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Biscayne Lady Yacht Wedding by Meet The Burks

Good morning, SMPers and a happy Monday to you!  We’re back for yet another wonderful week of inspiration here on Style Me Pretty Florida and if this breathtaking Miami Beach soiree is any indication, what a very fabulous week it will be.  Boasting a plethora of uber-stylish details, including gorgeous florals by Avant Gardens, beautiful silver and white hues and one pair of amazing Loubs, this traditional fête is the literal definition of glamour.  Plus, that gown!  Swoon.  Worthy.  Thankfully, Meet The Burks was on hand to capture every last moment of pretty.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Kelli Potter and Mark Ferrell were joined in a blissful wedding ceremony witnessed by approximately 100 family and close friends, wearing white attire. The wedding took place on August 20th, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida aboard the luxury Biscayne Lady Yacht with the picturesque skyline as a back drop. The wedding was glamorous and breathtaking with all the BLINK incorporated in every detail. After the honeymoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico the couple will make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Wedding Photography: Meet The Burks, Heather & Walter Burk / Wedding Venue: Biscayne Lady Yacht / Floral Design: Avant  Gardens / Paper Goods: North Point Paper Affair / Accommodations: The Epic Hotel / Wedding Cake: Eddas Cake Design / Makeup: Adamo Artistry, Cabrielle Brooks / Hair: Kelli Monica Hair Co., Kelli Monica / Baby Sitting: The Baby Sitting Company / Wedding Dress: Victoria Nicole via Betsy Robinson Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Jewelry: Thomas Knoell / Bridesmaids Dresses: Karen Millen / Linens: Nuage Designs / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Epic Hotel Wedding by JCG Events, LLC

It doesn’t get much better than a Monday morning all wrapped up in a fabulous ballroom affair, especially when that fabulous ballroom affair is boasting a sophisticated black and white color palette, one seriously gorgeous Miami setting, breathtaking florals by Petal Productions and a plethora of swoon-worthy images by Gregory Paul PhotographyPlus, with each and every amazing moment planned and coordinated by JCG Events, LLC, there’s no end in sight to all of this pretty… and that makes for a very fine Monday, indeed.  So, join me in the gallery for every last ounce of lovely and then stay tuned for an amazing video by BlueShore Productions below!

Erase every last one of your Monday morning blues with this beyond fabulous film by BlueShore Productions!  Enjoy!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From JCG Events, LLC The Epic Hotel is an enchanting venue nestled in downtown Miami with breathtaking views of the Miami city skyline. When Stephanie and Kenneth first approached us they already had their venue and a few of their vendors in place but needed help in bringing their vision for their wedding day to life. We facilitated this process by putting together an inspiration board for them. The venue was the source of this inspiration; the existing wall covered in mother of pearl and the ceiling made up of glass sphere light fixtures hanging in different shapes and sizes. With some amber uplights on this wall we created instantly a beautiful warm shimmering glow to the room.

As guests began to arrive a table that contained deliciously scrumptious candy apples greeted them. The candy apples served both as favors and escort cards. Petal Productions assisted in executing our vision by creating four different all white floral centerpieces for the tables. To add a touch of black and interest to the room some of the arrangements were placed in black vases. The table numbers were photos of their beloved dogs that had the numbers incorporated around them by using Photoshop. The cake was a design created inspired by the custom letter pressed invitations designed by Smashing Cards. The gorgeous invitations included a design of gradient champagne colored dots that were made to incorporate the glass globe lights from the venue. The calligraphy script balanced the dot pattern by conveying a soft and romantic invitation with yet a modern feel. The invitations were wrapped with a champagne ribbon and custom monogram and enclosed in a black envelope addressed in white calligraphy and a collection of vintage stamps. The menu cards and program were created in the same design as the invitation to tie everything together. The menu cards were circle cut to fit perfectly below the glass- beaded chargers.

Guests danced the night away with the help of Mike Sipe Entertainment’s DJ Live concept that consists of a DJ accompanied with various artists, saxophone, percussionist and singer to create a live entertainment experience. The entire wedding was beautifully captured by Gregory Paul of Gregory Paul Photography and Blue Shore Productions video.

Wedding Planning + Coordination: Jessica Masi of JCG Events, LLC / Wedding Photography: Gregory Paul Photography / Wedding Venue: Epic Hotel / Floral Design: Petal Productions / DJ Live: Mike Sipe Entertainment, Events & Productions / Wedding Cinematography: BlueShore Productions / Stationery: Smashing Cards / Wedding Cake: Divine Delicacies / Hair + Make-up: Nikol Johnson of Fresh Beauty Studio / Favors & Escort Cards: California Caramel Company / Table Numbers: Doggy Studio and Boutique

Estancia Culinaria Photo Shoot by Modern Events + Captured Photography by Jenny

Rustic elegance has certainly been enjoying its moment in the sun recently and you know that we love a little downhome goodness.  We especially adore when the country chic look gets all dolled up with a little modern flair.  This gorgeous shoot by Modern Events and Captured Photography by Jenny is a super fun, flirty and feminine take on the typical barn bash.  Not only did this Miami dream team perfectly blend the two styles but also made every detail easy to recreate and easy on the wallet.  See each glamourous goodie in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

And we also have a super special treat for you today! A DIY flower tutorial from Ever After Floral Design!

Ever wonder if you could be your own florist? Just take these easy steps to make your very own centerpiece. You can use these as guests table centerpieces, alter arrangements or to add a special touch to a dinner party. Enjoy!

Step 1 {Gather your Materials}

For this design we used all white flowers, you can use any color you choose. The vase can also be switched out for any shape or size. Just keep in mind the bigger the vase opening the more flowers you need.

