OPAL SANDS RESORT, CLEARWATER BEACH
OPAL SANDS RESORT,
CLEARWATER BEACH.
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025
A pharmacy resident, a medical resident, a rooftop proposal in Cozumel and a Friday night dance floor nobody wanted to leave. Elegant, classy and full of ocean vibes, with advice every Florida beach couple should steal.
Claudia and Chris met as residents at the same hospital: Chris in medicine, Claudia in pharmacy. They dated for a little over four years before getting engaged, and lived together for more than two of them. (If you have ever survived residency schedules as a couple, you know that is true love.)
Chris planned the proposal on a private rooftop terrace in Cozumel. A staircase lined with roses. A glowing sign. An arch of roses and a sweeping ocean view.
CLAUDIA
When we asked what made them say “this is it,” Claudia and Chris kept it simple: the view, and Alexis, their Opal Sands coordinator. Opal Sands sits right on Clearwater Beach with Gulf views from every balcony. For two people who call the beach home, it was the obvious choice.
Chris from Blue Skies Weddings and Events made sure every guest was taken care of. Yes, that means two Chrises kept this wedding on track.
Their palette was white and light blue, the colors of a Gulf afternoon on Clearwater Beach. In their words, the beach is their home.
White
Light Blue
105 guests. One very good view. No traditional wedding party, just their closest friends and family in the bridal and groom’s suites. Then two first looks: one with Chris, and one with Claudia’s dad.
The ceremony began at 5:00 on The Lawn. For portraits, they chose the rocks by Opal Sands, and the light before and after sunset did exactly what they hoped.
Ask them to pick one favorite moment and they can’t. But the first look and saying “I do” were when it all suddenly felt real.
They didn’t let the DJ “feel the vibe.” They built their own playlist, full of high school and college hits, then met with Cory from Tampa Bay DJ Co., who got it right away and kept the energy high all night.
CLAUDIA & Chris
They worried a Friday would be hard for traveling guests. Instead, everyone made a vacation of it. The couple had the whole night together, then all of Saturday with friends and family before leaving for their honeymoon on Sunday. Zero guilt, maximum beach time.
THE ENGAGEMENT SESSION
The beach was closed the day of their session. So Kelly met them again on another day to get the beach shots they had dreamed of.
Their best decision of the whole process.
More time on the dance floor. It goes by fast.
Avoid rain, wind and hurricane season.
Build your playlist and share it with your DJ.
Guests make a long weekend of it.
For Claudia and Chris, absolutely. They chose it for the beachfront view and their coordinator, Alexis.
It worked beautifully. Guests made a vacation of the weekend, and the couple got a bonus day with everyone.
Plan around hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30.
Make your own playlist, then meet with your DJ before the day.
The Dream Team
venue
Opal Sands Resort
PLANNER
Blue Skies Weddings and Events
PHOTOGRAPHY
K&K Photography
FLORALS
Iza’s Flowers
CAKE
Sweet Divas Cakery
ENGAGEMENT SESSION
The Tampa EDITION
DJ
Tampa Bay DJ Co.
VIDEOGRAPHY
Sundial Creatives
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
RENTALS
Gabro Event Services
From engagement sessions at The Tampa EDITION to sunset portraits on Clearwater Beach, we’ll be there for every moment that makes it feel real.
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