Florida Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Citrus-Infused European-Inspired Styled Shoot

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”The Inspiration”]

This dreamy editorial shoot was full of Italian inspiration, classic-meets-modern details, and vibrant colors to create a luxe aesthetic.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Lemon Yellow, Olive, and Blush Pink

[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]The Ringling Museum provided the perfect backdrop for this European-inspired styled shoot.[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Beauty”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”][/field]
[field title=”Wedding Party”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Fashion”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Lush florals in bright pops of yellow provided a sunny and sweet aesthetic while still feeling modern and fresh.[/field]
[field title=”Favorite Design Element”][/field]
[field title=”Tips To Pull Off The Look”][/field]
[field title=”DIY Moments”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Details”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]

Luxurious Wedding With A Modern Neutral Color Palette Inspired By Seashells

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The couple’s color story not only incorporated soft ocean blues and greens but an entirely new take on a neutral color palette.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Elyssa and John’s luxurious wedding day embodied their love of the ocean with a modern take on a neutral color palette. Making for a memorable location, Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted their celebration. This remarkable pink hotel was built in the 1920s and included stunning architecture, elegant hallways, wrought iron chandeliers, and one-of-a-kind entryways for photo ops.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Neither Elyssa nor John expected to meet their future partner in the world of orthodontia. John was Elyssa’s mentor during her orthodontics residency. The couple jokes that they fell in love after spending hours together talking about teeth. John proposed to Elyssa on a romantic trip to Barcelona, where they wandered down a side street after an incredible dinner out in the city. [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Elyssa wore a fitted crepe gown by Jane Hill, which offered a high-fashion feel to the timeless silhouette. She paired this look with stunning natural three-stone earrings that gave her look a beachy detail and changed into a halter jumpsuit for the reception.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridal party wore the prettiest array of seashell-approved neutrals in the tones of blush, taupe, champagne, and lilac. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

John wore a classic tux by Vera Wang.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Elyssa and John had several food stations for their reception, including a carving station, a mac & cheese station, and a “Taste of St. Petersburg” station which included grouper sliders and Cuban sandwiches. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]A heavenly reception arch was set at the altar, made up of subdued pink, peach, and blue flowers. Transforming for the reception, the outdoor space was set with washed-out blue linens, golden accents, and floral arrangements in every direction. Guests dined outdoors with a dreamy view of Tampa Bay.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The couple’s monochromatic cake included four tiers and an array of neutral roses gathered on the side.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]One of Elyssa’s favorite memories is being thrown in the air during her favorite karaoke song — “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The couple honeymooned in Thailand after the celebration was over.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

BBJ La Tavola

View Portfolio

A Luxe, European Inspired Wedding at Vizcaya Museum

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]White, green, beige, light pink[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The wedding was effortless, romantic, intimate, old world — an overall extension of the beauty that Vizcaya naturally offers. Guests felt as if they’d been whisked away to an Italian seaside garden, on a beautiful spring day. The couple had traveled to Europe with their favorites being Florence, Tuscany & the south of France. So they wanted to bring elements of their travel into the wedding — lush, loose greenery and wild growing florals throughout as if it had always been there, al fresco dining with long tables, low, soft light and an intimate guest list. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride has worked in the bridal industry for years, and knew she wanted a showstopper gown. Her main dress was a custom Monique Lhuillier ballgown with organza layered skirt, lace corset bodice and a tulle halter that tied into a bow in the back with detachable cathedral length tails that took place of a veil. The second dress was a custom Ines Di Santo gown with feathers & sparkles — perfect for the party!
The bride worked closely with the Ines team and picked the silhouette, neckline and embroidery. She knew she wanted feathers within her wedding wardrobe and this felt like the perfect opportunity to incorporate that. [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom wore a custom off white tuxedo with a black bowtie and black pants from The House of Suits Miami. The bride saw the Spring ‘23 Ralph Lauren collection and was inspired by a tuxedo she saw on the runway.[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Guests enjoyed custom cocktails from various bars pre and post ceremony at the cocktail hour. The wedding featured a multi-course dinner and delicious wedding cake. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Sage Design & Co curated beautiful, textural florals of white, green, and blush to blend with the old world vibe at Vizcaya. The ceremony featured a lush floral arch, full aisle floral runners, and luxe white garden chairs. The couple chose to place the ceremony among the beautiful moss trees at Vizcaya, curating a romantic atmosphere that was different than the epic views of the water and villa where the cocktail hour and reception took place. The reception took place al fresco, with a mix of long and round tables with hanging chandeliers, taper candles, lush floral centerpieces, and low intimate lighting. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The bride has a major sweet tooth so the cake was major — it was an almond cake made with toasted almonds paired with vanilla buttercream and dulce de leche filling. The couple did their cake cutting during a favorite song of theirs — Real Love Baby by Father John Misty. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The bride chose to not have bridesmaids as she’d rather have her friends enjoy the wedding as guests with their partners and wear what they loved. Instead, she had five flower girls. They wore mismatched satin dresses with bows galore, floral headpieces and wreaths and flower baskets with greenery. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The couple featured their dog Arlo in the ceremony as a special ring bearer and on their cocktail hour napkins. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]The couple is very close to the groom’s grandparents and they were so fortunate they could come to Miami as his grandpa had been dealing with some health issues. To celebrate them and their 50+ year marriage, the couple decided they should show off their dancing skills. They gave them their own dance floor moment with “This Magic Moment” by the Drifters and they seriously stole everyone’s hearts! [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

A Rustic yet Refined Enchanted-Forest-Inspired Celebration

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Ivory and whites for a clean base to allow the pink and red hues in the floral arrangements to pop. Also, green from the lush greenery and foliage to the curtains and bar design and even the invitation suite. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The overall vision was an enchanted forest – something that was both rustic while still elegant, simple and perhaps slightly mysterious. The basis of the design was clean and elegant: white, heavy, textured linens with classic hemstitch napkins, simple furniture in all the earth tones with touches of gold, chunky, crystal goblets. A great basis to let the florals and details truly shine.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