Tall Cylinder with a 5” Opening
A pair of Garden Shears
5 White Hydrangeas
5 White Calla Lilies
3 Curly Willow Branches, Feel Free to use feathers or any other type of branch

Step 2 {Prep Your Flowers}

Since we always begin with the base of the arrangement which in this case is hydrangeas we will prep them first. It’s easy like in a rose a hydrangea has leaves down the stem. Just peal back from the bottom up until you have 2 or 3 leaves left. You could remove all the leaves but as a first time florist it may be easier to leave a few for support. Then you are going to cut the stems of all of your hydrangeas at a diagonal 5 inches from the bottom. This will help the stem absorb more water and removes any portion of the stem that maybe rotting. You might want to hold the flower next to the vase to determine the length you snip. Make sure to allow the flowers bloom to sit on the edge of the vase. Keep in mind if you choose a shorter vase you need to cut the stem shorter. As for the Calla lilies because we want them tall we won’t cut more than 2-3 inches off the bottom.

Step 3 {Begin assembly}

Always try to arrange all of the same flower at once and build upward. Starting with the hydrangeas as the base (closes to the rim of the vase) create a cluster. Then place your calla lilies in the center of the hydrangeas and either arrange low or tall to your liking. Lastly you will place the branches in the center of the calla lilies as the tallest. As you put the branches in some of the calla lilies may shift, so you will need to adjust once the branches are in.

Step 4 {Enjoy}

Now that you assembled the flowers your arrangement should be complete. Remember to get creative and don’t be afraid of color. You can always mix and match flowers and colors however you choose. The easiest way to create your own arrangement if you’re not visual is to use inspirations from blogs like this one. Once you find something you like try to replicate it, you will be your own florist in no time!

Tip from a Professional Florist: Please keep in mind that, arrangements like this one, although fun and easy to make, take several days to duplicate enough for an actual party and need to be stored in a walk-in cooler. I always advise if you want to put a special touch on your own wedding flowers keep it simple and create just your sweet hearts table and leave the rest to a professional. No bride ever wants thorns in her fingers on her wedding day!

From Helen at Modern Events:

When we began to come up with a design concept for this we wanted something that was easy for other brides to duplicate. Our design team along with Jenny from Captured Photography began their search for a couple that was truly in love and that would photograph well. Once we got to know them and the love they shared the design began to bloom from there.

Knowing the bride loves shades of pink and the groom was an outdoorsy kind of guy we picked our color scheme and venue from their inspirations. The beautiful private barn home with on site chapel provided a wonderful backdrop. The most important part of designing any event is to think outside of the box. By choosing a venue that doesn’t look native to the area you can create an ambiance for your guests they have never experienced before. Most people would never guess Miami for the home of this venue.

The next step was dressing a table with linens that are beautiful, yet affordable. Most vendors carry a line of standard items, yet quarterly or twice a year they will design a new line of products. Catching that opportunity to customize a set of linens to match your vision will not only be affordable but unique to your event. The other great way to add a custom feel without blowing your budget is working with a boutique florist. Most small floral shops will sit down with you on a one on one basis and completely design your flowers to meet your needs. Make sure you take advantage of this easy way to add your special touch to your tablescape.

We also wanted to find a dress that reflected the softness of the pink used in her bouquet yet highlighting the bride’s strikingly beautiful features. Using a ruffled dress still gave us a pillow like feeling with the structured bodest that made the bride look flawless. Taking the same approach of soft curls for the hair and strong makeup we were able to keep the look consistent.

Photographer: Captured Photography by Jenny / Event Design: Modern Events / Venue: Estancia Culinaria / Makeup: SJ Makeup /Hair: Starlit Designs / Dress Designer: Zayas Bridal / Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design / Hair Accessory: The Crafty Chemist

Miami Wedding by KT Merry Photography

In my next life, I’m definitely having a wedding just like this. Clean modern styling. Crisp white details. A crazy gorgeous gown with tiny little ruffles all in a row. And I’m going to look just like this bride. Because she’s stunning. Ridiculously stunning. KT Merry sent us this piece of white perfection and I’m pretty sure it’s going to skyrocket to the tippy top of your favorite wedding list. So as you devour each and every inch, make sure you save some for dessert…where there is even more goodness in our galleries.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Felipe and I were married on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  We were both born and raised in Miami and decided we wanted a Miami modern/urban wedding filled of gorgeous Downtown Miami city views.  After dating for 9 years I was ready to plan the wedding of our dreams and loved getting involved in every detail.  We were married in a Catholic church in the Coconut Grove area, St. Hugh. Finding the perfect reception venue was priority, our reception was at the Miami Tower, famous for its striking I.M. Pei design and an ever-changing exterior lighting scheme.  The Sky Lobby has an open feel with large columns and marble walls and floors, in keeping true to the beauty of the building, our colors were white, pewter and a touch of navy blue.  The cocktail area was on the Sky Terrace in the evening where you can see and feel the Miami skyline and it’s beauty.

Finding my photographer was equally important, KT Merry shared my vision of the day, capturing the moments, with the clean and timeless photos along with the Miami skyline at the Miami Viceroy Hotel, where the bridal party prepared for the day and in Downtown Miami for our reception.  My loved ones got all very involved in the details along with me and shared the excitement, one of my Men of Honor (brother Carlos) created the giveaway which was also the escort name card, we gave our guests navy blue Moleskine journals and printed spines in Pewter with our guest’s names and table numbers and our emblem.  The groom had his special touches as all men in the wedding party wore real bow ties and black leather slim Converse with matching argyle socks.  The wedding menu was designed by the bride and groom, printed by Timeless Impressions.  Our flowers were modern with tall arrangements all bunched together slanting opposite ways. The bridesmaids and I enjoyed many afternoons on the search for the perfect dress that we all loved and fit best, Jim Hjelm with matching clutches from J. Crew.  All the ladies in the bridal party had make-up done by a great friend of mine, Claud’s Makeup Corner.

