Florida Weddings

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This is Where You Tie the Knot in the Florida Keys

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Al Fresco

From the Bride… My favorite thing about Cort has to be his easy going attitude towards life. He always has his eye on the bigger picture and keeps me calm when I’m stressed or worried about something. We effortlessly love each other even when spending all of our time together. What makes us such a great match is our friendship. He travels two weeks a month for work, so when he’s home, we try to hang out as much as possible – this mostly evolves around our dogs, but we like to run or play tennis too. We also enjoy traveling! This past year we went to Napa, Aruba (where he proposed), Las Vegas, Naples, and the Keys a few times for wedding planning.

The best story has to be how he proposed. It took a lot of planning and preparation. He knew he had to include our dogs somehow in the proposal. He decided to propose in Aruba and enlisted the help of my neighbor to craft a creative proposal that incorporated our pets. They came up with the four dogs holding a sign that read, “Will you marry me?” and placed it on a card. While in Aruba, Cort took me to the Renaissance Private Island to get a couple’s massage in a bungalow hut over the water. Once the massage was complete, the masseuse handed me a packet. In the packet was the card with the 4 dogs and a china egg that my dad used to propose to my mom! I knew exactly what that egg meant, and the card was the perfect way to ask.

Cort is from Columbus, Ohio and I’m from Vermilion, Ohio. I used to work in Fort Myers, Florida, but after we met on Match.com, I changed jobs and moved back to the Columbus area to be with him. When I was in the middle of changing jobs, Cort took me to the Keys for a weekend getaway and celebration. For that reason, the Florida Keys have a special meaning to the both of us, so it was a natural choice for our wedding.

We knew we wanted a small wedding with just our families (including our four-legged family members). Finding a venue that allowed dogs and that our families would enjoy was a priority for us. Our wedding planner, Julia, from Blue Water Weddings, found a realtor who showed us a few homes available to rent. It was perfect seeing the homes with Julia because she could visually walk us through the layout for the wedding.

Julia really made the wedding planning process simple and easy. I showed her a few pictures from Pinterest, and we discussed things I liked and didn’t like. She built the whole wedding around my few pictures and our conversation. As the date got closer, I found a few things that I liked that we were able to incorporate in the wedding (including the Groom’s cake and buckeyes). We also had shirts made for our guest to take and remember the day! The shirt manufacturer created cartoon characters of our dogs, Teddy and Tiller! My hair and makeup was done by Linda Schonning, the owner of Florida Keys Bridal Team, and Ana Baidet did the makeup for the Bridesmaids.

The whole day was special, but what really stands out to me is the walk down the dock with my dad and saying my vows to Cort. The vows and first dance are what stand out in Cort’s mind.

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Bridal 2016

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There’s saying “I do” in paradise, and then there’s saying “I do” at Morada Bay in the Florida Keys. The former is always awesome, but the latter? It will rock your wedding world. From the crystal blue ocean backdrop to the uber-talented staff to the laid-back charm that bursts from every moment, this is a place where celebrating your nuptials is the epitome of dreamy. Scroll to learn more.

Located in the heart of Islamorada, Florida, Morada Bay is the sort of casually elegant resort you and your special someone have been looking for. From their amazing restaurant options (hello, Morada Bay Beach Cafe and Pierre’s Restaurant & Lounge) to their talented staff to their luxurious accommodations you’ll never want to leave, Morada Bay is that sweet locale where everything you’ve ever wanted really and truly becomes reality. I’m talking “I do’s” with your toes in the sand followed up by a seaside reception with the salty breeze in your hair. It’s absolute magic.

Whether you dream of a small, intimate celebration or something much larger, Morada Bay can accommodate you AND your guests with their stunning venue options and talented staff that happens to know everything about hosting the world’s most fabulous wedding. They’ll even refer you to the perfect vendors to make your day come together, plus walk with you step by step on the day-of to guarantee a celebration that goes off without a hitch. Oh, and did I mention the amazing weather and activities you can find in the Florida Keys? Sooo fun.