During the “lock down summer” of 2020, I came down to Florida to spend some time with my brother and work at New Dimensions while I was off from school. Every single morning, I worked out with two of the New Dimension’s celebrities, Kim & Scott Richbourg. I instantly loved talking to them, hearing about their family and laughing together as Kim ran laps around us all. Little did I know, I would soon become a member of that amazing family. Fast forward to the summer of 2021. I just finished graduate school and decided to come back down to Florida for the weekend to spend some time with Brantley and Hannah. New Dimension’s threw a party that night for all of their members at the facility and we were all geared up for a fun night. I was sitting at one of the tables in the back, talking to several members, when the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen caught my eye as she stepped into the facility. At that moment I felt like time just stopped. She slowly moved through the room, greeting people as she went, and I quickly realized that this was Carley Richbourg. Kim & Scott’s oldest daughter that I had only heard about over our morning workouts together. Carley sat down at the table right next to me. We immediately struck up conversation and forgot anyone else was in the room, it immediately became just the two of us. The conversation was so easy, so natural and we were hooked. We even made travel plans together that night for “Brannah’s” wedding. We had several events that weekend where we were able to be together and that’s all it took for us to fall in love. Within 72 hours, we knew we wanted to be together. We had found our person. That quick weekend trip suddenly turned into a week, then two, then time slowly faded away and we never left each other’s side. Our only attempt at being away from each other ended in Carley jumping on a plane and beating me up to Georgia as I drove. That was it for us, we knew we had to be together. It was never a question of if, just a question of when. On April 2nd, I asked the love of my life to be with me forever.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

A whimsical tiered ballgown designed by Martina Liana, purchased at The Collection Bridal. The voluminous layered skirt offers that wow factor, yet with a light and airy touch. The sheer lace bodice with an illusion v neck and v back adds a little something flirty to the iconically princess-like bodice.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridesmaids wore blush pink gowns, each with their own bodice to highlight their unique style and personalities. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and his groomsmen donned black suits with vests, but without ties or bowties. It was the perfect combination of dressy, yet comfortable. [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Pre-Ceremony:
Butler Passed:
Assorted chai nuts in cone cups
Brie and Blackberry bites with rosemary fig jam
Coconut Shrimp with sweet chili sauce
Smoked salmon deviled eggs
Honey rosemary chicken skewers

Stationary Display:
Customized individual “jarcuterie” cups filled with cured meats, artisanal cheeses, pickled vegetables and lavosh

Post Ceremony Appetizers:
Butler passed:
Lobster tacos
Asian tuna tartar on wonton crisp
Pepper seared tuna
Petite crab cakes, jalapeno cilantro aioli
Tomato, cucumber, feta with balsamic on skewer

Stationary Grazing table:
Roasted veggies, meats, cheeses, flatbreads, nuts, dried fruits, hummus, pita chips, olives

Mixed nuts and truffle popcorn in the whiskey lounge

Dinner at Reception:
Salad: mixed greens, candied walnuts, goat cheese, dried cranberries, roasted butternut squash and maple vinaigrette served with bred and butter
Dual Entree: Petite filet mignon and lightly blackened mahi mahi with a citrus beurre blanc
Roasted fingerling potatoes
Steamed broccoli

Desserts:
Wedding cake
Brownie skillet a la mode with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream

Late Night Snacks:
Truffle fries in custom containers
Crispy Mac & cheese croquettes
Chicken and waffle skewers[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

We knew we wanted flowers and greenery everywhere (and who better to provide those than Velvet & Twine?!), but we wanted the florals to feel comfortable and beautiful without being overwhelming so they could truly be appreciated. Mixing in earthy materials like wood and leather brought out the natural, rustic elements that really created the depth we were looking for. We built on the basics with lots of fun, custom details: from the pre-ceremony cocktail hour to the ceremony to the cocktail hour to reception and after party – there were custom details everywhere! Kim, Carley and I all love the details and we tried to be really pointed in where we added the customization. We felt like this really elevated the event.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

A classic white 4-tier wedding cake by 4Rivers Specialty Cakes with blooms cascading from top to bottom, perfectly framed by a floral installation in the reception area, making something simple look stunning.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The Whiskey Lounge was a gift Kim wanted to give to Travis, since he’s a big whiskey drinker and she wanted something special just for him. Kim had the initial vision, but collaborating with Tommy from Swag who came on board with the spandex chandelier covers really brought it to the next level. Sexy, leather seating, moody lighting and a whiskey dispenser elevated that space even more. I cannot believe the total transformation.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The Seating Chart was unbelievable and also an amazing collaboration. Kim, Andi and I sat down one day and just hammered out what we were looking for and the seating chart was born. The way it all came together with those custom, chunky, wooden name tags and elegant vases with jaw-dropping florals was certainly one for the books.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

BBJ La Tavola

View Portfolio

Video Photography

Nate Puhr

View Portfolio

Bright Colors and Garden Party Style at Ringling Museum of Art

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]I knew I wanted bright colors that would make me smile every time I looked at the girls throughout the day! I spent a lot of time at our venues and the main colors I got were blue and yellow from the Ca’ d’Zan (ceremony space) and green and pink from the Ringling Museum (reception venue). Luckily for me, my bridesmaids fell into trios of how I knew them so the sisters picked yellow, childhood friends were pink, high school friends were green and the college girls blue. This made it easy as each trio was friends with one another so coordination was easy and fun![/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]I grew up with my parents hosting numerous dinner parties in our backyard chaotically thrown together by pulling our local pub’s singer last minute for entertainment, us kids making the floral arrangements from what we could forage outside that day and multi-course meals my parents effortlessly threw together. They were always a beautiful and stylish affair but never too over the top that you couldn’t kick your shoes off and dance on the tables. This was how we wanted our wedding day to feel – so we went full steam ahead on creating an outdoor Tuscan garden dinner party adorned with personal touches relevant to our dear family and friends.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]I thought I was meeting my brother for a sibling park day only to show up, after aggressively biking through the city, to find Garrett under a willow tree along Lake Michigan with his big smile down on one knee. There were plenty of tears quickly turned into laughs as we realized I still had my airpods in the entire proposal. We had a beautiful intimate picnic in the park soon followed by our family running over to celebrate. That evening we headed to our roof for a glass of celebratory wine only to be greeted with a Mexican feast adorned with 20+ of my closest friends who he flew in from around the world to celebrate all weekend!