Some of the special memories that were unforgettable during our wedding day was getting ready with my mother, bridesmaids and flower girls in the Miami Viceroy’s Party room which felt perfectly fit for a bride or princess, our “First Look” in a gorgeous white on white room, our first dances with dad, mom and our first dance as husband and wife, the humorous and loving toasts shared by each of our 2 brothers, who were our best men and men of honor and dancing the night away to the music played by the band Havana Soul.  Most of all what touched our hearts was the excitement, love and support of so many of our friends and family during our special day!  Special thanks to all who helped along the way including family, great friends and our fun and trustworthy vendors, we enjoyed getting to know each one of you throughout this life moment of ours!

Ceremony Venue: St. Hugh / Reception Venue: Miami Tower / Wedding Photography: KT Merry Photography / Stationery + Invitations: Timeless Impressions / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang via Ever After Miami / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm via Daisy Tarsi / Clutches: J.Crew / Flowers: Flowers by Gerardo / Make-up: Claud’s Makeup Corner / Band: Havana Soul / DJ: DJ Ubi/ Flower Girl Dresses: David’s Bridal

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Miami Engagement Session by Captured Photography by Jenny

I think this gorgeous couple just wrote the book on romantic engagement sessions.  Not only did they spend their day at Fischer Island, where the soon-to-be groom proposed, but they capped it all off with a romantic dinner at The Vanderbilt Mansion, where they had dined the night of the proposal.  Say it with me.  Swoon.  Worthy.  Captured Photography by Jenny was there to turn their romantic story into some seriously stunning images.  Don’t miss a single one!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Captured Photography by Jenny Andres and Candace met each other in high school, but sparks didn’t fly until years later when they saw each other again in Miami. They have been inseparable ever since. We decided to do their engagement session on Fischer Island (just off of Miami coastline). This is where Andres popped the question, so it had significant meaning to them. We spent some time on the beach that they go to often and then headed over to Vanderbilt Mansion. They had dinner there the night they were engaged.

Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Venue: Fischer Island + Vanderbilt Mansion

Biltmore Hotel Engagement Session by Vitalic Photo

The Biltmore Hotel in Miami boasts some of the most stunning architecture and most gorgeous views I have ever seen so it is no surprise that it is such a sought after space for weddings.  Not only will this beaming bride and groom-to-be exchange their vows to each other here but they love the space so much that they, along with photographer-extraordinaires Vitalic Photo, got cozy on the grounds for their engagement session too!  I can’t wait to see what will most likely be an exquisite and elegant wedding next year!  Check out the full gallery to see even more of these lovebirds!

From Vitalic Photo… We love the colors in this engagement shoot as well as the adorable couple.  Heather and Jared are getting married at the Biltmore in Coral Gables (Miami) next spring and they love the architecture and grounds so much that they wanted their engagement photos taken there as well.  The photo possibilities there are endless, we can’t wait to go back.

Photography: Vitalic Photo / Venue: Biltmore Hotel

The AQUA Miami Beach Wedding from Readyluck

Oh Miami. What a fantastic place for a haute beach wedding. When Shane Carpenter from Readyluck sent these colorful images our way, we couldn’t help but to do a little dance while singing Will Smith’s “Welcome to Miami.” It’s just one of those affairs you can tell was a over-the-top fun party just by perusing the photos. The colors were vibrant, the fashion was fantastic, and the dog was just another well dressed guest. We love it. The high style continues in the gallery, too!

On the three year anniversary of our first date Charles and I had planned to have a quiet dinner in the neighborhood, or so I thought. We arrived at the Fontainebleau on Miami Beach to try out their new sushi restaurant. We had a drink at the lobby bar and reminisced about our first date. When it was time for dinner, having never been to the newly renovated Fontainebleau myself, Charles led the way. We got on an elevator and Charles pressed 34, I thought this was odd, however Miami now has several restaurants located on the top floors of hotels so I disregarded it. We go off on the 34th floor and I noticed it looked exactly like a regular hotel floor, no signs indicating a restaurant, no bar and no people.

As we are walking down the hall I suddenly stopped and ask “Where are we?” and with that light up a room smile he has, Charles looked at me and said “I got us a room for the night.” With that he opened the door to a room which is covered in rose petals with champagne and sushi waiting for us. Charles walked over to the bathroom door and out ran ChiChi, our Chihuahua. As I bent down to pick her up Charles knelt in front of me took my hand and asked me to marry him. He held up ChiChi and there was an engagement ring hanging from her collar. It was truly perfect.

Miami, as you can imagine, has several well know wedding venues. We looked at all of them but not one of them compared to the view from the AQUA Island on Indian Creek in Miami Beach where we live. The wedding ceremony site is just below our balcony so it is a place that we look down at every day. It is a very special location to us. AQUA is unique and marvelous and the perfect place for Charles and me to get married.

The cocktail hour and wedding reception were at AQUA as well. Both the ceremony and reception area’s were designed by Fé Domenech of the Event Firm in Miami. Fé is extremely creative and worked with us to create an event that was unique to our personal style and our site. We had chosen Black and bone as our main colors with Tiffany blue accents.

The reception tables were a mix of high top cocktail tables, standard rounds and low lounge tables. We wanted to keep the area fun and allow guest to mingle and get to know each other. The center pieces were also high and low with flowers and candles in individual acrylic vases.