Contact Morada Bay TODAY at 305-664-8414 or events-catering@moradabay.com to start planning that wedding meets vacay of your dreams.

A Destination Wedding that Embraces Bold, Island Color

Winter makes for the perfect time to escape to Southern warmth. And this couple did just that; planning an intimate destination wedding on Islamorada that fully embraces the palm trees, seaside calm and the bold color of this Florida island. With florals by Anthology Co. and imagery by Joseph Rogero, take a little vacay with even more in the vault.

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Winter Weddings

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Destination Eatery

From the Joseph Rogero… Rose and Nile escaped the chill of their home in Texas to celebrate their love in the warmth of Islamorada this past Decemeber. Their vision for a intimate, fun and heart-felt day came to life with the flawless execution of top tier vendors. The Morada Bay design team created the illusion of effortless luxury for guest. The Moorings Village and Pierres provided the couple with ideal settings to create the unique look they envisioned. Rose curated a beautiful array of bold island colors from her bridesmaids palm skirts to their watercolor suites they tied the understand elegance of Islamorada into their day seamlessly. They wanted their guest to experience the true beauty of Islamorada in an intimate way without things feeling forced or contrite. This wedding is the perfect inspiration for a couple destined for a tropical day with their friends and family.

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Karli Strohschein

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Casual + Elegant Island Wedding in the Florida Keys

If you’re looking for a classic affair with a relaxing vibe look no further because this beachside soiree is about to be your jam. Blooming with Parrish Designs florals and a barefoot dance party, this island celebration is sure to inspire. From the casually elegant ceremony to the rip roarin’ reception, Kallima Photography snapped it all in THE VAULT!

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Intimate Island Elopement Inspiration

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Classic Weddings

From the Bride… Tom boy, soccer player/CPA nerd meets tough guy/hockey player, with a soft side through mutual best friend, and the rest is history. T and I live in Chicago, but always wanted a warm-weathered, beach-chic, destination wedding, where the nights are long and hot and flip flops are always welcome. My family has been visiting Islamorada for over 50 years, and it seemed like the perfect spot; laid-back island vibe, with fabulous accommodations and dining, and even better views. We wed at Pierre’s Restaurant, on the beach at 6pm, with the sun still high in the May sky. A solo guitarist played the processional, our life-long friend married us at the edge of the ocean, all the bridesmaids and I sang along as our friend played Bob Marley’s Is This Love on the trombone. It was perfect. The food at Pierre’s was phenomenal (it always is). We danced the night away to Clint Wiley’s None Other, the dance floor was packed from start to finish; a jubilant, sweaty, barefooted dance party that rocked. Kallima Photography captured our night perfectly, every detail, special moment, friends and family. We are forever grateful for all those that made our special night so wonderful!

The weekend was full of love, laughter and fun activities – beach cocktail party at Cheeca Lodge, softball at the Islander, Rehearsal Dinner on the patio at The Islander, team golf on Cheeca’s par 3 course, wedding at Pierre’s, and Sunday Brunch on the Sunset Room and Deck at Cheeca. Guests fished, kayaked, paddle boarded, and sunned; it was the best weekend ever, and we wish we could do it all over again!

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If you’ve ever dreamed of frolicking on pristine, isolated sandy shores, with a handsome man and armful of blushing botanicals in tow, then this, my loves, is the inspiration shoot that dreams are made of. Photographer Melanie Gabrielle captured every last piece of pretty to perfection, and this gallery will have you daydreaming of an elopement in your own tropical paradise in no time.

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Romantic Oceanside Wedding in the Florida Keys

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Whimsical

From Melanie Gabrielle…I have always loved the idea of elopements. Just two people who are crazy in love, a faraway land full of adventure, and a promise to love each other for the rest of their lives. What an absolute dream!

For this shoot, I really wanted to provide brides who are thinking of eloping with inspiration. To show them that just because you’re eloping, doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream details or a small picnic on the beach. It also doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot to have a beautiful ceremony or dinner setup. We wanted to inspire these brides to use the surrounding nature to help bring their dream wedding to life.