Once we got engaged, it wasn’t where, it was when!? Both of our families have homes on the tiny 10 mile island of Longboat Key, an extremely small world when one of you is from the midwest and the other the east coast. Once we settled on the location, the venue quickly followed. Between Garrett being a history buff and myself a closet art enthusiast, The Ringling Museum of Art was a natural fit. The architecture transports you right into Italy while the landscaping still honors its Florida roots. [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”] Finding a dress was tough, I started in New York then went to DC all to end up finding the dress a half mile from my home in Colorado at Little White Dress. Once I saw the Monique Lhuillier Lily of the Valley lace, a flower that only blooms in May (our wedding month), I knew it was a sign. I wanted a few different looks from the dress so we asked for some extra lace from Monique and made a custom topper for the ceremony to change it up. I also sent in my mom’s wedding dress and had two purses made from her lace for us to carry that day. As for my second dress, I wanted to wear something short and comfortable for dancing. I looked everywhere but kept on seeing the same dresses so I went to Donna Beth Creations a month before the wedding and we squeezed in as many fittings as we possibly could and made a custom dress adorned with 3D pearl flowers and a layered choker necklace to match.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids-to-be lived all around the US so asking them to partake in the wedding wasn’t easy! I wanted to send them letters to explain how much their friendship means to me but also something to acknowledge the time, money and effort it takes to be a bridesmaid – it had to be something they would treasure but also be able to use. After spending so much time at our beautiful venue, the art inspired me so I decided to create some of my own! I didn’t want to send them art they felt obligated to hang on their wall so I ended up settling on a personal favorite, shoes! I took pictures of the little details at the venue – whether it be the tiles lining the Ca’ d’Zan, the bougainvillea around the courtyard, or the marble floors. From there, I thought about each girl’s style and hand painted white slides inspired from the details at the venue for each girl. This was no easy feat with 13 bridesmaids but in retrospect it was a great way to relax and think about the lucky friendships I cherish during the wedding planning chaos. The girls ended up all wearing their shoes on the dancefloor and it was surreal to see all the designs live at the venue!

There is nothing more calming than getting ready the morning of your wedding in the comfort of your home with your mom, best friends, dogs and a champagne tower! After waking up between my mom and sister like the youngest child I am, the ladies filed in and we started the morning by taking a coffee walk with our labs, Parker and Theo – the only boys allowed in the house that day! After some much needed showers, I gifted the girls white linen cover ups to throw over their bathing suits while they caught some last minute rays by our pool. We took turns between hair and makeup, pool time and bouquet making. Our florist gave us a few extra buckets of Feverfew so the girls could make their own bouquets – this was a nice way to get creative during the downtime! Emotions quickly got the best of me as my mom and sister fitted me into my dress, followed by a heartfelt bridesmaids reveal. They serenaded me with a custom rendition of Faith Hill’s This Kiss before sending me off with my best friend’s mom (aka my second mom) to drive me to the wedding.

When it came to attire, I knew I wanted bright colors that would make me smile every time I looked at the girls throughout the day! I spent a lot of time at our venues and the main colors I got were blue and yellow from the Ca’ d’Zan (ceremony space) and green and pink from the Ringling Museum (reception venue). Luckily for me, my bridesmaids fell into trios of how I knew them so the sisters picked yellow, childhood friends were pink, high school friends were green and the college girls blue. This made it easy as each trio was friends with one another so coordination was easy and fun! With the help of an inspo board, the general ask was to feel like themselves, ensure dancefloor comfort and to not hold back – ruffles, cutouts, tiered skirts, bows, unique necklines welcomed and encouraged! The ladies delivered! As each of the colored trios walked down the aisle, there were dropped jaws ending with audible gasps as the three sisters anchored the processional in yellow!
[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”] We spent a lot of time on the menu as we knew we wanted to do something non-traditional, delicious and interactive! What’s better than a family style Italian feast!? We had a spicy vodka rigatoni, mushroom ravioli, chicken farfalle, mahi mahi saltimbocca style and grilled Italian vegetables. Our guests loved passing their pastas from neighbor to neighbor as they doused their bread in oil and vinegar. As for dessert, we debated doing a wedding cake but once we visited Cakes by Ron, we knew we had to! We worked very closely with him on rounds of sketches before settling on a green textured four tier cake with dried Italian fruit slices, herbs and flowers wrapped down it. She was a focal point yet blended so well into the organic garden setting! In addition to this we had breadsticks on all the cocktail hour tables (a cost effective fan-favorite), shipped in an Iberico Ham leg for live carving (the one nonnegotiable from my fiancé), chugged espresso martinis as we transitioned from dinner, had freshly baked cookies and cannoli’s passed on the dancefloor, and ended the night dancing with dirty martinis in one hand and Taco Bell’s finest Crunch Wrap Supremes in the other![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Top of mind when designing the reception space was figuring out the right way to honor the beauty of the Ringling while making it feel comfortable for guests to let loose in the space. In order to do that, we needed 5 long feasting tables to fill the space. We ordered countless BBJ Tavola fabric samples before finding the perfect effortless pattern which ended up being a green and ivory baroque linen with some texture. We paired that with a light wood charger for an organic feel and texture. For the head table, we wanted this to pop so we found vintage farm tables that matched the wooden chargers at the guest tables and paired these with rattan green chargers to then match the linen on the guest tables. It was visually harmonious yet effortless at the same time.

