Many luxury beachfront homes are located on Scenic Highway 30A along the Beaches of South Walton which in recent years, have slowly replaced the rustic, Florida styled cottages that used to predominate the scene. Visitors from across the nation have discovered this beautiful stretch of pristine, sugar white sand beach along with the spectacular, emerald hued waters that fill the Gulf of Mexico beyond. A few of these privately owned vacation rentals are actually available for weddings and family reunions through reputable local rental companies such as Ocean Reef, with an office in Seacrest Beach and headquartered in Miramar Beach.

One of the most magnificent luxury properties available for these weddings and other events in South Walton is Salt Air. This giant Tuscan styled and Mediterranean inspired home is an architectural masterpiece that overlooks the jewel toned waters in Santa Rosa Beach, across from the town center at Gulf Place.  The 7,300 square foot size of this three story, six bedroom, eight bath home is impressive enough on its own. However, it is the detailing of the design that really stands out. The classic terracotta red exterior is architecturally accented with decorative cornices above multiple arched windows, striking white eaves and corner columns which flank the sides providing a formal, stately presence. Framed with towering palms, a front courtyard is adjacent to a separate, two story carriage house that sits over a three car garage. This guest house alone has a large living area with a galley kitchen, two big bedrooms with their own private baths, a screened in porch and even a roof top sundeck where you can see a glimpse of the gulf in the distance.

Ever since Southern Living Magazine and some other nationally known publications started doing articles on beach weddings here a few years ago, such events have become increasingly popular. It seems that everyone wants to have a white wedding on a white beach. This is especially true of the pure quartz crystal variety of beaches that are so abundant here along the Emerald Coast. Salt Air has become home to many weddings, due to the beachfront location and the fact that this residence can accommodate up to eighteen overnight guests. Besides the exterior look and size, the interiors are graciously elegant with a stunning two story foyer that bids you immediate welcome. The sweeping, open staircase is the perfect showcase for the bride's entrance from above, before heading down to the beach ceremony below. The foyer leads to an open living room with a wall of glass windows that views the vibrantly colored waters of the gulf. Everywhere you look there is lots of light with soaring paneled ceilings, thick crown moldings, formal columns, decorative arches and niches. The main living area also has a long dining room table and large granite topped bar that wraps around the open, state of the arts kitchen. This is a perfect setting for the wedding reception buffet tables, which all look out onto the covered, screened in balcony that extends along the entire southern side of the house facing the beach. A few steps down from the living area is large sunken den with a comfortable rich looking leather couch and matching club chairs facing a paneled, columned arch that contains a big flat screen TV. On the side, overlooking the dazzling waters below, is a lagoon shaped heated swimming pool and patio, which is a wonderful location for a champagne toast.

The second floor can accommodate the main wedding party with three huge bedrooms, each with private luxury baths. The master bedroom suite itself is almost the size of a small home, with expansive windows that look out onto the private, gulf front balcony. The spacious sitting area in this suite leads into a dressing room that has one of the most luxurious bathrooms you will ever see. A raised, column sided tub looks fit for an emperor or his empress. A separate shower room even has a big arched window that looks across the unlimited gulf horizon. There's room for all the bride's maids here as they help get ready for the beach side wedding ceremony. On the top floor there is a large game room loft complete with a wet bar, pool table, sleeping accommodations, a full bath room  and a open balcony that has spectacular 180 degree views of the beach in both directions.

Salt Air has so many fine architectural attributes and spacious, comfortable living spaces that you can understand why it has become a beach wedding favorite. Those who have been fortunate enough to celebrate their wedding festivities here, remember these days for the rest of their lives. Indeed, so do all of their guests. This splendid home has provided so many fun and joyful wedding memories over the past few years, perhaps it should be renamed... "Matrimony Manor."

Ocean Reef who represents this and other fine rental properties, is a locally owned business that has been serving the Emerald Coast for almost thirty years with offices in Miramar Beach and Seacrest.