This couple eloped on the beach a few months prior to our session, so it brought an extra meaning to the day! Roxanne Bellamy Events put together the most darling picnic on the beach with french pastries and baguettes to pay homage to our French groom, while Ever After Floral Designs put together one of the most stunning, yet simple ceremony space using one of the unique palm trees on the island. We had so much fun exploring the island and dipping our toes in the ocean. And the islands didn’t disappoint with a breathtaking pastel sunset.

Escaping the winter for warmer climates is ideal under any circumstances, especially when said escape involves a destination celebration with your nearest and dearest. Which is exactly what this duo opted for. Packing up and heading south, they wed surrounded by surf ridden sandy beaches and Jody Savage Photography captured it all here!

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Winter Weddings

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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Classic Weddings

From Jody Savage Photography…. Claire and Travis flew themselves and family members to an intimate wedding in the Florida Keys from Minnesota – it was beautiful, sweet and such a nice change from the freezing Minnesota Winter.

Romantic Islamorada Beach Wedding

At first glance, I could’ve sworn this wedding took place on a tropical island far from the States. So, you can imagine my surprise when I learned that The Moorings Village is an American gem! This Floridian affair captured by Elaine Palladino will completely transport you from winter to a sunny and serene day complete with Parrish Designs bouquets and a dreamy low-back Reem Acra gown. Relive it all here!

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Elegant Florida Keys Wedding at The Caribbean Resort

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Eatery Lakeside

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Casual Classic Weddings

From Elaine Palladino Photography… Amy and Nick wanted their wedding to feel natural, classic, beachy, and effortless. It was all of these things and more. Islamorada in the Florida Keys gave them a beautiful sunny day that not only matched the decor, but their joy.

From The Bride… Our advice for future bride and grooms is to take a few moments to sit back and absorb your surroundings at each segment of your wedding day to remember the details and how it feels.

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Reem Acra

Spring 2015

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I opened this wedding hours ago, and my jaw is still sitting pretty on my desk. Rightfully so, I suppose, because this wedding is the definition of jaw-droppingly gorgeous. From that ridiculously stunning Hayley-Paige gown to the elegant reception, this gallery from Bob Care Photography is beyond beyond. See it all here.

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DIY Pastel Islamorada Wedding

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Classic Weddings

From the Bride and Groom…How did you meet? Eric and I met in High school. He went away to Tennessee for college and I went to the University of Florida. We were friends through high school and college and started dating once we both settled in Orlando after college. .

Tell us a little bit about you two: What do you love about each other?
Eric and I have spent the last 4 years living in Orlando surrounded by almost all of our family and a ton of great friends. We have a 110 lb mastiff named Jax that we are crazy about and both work for the same amazing sales organization.

Karly: One of the things I love most about Eric is his selfless nature. He is the most amazing and kind person I know and constantly challenges me to be the best version of myself. I also love our shared love for the beach, live music and college football. (even though he’s an avid FSU fan and I went to UF J )
Eric: First, I think Karly is absolutely gorgeous! She is one of the nicest people I have ever met and constantly pushes me to be a better person. She is thoughtful, funny, and extremely driven. It seems we can always be in a good mood if we are near live music or the ocean. Most importantly, we trust each other and can always rely on each other.

What makes you a great match? Any great stories?
As I mentioned earlier, Eric and I met in high school and spent many years as friends before we started dating. We’ve built an incredibly strong foundation based on friendship, mutual respect and admiration for one another which has led to a really amazing love story that we are still writing. J

Where are you two from, and why did you choose your location and venue?
Eric and I were both born and raised in Melbourne, FL. We grew up going to the beach every weekend and we both vacationed regularly in the Keys with our families. We love being outdoors and knew we wanted a tropical setting for our wedding so Islamorada was an easy decision.

Please share some details about the wedding and the planning process. Some ideas: Choice of location, your theme and/or colors, meaningful details you incorporated, DIY projects, your favorite elements.