The Ringling courtyard is garnished with giant terracotta pots around the perimeter of the courtyard so we wanted to bring that cohesive design to the tables. We worked with our florist, Victoria Blooms, to source a variety of terracotta pots which she filled with various garden herbs and wildflowers to give a relaxed yet plentiful look. For the head table, we doubled down on the overgrown wild flowers and added some smaller terracotta pots mixed in to tie together the guest tables. For our table numbers, my dad and I found some extra stone from our fireplace at our Longboat Key home so we broke it into pieces then attached cursive table numbers to the stone. I suppose it was our something old and something borrowed!

When it came to escort cards, I wanted them to make a statement but also serve a purpose for guests. I thought long and hard about what that could be and once I envisioned our guests shaking tambourines from the dinner tables to the dancefloor, I knew I had it! Creating the tambourines with the guests names was quite easy – I just needed my sister, some sharpies and a good playlist! The larger challenge was figuring out how to display them as I wanted it to be a statement that also tied into the aesthetic of the venue. We ended up settling on floral arches, ribbon and shower hooks to put it all together then our florists draped vines around it for some color. Based on the noise level, our guests may have had too much fun with these!
[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]As for dessert, we debated doing a wedding cake but once we visited Cakes by Ron, we knew we had to! We worked very closely with him on rounds of sketches before settling on a green textured four tier cake with dried Italian fruit slices, herbs and flowers wrapped down it. She was a focal point yet blended so well into the organic garden setting![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Finding a song to dance to was quite the struggle for us – either too cheesy or formal or just unnatural – when are we doing a choreographed waltz out with our friends!? Instead of focusing on the perfect song, we focused on the feeling we wanted for us and our guests – romantic, inclusive and fun! We kept coming back to one of our favorite song, Sonnentanz (Sun Don’t Shine), which had the lyrics but was too upbeat for a first dance. We eventually found a slow cover of the song and from then on, were determined to find a way to mix the songs together so we could have it all! We worked with our band on the concept, None Other Band, and they seamlessly blended the two versions into one so that we could spend the first half having our romantic first dance and the second, surrounded by our friends and family who got us there. The struggle was the transition from slow to fast so when it happened the Saxophonist (our favorite instrument) came out on the dance floor with us and live played as our family and friends flooded in around us. I don’t think anything can ever top this moment for us!!!!
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Cornelia Zaiss Photography

View Portfolio

Chic And Colorful Destination Wedding Celebrating Indian Culture In Sarasota

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

From the bride… I’ve always gravitated towards softer and lighter colors but I wanted to add a pop which we did with the red roses in the Mandap. I also love gold accents.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The bride and groom envisioned fun and floral patterns but also wanted to include their Indian culture through out the details and design of their wedding day. They wanted the mandap and monogram dance floor to be focal points. The custom designed A+A monogram was featured throughout the wedding weekend, printed on the welcome bag cookies, programs, cocktail napkins and petal cones.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Akash proposed to Anisha with a foam cocktail drink that said “will you marry me” in it. See below how they incorporated that into their wedding day.

From the bride… The dress was found Khajana Boutique in Iselin, NJ. I wanted to go with a more traditional Indian Outfit for the wedding ceremony. I fell in love with it right away. The details and patterns were so intricate and beautiful! It was also one of a kind so it was special to know that there was a custom touch to it. The reception dress was from Anita Dongre in NYC. Since I went with a more traditional outfit for the ceremony I wanted to do something light and delicate for the reception. I loved the soft colors. It had a very enchanting and angelic feel to it.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Bridesmaid and Groomsmen attire were custom made in India through a local business in Florida. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groom’s tux was Armani Exchange from Neiman Marcus.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Food was very important to our family and we wanted to provide a lot of options for our guests throughout the weekend. We had several stations such as an Indian street Food (Chaat) station, taco station and pasta station along with a North and South Indian buffet.

The custom foam drink with our monogram in it was inspired by how Akash proposed to me. He proposed with a foam cocktail drink that said “will you marry me” in it.

For late night snacks they incorporated snacks named after our favorite spots at Syracuse University, which is where we met (Home of the Dome Cheese Pizza for example). [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The florals were filled with lots of color! They wanted the mandap and monogram dance floor to be focal points.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

The wedding cake was made by The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Dhol Players welcomed the groom and groomsmen as they arrived to the wedding ceremony. A guitarist played Latin music during the Welcome Fiesta and there was a steel drum band during the wedding cocktail hour. The bridesmaids and groomsmen both performed dances for the guests during the reception.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The bar sign “Open Bhar” – a nod to the grooms last name being Bharwani.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Since Akash was born and raised in Chile we wanted to have a Latin American touch along with the Indian traditions which is why we did a Welcome Fiesta on Friday night. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

Since the wedding was in Florida and right on Sarasota bay, it was the perfect opportunity to incorporate it into Akash’s Baraat entrance by boat.

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

[/board_carousel]
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/781542019 600 338]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

BBJ La Tavola

View Portfolio

This Major League Baseball Player Hits A Home Run By Marrying His College Sweetheart

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The wedding colors were white, cream, and khaki.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

A hurricane may have blown through just a few short weeks before the wedding causing a need for a last minute venue change- but nothing could stop these two college sweethearts from saying their I do’s in a soft yet modern celebration at The Ritz Carlton Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida. With baseball season about to gear up again for the groom-to-be, there was no time to waste! When Tori set out to plan her wedding, she knew she didn’t want to be a “typical bride”. From live acrobats at cocktail hour, walking down her aisle before the bridesmaids (think “crazy rich asians wedding scene” inspired), and boldly choosing modern reception florals instead of the typical “tropical beach” theme- she accomplished what she set out to do.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

From the bride… Brady asked me to marry him on the top of a mountain at a beautiful location at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri. It was pouring rain, and he fell in the pool when we were trying to take pictures! He was supposed to ask me outside, but with the weather he ended up asking me inside of a cute little chapel in front of a large wooden cross. After I said yes, our families were there to surprise and support us, and it was perfect, even if everything didn’t go to his exact plan!