When deciding the menu we wanted to keep the location in mind. Our friend Micah Edelstein, a Season 3 Top Chef Contestant and chef/owner of The Wandering Chef Caterers, was the perfect choice to help us create our menu. Stations were set-up around the pool and featured several salads along with stone crab and key lime mustard sauce, seafood paella, and whole roast pork with guava glazed plantains. Guests raved about the food. The wedding cake was made by Pam’s Gluten Free Kitchen and was a 3 tier rum cake with canolli cream filling.

Photography: Shane Carpenter of Readyluck / Event Design: Fe Domenech of the Event Firm / Day of Coordinator: Noel Brown of Medallion Occasion Boutique, Inc. / Ceremony Location: The AQUA Miami Beach / Reception Location: The AQUA Miami Beach / Catering: Micah Edelstein of The Wandering Chef / Cake: Pam’s Gluten Free Kitchen / DJ: DJ Michael Berrios / Tuxedo: Armani / Make up: Judy Irizarry of The Make Up Mob / Gown: Custom

Wrap It Up Pretty Florida!

I like to end every week with a bit of glamour (although for me it’s usually just a nice, cold glass of wine in a pretty glass) and this engagement party by Jessica Lorren Photography at The Viceroy, Miami is a good dose of glamour and then some. From the Louboutin lovin’ bride-to-be to the only seen at The Viceroy decor, it’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend. And of course, there is even more to celebrate in the full gallery of images! Have a pretty weekend everyone! xoxo

click here for the full gallery of images!

From the Bride…The Viceroy, with its mid-century decor that is both whimsical and (somehow) contemporary, was the perfect backdrop for the engagement reception we planned for early April. And although I am not typically one that uses a lot of color, I just adored the extra whimsy added by the exotic fuchsias, corals and tangerines from the floral arrangements of peonies, garden roses, and orchids that were brought into the Viceroy’s Club 50. But my favorite and most cherished element of the evening were the smiling faces that turned up at the reception to celebrate Ken and I’s engagement. As you can see from the pictures, Ken and I are very lucky to have such warm (and good looking) friends and family! We love them!

Location: The Viceroy, Miami, Club 50 / Stationery: Iomoi / Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography / Hair and Make-Up: Nuo Studio, Artisans Agency / Bride’s Dress: Basix / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin

If you missed any, here are all of our pretty posts from the week:

a black tie barbeque wedding in Miami
a Coral Gables glam-fest
elegance meets beach chic in Key Largo
a darling, detailed filled affair in Tampa Bay

Some fabulous links from around the web:

a cake decorating party? Sign me up! via The Sweetest Occasion
Preston & Olivia launches their new line!
a darling DIY via Luna and Chloe Weddings

Have a glorious weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo.

Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Wedding by Forever Photography Studio

After a (hopefully) long weekend, getting ready to tackle a new week over a cup of jo is only made easier when you have a pretty as can be wedding like this one from Forever Photography Studio to gawk over. Those pesky emails can wait until after you fully indulge in the the glam-fest that is this Miami soiree. Perfectly classic, glamorous and precious all wrapped up in one fabulous fête. Makes getting back to the grind a little easier if you ask me. Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Chris and I met in, of all places, Las Vegas. We were both there for a work trade-show, and although we lived far apart, the connection was immediate and the bond lasting. Starting a long distance relationship is tough. How do you plan your NEXT date? For us, there was always somewhere to go. Two years, five countries, a dozen or so trade-shows, and thousands of airline miles later, I moved from Miami to Austin so we could start our lives together.

I grew up and lived in Miami until about two years before the wedding when I moved to Austin to be with Chris.  As a new Texan, I wanted to bring a touch of Texas to the wedding for our guests.  We were able to do this by giving out jars of BBQ sauce from one of our favorite restaurants, and serving a scoop of a famous local Austin ice cream with our wedding cake. Most importantly, I had a fiancé that was incredibly helpful with all the decisions we had to make. Vendor contracts, food tastings, and opinions about the smallest things, with his reassuring smile and willingness to do whatever it took to make sure it was the wedding I always dreamed of, Chris was the perfect partner.

Our wedding day was more special than we could have ever imagined.  Every moment of our day was emotional, thrilling and fun at the same time.  I always thought I would be an emotional mess, but my excitement shone through.  I looked like the bride I always wanted to be, married the man of my dreams and we put on an amazing showcase of our love for our family and friends.

Wedding Photography: Forever Photography Studio / Wedding Videography: Blueshore Productions / Ceremony: St. Patrick Church / Reception: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables / Floral Design: Nevot Flower Design / Music: The DJ Connection / Wedding Cake: Eddas Cake Design / Coordination: Events on a Budget / Transportation: Melian Limousines & Antiques / Wedding Invitations, Menus, Favor tags: Ad Art Graphics & Printing / Favors: Iron Works BBQ / Wedding Gown: Blush Bridal Lounge / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine B2 / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress Hanger: Etsy / Make-up: Make-up By Marz / Hair Comb: Cassandra Lynne

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Miami Black Tie BBQ Wedding by TC Events + Justin and Mary

There’s no rest for the style obsessed bride and so we are taking a quick break from our 4th of July BBQs and beach fun to share this gorgeous Miami wedding by TC Events and Justin and Mary with you. This wedding is a fresh breath of air with its bright flowers and table linens and I’m loving every inch, but especially the two furry aisle attendants. So adorable! Click here for even more!

Click here to see entire image gallery!