We chose the Caribbean Resort for a few different reasons.

#1- The scenery is absolutely beautiful! #2- Our wedding guests rented out all of the gorgeous houses on property which allowed us to have a “wedding weekend” rather than just a wedding day. We were going for an elegant beach theme with blush, white and champagne as our primary colors. Islamorada has so much natural beauty so we tried not to overdo it with the décor. We used a mix of baby’s breath and roses for flowers and had lanterns set up all over the grounds. We strung bulb lights across the dance floor and danced under the stars all night which was always a dream of mine. One of my favorite touches of décor was the “hydration station” which allowed our guests to serve themselves out of old whiskey barrels.

What were your favorite moments and/or special memories from the day?
One of the best moments of the day for us was the ceremony. Eric’s cousin Kevin Deck married us in front of all of our friends and family and it was pretty amazing to have someone we respect and admire so much, share that moment with us.

I spy a piña colada and what looks like a strawberry mojito. Quite possibly two of my favorite tropical concoctions, ever. And just one of the many reasons I fall for beach weddings every single time. This colorful Morada Bay Beach Cafe soiree has me with fingers crossed, hoping the next wedding invite in my mailbox is jet-set to sun and sand. In the meantime, this cheerful gallery from Darling Juliet will do!

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Florida Keys Beach Wedding at Drop Anchor Resort

From the beautiful Bride… My family was so involved in helping with our wedding! My mother (Libby Stout) made all the burlap and cloth table runners and she made the burlap flower cones that were on the aisle. I made the pinata and other various decorations. All of the china and other decor was purchased at Goodwills, garage sales and thrift stores.

One of our favorite moments was the actual ceremony. Kristi walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of Europe’s The Final Countdown, which we thought was awesome! The decorations that our florist (The Blonde Tulip) and my mother put together were beautiful!

Part of me is a little mad at Becca Borge for sending this Florida Keys beach wedding our way, but only because I’m beyond jealous of her and all the guests. Because a much, much bigger part of me is obsessed with this wedding – the colors that mimic a perfect Florida sunset, the outdoor locale in plain site of the water, the sweet couple, so in love, at the center… I’m absolutely obsessed!

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Fall Weddings

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Beach Weddings Destination

From the stunning bride… The Keys have always been a special place for us. It is where we vacation three weeks out of the summer, it is where Brian fly fishes, and where I spent many spring breaks and my college internship. As soon as we were engaged, we knew we would get married in Islamorada, and more specifically, at the Drop Anchor. The inspiration for the day was the beauty and history of the Keys and the old Florida style of the Drop Anchor. We wanted our decor to be an extension of the natural beauty surrounding us, so we created our own tablescapes that had multiple textures with the manzanita branches, sand colored burlap runners ,which we made, and ivory tablecloths, and we used rich colors in the loose flowers and succulents to continue the vibrant color palette the Drop Anchor provided as a backdrop. The bridesmaids gowns provide that “pop” of color to compliment the beauty of the ocean. The Keys, especially Isalmorada, also has a rich fishing history and with Brian being an avid saltwater angler, we wanted to incorporate an old nautical feel to the day. We used old lobster traps and netting on our cocktail table, brought in an old driftwood boat to display for drinks, and used copper and gold mercury glass lanterns and votive holders to give the tables a soft romantic feel.

For another layer of fun we our photobooth as another DIY element, where we incorporated a huge Polaroid cut out. My mother has always been a wonderful seamstress and made my birdcage veil and our flower girl’s dress. Brian made all the fishing flies for the boutonnieres.

We both grew up with our fathers owning and running small businesses and when we are at home we try to always support local small businesses, so in planning our wedding we wanted to continue that trend. Most of our vendors were small businesses, including our DJ, Videographer, Photographer, Rentals, Caterer, and the Drop Anchor. We brought in flowers and design elements from local Jacksonville Beach small businesses, Liz Stewart Floral Design and MOS. All of our invitations and programs, as well as the groomsmen’s suspenders and ties, and some of the bridesmaid jewelry, were ordered through Etsy.

