Florida Weddings

Oh Florida, you sure do know how to throw a breathtaking beach bash. With miles and miles of gorgeous sandy shores, it shouldn’t be a surprise you master all things seaside, yet I always have to pick my jaw off the floor when I see a soiree like this one by Margot Landen Weddings. I’m in total wedding love. Florida, you’ve done it yet again and I have a feeling this won’t be the last time. Click here for more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… The day we got engaged, Matt and I decided to get married in Key West, Florida. We love Key West for its unique and eclectic history. The Cuban influence, culture of acceptance and Caribbean flavor all intertwine to make the Southernmost one of our most treasured places to visit. It was only appropriate that we got married in the most charming island town. The Southernmost House provided the perfect spot. As the boutique hotel was once a private home used for recreation by the Key West elite, it holds a history that truly captures the Ernest Hemingway charm of the city. We are both Florida natives transplanted to San Francisco, and needless to say, planning a wedding 3,000 miles away had some challenging moments. I quickly realized that my all my “DIY” decoration aspirations would have to be bubbled wrapped and shipped across the county, but the end result was more than I could have ever dreamed of. We wanted the wedding to reflect the history of Key West.

Our wedding day was relaxing, as any day in a tropical paradise should be. The Southernmost House has so much beauty and charm that not a lot was needed to transform it for our special night. Our wedding ceremony was simple. We laid a burlap runner down what used to be a helicopter-landing pad and set up chairs on a diagonal, letting the serenity and beauty of the water be the focal point. Our siblings stood beside us as we got married. For the reception, I was lucky to have some amazingly gifted friends take the huge shipments of flowers I ordered from Publix and turn them into perfect centerpieces for the tables, along with the Ikea lanterns we had shipped to the hotel. Because the Southernmost Hotel is vibrantly colorful, I went with a white color scheme. I ordered almost every variety of white flower that was available in Key West in June. The flowers were all placed in bottles, jars and tins we collected and saved for the wedding. The tables we lined with burlap that I purchased from Joann’s fabric store, along with the pale green floral linen I used to make the napkins. The head table was draped with lace left from Matt’s late grandmother, which was an especially personal touch.

The wedding turned out to be more that we had ever imagined. It completely captured the vintage Caribbean feel we were hoping for. But the most special moment of the day, and the weekend, was when Matt played a song he had written for our wedding day during the reception. It left me, and all of our guests, weeping. It was the most romantic and beautiful gift he could have ever given me.

Wedding Photography: Margot Landen Weddings / Wedding Venue: The Southernmost House in Key West, Florida / Event Planning: Swankey Events / Table Flowers: Publix / Bouquets: Liza Chung STYLE (904-294-5216) / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Tootsies / Food: Great Events Catering / Dessert: Croissants de France / Music: The Prime Movers of Mile Zero Entertainment

I have to admit that a couple-crush for this bride and groom is going on in full effect over here!  They are fun, free-spirited and full of killer style that they incorporated into their adorable Key West wedding.  Fringe banners, oversized XO balloons and sweet, succulent centerpieces only scratches the surface of the personal details they created.  You will not want to miss all the confetti-filled fun captured by Aubrey Joy Photography so make sure you check out the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

McKenzie Miller Films shared their spectacular wedding film with us and we are so excited to share it with you!

From the bride… Alek and I really wanted our day to focus on things we felt were the most important: the emotion of the day and the personal touches that were uniquely “us.” We created a personal ceremony that felt really meaningful and was most definitely a tear-jerker. I think it can be really easy to get caught up in little details that don’t really have any meaning and just end up creating stress and draining your bank account! We decided not to decorate with a lot of flowers and instead use tissue paper as we were only going to be at the venue for four hours and didn’t want to throw away all those pretty flowers after such a short time. The succulent centerpieces were a nice compromise that the guests could take home with them. But all in the all, what sticks out most in my mind is the overwhelming feeling and emotion of the ceremony and the love from our friends and family. Because in the end, that’s really all the matters.

Wedding Photography: Aubrey Joy Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: The Casa Marina Resort in Key West, Florida / Bouquet: Love in Bloom Florist / Wedding Cake: Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn, New York / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell / Bride’s Necklace: Norbu Bijoux / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Watch: Braun / Bride’s Ring: Ray Griffiths / Groom’s Ring: Fitzgerald Jewelry Store / Announcements: Peter Kruty Editions / Music: George Aderhold / Cinematography: McKenzie Miller Films / Hair and Makeup: Studio Marie-Pierre /  Centerpieces, Tissue Paper Tassels, Swizzle Sticks, Cake Topper, Boutonniere, Invitation Design + Button Design: DIY / Buttons Purchased Through: Busy Beaver Buttons / Succulents Purchased Through: Succulents Galore / Wedding Video Song: “Perfect Day” by Holley Maher, Licensed Through The Music Bed

The stars were perfectly aligned for this modern masterpiece wedding in Key West.  Not only did the lucky couple win this dream destination wedding but the combination of talented vendors, chic yet classic decor and flawless Florida vistas is a match made in wedding heaven.  Each and every detail is glam and gorgeous to the max and the photography, oh the photography, is beyond stunning!  Joey Kennedy Photography has found a die-hard fan in me and I have a feeling a few of you will fall head over heels as well!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

What could make this dream wedding even better?  Why a breathtaking fim by Digital Island Media, of course!

From the bride… Billy and I started dating in high school and I always knew he was the one. We dated for 9 years before he finally asked the question; it may seem like a long time to wait but it was the right time in both of our lives to move on to marriage. People always tell me that in the past 10 years the only thing that hasn’t changed in their lives is the two of us together. Many of our friends grew up along side the two of us as a couple, so when we told everyone we had gotten engaged it was exciting for everyone. So one of my top priorities was to have one the most memorable weddings anyone had ever been to.  As most Greek weddings go, you invite 600 people, go to the local hall and pray for good weather in Ohio. This was not what I had envisioned for our wedding day. I had a large engagement party for 200 people and realized the party wasn’t for Billy and me; it was for the guests to enjoy.

I wanted our day to be intimate and relaxed, unlike any large event I had been to. So I googled wedding contests and decided to fill out an application to win a wedding in Key West, Florida. I told myself if we win we go and if we didn’t I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince my big Greek family to come to a destination wedding. Sure enough, out of 1400 couples we won the wedding. I was shocked but I knew it was right; it was what we needed to break the cycle of the typical Greek wedding. So after winning a portion of the wedding, adding tons of our own personal touches, and preparing for 10 months, we finally made it down to Key West. We brought along 100 of our closest friends and family members, our priest, and the best wedding photographer around. The guests were in Key West for a week; during this time we enjoyed the beach, the bars, and each other’s company. It was a vacation like no other and the most memorable one we had ever been on.

We started the wedding festivities with a boat ride rehearsal, followed by our wedding day, and ending it with a farewell breakfast. The wedding day was more than we had ever hoped for. Everything was so relaxing and perfect in our eyes. Although everyone worries about the flowers, desserts, and other minor details that make their wedding memorable, I was concerned about the feel of the wedding because I knew this is what sets a wedding apart.  Our wedding had so much life and happiness exuded from the guests, Billy and myself that I don’t think anyone could ever replicate that day. It was as if everything lined up perfectly for us as a couple.  It was scary to take a chance and go away, especially when no one you know has ever done it, but it paid off and that was the best decision I had ever made in my life, aside from marrying Billy. I would recommend a destination wedding to any bride and groom, because going against the grain is what made our wedding special, and all my guests are begging to go back on a ten year anniversary trip to relive the experience.

Wedding Photography: Joey Kennedy Photography / Wedding Planning: We’ve Got the Keys / Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Parish / Reception Venue: Southernmost House / Catering: Great Events Catering / Guest Hotel: Southernmost on the Beach Resort / Wedding Cake: Key West Cakes / Band: Prime Movers / Hair + Make-up: Beauty Boutique / Tent, Lights + Dance Floor: Key West Party Rentals / Linens: Linens in Paradise / Flowers: Mama Flowers  / Save the Date: PRIM & PIXIE / Invitations + Programs + Table Names + Place Cards: Momental Designs / Guest Trolley to Church: Historic Tours Transportation / Nails: Cloud 9 / Cinematography: Digital Island Media / Groom’s Wedding Ring + Bride’s Earrings: Diamonds International / Vintage Car: Keys Limo

The stars were perfectly aligned for this modern masterpiece wedding in Key West.  Not only did the lucky couple win this dream destination wedding but the combination of talented vendors, chic yet classic decor and flawless Florida vistas is a match made in wedding heaven.  Each and every detail is glam and gorgeous to the max and the photography, oh the photography, is beyond stunning!  Joey Kennedy Photography has found a die-hard fan in me and I have a feeling a few of you will fall head over heels as well!  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

What could make this dream wedding even better?  Why a breathtaking fim by Digital Island Media, of course!

From the bride… Billy and I started dating in high school and I always knew he was the one. We dated for 9 years before he finally asked the question; it may seem like a long time to wait but it was the right time in both of our lives to move on to marriage. People always tell me that in the past 10 years the only thing that hasn’t changed in their lives is the two of us together. Many of our friends grew up along side the two of us as a couple, so when we told everyone we had gotten engaged it was exciting for everyone. So one of my top priorities was to have one the most memorable weddings anyone had ever been to.  As most Greek weddings go, you invite 600 people, go to the local hall and pray for good weather in Ohio. This was not what I had envisioned for our wedding day. I had a large engagement party for 200 people and realized the party wasn’t for Billy and me; it was for the guests to enjoy.

I wanted our day to be intimate and relaxed, unlike any large event I had been to. So I googled wedding contests and decided to fill out an application to win a wedding in Key West, Florida. I told myself if we win we go and if we didn’t I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince my big Greek family to come to a destination wedding. Sure enough, out of 1400 couples we won the wedding. I was shocked but I knew it was right; it was what we needed to break the cycle of the typical Greek wedding. So after winning a portion of the wedding, adding tons of our own personal touches, and preparing for 10 months, we finally made it down to Key West. We brought along 100 of our closest friends and family members, our priest, and the best wedding photographer around. The guests were in Key West for a week; during this time we enjoyed the beach, the bars, and each other’s company. It was a vacation like no other and the most memorable one we had ever been on.

We started the wedding festivities with a boat ride rehearsal, followed by our wedding day, and ending it with a farewell breakfast. The wedding day was more than we had ever hoped for. Everything was so relaxing and perfect in our eyes. Although everyone worries about the flowers, desserts, and other minor details that make their wedding memorable, I was concerned about the feel of the wedding because I knew this is what sets a wedding apart.  Our wedding had so much life and happiness exuded from the guests, Billy and myself that I don’t think anyone could ever replicate that day. It was as if everything lined up perfectly for us as a couple.  It was scary to take a chance and go away, especially when no one you know has ever done it, but it paid off and that was the best decision I had ever made in my life, aside from marrying Billy. I would recommend a destination wedding to any bride and groom, because going against the grain is what made our wedding special, and all my guests are begging to go back on a ten year anniversary trip to relive the experience.

Wedding Photography: Joey Kennedy Photography / Wedding Planning: We’ve Got the Keys / Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Parish / Reception Venue: Southernmost House / Catering: Great Events Catering / Guest Hotel: Southernmost on the Beach Resort / Wedding Cake: Key West Cakes / Band: Prime Movers / Hair + Make-up: Beauty Boutique / Tent, Lights + Dance Floor: Key West Party Rentals / Linens: Linens in Paradise / Flowers: Mama Flowers / Guest Trolley to Church: Historic Tours Transportation / Nails: Cloud 9 / Cinematography: Digital Island Media / Groom’s Wedding Ring + Bride’s Earrings: Diamonds International / Vintage Car: Keys Limo

This lovely Key Largo wedding is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  Captured by the fabulous Ambrosio Photography and held at the gorgeous Cheeca Lodge, it’s classic elegance meets beachy destination and it’s all so very, very wonderful.  I’ve been swooning over that gorgeous bouquet crafted by Parrish Designs for hours.  Not to mention those centerpieces.  Ah-mazing. And prepare yourself for the cutest ring bearer and flower girl you ever did see.  I mentioned you’d be smiling, right?  And there is so much more to see in the gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I had never been the sort of girl to dream about my wedding or have a clear vision of what I wanted on my wedding day, so when we got engaged the only thing that Justin and I were sure of was that we wanted a fun, relaxed, elegant beach wedding. Once we found Cheeca Lodge the ideas started flowing and we decided to do the entire event on the property and mostly on the beach.

The ceremony was set up on one side of the beach, where white wine and sparkling water was served to the guests as they arrived and a string quartet kept the beach mood elegant. After the ceremony guests were escorted to cocktail hour, a short stroll from the beach around the beautiful lagoon pool where the string quartet continued to play and appetizers were passed. Then it was time to make our way back to the beach and into a magnificent white tent filled with 17 tables. White bamboo lanterns hung from the roof of the tent and each table had a unique centerpiece with a mix of white orchids accented with coral, driftwood, sea fans and candles.

After dinner we danced the night away to a fabulous band under the stars with sand on our feet. We had some fabulous guest performances by Justin’s Dad and Uncle who played a few songs with the band and an entertaining rap dance by Justin’s good friend. The night wrapped up with a group dance to Billy Joel’s Piano Man and then the send-off with sparklers and Australian flags (we moved to Australia 12 days after the wedding). The love and happiness that we felt that night from our family and friends was more than we could have ever hoped for. It was a wedding and a send-off all at the same time and we couldn’t have imagined anything more perfect!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Cheeca Lodge / Wedding Photography: Ambrosio Photography / Wedding Invitations + Paper Accessories: Ft. Lauderdale Stationery and Designs / Floral Design: Parrish Designs / Wedding Cake: Ana Paz / Band: Shakedown Entertainment / Wedding Videography: Michael James Video / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

I just love watching the wedding cinematography of Serendipity Studios.  The weddings that they film unfold before our eyes capturing intimate and sweet moments and bursting with emotion.  This Islamorada wedding is quite the epic celebration with fire jugglers, a parade and an amazing fireworks show to end the night.  But the most epic part might be the emotion and love that is evident from just these few minutes so don’t be surprised if you end up a little misty eyed by the end like I did!

From Serendipity Studios…Nicole and Rhett traveled from Columbus, Ohio to the beautiful Islamorada in the Florida Keys for their wedding.  The highlights video that they commissioned us to produce was to premiere at their reception back in Ohio two weeks later.  The couple spent the early part of their day getting ready at the luxurious Cheeca Lodge and Spa, and then the bride and groom took separate boat trips from the resort around the island to the ceremony/reception location at Pierre’s.  There they had a beautiful ceremony on the water’s edge followed by a sunset reception dinner.  The party really kicked off when the fire jugglers and the junkanoo parade came rolling in and surprised all of the guests.  The finale of the night was a fantastic fireworks display over the moonlit ocean waters.

Wedding Cinematography: Serendipity Studios / Location: Pierre’s Restaurant / Fire Jugglers: Crazy Eddie the Entertainer / Junkanoo Parade: Sunshine Junkanoo / Prep Location: Cheeca Lodge and Spa

Do yourself a little favor this lovely Tuesday and allow some time in your day to get a little lost in these dreamy images from Key West by Mi Amore Foto. Close your office door or turn your computer ever so slightly in your cubical so you can really soak up all the loveliness. The setting of this wedding will have you swooning, the flower girls will have you ready to pinch cheeks and the engagement ring will have you oohing and ahhing. There is oh so much more in the full gallery, so keep that door closed and dive on in.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Mi Amore Foto…Karli and Jonathan are some of the warmest people I have ever met. As a destination wedding photographer, you are pretty much going into the situation blind. I mean, you have phone conversations, an occasional Skype, but you don’t usually meet face to face until the wedding day. So, you always wonder what the couple will really be like, nerves and all. From the moment I walked into the beautiful cottage house, at the Westin, until the moment I left, Karli and Jonathan made me feel like a guest at their wedding. I couldn’t have felt more like family.

There were many beautiful moments, from everyone in prayer circles before the wedding, to Karli’s father crying the whole ceremony (I’m a sucker for dad’s crying). There were even a group of ladies who made their own hats saying,”THIS is the Royal wedding!” It was a really warm day in the Keys, but not as warm as the energy you felt around this couple and their loved ones.

It was also neat because this was the first wedding that the Westin, Sunset Key, was setting up a large tent for the wedding.  They did an outstanding job and everything went flawlessly.

Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto / Wedding Gown: Paloma Blanca / Bridesmaid Dresses: JCrew / Invitations: Michael’s / Floral Designs: Milan Events / Wedding Cake and Desserts: Key West Cakes / Groomsmen Attire: Nordstroms / Hair and Makeup: The Bride / Bride’s Hair Accessory: Untamed Petals / Wedding Planner: Swankey Events / Venue and Catering: The Westin Resort on Sunset Key

Matt & Enna Grazier, two of Style Me Pretty’s fabulous destination photographers, captured this idyllic wedding at The Moorings Village ‘in the heart of Islamorada’ in the Florida Keys last October. We’re just sharing a smidge of the weekend celebration. The Grazier’s have two  features on their blog with many, many, many more shots from the festivities ~ Sunrise At The Moorings and The Wedding.

Rachel and Aaron live and work in Boston MA. During their engagement they traveled to visit relatives in Florida and while there they took a road trip to the Keys. They fell in love with the beauty of the Moorings Village and the amazing food at Pierre’s restaurant on Islamorada. They invited roughly 60 of their family and friends to join them for a weekend on the Keys. The couple stayed at The Moorings Village which is a picturesque beachfront resort with gorgeous palms reaching out over the water. The sun rises on the Moorings beach, so on the morning of the wedding Rachel and Aaron woke early to watch the sun rise together from the hammock at the end of the pier. {See the Grazier’s full sunrise blog feature here}

Pierre’s restaurant hosted the ceremony and reception and is located directly across the street from The Moorings. Pierre’s beach allows a perfect view of the sunset, so Rachel and Aaron planned the ceremony so that cocktail hour could be spent admiring the sunset from the balconies at Pierre’s. Rachel and Aaron are major foodies, so the meal was a big deal and Pierre’s certainly delivered! The morning after they hosted a brunch at a nearby beach front home, and at the end of the brunch they sailed off on a small hobbie craft.

For more of the details and the amazing scenery from this Florida Keys destination wedding, head on over to Grazier Photography’s second feature of Aaron and Rachel’s wedding!

Photography: Grazier Photography / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone/ Musicians: Carlos Abanto / DJ: Mike Berrios, MB Entertainment / Invitations: Heather Jeany / Programs and menus created by Bride and Groom/ Flowers: Petals With Pizazz / Hair: Ciao Bella Salon/ Groom’s Attire: Perry Ellis / Ceremony and reception at Pierre’s / Beach cottage & portrait location: The Moorings Village / Officiate: Debbi Ballard

I loved this wedding the moment I saw it. But when I really got in there and got my hands dirty formatting it for this very feature…I fell madly in love. The elegance, the pure joy, the simple and yet totally luxe style. I’m obsessed. Beyond obsessed. And I’ve decided that I really, really, really want my whole life to look just like this wedding. From the bride’s restrained but stunning style to the all white totally opulent style and the sweet, simple moments caught so beautifully by photographer KT Merry. It’s simply beyond. Click here to see so much more.

click here to see the full spread of gorgeousness!

Ariel and Andrea wanted a carefree and genuine, yet chic affair for their family and friends.  The Miami residents were looking for casual comfort and achieved this by creating lounging nooks both inside and outside of the Pierre’s oceanfront venue. Crisp white lounge furniture groupings were accentuated by their accent colors of navy blue and yellow for that “nautical chic” look. The dining room at Pierre’s was transformed with elegant and clean designs featuring white french tulips along with breakaway vases cascading across the table showcasing white hydrangeas, polo white roses and white irises.  The final touch of class came from an extravagant amount of multi-level candles which created the perfect romantic feel. The couple shared their first dance in the sand surrounded by guests holding sparklers.

Photography: KT Merry / Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Event Planning: Divine Design by Guerdy / Floral + Decor: Ocean Flowers / Venue: Pierre’s, Islamorada / Make-up + Hair: Sobe Studios, Amy Palma / Officiant: Joaquin Perea / Cake: Ana Paz / Linens: Panache Party Rental

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