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

This well-styled wedding by NK Productions Wedding Planning is sure to inspire, starting with a Mariana Hardwick wedding gown; a classic silhouette accentuated by sky-high slit. The “Chantelle Gown” features a full, billowing skirt with dramatic train, and elegantly draped fabric with accentuated peaks at the neckline. For the reception, the bride changed into a Blush by Francesca Avila Ivory Marrakesh beaded fit to flare gown, featuring the perfect amount of sparkle to catch the lights on the dance floor and she twirled the night away with her new husband.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Sleek satin scoop-necked champagne gowns looked gorgeous on this crew of bridesmaids- especially in the sunlight as they spread out to make way for Tori before she strutted solo down the aisle, an inspiration she pulled from the movie Crazy Rich Asians. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

You certainly can’t go wrong with a meal at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota! This waterfront venue provided Tori and Brady’s guests with a scrumptious surf and turf dinner featuring both pan seared filet mignon and king salmon. In terms of drinks, we loved that Tori’s bridesmaids all toasted a shot of Tori’s favorite (tequila of course) to calm those pre-ceremony nerves.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Industry talent from southwest Florida came together in the wake of a tragic storm to make absolute magic. This well-styled ceremony by Isn’t She Lovely Florals featured hundreds of simple yet lush white roses and orchids that beautifully framed the beach views behind where the couple said I do. Tori opted for her bridesmaids “bouquets” to not be bouquets at all, and requested her friends carry just a few long stemmed roses so as to not distract for their sleek gowns. Pivoting for dinner, Isn’t She Lovely Florals managed to take a classic white rose and put it on its head, featuring hundreds of single stems in individual vases to give this reception a modern twist.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Deciding to forego the traditional wedding cake, Tori and Brady opted to get the party started by popping some Veuve and pouring a champagne tower for their nearest and nearest.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Accompanied by a harpist, Tori walked down the aisle to “Can’t help falling in love” by Elvis Presley. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]No boring acoustic guitar at this cocktail hour- Tori decided to hire aerialists from Cirque Vertigo to dazzle guests as they sipped on bubbles pre-reception. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

Custom dance floor lighting by alpha lit tampa provided luminous dance floor ambiance and the perfect backdrop for dance floor guest selfies.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

A Breathtaking Waterfront Wedding in Blue and White

Welcome to a wedding celebration that will sweep you off your feet and transport you to a dreamy day on the water. Done in soothing hues of blue and white, every detail has been meticulously crafted by Anna Lucia Events to create an ambiance of pure enchantment. Love and beauty intertwine to create an unforgettable experience with extraordinary floral design by Velvet And Twine. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating imagery by Hunter Ryan Photo and watch the celebration unfold in the full gallery.

Sophia and John met at Florida State University in 2013. Six years later, John got down on one knee to propose during a walk on Ponte Vedra Beach in October of 2019. Sophia said, “The next thing I see just up the beach,” she says, “are both of our entire immediate families, together—cheering, smiling, and joyfully celebrating our love and ever-growing familia.”

The couple wanted to plan a wedding centered around the idea of “La Familia,” a motto used by the late Priest who married Sophia’s parents. He said, “As I think on everything I have witnessed in my priesthood, it is clear to me that the person we become in this world can always be traced to our experiences in the family.” “La Familia” has been the motto of Sophia’s family – and was the central theme of their wedding weekend. With “La Familia” as the theme – It was only fitting that the couple decided to hold their reception at Sophia’s grandparents’ waterfront estate. “I couldn’t ignore my dreams of having an outdoor wedding reception in a picturesque setting like that of my family’s home.”

The venue being so special to the couple – they had a custom sketch drawn, dubbed “Casa Abuelos,” or “grandparents’ home,” for their the save-the-date and details cards, and a personalized crest that reflected the home.

“I have an emotional, purposeful connection to my reception venue,” she says. “It’s a special place where I have made so many unforgettable memories while growing up—it is home to numerous celebrations and family gatherings, high school proms, graduations, and anniversaries.” Since they would be completely transforming the grounds for their wedding and creating an entirely new “look” at the home, the couple also chose to have their engagement photos captured there too. John wore heirloom cufflinks from his grandfather, also named John. He proposed to his wife (John’s grandmother)—also named Sophia—exactly 60 years before their grandson presented his bride with her engagement ring. The bride donned a custom Madrid-Rosaline veil with blusher. “Though blushers aren’t used often these days, I always imagined my father lifting it back as he presented me to my husband! I appreciate this traditional element,” she says. “It was such an honor to wear the most exquisite diamond solitaire earrings that belonged to my late Abuelita, my great-grandmother from Cuba.”

Keeping with tradition, Sophia and John’s saw each other for the first time at the aisle. But Sophia wanted to have a special moment with her father before the ceremony. They shared a father/daughter “first look” on the staircase of their family home. “His first words, ‘You look stunning,’ melt my heart just as much today. I cherish the sweet memory of us driving to the chapel, before the greatest man in my life would present me to the man of my dreams.”

Sophia and John selected the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Jesuit High School—the alma mater of the bride’s father, uncle, and cousins. “This was the easiest decision we had to make—we are both Roman Catholic and our entire families are all devout Catholics, too!” Sophia and John chose a blue-and-white color palette. For the overall design…”We drew upon the existing beautiful architecture and overall feel of the house—it was already all there!” says the bride.