If we had one element that was incredibly special to us, it would have been the In Memoriam table, where we honored some very special people that were missed greatly that day, including Brian’s father and my stepmother.

Vintage Islamorada Wedding Film

I’m not going to lie, I basically started tearing up during the opening credits of this stunning wedding captured in film by Bridges Cinema. It’s just beautiful in every sense of the word. From the obvious love this couple shares to the sweet moments throughout, this beauty is worth the watch…

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From Bridges Cinema …TISSUE ALERT!! This is such a beautiful wedding story and we were so honored to be a part of it. When Lindsey first contacted me and told me about her wedding, all the details and how important it was to be able to capture those little moments, we knew it would be special and were thrilled to be a part of this amazing day. Take a deep breath, enjoy the sights and see this story come together in beautiful Islamorada, Florida.

Photography: Chris Glenn Photography | Cinematography: Bridges Cinema | Cinematography: Bridges Cinema | Florist: Parrish Designs

Islamorada Wedding from Concept Photography

Islamorada is one of those places that’s always inching towards the top of my must-visit list. Between the sun and the sand, and that forever sense of beauty, it’s a place I’d like to sit and spend a nice, long week (or two!) Add a wildly gorgeous wedding to the mix, and this Florida gem is officially the ultimate place of pretty. Join me for a virtual vacay through Concept Photography’s captures right here.

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Beach Weddings Destination Hotels + Resorts Weddings Outdoor Weddings

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Florida Keys Wedding from Clau Photography

From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to reflect our personalities. We wanted it to be understated but still beautiful. We were in the keys, there is not much you have to do…Cheeca was the first venue we looked at for the wedding. We actually put planning on hold and 2 years after the fact decided it was perfect for what we were envisioning. We made the call and the rest was history. Vin and I made a pact that we were not going to stress about the wedding. We were both in agreement this was a celebration, and we wanted to enjoy every minute. That being said our most difficult challenge was the wedding was a destination, making it difficult at times to meet with our vendors. I could not have pictured a more beautiful wedding. From the flowers, to the tables, to our vintage splashes throughout, it was picture perfect. Our vendors did an incredible job! I do not think we really took into account how much work goes into a wedding lol. We had several DIY details. Our favorite being the welcome bags for our guests, enclosed with goodies and our favorite local spots. Being surrounded by so much love. I remember looking around and the smiles and laughter were simply priceless. We were fortunate to have several days of fun with our closest friends and family! Although our dearest friend Kyle circling the reception on a Schwin was a monumental moment for sure!

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The Florida Keys are a magical place; a sort of “time stands still” paradise made for marrying. It’s the kind of paradise where laid-back elegance and breathtaking backdrops reign supreme… and where darling duos such as these two sweeties tie the knot surrounded by lush blooms from Vivian Colls, a whole lot of happiness and light, airy hues. See it all captured by Clau Photography right here.

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Backyard Religious Institution

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Florida Wedding at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe from Jennie Andrews Photography

From the Bride… Since our wedding was going to take place in the Florida Keys I wanted to make sure to use bright summer colors and materials that would be light and airy so that people wouldn’t get hot. Also there is a Polish tradition to have the bridesmaids wear dresses in a color that is close to white so that bad spirits get confused and distracted from the bride! The decoration was inspired by Pinterest and Etsy and I fell I love with the rustic burlap, lace plus a laid back beach theme, so I combined them. For flowers, we went for a natural Miami look: Creme de la creme roses, white mini calla lilies, white hydrangeas, blush chablis spray roses, Dusty Miller, silver dollar eucalyptus and cream hypericum berries.

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Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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Bari Jay

Spring 2015

Fall 2015

Bari Jay Sequins

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

Flower Girls Spring 2017

Spring 2017

Junior Bridesmaids Spring 2017

Fall 2017

Spring 2018

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What do you get when you combine a breathtaking Florida Keys backdrop, a fun-loving (+ uber-adorable) couple and a stunning al fresco reception literally on the beach? You get a crazy-gorgeous day that will most definitely go down in SMP history. One chock-full of amazing details from the likes of Floral Fantasy Weddings, Nicole Miller (hello, beautiful gown) and Morada Bay Beach Cafe. It’s vibrant hues meets homemade treats and it’s all sitting pretty in the full gallery captured perfectly by Jennie Andrews Photography. Join me there for every ounce of lovely.

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Islamorada Wedding from Concept Photography

From Jennie Andrews Photography… A gorgeous Florida Keys destination wedding of Jessica and Shea from November of 2012. Just love the carefree details in the chairs, plates, and mismatched bridesmaids dresses with the bride’s simple, but perfect Nicole Miller dress. The bride is an artist and hand-painted all of the different varieties of fish for the table numbers. And what a reception to finish off the day! They brought a live band with them all the way from Tennessee for the perfect party.

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Wedding Photography: Jennie Andrews Photography | Wedding Venue: Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Tina Kamenel – Special Event Liason | Officiant: Brian Thomas, Friend of the Groom | Floral Design: Deb at Floral Fantasy Weddings | Cookies: Homemade by Bride’s Damily, provided by Gloria of Bob’s Bunz | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Band: The Trio, Nashville, Tennessee featuring Wes Bailey on Keyboards | Lighting: Paul at Keys Audio Productions

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Nicole Miller

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

SPRING 2016

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Key West is the epitome of crazy cool, laid-back locales; a place where saying “I do” and getting your fun on go hand in hand. So when this darling duo decided on hosting a memorable vacation-style weekend for their friends and family, they turned to none other than The Caribbean Resort, a seaside beauty more than perfect for a joy-filled celebration. The result? A dance ’till you drop, toes in the sand, drop-dead gorgeous wedding planned to perfection by Just Save the Date and captured in mesmerizing images by Concept Photography. See it all right here.

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Beach Weddings Tented

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Islamorada Wedding from KT Merry + Bridges Cinema

From the Bride… We had always talked about having a laid-back wedding where people could just relax, unwind and have fun. We knew the Florida Keys would be the perfect place for this and that people could make a vacation out of it if they wanted.

The DIY details were one of my favorite parts of planning the wedding! Like a lot of people do, we designed our own koozies. I also made signs for the front of the resort and throughout the reception area. In keeping up with our nautical theme, we ordered starfish and made the seating cards for everyone (Pat was a huge help with this!). Also– on each of the tables, Pat made monkey fist nautical rope knots to hold the table numbers – I’m guessing people liked these because we only came home with 4 out of 16 of them! We also absolutely loved having the clear tent with the hanging lights, as well as the perimeter lighting for the dance floor. It looked absolutely amazing at night.

My favorite part of the day, though, was seeing each other for the first time on the dock when we did our first look photos. It was so nice to be able to kiss and hug him and let a lot of the nerves go by, seeing him for those two hours before the ceremony started.

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Something super special happens whenever KT Merry steps behind the camera. And whether it’s a swanky South Floria affair or an intimate Islamorada beach gathering like this, it’s the same result time and time again. Utter gorgeousness. So in that spirit of pretty, we’d like to kick off an unforgettable Wedding Wednesday. And guess what? Armed with eight pinch-me-perfect real weddings, we’re fully prepared to make it the best one yet. Get ready to pin like crazy and shed a happy tear or two because the film from Bridges Cinema and sun-soaked gallery is just that good. Won’t you join me?

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Winter Weddings

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Beach Weddings Destination Eatery

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Florida Keys Wedding from Nancy Cohn Photography

From the Bride…Jed and I patiently waited to find one another and when it finally came to planning our wedding we wanted an intimate celebration with a few family and friends and to highlight our love of food, wine and the ocean. We also felt (due to our age and personalities) we weren’t a “traditional” couple and decided to forego some things that tradition dictates you are “supposed” to do – like a wedding cake, a stereotypical reception or getting married on a Saturday. We knew it would be a stateside destination in which we’d enjoy a few days with our guests from across the country and leave them to the wonders of that area while we left for our honeymoon.

We booked Pierre’s off of a recommendation from my sister-in-law and knew we had made the right choice when we visited Islamorada and the location for the first time five months before our wedding date. The venue is beautiful with a gorgeous beach and classic plantation-style house with wrap around porch; it exudes southern charm (just like Jed). We got married on a Monday and used the weekend leading up to the day to spend time with family and friends. We had a family dinner at Wahoos, fishing with Robbie’s of Islamorada, an evening out with our friends at Lorelei’s and our rehearsal dinner at Marker 88. We thought we were geniuses to go about it in this fashion so that come the wedding day everyone knew other guests and it made for a fun, enjoyable evening for them and us.

We were engaged during a vacation to Napa and wanted to bring elements from that experience to the wedding by selecting wines we sampled during our winery tours. We chose Shramsberg Blanc de Blanc Brut, Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Joseph Phelps Cabernet. My sister-in-law, her sister and I created all of the graphic design elements for the wedding. Jed and I created the table numbers from recycled wine bottles and the seating cardholders from recycled corks. We debated writing our own affirmations (we did traditional vows) and I am so glad that we did. I love the way our videographer incorporated them into the video and its one of my favorite moments from the day.

All of the vendors “killed it” (in a good way) with the final products. Our flowers were gorgeous, especially my bouquet, it was so fragrant I didn’t want to put it down. The staff at the Moorings Village was great to work with and accommodate our schedule for dressing, first look and family photos. The highlight real video perfectly captured the emotion of the day and was a great way to share our wedding with those who were unable to attend. KT and Chad were our on-point professionals directing us in a manner to capture the most creative, charming images we could have never imagined. The day was perfect and the weather was heaven sent with the most amazing sunset. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted and well worth waiting for.

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KT Merry Photography

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Beach weddings? They’re amazing. A fun, laid-back and totally elegant kind of amazing. Which is why we happen to be quite smitten with this pretty little affair from Nancy Cohn, one we’re calling the epitome of beach wedding perfection with its breathtaking seaside ceremony, gorgeous tented reception and bride and groom who couldn’t be more in love. And The Islander setting? Gorg. Click here for sooo much more.

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Beach Weddings Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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Islamorada Wedding from Thompson Photography Group

From the Bride… Justin and I met right after New Year’s 2010, while with mutual friends out on the town. He swung me around the dance floor and I was in love. We got engaged in June 2012 and, after realizing we just couldn’t elope (because we wanted to include as many friends and family as possible), we decided on the relaxed vibe of the Florida Keys. The wedding took place at The Islander in Islamorada, Florida just two hours away from us. Many of our guests live in South Florida. It’s well-known resort dating back to the 1950’s, with a huge sandy beach area.

During the afternoon, while the groom was lounging at the pool, I took a few “beach babe” shots with some close girlfriends. We chose not to have a bridal party so our friends could enjoy their weekend, stress free, but I am forever grateful to my girls for bouncing around in their bikinis with me.

The weather was perfect the entire weekend. We were blessed with a bright orange sunset… matched only by the color of my father’s shirt (a fishing shirt he insisted upon wearing)! My father made the chuppah, deciding to make a simple design after reading that it represents the beginning of the couple’s relationship who then “embellish” it throughout their marriage. Not to be left out, the mother of the groom made the chuppah cover. Champagne and sparkling water was poured for our guests as they arrived at the waterfront location.

We had a Ketubah signing just prior to the ceremony and then, led by our brothers, we were walked down the “aisle” by our parents, as a four piece string ensemble played Muse and Guns N Roses’ “Sweet Child O’Mine.” At the last minute, we decided to go barefoot throughout the ceremony. Justin put on his brother’s topsider to break the glass at the end!

