Dannika and Justin met through mutual friends during college. They were both the ‘third wheel’ on a trip to The Florida Keys, and have been together ever since!
The Proposal
The proposal took place during a subsequent trip to the Keys with just the two of them. They love to fish, and Justin told Dannika that they were going to meet a fishing guide. It turned out that the spot where they were supposed to ‘meet the fishing guide’ was actually the very spot where they’d had their first kiss! Justin also had a photographer waiting to capture the moment of him asking Dannika to marry him.
The Venue The wedding venue that Dannika and Justin decided on was perfect for celebrating their love which is as deep as the ocean! A relatively new landmark overlooking the water, one may assume Sea Scout Base Galveston to be an enormous hotel with stunning views. The fascinating structure functions not only as a classroom for nautical skills and maritime education, but a training facility for culinary arts students to learn the art & business of hosting events. The event rental fees for SSBG help support the marine and maritime education programs.
“We chose our venue, the Sea Scout Base, because it is in Galveston where we live. We wanted the wedding to be close to home. The prices definitely turned out to be a nice aspect, however, the main reason we chose the venue is because it is on the water. We love boating, fishing, anything on the water really, so it was very fitting. We wanted to make our exit in a boat, so the fact that we could do that at the Sea Scout Base really sealed our decision. Our favorite aspect of the venue is definitely the view from the 5th floor banquet room. All of our guests, both the Galveston locals and those from out of town, commented on how amazing the view was! The service also really made our experience great! Amy Erickson, the event coordinator, and everyone else we encountered were so friendly and helpful!”
The Details
Guests: 85
Gown: BHLDN by Anthropologie
Cake: Cakes by Jula
Flowers: Haute Flowers
Honeymoon: Ambergris Caye, Belize
The Big Day
After all of the time it took getting ready and taking separate photos before the ceremony, Dannika and Justin were incredibly happy to finally see each other on their wedding day! It was really hard to spend so much time apart on the most important day of their lives! During the father~ daughter dance, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“My dad had battled throat cancer earlier this year and part of what kept him strong throughout his treatment was knowing our wedding was coming up. It was very emotional for me as well as my family.”
The reception held at the Sea Scout Base wedding venue was extraordinary. It brought this lovely couple fulfillment to see everything finally come together after months of hard work and planning, and great joy from having “all our very favorite people in the world all together for one night of love and celebration!”
Their Advice
“Don’t sweat the small stuff! At the end of your wedding day it’s about marrying the love of your life with your family and friends there to support you. That’s what it’s really all about!”