From Tamara Cohen of TC EventsJill and Russ had southern spirit and charm in mind when planning their Miami black tie BBQ.  Jill was truly into the details and personalization behind every element of her event.  From a personalized cornhole game, to drink straws stating “mobile to miami” in their signature cocktail to her bridesmaid specialty Etsy made feature hair pieces.  Justin and Mary Marantz did a fabulous job of shooting the event.From the get go they wanted casual elegance and Miami Beach Botanical garden fit the bill.  It allowed for guests to relax on the white sand beaches and walk to the venue from their hotels.Jill’s dress was a Monique Lullier stunner and her tiny frame made it near impossible to find a birdcage veil that would do the job. The groom sported blue converse all stars and the bridesmaids were given custom feather head adornments as a bridesmaids gift.The ceremony featured galvanized pail lining the aisle.  Jill and Russ’ pets were a particularly important part of the day.  Unfortunately they were not the best of behaved so we made them a custom wagon (in Jill’s colors) and lined it with the underlay from the dining tables so the dogs could be driven — not walked down the aisle.The cocktail hour featured 3 different kinds of lemonade along with an on-site BBQer pulling fresh ribs off the grill.  Passed hors d’ouevres included items like po boy sandwiches and mini slaw cup.A spanish guitarist transitioned the cocktail hour into dimly lit bulb string lights so guests could find their placecards which were strung along a branch style entryway that featured black and white photos of Jill and Russ growing up.Once inside the preliminary ballroom guests were greeted with a gourmet cupcake stand, Black tie BBQ food stations and a photo booth that featured props from the couples competing schools (Groom played football for Auburn while bride was a cheerleader for the Gators).Guest then made their way under the clear tent illuminated with crystal chandeliers and fichus trees with mini string lights.  The linens were a classic lace pattern overlay on a sage green satin.   The flowers were put in mini galvanized buckets along with antique blue glass.All together a stunner in it’s simplicity!

Photography: Justin and Mary / Planner: Tamara Cohen of TC Events / Florist: Dalsimer / Venue: The Miami Beach Botanical Gardens / Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Musicians: AA Musicians / Tent: Platinum Tents / Stationary: Cherish Paperie

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
South Beach Engagement Session by Our Labor of Love

I can’t think of a better way to jump start the first official weekend of summer than with this vintage-inspired South Beach engagement session.  These stunning images by Heidi of Our Labor of Love have me daydreaming of long sunny days on the beach and a pair of super cute roller skates.  I’m taking a cue from this gorgeous couple and making my weekend plans now.  Before I roll off into the sunset, make sure to join me in the gallery for even more sunny day inspiration!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… My now-husband Sean and I are Miami natives, so naturally the beach is one of our favorite places. We knew that when the time came, we’d shoot our engagement pictures there but we wanted to do it with a twist. We decided on a subtle 70’s Miami beach theme since we are particularly fond of both that decade and our fabulous city. We rented skates from a South Beach skate shop and had a blast trying our best not to fall while the very talented Heidi of Our Labor of Love snapped our pictures. We then changed into swimsuits to frolic on the shore and have a few beers on the sand. The shirt that Sean is wearing with his swim trunks was a local vintage shop find and it has become one of his wardrobe favorites. Our love shoot ended in the quiet alleys of bustling South Beach at night. The entire day felt magical, and we were even able to include our furbaby Fiona Apple in a few images.

Photography: Heidi Geldhauser of Our Labor of Love / Location: South Beach, Miami, Florida

Inspire Me Pretty Florida Winner

First, I just want to send a shout out to all you talented board builders!  You totally knocked my socks off with your super inspiration board building abilities!  I had so much fun checking out your ideas for the ultimate Florida celebration.  I would be happy to see any of them brought to life!  I was really blown away by this sweet blue and orange number by sugar(ed).  There are so many darling details that would make this the perfect Florida wedding.  Of course, the bright palette is a must for those Gators fans and the little orange fruit details just scream sunshine state.  I’m also wild about the flag theme that is happening throughout and all the unexpected ways it can be brought into your wedding decor.  It is really just brillant and beautiful!  Thank you, sugar(ed)!

Before I get to the Buying Guide for the winning board, I have to say that I was wildly impressed with every board that you all made.  It was certainly hard to make a final decision especially since I absolutely fell in love with this board by Jeanette.  It is ethereal, romantic, a little bit modern, a little bit beachy and a lot perfect.

And now for a fun Buying Guide based on sugar(ed)‘s board.  The thing I love most about this board is that it has vintage elements, DIY elements and modern elements all wrapped up in one pretty, whimsical package.  There are so many ways that it can be interpreted and with plenty of budget-friendly options for turning it into a rockin’, Florida celebration!

1. To tie in the orange color palette and one of Florida’s largest exports, orange soda is such a fun, unexpected and refreshing treat for guests before the ceremony starts.  We all know that the weather in Florida is not always ideal and this is such a cute way to beat the heat.  Trader Joe’s has their own vintage-inspired orange cream soda!

2. Of course, you’ll want to dress that soda up with some sweet drink flags like these from Etsy seller Loralee Lewis.  I especially love them paired with the orange and white striped straws!  Perfect for a favor or escort tag!

3.  For a bit of vintage whimsy, mismatched vintage plates bring a pop of color to the table.  If you don’t feel like scouring thrift stores, Unique Tabletop from Classic Party Rental has a great collection to rent!

4.  Any old cake just wouldn’t do for this fun fiesta!  I love this playful sweet treat and the blue and orange crepe flowers are just too cute!

5.  Hello Lucky! has an awesome collection of destination invitation designs from LA to Paris. Their Miami collection is absolutely perfect for our vivacious celebration!

6. There are so many ways to tie in the flag theme from the place cards to the drink stirrers but my favorite might be these giant DIY flags.  Line your ceremony aisle or have the flower girls parade them down!

