “Todd has a contagious personality and he’s phenomenal at what he does,” says Kelly. “Planning from a distance isn’t easy, but he is warm, welcoming, and you trust him easily.” Smith, owner of Amelia Island Beach Weddings and planner for the couple’s wedding events, remembers meeting Kelly and Tommy. “The first time we talked, I fell in love with this sweet couple. The most important thing for them was just to get married. They didn’t care about the details, they just wanted to start their life together.” Kelly and Tommy first met in high school. “Tommy and I actually met in ninth grade at Albany High School in Georgia, but I was so bubbly I drove him crazy,” Kelly laughs. “In 2018, literally decades, spouses, children, and ex-spouses later, we met again and rekindled our friendship.” It didn’t take too long for a fi re to ignite between the two, placing Tommy down on one knee and asking Kelly for her hand. “When you’ve already been married once and pleased everyone, the second go around you do what you really want,” laughs Kelly, with her great sense of humor. “And I wanted to get married on the beach!” Although Kelly grew up vacationing on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the couple had heard great things about Amelia Island. “Finally, we visited, and of course, we fell in love with the island and enjoyed several stays at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, enjoying the local restaurants, a Jaguars game, and hours at the beach.” When it came time to pick a wedding destination, Amelia Island was naturally at the top of their list. Todd steered the couple to the Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island. “It wasn’t even finished yet when we booked it, and it was the best decision. Th e Courtyard team was incredible, the atmosphere perfect, and the pool where the children spent hours was the cherry on top! Courtyard did everything they could to make our wedding beautiful!” Between Todd and the Courtyard team, everything came together perfectly—despite the rain. In early June this year, everyone on Amelia Island was grateful for a little rain after a short drought. “But not me!” says Kelly. “We were working on backup plans, Courtyard was helping to prepare a makeshift chapel, but then the skies cleared.” Right at sunset, the party rushed to Main Beach, where the passing rain cooled the air and an array of beautiful colors filled the sky, providing a gorgeous start to the Rumphs new life together. Following the ceremony, the group enjoyed a Southern Coastal dinner at the Courtyard Marriott that included ribs, shrimp and grits, potato salad, and on Todd’s advice in lieu of a traditional wedding cake, local favorite Ms. Carolyn’s Italian Cream, Chocolate, and Coconut cakes, which Kelly agrees are “amazing.” “We are proud of every detail of the celebration,” says Kelly. “The time we had as a family on Amelia Island, the beautiful ceremony and reception, but most of all visiting Amelia Island again. We relive the day in our hearts and cherished memories often.”