Coastal Destination Wedding: Joe & Hannah’s Sanibel Island Celebration

Get inspired by Joe and Hannah’s unforgettable Sanibel Island celebration, where summer boat rides turned into a lifetime of love and a dream coastal destination wedding at Sundial. Hear all about their story, favorite details, and get planning tips straight from the bride!

How did you meet?

A friend of mine from college wanted to get together during the summer of 2020, after the pandemic began. We were brainstorming some outdoor activities when she mentioned that a friend of hers from high school had a boat and could take us out. As it turned out, that friend was Joe—and he was the captain! We hit it off that day, and the rest is history.

Describe the proposal.

Growing up, my parents took me to Door County, WI, several times. Over the years, it became one of Joe’s and my favorite places to visit for a long weekend. Before July 2024, Joe’s family had never been to the area, so I planned a trip for my parents, Joe’s parents, and Joe’s brother and his fiancée. Being the Type-A person I am, I had practically every hour of the weekend mapped out. But on our way to dinner one evening, someone suggested we stop at Peninsula State Park to take some family pictures. As everyone gathered on a cliff overlooking Lake Michigan, Joe pulled me aside, dropped to one knee, and proposed. I was completely shocked and absolutely elated! Looking back, we were both so excited that we can barely remember what either of us said in that moment other than “yes.” It was a magical weekend that our families will never forget!

What were some of your favorite details from your wedding?

I especially loved our welcome party, which we also hosted at Sundial. It gave us the opportunity to spend even more time with our guests—nearly all of whom traveled from Wisconsin—and made the celebration feel like more than just a single day. I also absolutely loved having the violin and saxophone players throughout the celebration; they elevated the entire experience and were so entertaining for our guests. And, of course, my flowers were beyond anything I could have ever hoped for!

Why did you choose Sundial?

We chose Sundial for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest was the versatility of the venue. We wanted one location that offered three or more distinct spaces for the different parts of our wedding, and Sundial was perfect for that. We hosted our welcome party on the Palms Patio??, our ceremony on the beach, cocktail hour on the Hibiscus Lawn, and our reception in the ballroom. Having each part of the celebration in a different setting made the entire weekend feel dynamic while still keeping everything conveniently in one place. We also loved Sanibel Island as a destination—it gave the wedding a more intimate, relaxed feel, and many of our guests enjoyed exploring the island and making a vacation out of the weekend.

There was also a special personal connection that made the choice feel even more meaningful. After I graduated from college, my mom took me to Florida as a graduation gift, and we stayed at Sundial during that trip. After considering several venues, it felt like the perfect place to begin another big chapter of my life.

Would you recommend our venue to other couples?

I would 100% recommend Sundial as a wedding venue to other couples. Amber and Tiffany were an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the planning process and were incredibly accommodating of our vision. The food was also incredible—several of our guests told us it was the best wedding meal they had ever had! Between the wonderful staff, the beautiful location on Sanibel Island, and the overall experience, you truly couldn’t ask for a better place to celebrate your wedding.

Ready to turn your own love story into an unforgettable island celebration? Contact the experts at Sundial today to start planning your dream wedding on Sanibel Island!

All photography provided by Waking Dreams Films