7.  Bring a little modern edge into the centerpieces with sleek white containers filled with unexpected flowers and fruit.  I love the use of kumquats in this unique arrangement.  It is glam and gorgeous but still totally fun and playful!

8.  And, of course, let’s not forget about our fun-loving groom.  I have a feeling this Southern fella could totally pull off an orange bow tie like this!

Miami Beach Resort & Spa Wedding by Corinna Hoffman Photography

This Miami Beach couple celebrated their elegant wedding ballroom-style in a contemporary wedding wonderland underneath twinkling lights and surrounded by a sea of lovely yellow and white blossoms.  We have seen a lot of yellow popping up in weddings lately but this bride and groom have a serious love affair with the happy hue.  It is not only their favorite color but the name of their first dance tune as well!  Corinna Hoffman Photography captured all the classic and charming details including the chic custom-made bridesmaids’ dresses!  Waltz on over to the full gallery to see the rest of this beautiful affair!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Our wedding colors were mostly gold, off-white, yellow, and a hint of green. I chose those colors because it is the summer, I love gold, and I wanted to keep everything simple but nice.

Our wedding cake was a vanilla rum cake…It’s off-white & kind of lop-sided squares with a gold trim on the bottom of each layer & then natural orchids hanging down each layer.

I love the flowers! There were two different kinds of arrangements for the reception, and both were tall. One was a round arrangement with yellow roses & white hydrangeas in a clear vase with water & orchids. The other arrangement was orchids in a clear vase with water. The flowers were all yellow, white, and a touch of green. Also I included brown willows!

Our first dance song was Coldplay’s “Yellow,” because yellow is my favorite color and the wedding color as well. It is also our favorite song!

We enjoy wine and also went to Paris for our honeymoon, so we incorporated wine corks for our name and place cards, as well as Eiffel Tower wine corks for our wedding favors.

Wedding Photography: Corinna Hoffman Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: St. Francis Catholic Church / Wedding Reception Location: Miami Beach Resort & Spa / Wedding Cake: Divine Delicacies / Floral Design: Nevot Flower Design / Transportation: Rolls Royce via Meilan Limousines & Antiques / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Chic Parisien / Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom / Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Zayas Men’s Shop

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Wrap It Up Pretty Florida!

Oh my, another week of beauties has flown by here on the Florida wedding blog!  Thank goodness we have a line-up in store for next week that will blow you away.  How does a French celebration under the Florida sun sound?  Pretty swell, huh?  Here’s a little sneak peek of what we have in store on Monday.  Glamorous, chic and utterly breathtaking.  Trust me, you’ll want to get back here bright and early to soak it all in!

Wedding Photography: Robert Rios

If you missed any, here are all of our pretty posts from the week:

a simply sweet Delray Beach wedding
a bold and beautiful bash in St. Augustine
a bright and cheerful wedding in Tequesta
a glamorous affair at The Breakers
a sassy Mad Men-inspired photo shoot and film

Some fabulous links from around the web:

a beautiful super 8 film by South Beach photographer Marlon Richardson
some sassy post-wedding swimwear on i am a greedy girl
a DIY vintage handkerchief save-the-date on oh so beautiful paper

Have a glorious weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo.

Miami Wedding by Alex Rodriguez Photography

I love Indian weddings.  I love how vibrant and colorful they are, I love all the rituals and traditions, I love that the groom gets to ride in on a white horse.  It all just looks so joyous and festive.  This destination wedding in Miami by Alex Rodriguez Photography is the perfect example of a luxurious, meaningful Indian ceremony and reception.  It is breathtaking and vivacious and it makes me want to be a part of the party!  Click here to see the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Alex Rodriguez PhotographyBejal + Amit were married at the historic Eden Roc hotel on South Beach in Miami. They are originally from Detroit and now live in Manhattan. They planned this destination wedding from Manhattan and enjoyed the day with guests from all over the world.

Wedding Photography: Alex Rodriguez Photography / Floral Design: Dalsimer Atlas / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Eden Roc / Catering: Eden Roc / Saree: Ritika Mirchandani / Officiant: Dwejendra Doobay / Event Planning & Coordination: Tamara Cohen of TC Event Design / Entertainment & Lighting: Liquid DJs

Wrap It Up Pretty Florida!

Florida sure knows how to bring on the fun and we have had a blast this past week!  Let’s wrap it all up with the sweetest Cedar Key engagement session by one of my favorite photographers Laura Leslie Photography.  She always makes the sandy seashore look like a dream and this tropical lovefest is no exception.  I love the coconut motif and the adorable little mason jar drinks with pink straws!  Get tropical in the full gallery to see even more!

Click here to see even more in the full gallery!

From Laura Leslie… Randy & Yasmine chose a destination spot for their engagement session at Cedar Key, FL. It’s a little slice of heaven, a tropical getaway and quite a magical place. They’ve spent a lot of time here throughout their 8 year courtship so it’s a special place to them. Yasmine is from Persia and she came to the states to go to college where she met her husband to be. Her outfits were special because she wore her mother’s clothes.

Cedar Key is a tropical place and tropics remind me of love and coconuts.  We had coconut milk, real coconuts, pineapples and a tropical bouquet made straight from the plants in Florida.

 

If you missed any, here are all of our pretty posts from the week:

an elegant fairytale wedding in Coconut Grove
a sweet Orlando wedding with southern charm
a vibrant nautical swoonfest in Fort Pierce
a super fun baseball-theme wedding in West Palm Beach
a glamorous St. Petersburg extravaganza

Some fabulous links from around the web:

a vibrant Miami home featured on design*sponge (would be perfect inspiration for a wedding!)
a spectacular Anthropologie-esque, nomad shoot by inspired by lovely

Have a super love-filled weekend and we’ll see you bright and early on Monday! xoxo.