“The incredible cane-wrapped, four-sided bar, positioned around the grand oak and illuminated by chandeliers woven into the greenery, had a truly magical, ethereal feel,” says Sophia. “It was the original inspiration for our reception vision and was truly my favorite design element!” A nod to the bride’s Cuban heritage – The couple’s signature drink featured at the bar was a Cuban mint mojito. The couple’s planner Anna Lucia Events, designed the escort wall that matched the transom window over the front door of the home. Glass and chinoiserie bud vases held a variety of white blooms with each guests escort card. Flowers used were pure perfume garden roses, orlaya lace, larkspur, ranunculus, stock, majolik spray roses. Their cake was displayed on a hand-stitched blue and white linen, “a familial treasure my great-grandmother brought to America from Cuba,” says the bride. The pool area was transformed into a dance floor; the stage and backdrop built were secured over the water. “I bet most of the guests never knew they were dancing over a pool!” says Sophia. Late-night snacks were served on the patio from their custom “La Ventanita,” or “little window,” says Sophia. “It was a nod to the nostalgia of the go-to-hub for conversation within the Cuban community. It was fun to highlight a little bit of tradition of evenings when Cuban friends would gather around with great conversation and authentic Cuban food.” After guests grabbed a ‘Cuban’ from La Ventanita – they danced the night away as the band switched to Latin music. The bride said, “The dance floor was filled the entire night and our guests loved dancing to the Latin vibes!”

The newlyweds exited their reception from Casa Abuelo’s via boat – as guests waved sparklers.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

You Have To See The Piano In The Pool At This Picture-Perfect Florida Wedding

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The wedding palette was sandy tans, lemongrass greens, cool greys, and all shades of blue, from aqua to navy.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The design inspiration was a fresh fun poolside event with a clean, crisp palette and a lean into the couple’s love of trail running.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

From the bride… He organized an evening on the beach for us when we were visiting my family on Sanibel for the holidays. My sisters followed closely behind with a camera to capture the moment, and my parents (and grandma) snuck out of work early to make it to the beach in time. They all hid on the path and in the bushes until the big moment as the sun was going down and then when we walked back we saw everyone cheering with champagne to toast! I did not know it was coming, but we had many conversations in the months leading up to where Griffin did a great job throwing me off the scent.

The wedding gown waws from Beloved Bridal in Ann Arbor, MI.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaid dresses were from Azazie Bridesmaid Gowns.

[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groom’s suit was from Suit Supply.

From planner… The couple opted for stations of various genres, from pasta to seafood. Everything was offered on small plates so guests could try it all. The menus were designed as a map of the pool deck, noting each station and table grouping. The groupings of tables were each named after one of the couple’s favorite trails they ran together.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

From planner… The original venue was supposed to be South Seas resort, but it was lost in Hurricane Ian, so we had to pivot with only two months to find a new venue. Due to the popularity of the date, venue availability was hard to find. We ended up moving to the clubhouse where the bride’s parents live. We needed to create an event that looked nothing like the many events the couple had attended over the years. The first change would be to ignore the traditional ceremony setup created by the club, and instead, we created a circular ceremony with the guests surrounding the couple. We didn’t want a wedding that felt at all like a ballroom, so we decided to clear the pool deck and host dinner surrounding the pool to bring in the water element that we missed due to the venue change. We wanted all the guests to have a great view of the entertainment, so the only central space was the center of the pool. We brought in Party Time Rentals and Special Events to create a platform over the pool, and we set up a white piano shell in a bed of flowers. The ballroom was transformed into a lounge where our 8-piece band welcomed the guests into the first dance with a custom-wrapped floral dancefloor matching the linens from BBJ Linen | La Tavola Linen.

From photographer, Hunter Ryan Photo… The tables featured pale blue and white linens, overflowing white floral centerpieces, and candles, making the dinner transition from daylight to twilight magical on the pool deck. A custom trellis was built above the head table – and was covered in greenery featuring hanging lanterns.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

From planner… The wedding cake was the palest of blues with delicate white florals nestled in a round of bouquets.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The pianist in the pool was definitely the show-stopping WOW moment for guests. It provided all the ambiance of a perfect poolside dinner party.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The bride held her sweet 16 birthday at the clubhouse, where she held her wedding reception 11 years later, almost to the day.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

After A Hurricane Changed This Couple’s Plans Their Wedding Was Pulled Together In Just 2 Weeks!

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Powder blue (in various shades) was the dominant color of the wedding colors, with lots of creams and whites with touches of toffee, blush, and golden tones in the florals.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

From SBS Weddings & Events: Hurricane Ian devasted Southwest Florida just three weeks before Brooke and Michael’s wedding date (October 22, 2022) and severely damaged their reception venue located on the beach. Most hotels and businesses lost all power for several weeks following the hurricane. We had such limited time and resources to try and find a new venue that could accommodate their hotel room blocks, welcome party, and reception for 200+ people. Naples Grande Beach Resort reopened on October 10th, and they graciously agreed to accept the wedding. In less than two weeks, we had to pivot and rework some of the major design elements, reconfigure the entire layout to fit the new space, finalize food and beverage, redesign florals, print new stationery, etc. A beautiful event never comes without challenges. Many vendors were still dealing with the aftermath, working without power and internet and juggling their own personal issues while attempting to serve others. What we witnessed from every vendor that weekend was truly impressive, and their efforts did not go unnoticed. Twenty different vendors rallied together and pulled out all the stops to make this wedding happen. When designing this wedding, we kept “relaxed elegance” at the forefront, which is most fitting to Brooke and Michael’s personal styles. Our goal was to create that perfect balance of classic meets modern and the feeling of luxurious yet inviting by incorporating elements like the two-toned flatware and matte chargers from Treasury Rentals and beautiful textured linens. Guests loved being able to relax on the lounge furniture with a front-row seat around the dance floor and a cocktail in hand.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the bride: Being the avid golfers we are, we couldn’t wait for a bucket list trip to play Pebble Beach in California for my birthday. After we finished the round on the 18th green, Michael dropped down to one knee and asked the important question with the picturesque views of the Monterey Peninsula and the ocean in the background. I loved that he was so thoughtful to do it during something that we mutually enjoy and in such a beautiful and iconic place – it was perfect![/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

