Just Married: Matthew Eyerly Gilbert and Elyse Margaret Huss

Just Married: Matthew Eyerly Gilbert and Elyse Margaret Huss

Bride’s parents: Jim Huss and Peggy Huss
Groom’s parents: Paul Gilbert and Deb Gilbert

How the couple met
Matthew Eyerly Gilbert and Elyse Margaret Huss met at Rollins College when Matt was about to graduate and Elyse was finishing her second year. Shortly after meeting, Matt graduated and they stayed in touch over the summer because of their mutual connection to Longboat Key/Anna Maria Island. Elyse grew up on Anna Maria and knew that Matt’s family owned a home on Longboat (the houses are only eight miles apart).

Elyse started her third year of school and needed a date to her sorority formal, and while she knew it was a long shot, she asked Matt. He immediately booked his flight. After the formal on Nov. 20, 2010, the flights didn’t stop.

The proposal
Matt told Elyse that he was planning a fun weekend, but wouldn’t tell her anything else. On Dec. 29, 2012, Matt took her to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a place they visited on Elyse’s first visit to Philadelphia.  The couple visited Elyse’s favorite exhibit last, and Matt wanted to take a picture in front of her favorite Degas statue. He asked a stranger to take it, however, he actually asked him to videotape everything. 
The newly engaged couple walked outside, and Elyse was shocked to see so many family members and friends waiting on the steps. The couple enjoyed the evening celebrating with all who traveled to witness the big moment.

The wedding and ceremony
The ceremony took place May 31 at Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast with the reception following at the Manatee Riverhouse. The couple recalls the weather as a fun memory from the wedding — a rainbow appeared right before the rehearsal dinner and the rain held off just long enough to make it through the ceremony. Thunder actually boomed as the bride walked down the aisle, which gave everyone a good laugh.

The bride and wedding planner Nicole Kaney transformed the venue for a classic, timeless and elegant look, using the couple’s colors of navy and ivory.

The card box and the box they used during their ceremony to seal love letters and champagne for their 10-year anniversary were both handmade by the bride’s dad. He used the pecky cypress he had leftover from her childhood home that he had built.

THE DETAILS

First dance: “Cheek to Cheek” by Louis Armstrong
Photography: Naomi Chokr Photography
Wedding planning: Nicole Kaney, NK Productions
Cake: The Cake Zone
Honeymoon: Amalfi Coast, Italy