Coconut Grove Wedding by Michelle Turner Photography

What is it about a giant pink bow that gets me every time?  And this is one big, beautiful bow.  Attached to an equally gorgeous dress.  Adorned by an even more breathtaking bride.  In an absolutely swoon-worthy Coconut Grove wedding by Michelle Turner Photography.  Everything about this elegant soiree screams fairy tale fit for a princess.  One lucky, lucky princess.  Click here to see even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From The Bride… I envisioned an intimate old-world romantic wedding.  I wasn’t attached to a particular color scheme; I just wanted everything to be soft and pretty.  I went to Saks Fifth Avenue in New York to visit the Oscar de la Renta trunk show that June.  I fell in love with and bought the first dress I tried on! It was everything I had ever dreamed of- beautiful guipure lace with beading and a blush pink taffeta bow for the train!

I didn’t know where I wanted to have my wedding, but I knew I wanted everything about it to be intimate and unique.  After 4 months of searching South Florida I found Villa Woodbine in Coconut Grove.  It’s a 1920’s Mediterranean-Renaissance historic mansion.  The Bay of Pigs invasion was planned there, the doorways were arched, there was wrought iron on the entranceway to the garden and it had the most gorgeous Cuban hand painted tiles throughout. I then found a church equally beautiful- Plymouth Congregational Church, also in Coconut Grove.  The church was founded in 1897 and looks like a castle with ivy growing on the walls!

At Plymouth Congregational Church I placed 2 cherry blossom arrangements at the altar in remembrance of Joe’s mother and my mother who have both passed away.  I carried our tribute to them at the reception with a memorial candle and an 8×10 framed picture of each of them at a special table so family and friends could feel their presence on our day.

I love details and my wedding was full of them! Joe and I love to travel so I chose table names (in lieu of numbers) and each table was named after a place we had visited together along with a picture of us from the vacation.  We had the “Safina Smash” as our specialty cocktail- Grey Goose, muddled cucumber, lime juice and mint leaves.  I wanted my guests to be comfortable so I ordered 150 pairs of flip flops and tied each pair together with personalized ribbon and framed a cute poem next to them- the ladies loved them and there wasn’t a pair left at the end of the night!  I also had a photo booth- our guests had a great time in the photo booth and took some very interesting pictures towards the end of the night!!  Also, I had the attendant collect 1 of the 2 prints and he would then ask the guests to sign the guest book next to their photo- I love, love that I did this because I have their comment next to a picture of them from our wedding day.

The week of the wedding Joe assembled a double Adirondack rocking chair that we took down to the Villa and set out front with a mason jar full of Sharpies and a poem asking the guests to sign the chair.  I now have that chair full of our family and friends’ love on our dock where Joe proposed to me.

Joe is in the music industry and gave everyone the best wedding day surprise…a performance from the famous hip-hop artist Fat Joe!  It was so amazing- he did a 20-minute set and performed several of his Billboard hits.  The best was that even our older guests who didn’t know who he was enjoyed his performance- it really kicked off the night.  Oh, and the Patron shot girls my husband hired helped too.  They walked around with bottles of Patron during and after the performance and really turned the party up a notch!

Towards the end of the party we had late night snacks of grilled cheese and truffle French fries passed around.  I wanted our favors to reflect Miami so we did mini Key Lime cupcakes and put a sticker of our wedding monogram on the box.  Joe and I made a sparkler exit and drove off in our 1964 Lincoln Continental he had custom built a few years back!

One piece of advice I received before my wedding was to “make sure you and your husband get some time alone during the reception- even if its just 5 minutes 2 or 3 times throughout the wedding, make sure you can get away from everything and be together and live in the moment.” I am so happy I received this advice and listened to it because it was so magical to be alone with Joe for those few minutes.  Taking a break from the party allowed us to breathe from the excitement and feel our love and happiness and most importantly, just be.

Wedding Photography: Michelle Turner Photography / Cinematography: Artistic Film Productions / Hair & Makeup: Hot Pink / Floral Design: Parrish Designs / Linens: Over the Top Linens / Photo Booth: ShutterBox / Event Planning: Leah Michelle / Wedding Ceremony Location: Plymouth Congregational Church / Wedding Reception Location: Villa Woodbine / Catering: Bill Hansen Catering / Bride’s Shoes: Miu Miu / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Bridesmaid Dresses: Laundry / DJ: Mark Leventhal / Wedding Invitations: Ceci New York / Wedding Cake & Cupcake Favors: Filled & Frosted / Accommodations & Preparations: Mayfair Hotel & Spa

Wrap It Up Pretty Florida!

In the words of 1313 Photography who shot this adorable engagement session, “this couple is stinkin’ cute”.  We should all go out and live it up Miami-style over the holiday weekend and this fun-loving couple will be an inspiration to fill our days with love and laughter.  We’ve had a fun week over here at the Florida blog and it’s only going to get better.  Have a smile-filled weekend and we’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning! xoxo.

Click here to see the full image gallery!

From 1313 PhotographyThis couple is stinkin’ cute, their first date was at a bookstore and they love vintage books and board games. This e-session was actually shot to build their Save the date announcements which were mini-books that told the story of a boy meeting a girl and them ultimately falling in love. They did such a great job scouting locations and coordinating outfits and conceptualizing scenarios that tell their story.

