After meeting at a party in high school and dating for seven years, Cody Thamann proposed to Erika Thamann in Islamorada, Florida. All of Erika’s sorority sisters from Kentucky were in town, so Cody rented a big van for their friends to take a short roadtrip to the Florida Keys. “The proposal was a surprise for everyone, when he walked me to the dock and got down on one knee,” Erika remembers. They gleefully celebrated with champagne and late-night pizza.
Originally, the engaged couple planned for a destination wedding at a 400-year-old villa in Lisbon, Portugal. Due to the pandemic, they had to postpone and eventually cancel that event and hunted for a venue closer to home. The Colony in Palm Beach had the history, decor, and service the pair was looking for. “I love all things prints and bright colors, so it was a no-brainer when we decided to move the wedding to the U.S.,” Erika shares. “The Colony is also pet friendly, allowing us to bring Finnegan, our mini golden-doodle.”
Instead of wearing a bright color to their rehearsal dinner, Erika sported a feathered crop top from Revolve, coral earrings, and Jimmy Choos and Cody wore a floral jacket. This event’s dress code was more fun, as the bride wanted something classic for the wedding day.
Erika chose to walk down the aisle in the Royal by Sarah Seven. “I didn’t want all the extra fluff or beads,” she explains of her gown choice. “I wanted a dress that was elegant, comfortable, easy to dance in, and melted into my body.” She completed her look with a pearl veil, pearl earrings, and Jimmy Choo mules. Cody also surprised his bride with the Cartier Love bracelet as a wedding present.
On October 15, 2021, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Erik and Cody were married. “Our priest had a wonderful sense of humor and kept our guests laughing throughout the ceremony,” the bride recalls.
After exchanging vows and being pronounced husband and wife, cocktails were served in the garden at The Colony. The reception had an intimate guest list of 28, and everyone sat at one long table for dinner.
Once the raspberry and coconut wedding cake was cut, the dancing commenced. “You would be surprised at the dance party 28 people can create when no one sits down all night,” Erika states. “Even when Cody sprained his ankle, got glass in his heel, and lost the majority of the buttons on his shirt, we continued to dance until the DJ played the last song.”
Dancing with her new hubby was a highlight of the day, but Erika also mentions that she giggles every time she thinks about unclipping her hair extensions and attaching them to other guests. “I think everyone had a hair extension snapped in at one point,” she laughs.
The party was eventually moved outside to the pool deck, where the men smoked cigars before taking a dip in the cool ocean. Erika concludes, “Our dream was to marry each other without having one single worry on our wedding day; our second dream was to dance all night—both came true.”