The reception took place under a white tent on the sand. Centerpieces were simple, alternating between white lanterns, white and green hydrangeas and white lily and rose combinations. A simple burlap runner and white napkins and table cloths. Chairs were bamboo and wicker to pick up some of the natural tones. Guests place markers were mini-succulents which also doubled as gifts to take home! The DJ got his start over 20 years at a local Miami skating rink, so the guests shook their booties to some high-energy Miami bass music. We shared our first dance to Led Zeppelin’s “Thank you” and invited guests to join halfway through, so it was a marriage of old and new.

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Florida weddings always have this ethereal feel about them. A sort of floating above the sand vibe, rather than walking through it. And in the case of this sweet Islamorada affair, it’s heavenly and then some with a bride and groom who set about re-creating the night they met in the Florida Keys. An “epic beach party under the stars” set against the beautiful Postcard Inn, it’s the fab stylings of Kate Bentley Events meets oh-so-lovely vibrant hues meets a stunning Naeem Khan gown originally designed for the First Lady (seriously). See all of the pretty captured by Thompson Photography Group in the full gallery.

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Al Fresco Classic Weddings

From the Bride… We chose Islamorada because we wanted to bring our loved ones back to the place where we fell in love. We wanted our wedding to not just be a celebration of our union, but an opportunity for all the amazing people we have befriended through our many journeys in life to come together and experience the serenity of the Florida Keys.

We wanted our wedding to be reminiscent of the night in Key West when we met, so our priority was to deliver an epic beach dance party under the stars. The Postcard Inn was the perfect venue to provide the comforts of a resort where people could truly enjoy a sunny holiday and the most memorable beachside wedding of all time. Since we wanted to foster an environment that allowed our friends and family to mingle and meet, we wanted to ensure that our venue offered every amenity so guests didn’t feel the need to leave the property. In the end, it was truly sublime. As David said, “Everywhere I went at the Postcard Inn, I saw an old friend.” It gave us a once in a lifetime opportunity to host everyone we loved under one star lit roof.

We wanted to create a beach chic atmosphere that wove in natural elements to create a warm and lively setting. The driftwood, candles and grapevine balls were intertwined amongst long tables and lit up with tiki torches and festival lights, creating an elegant grace against the backdrop of the ocean which gave rise to the epic dance party.

The story of my dress is one of my favorite stories to share. I wanted to honor my Sri-Lankan culture and wear a Sari for the ceremony, but I wanted something more unique than a traditional wedding sari. Searching around online one night I found the most exquisite turquoise dress designed by Naeem Khan. The dress fit the vision I had in my mind for a sari that embodied the traditions of the east with the elegance of the west. It was beyond my price point, but one of my bridesmaids was determined to find a way for me to get the dress. She had a good friend who worked for the designer and reached out to see if there was any chance to get a sample sale version of the dress. Unfortunately, we were told that the dress was completely sold out. But literally a few hours later, we got a call. It was fate letting us know that Naeem had designed a version of the same dress in white for Michelle Obama and she had just returned the dress. It was mine… a dress custom made for the First Lady ended up being the wedding dress of my dreams.

The highlight of my wedding was my father’s welcome speech and toast to David and me. He captured the perfect balance of humor and emotion and ended by singing a Sri-Lankan lullaby about the love for a daughter. It was a speech that resonated not just with David and me, but touched every guest at our wedding. The story of his toast has traveled far and wide since our wedding, and every mention brings tears to eyes of the reciter.

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Islamorada Wedding from KT Merry Photography

I felt like the luckiest duck to have met the KT Merry in person last week. And guess what? The lady behind the lens is every bit as wonderful as you’d think. With the kind of work that makes us squeal, sigh, and wish we could do our wedding days all over again, there’s no doubt she’s officially one of our faves. But just when I thought my girl crush couldn’t get any bigger she sent us, dare I say, some of her best work yet. It’s an Islamorada, Florida affair designed by Parrish Designs and Caidal Events that can only be described as a little slice of wedding heaven. The full gallery is overflowing with inspiration, and the film from Voila Cinematic? Total perfection.

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