If you missed any, here are all of our pretty posts from the week:

a fun DIY Lakewood celebration
a sweetly patriotic Orlando wedding
a chic and luxurious Miami affair
a Q + A and super cute invitations
a personal Delray Beach bicycle-themed wedding

Some fabulous links from around the web:

a colorful, candy-themed photo shoot and a contest at Masterpiece Weddings
some hot Miami inspiration from Zinke Design
loads of fun yellow details at Every Last Detail

Miami Wedding by Captured Photography by Jenny

Hello glamor!  Have you ever seen such a chic wedding party?  And the rest of this Miami black-tie affair photographed by the always captivating Captured Photography by Jenny is just as sophisticated and luxurious.  Once you can take your eyes off the stunning Valentino gown…I’ll give you a few minutes…feast upon the elegant ballroom reception with lovely little details and a whole lot of elegance tucked into every little corner.  Click here to see even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Miami is a special city to us.  We met in Miami, fell in love, got engaged and knew it was the only placed we wanted to get married.  Our venue, the W Hotel in South Beach, was perfect from the moment we walked in – the eclectic collection of art, the beautiful marble, and chic furniture. It is modern and romantic.  Once we chose the venue, we knew we couldn’t have just one theme or color scheme!  Each room was so different; from the lush green lawn our ceremony took place to the gorgeous gold and dark wood ballroom.  Our florist, Stan from Jim Threlkel Florist, was so creative that he took our ideas and made them even better than we could have imagined.  We loved all of the candles and flowers that decorated our tables.

Josh’s mother is no longer with us and we wanted to honor her on this day.  She loved birds and the color purple.  At our ceremony, fifteen white doves were released and small hummingbirds were delicately hidden in our centerpieces.

I have a major obsession with sweets – not just a sweet tooth, but I went to pastry school as well.  It was difficult to try to choose just one dessert!  I wanted something untraditional – we chose a French macaroon cake decorated with golden bees and butterflies.  There were even two at the top with a veil and top hat!  It didn’t end there though..we had a dessert buffet with homemade brownies, chocolate tarts, and ice cream sundaes (to name a few!).

We wanted our guests to have a weekend they would remember as much as we would.  We hung out by the pool during the day and celebrated each night.  At our reception, we had a photo booth to document all the fun our guests were having.  We also encouraged everyone to take off their high heels and changed into flip flops to continue dancing.

At our after party, we handed out light up glasses and necklaces and served freshly fried donuts, fries and corn dogs! We danced until 3 am as DJ Gunars spun.  Our wedding was perfect and it only made Miami that more special.

Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Cinematography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Floral Design: Jim Threlkel Florist / Event Planning: Cheryl Clisby Events / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: W Hotel – South Beach / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Valentino / Wedding Cake: Solo Bakery / Band: Powerhouse / After Party Donuts: Donut Divas / After Party DJ: DJ Gunars

Miami Wedding by Captured Photography by Jenny + Modern Events

Looking at this wedding you might think there was a whole team of experts behind each and every detail but what would you say if I told you it was all the hard work of one creative lady.  Granted she is an event planner herself so she knows the drill but this bride created everything for her modern Miami wedding even her gorgeous cascading bouquet!  Captured Photography by Jenny is the lady behind the lens and we’ve filled the gallery with all of her incredible images so make sure you check it out!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Modern Events (The Bride)… As an event designer I feel like I might have an advantage when DIY weddings come to play. Especially when it comes to Doing It Myself. I am glad to have the chance to go over all the special touches I hand crafted for my wedding held on March 26th 2011.

When I began to design my wedding I wasn’t sure which direction to go, vintage garden, glam princess or modern with a retro touch. As a designer, I have worked so many different styles and I know how to do them all, but I knew what made each different was the couple involved. After realizing this fact I knew I wanted it to be bright and colorful and most of all modern, a true reflection of my now husband and myself.

Flowers are another big aspect of my life, after all I got my start in this industry as a florist. I chose to use jumbo white hydrangeas with bright yellow mini callas and phalaenopsis orchids to complete the look. For my bouquet, which I made the morning of my wedding, I incorporated Gardenias from a tree in my parent’s backyard. Gardenia’s always remind me of my late grandfather so I new they needed to be incorporated one way or another.

Now that I new I wanted something unique unlike any event I have ever done I looked into different patterned fabrics. Resulting in the wonderful patterned linens my mom so lovingly hand made for us. I tried to carry this pattern throughout the entire space by using patterned pillows on the seating areas, in the stationary and our great aisle runner made up of smaller carpet runners. Even our cake had the same pattern flowing from layer to layer.

Another unique aspect of the over all design is that we chose to have all the tables be either rectangular or square; there wasn’t a single round banquet table. We also offered two separate seating areas for our guests to lounge if they weren’t dancers but wanted to be close to the action. Guests got to munch on several food stations that worked for every type of eater from salads to carved pork station. The cake was also another station because the cake parfait served as an interactive treat. Once we feasted we danced to a mix of Spanish music and current pop hits.

Wedding Photography: Jenny Schartner of Captured Photography by Jenny / Event Design & Coordination: Helen Diaz-Rodriguez of Modern Events (The Bride) / Venue: Ronald W. Shane Center / Catering: Special Events Catering by Les / Wedding Cake: Elegant Temptations / Rentals: Event Rentals / Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design (The Bride) / DJ & Lighting: Effects Entertainment / Photo Booth: Color Me Photo / Wedding Cinematography: Daniel Lago / Wedding Dress: Zayas Bridal / Groom’s Attire: Zayas Tuxedo / Hair: Jessica of Styles in Motion / Makeup: SJ Makeup / Officiant: Reverend Michael Calderin of Saint Jude Counseling Ministries / Car Rental: Florian’s Classics / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West + Steve Madden / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo