OCCASIONS

NEWLY WEDS
BRIDE AND GROOM: Samantha Allard and Nathan Eckert

BRIDE’S PARENTS: Jeff and Donna Pfohler

GROOM’S PARENTS: Rick and Patty Eckert

HOW THEY MET: Nate and Sam met at a mutual friend’s birthday party at Beach Access 5, on Siesta Key. Nate was living in the Village at the time, and Sam and some other people from the party hung out at his house for a little while after the beach. It was there that Nate discovered Sam liked some of the same indie bands that he did.  Sam casually suggested that Nate burn some CDs of his favorite music. Nate had the CDs ready in a week and used them as an excuse to set up their first date.

THE PROPOSAL: Nate proposed on Christmas 2010. Sam was just coming home from working the night shift at SMH. Previously, Nate and Sam decided they were only going to get each other stocking stuffers, then purchase a new TV together. Nate wrapped and hid the ring box in the bottom of Sam’s stocking, putting odd gifts like Sam’s favorite Ramen noodles above it. Sam got to the bottom of her stocking, wore a look of disbelief after opening the box, then happily accepted Nate’s proposal.

THE WEDDING: The Dec. 3 ceremony was on a semi-private beach at a house the couple rented on Siesta Key, right around the bend from Access 5, where they met.

THE RECEPTION: The reception was in the beautiful backyard of the house, where the guests ate and danced under a gorgeous, starry sky and drank beverages from the canoe cooler Nate and Sam painted red to match the wedding colors — red and turquoise.

THE DRESS: A sexy, fitted ivory gown

BRIDE-AND-GROOM’S FIRST DANCE: Ben Harper’s “Forever”

HONEYMOON: Nate and Sam spent an extra couple of nights at the beach house after the wedding and are looking forward to attending a music festival in either Austin or New Orleans this fall. 

FUN FACT: The groom and groomsmen all wore matching Vans shoes for the wedding, and Sam wore matching ones for photos.