September 2020 Wedding Couple Chooses to Restructure instead of Rescheduling
In July 2020, when Leighann and Johnnie realized that the Pandemic was going to impact her original 100-person wedding set for September, they made the decision to go with a smaller more intimate celebration at a private vacation rental in Bradenton.
Shangrila was the perfect location for their newly anticipated guest count of 40 people, with most scheduled to stay on-site for the wedding weekend. Although their original location had an indoor reception space, they now were going to deal with an all outdoor setting still during the rainy season.
Thankfully, Shangrila had a large tiki hut (one of two) that comfortably fit their guest count. An adjoining empty RV carport provided extended space for cocktail hour, entry tables, and the food. While the outdoor ceremony along the backwaters of the Alafia River was still subject to afternoon showers, there was still a contingency plan to move it to the RV overhang just in case.
The Shangrila property was a mini-resort where the close-knit family members could relax around the tropical pool area or kayak on the river.
Here's a glimpse of how things worked out:
