Real-life weddings on Amelia Island
Walkers Landing at Amelia Island Plantation
With
all the myriad details involved in staging a wedding, it sometimes “takes
a village” to put it all together. That’s what happened when Shannon
Moore married Rick Mailloux on October 24, 2008. Shannon, who had spent much of
her childhood on Amelia Island, is the daughter of the popular Fernandina Beach
artist Eileen Shannon Moore. Eileen owns Eileen’s Art and Antiques and has
staged numerous local charity events through the years. She has assisted so many
others that, when the time came for Shannon’s wedding, Eileen’s many
friends were eager to help.Shannon is Eileen’s only daughter and the two of them wanted a wedding that would be memorable. With a village full of friends, it became just that! The helpers were soon dubbed the “Wedding Belles,” and they all agreed, “It was the most fun we’ve had in ages!” They ended up not just planning, but actually cooking, arranging flowers, setting tables, hanging lanterns, and more, making it a real “hands-on” wedding. Mostly non-professionals, this group of friends ended up with the most professional looking wedding imaginable. Of course, it was no inexperienced committee, with talented locals such as Iris Jacobsen as lead designer, and Leighton Devine, the very creative former event coordinator for The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, lending a hand. They were assisted by Dickie Anderson, Anne Coonrod, Janet Ross, Betsy Odom, Sally McCarron, Rachel Smith, Ginny Daughtrey, and Cindy McLauchlan. Everyone loved finding a job to assist wherever they could.
Starting the festivities was a sumptuous bridesmaids’ luncheon at Janet Ross’s home. The “Belles” appeared in tiaras and rehearsed silly songs for the reception, like “Going to the Chapel” and “Ding-a-Lings.” Shannon and the six bridesmaids giggled and joined in the fun with all her mother’s friends.
The next day, however, was a very formal and beautiful wedding at the Amelia Plantation Chapel. Philip Pan, concert master of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, played the violin, and Shannon wore an elegant Alfred Angelo designed dress, a classic strapless gown with embroidered ivory lace, crystal beading, and sequins, with a chapel train. The bridesmaids all wore the same blue color, in different styles. When Rick’s sister, Judy Mailloux, sang John Lennon’s “Grow Old with Me,” there was not a dry eye in the church.
Then
the bride and groom were whisked away in an elegant white antique Rolls Royce
for the short ride to Walker’s Landing, the site of the wedding reception.
Because the ceiling in that venue is so high, Leighton Devine was appointed to
spend the day perched on an 18-foot ladder, hanging massive white Japanese lanterns
in varying heights. The tables were covered with hand-woven silk fabric and centered
with tall candlesticks. Iris coached the Belles on how to decorate the candlesticks
with wreaths of white roses. Shells were used extensively as another decorative
theme.Karen Miller of Old South Yankee prepared a buffet laden with beef tenderloin, chicken piccata, and a mountain of cocktail shrimp served in a giant shell. Karen made the red velvet groom’s cake, decorated to look like a scuba mask, while Rosie’s Creations made an asymmetrical wedding cake with blue icing trimmed with white handmade shells.
The band “Last 2 Leave” played, and the Belles performed their songs. For the couple, the Belles, and all of the guests, the wedding was one of the happiest events in recent memory. Shannon, an editor for All Headline News and Rick, owner of a luxury yacht and auto servicing company, are now back at their home in Jupiter, Florida. Eileen has returned to her shop on Centre Street. As for the Belles, well, their tiaras have been put away, and they are very happy that they helped Shannon and Rick have the wedding of their dreams.