From the bride: I didn’t really know what style of dress I wanted but knew because of the Florida heat and being near the beach I would not want sleeves or extra tulle on the bottom. My maid of honor walks by the Pronovias flagship store in NYC every day and said I needed to check it out. I would have never expected to choose a strapless dress, but the stylist brought it out and I loved the intricate details. Even the sample fit like a glove. We still went to other bridal shops, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my Pronovias dress and went back to get it that same day.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

From SBS Weddings & Events: Guest experience was a high priority for Brooke and Michael, with great food and statement bars being at the top of the list. Brooke and Michael were both collegiate golfers, so it’s only fitting that one of their featured signature drinks was The Transfusion aka “Golf’s Greatest Cocktail”. Guests were served a duet of filet and lobster then sipped on espresso martinis as a post-dinner treat before hitting the dance floor with None Other the rest of the night. The edible martini topper added a fun touch and was a huge crowd-pleaser! The bride and groom currently reside in New York City, which is also where they first met, so we chose to include all of their favorite NYC street foods at the after-party, complete with a hot dog bar, fresh pretzels with mustard and dipping sauces, and slices of pizza.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

From SBS Weddings & Events: We opted for all low centerpieces on the guest tables, using a mixture of round and long tables paired with two different chair styles to create variety and dimension in the room. Isn’t She Lovely Florals designed a canopy of loose greenery and florals over the head table and lined the full length of the table underneath with varying heights of pillar candles. The linens from Nuage Designs really inspired a lot of the design details including the cut of the menu cards which mimicked the white scalloped pattern. We were thrilled to debut the matte blue chargers and plates from Treasury Rentals, which were just a perfect match to the powder blue linens. Brooke was drawn to both silver and gold elements, so the two-toned flatware was also a natural choice. The gold handles on the flatware complimented the thin gold rim on the plate chargers without being over the top. The overall look exuded an effortless elegance, with thought and intention behind every detail.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

From SBS Weddings & Events: Brooke and Michael chose two flavors for their 4-tier wedding cake – pineapple cake with cream cheese icing and chocolate cake with raspberry mousse filling. The all-white cake was adorned with fresh florals and we chose a powder blue velvet linen to elevate the table.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

From SBS Weddings & Events: We collaborated with Coastal Event Decor and Luster Designs for the custom-wrapped dance floor, the three-panel escort display, and the statement bars. The dance floor included the gold palm tree monogram from the couple’s invitation suite, which we also carried through to the cocktail napkins and stir sticks. Sean from Coastal Event Decor built two, large custom bars (18 feet each) for the reception space, which served as a major focal point on each side of the room. Luster Designs created the blue pattern for the bar fronts that also replicated the linens.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

From SBS Weddings & Events: Guests were served champagne as they transitioned from cocktail hour on the terrace to the reception upstairs. Servers held acrylic trays that were lined with the same blue pattern used on the bar fronts. There were personal touches at every turn for the guests.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]From SBS: The couple had a live event painter who captured their first dance. Guests loved being able to watch the progression of her painting throughout night. [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

A Baby’s Breath Dream at Club Pelican Bay

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Clean and Bright Whites, with small touches of green leaf accents. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Since the Bride was a true fashionista, we wanted to stay a little more classic in our choices for colors and decor so the overall look of the Wedding would remain relevant with passage of time, instead of being overly trendy. The vibe was Clean, Mod with Organic Elements of Baby’s Breath sprinkled in for texture.

Striking white lacquer tables and acrylic ghost chairs paired with smokey grey glassware and baby’s breath clouds proved to be a romantic, yet moody wedding Day for Alexa and Matt. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Alexa & Matt’s first date in June 2010 was High SchoolProm, and after their prom, they went out to the Hamptons, where they had an after-prom party and bonfire on the beach. After a long night, Matt took care of her and carried her up the dunes back to the house. Fast forward 10 years later, Matt proposed in the same spot on the beach at Gurney’s (a Hamptons Resort which was 100 yards from where he first carried her up the stairs).

On the day of the proposal, they went horseback riding, had a spa day, and then Matt brought Alexa back to a private spot that was decorated with old photos of the two of them, flowers, champagne and a photographer to capture the moment! It was absolutely perfect. Their parents met them the next day, and stayed overnight for a long weekend to share in the moment! [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The Bride wore a sleek, Trumpet gown by designer, Monique Lhuiller. The dress had a tight bodice with a trumpet flare at the bottom, pearl buttons down the back, and a luxe train trailing behind- but the obvious standout detail were her fabulous statement sleeves. The puff ball sleeves brought back a retro style that we could not get enough of! [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The Bridesmaids each wore a slightly varied style of Jenny Yoo’s gowns. Their light sage color in satin sheen was an effortless look, that kept the overall Bridal Party as a perfect compliment to the Bride. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The gentlemen were dressed to the nines in black, Vera Wang tuxedos with matching black dress shoes. A small spring of hand-tied baby’s breath as a boutonniere and a white pocket square completed their look. [/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Party”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Espresso Martinis and Tequila Shots for Signature Drinks at Cocktail Hour, Why Not? They paired their two favorite drinks as an unlikely but FUN offering right after guests left the ceremony.

Champagne is about as classic as they come when you are deciding on drinks, so as guests came up the stairs from cocktail hour, the Bride and Groom were on display – pouring champagne into the top of a stacked Coupe Tower. The staff from Club Pelican Bay were handing out the filled coupes to the arriving guests, so instead of hanging champagne pre-set on the tables, guests were able to partake in a fun “action station” of sorts, put on by the guests of honor.

Passed hors d’oeuvres at the Cocktail Party included Lobster Arancini, Ahi Tuna Wontons, Beef Satay, Crab Cakes, Spanakopita and Duck Spring Rolls. In addition to the passed bites was a Raw Bar Station with a MUST-HAVE for the couple – Oysters. Both Kumamoto and PEI oyster varieties were offered and displayed on a beautiful ice sculpture alongside cocktail shrimp.

Guests had the option of 10oz New York Strip Steak or Wild Isles Salmon for their entrees, both served with Potato Dauphinoise and Haricot Vert with a Carrot Ribbon. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The Custom Invitation from Grey & Cake truly set the tone for this Wedding Weekend. The sage letterpress invitations were wrapped in a lasercut “baby’s breath” printed wrap and tied together with a sage ribbon. The Duogram, Menus and even envelope liner had additional accents of the printed baby’s breath that carried through the reception details.

The white perimeter room drape, white vinyl dance floor, and white stage surround were all a big part of neutralizing the room – which gave us a blank slate to work with. Then we brought in sleek, long and square lacquer tables to bring the element of clean-lined furniture, which gives a more modern uplift to the space that linens don’t quite achieve.

We took advantage of the dining room’s built-in alcove (normally used for the Band’s stage) and created a cozy little bar lounge in the room. We opened the drape with gathered swags, that made for an inviting space to order your favorite cocktail.

In terms of the tablescape, we had three varieties of centerpieces for each of the table shapes mixed into the layout. Candelabras wrapped with baby’s breath garland, bud vases of baby’s breath and long rows of flickering candlelight on the king’s tables.

Without a doubt, the WOW moment in the room came from the ethereal Baby’s Breath clouds that were suspended from the ceiling. Kaleidoscope Florals arranged these beautiful clusters of delicate stems from random points in the room, and also focused a large statement piece hanging from the room’s central chandelier. You could not miss these pieces of art that seem to bring in some fun texture in such a stark white space[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The Wedding cake was understated, with white textured ruffle layers, and a runner of baby’s breath trailing down the right side of the cake. Sassy Cakes did a beautiful job adding the right amount of texture to the cake, while keeping it simple. Alexa & Matt cut into this vanilla and raspberry delight and proceeded to feed each other right off the knife.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]When you have been together for 10+ years, it makes it incredibly special to have someone that has watched your story evolve perform the ceremony. The Bride’s cousin, Lindsay, officiated the ceremony with a very heartfelt performance. The Bride and Groom wrote their own vows, that touched on so many meaningful moments in their history – that reduced the guests to tears.

Jade Strings provided a Violin & Cello duo for the ceremony, and Alexa walked down the aisle to “Thousand Years”. The Newlyweds exited with a more upbeat “Higher Love” as they skipped back down the aisle.

The Newlyweds danced their First Dance to “Dancing in the Moonlight”, performed by The Headliners Band, but surprised everyone with a more upbeat “2nd Dance” song (after dinner) to the infamous Dirty Dancing song, “Time of My Life” with a spinning lift and all! When the cold sparks went off for THAT moment of the song – the guests went wild!

Alexa and her Mother danced an emotional “Mother-Daughter” dance to Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” and Matt danced with his Mom to Melissa Smith “Seems Like Yesterday”. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We have definitely seen the Bride change into a “party dress” before, but this time around the Bride AND Groom had a Costume Change and swapped color schemes. Reversing the rolls, Alexa traded her white dress for a sheer, black sequin Dolce and Gabbana Dress with “Til Death Do Us Part” Tulle gloves. She even had the stylist stay to update her hair look, and add in a matching Tulle bow. Matt hung up his black tuxedo jacket and donned a White Dinner Jacket, accented with a black pocket square. Before they came back to the party for their “2nd First Dance”, they took a few minutes to do some high-fashion flash portraits, including some cozy ones in the venue’s elevator. This couple was HOT, HOT, HOT! [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Since the Dinner Reception was upstairs and the Afterparty was tucked away downstairs, we wanted to have a fun transition between the two spaces. We brought in some Hora Loca Dancers to join in on the Band’s last song – bursting into the room with high-energy dance moves and elaborate costumes. Once they caught all the guests’ attention, they led everyone out of the room (Bride and Groom out in front) and single file down the staircase- right into the afterparty! The party never lost it’s momentum – in fact, I think it had a second wind as they came into the Afterparty space and met a dancing Mirror Man face to face! DJ Dayve had the beats popping as guests arrived for the next part of the evening. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

[/board_carousel]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

This Destination Celebration For A Wedding Planner Turned Bride Is One You Won’t Forget!

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The color palette was marigold, dusty blue, palm leaf green, blush, and cream.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

When Kristen of KG Events & Design got engaged, she knew she wanted to host a destination wedding at one of their favorite vacation spots, Islamorada! She picked their wedding date based on the full moon (she loves the moon and knows what extra illumination and energy a full moon can bring!), and they included nods to this throughout their print work, decor, and photos. Personal touches were sprinkled throughout, like the rattan centerpieces made by the groom and his dad. Close vendor friends came together to bring her vision to life, and this day came together despite a major hiccup – the couple’s flights were canceled, so they drove for 24 straight hours to get to the venue!

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

We got engaged in October 2020, on my birthday and it was a total surprise but at that point, our 2022 event schedule was already booked up so we knew we had to look at a destination for Winter 2022 and eventually landed in Islamorada. We had started going down to Cheeca Lodge, just Rob and I, the past few years and loved it down there. He’s big into fishing, and it was about as close to the Caribbean as we could get with all of the travel restrictions the last few years.

Florida Weddings

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation