Florida Weddings

A whole lot of love.  That’s what I am feeling for this stunning Miami soiree and, believe you me, once you lay your eyes on the breathtaking images captured by Maggie Stolzberg Photography, you’ll be feeling the exact.same.way.  Because this is the kind of wedding that is chock-full of mesmerizing moments, bundles of vintage inspired details and a bride and groom who are the epitome of stunning. Seriously.  All planned to absolute perfection by Simply Couture Weddings, you’ll want to spend your ENTIRE morning swooning in the gallery.  Guaranteed.  Join me there for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Our wedding reminded me of a movie — set in the ’30s while Bing Crosby played in the background. It was all about vintage glamour. We got ready at the Mayfair Hotel in Coconut Grove 20 years after my parents stayed there for their honeymoon. It rained like cats and dogs until an hour or so before the outdoor ceremony, then 1922 Ford Phaeton arrived, ready to bring us to our ceremony. Wildflowers, queen ann’s lace and daisies were the perfect touch to my bouquet. The conservative Jewish ceremony featured a chuppah designed by Field of Flowers. It was made of twigs, curly twigs, moss, butterflies and my husband’s late father’s talus to cover the top. Rabbi Eliot Pearlson conducted the ceremony, keeping us smiling and laughing, knowing we had made the perfect choice — each other, that is. My dress was exactly how I had envisioned — classic, vintage lace created by La Sposa. Jennette Sandifer created a hairstyle for me that was very “vintage ’30s chic” and made me feel like a movie star. The groom and his groomsmen wore sand-colored linen suits by Calvin Klein and bow ties.

We married under giant banyan trees right outside the reception venue at the Historic Women’s Club of Coconut Grove. The reception featured of hundreds of candles, strategically placed for a subtle glow. The flower centerpieces included vintage copper teapots handpicked by the bride and groom, which held wildflowers in colors of blush, ivory and orange. The interior of the room resembled the Kennedy’s living room, including a baby grand and a gorgeous fireplace which my planner, Teresa Fernandez, filled with ivory candles that flickered all night long. A gorgeous chandelier was added for an extra bit of glam. We provided a vintage typewriter, film projector and black and white photographs of family. Guests dined on kosher food provided by Majestic Caterers of Miami Beach. The menu featured blackened snapper with parsnip mash, lemon chicken with three potatoes, a grilled vegetable tower, butternut squash ravioli and endless amounts of petite pastries. The party danced to the sounds of a live band playing songs from artists such as Nat King Cole, Elvis, Sam Cooke, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra. Pure classic. Our first dance was “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” It was almost as if we had been transported to another time, which was exactly what I wanted. Classic, vintage, elegant, perfect.

Wedding Photography: Maggie Stolzberg Photography / Wedding Venue: The Historic Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove in Miami, Florida / Event Planning: Teresa Fernandez of Simply Couture Weddings / Floral Design: Field of Flowers / Officiant: Rabbi Eliot Pearlson / Wedding Cinematography: David Sutta / Catering: Majestic Caterers of Miami Beach (305-933-8886) / Wedding Invitations: SweetCookie / Wedding Dress: La Sposa / Shoes: Vintage / Hair: Jennifer Sandifer / Men’s Suits: Calvin Klein

It never fails, engagement sessions take me right back to the time when my hubby got on his knee and asked me my favorite question to ever come out of his mouth – and I’m pretty sure that’s the reason I get all giddy when I see one up in the lights on SMP Florida. Well, that and when the e-sessions are as drop dead gorgeous as this one by claudia oliver Photography, I can help but stare. A gorgeous couple, gorgeous Florida setting and gorgeous photography? What’s not be be giddy about? See it all here!

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

Engagement Session Brickell Key, Miami Florida

Photography: claudia oliver Photography

Fall may be officially upon us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a few hours (or more!) to bask in the glow of a sunshine-filled Key Biscayne engagement shoot that reminds us just how much we love those warm Summer months.  In fact, you might want to set aside a few DAYS to soak in all of the lovely captured by Katie Lopez Photography, because, well.  It’s just that good.  I’m talking a vintage sailboat, a glamorous duo and bundles of light-filled images chock-full of LOVE.  Click here for so much more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride-to-Be… If you’ve ever spent a weekend with Ryan and me, you have probably been subjected to the feeling of wind in your hair, salt on your face and a few sunburns while sailing down in Tampa Bay. Ryan and I both grew up sailing with our families every summer, and things haven’t changed since we’ve met. We live by the motto “Work like a captain, play like a pirate,” so naturally we knew that a sailing-themed shoot was a must. I knew I wanted it to be different from all the others — something glamorous, something fun, and, well, something that would let me rent this fabulous gold gown I had been eyeing… Having been born and raised in Miami, I knew just where to find that old vintage sailboat that would really send it over the top. We chartered the beautiful, antique, 31-foot Nepenthe II out of Key Biscayne; with its teak deck, classic feel and intimate setting, it was perfect. Our photographers, the amazingly talented Katie Lopez and her husband Cito, could have not been more up for the challenge. We tested their balance as boats passed by too closely to see what was going on — apparently my dress really caught the light! There were a few close calls overboard: a straw hat that found its new home in the ocean and the fun time of explaining what sequins were to Captain Michael. The day was filled with laughs, great wind, and even my fiance telling me that the only thing that could top this day was the wedding. Overall, I can honestly say that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world; I got the engagement shoot dreams are made of and landed the man of my dreams.

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography / Location: Key Biscayne, Florida / Sailboat: Classic Sailing Charters / Couple’s Casual Attire: J.Crew / Long Gold Dress: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway

What do you get when you combine a breathtaking Miami Beach location, beyond beautiful blooms from Petal Productions and a fab vintage meets rustic chic vibe that is all sorts of crazy gorgeous?  Well, lovelies… you get this stop-you-in-your-tracks Fisher Island Club wedding from the geniuses at 13:13 Photography – and, oh my goodness, is it amazing.  Yep –  this is the kind of affair that is literally overflowing with warm your heart moments and one pretty, pretty detail after another… and you can see every ounce of lovely right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We wanted something with Great-Gatsby-meets-rustic-meets-old-Miami style. We chose the Fisher Island Club on Fisher Island as the perfect location and venue for the vision. There is a charming ferry that is the only transportation on and off the island. As far as a design direction, we were aiming for classic simplicity, utilizing lots of lanterns, flowers and natural elements such as the gorgeous banyan tree that we were married in front of. Because this was a destination wedding for most of our guests, we wanted to be thoughtful about them having a good time and creating a party atmosphere, so we shortened the time sitting at the table by eliminating appetizers and added a cocktail hour instead. And who doesn’t appreciate to a sweet, late-night snack? So we included a dessert bar, and towards the end of the night, we had an additional ice cream sundae bar when everybody was dancing and hungry again.

My favorite details of the day were Ellie (our pup!), lanterns (on table and around pool), video cameras for the guests to use to videotape (and photograph) for us, a Polaroid camera for guest book and our best friend from college as our officiant. I wore a bracelet that my great-grandmother, grandmother and mom wore, and we provided flip flops on the dance floor so the girls could dance the night away.

Wedding Photography: 13:13 Photography / Wedding Venue: Fisher Island Club in Miami Beach, Florida / Floral Design: Petal Productions / Wedding Cake: Rosie Cunill of Elegant Temptations / DJ: The DJ Connection / Dog’s Flower Collar, Seating Chart + Flip Flop Basket: DIY / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Makeup: Josie Miller Makeup & Hair

I love this bride and groom.  LOVE them.  Because, not only are they seriously stylish and all kinds of crazy cool, they also happen to have thrown one of my favorite weddings of all time, complete with the fab stylings of Toss Catering, beautiful blooms from Flowers by Vivian Colls and drop-dead gorgeous images captured by Churchill’s Photography.  Oh, and the dashing groom?  Well, he convinced Shake Shack to cater the wedding and that’s just, well… AWESOME.  See so much more right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I never thought my first meal as a married woman would be a cheeseburger! Yet somehow this silly idea became the centerpiece we planned our wedding around. Let’s start at the beginning… my husband’s absolute favorite food is a cheeseburger (go figure for a guy raised vegetarian). If you ask him what he wants his last meal to be, that would be it. On our annual Christmas trip to NYC, we discovered the holy grail of cheeseburgers at Shake Shack NYC.

After getting engaged, I even agreed to have Shake Shack at our wedding, although I must admit in the beginning I thought this was far-fetched — I had already researched the company and discovered they didn’t cater. So the challenge for my then husband began. I told him that if he could get them to cater the wedding we would do whatever it took to make it happen. Approximately eight hours later, he had sent the COO of Shake Shack this video, and only minutes after the email was sent, we got a response! They had never done a wedding before but worked with us to make it happen. Having them agree to cater set the tone for the type of wedding we always wanted — casual and fun but still elegant with great food, good music and our close friends and family.

We made sure to add as many fun elements to the wedding as possible, one of my favorites being the funky socks all the groomsmen wore. It was practically impossible to get them to keep their shoes on. Toss Catering and their partner vendors were amazing in designing and executing the perfect reception. They also provided amazing additional food options for our guests. Our photographers were out of this world perfect — which we knew they would be after discussing our mutual love of Shake Shack during our first Skype meeting. Every moment of our day was perfectly captured by them. In the end, we had the perfect day accompanied by a perfect first meal as husband and wife.

Wedding Photography: Churchill’s Photography / Ceremony: St. Jude Catholic Church in Miami, Florida / Reception: Neo Vertika in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: Flowers by Vivian Colls / Event Design: Toss Catering / Catering: Shake Shack + Toss Catering / Coffee Bar: Aroma Espresso / Bar: Premier Beverage Catering / Wedding Invitations, Menus + Guest Book Poster: Designed by Groom / DJ: DJ Rico / Linens: Contempo Linen / Rentals: Panache / Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal / Makeup: Makeup by J.Lynn / Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse / Men’s Socks: Urban Outfitters

Prepare yourselves, lovelies – your Monday morning is about to take one giant leap up in the pretty department.  And it’s all because of an uber-stunning Miami engagement session and one of the cutest duos you will ever have the privilege to meet.  It’s an ode to laid-back weekend mornings, totally adorable puppies and lazy days in bed with your honey – and it’s all wrapped up in perfect images by Nerissa Sparkman and some beyond glamorous moments that are all kinds of amazing.  Ready for a day of serious lovely?  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Nerissa Sparkman… Tommie Lee and Paul came to me because they wanted something different. Tommie Lee was bound and determined not to have a “normal” sort of engagement shoot and wanted something that reflected her and Paul’s personalities. They are both firefighters and have a very fun and playful relationship. Her first idea was to do almost a couples boudoir shoot because they definitely wanted to include their two French Bulldogs in the pictures. They wanted to be shot laying in bed, almost as if it were a Sunday morning — coffee in one hand, the paper in the other, with the dogs all snuggled up! Of course I loved the idea, and the shoot simply organically grew from that. I often have my clients create Pinterest boards in order to better communicate visually. I like to say, “You can tell me all you want about a picture, but it’s probably better if you show me. It’s like reading a book. You say, ‘pink’ I see hot pink, but you’re envisioning bubble gum.” Tommie and Paul were very drawn to a shoot that was in GQ recently of Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, so I said, “Why not? Let’s use that as part of your inspiration and just go with it.” So that is how this particular engagement shoot came to be. I have to say, I may never get the feathers out of my studio, but it was totally worth it! 

Photography: Nerissa Sparkman / Bride’s Pink Pajamas: Cynthia Rowley / Bride’s Blue Pajamas: Ralph Lauren / Bride’s Black Dress: Forever 21 / Bride’s Shoes: LAMB / Makeup: Margo of Sephora in Pembroke Pines, Florida / Groom’s Suit: Hickey Freeman / Groom’s Shoes: John Varvatos

I’m in love. I’m so, so incredibly in love with every ounce of this wedding and the only solution I can find is to plaster about a million boards brimming with all the perfect details by Jessica + Michael Masi of JCG Events. Honestly I don’t know if I’ve ever come across such unique bits and bobbles. Parasols strung from the trees amongst twinkling cafe lights; a mix and match of crazy cool chairs; glamorous seating areas and protea-infused florals by Ines Naftali Floral & Event Design and a Bride and Groom that were made to be in the spotlight. Once Ozzy Garcia Photography aimed his camera at this wedding, there was no going back. See ever last moment of pure perfection right here in the full gallery.

And what would a current favorite wedding ever be without a behind the scenes film to wrap things up? Get cozy and enjoy this gem captured by Concept Lounge Creations.

From JCG Events… The part of weddings that I find so gratifying as a wedding planner is seeing the union of not only two people coming together but also of two families becoming one. This was especially true for Marlena and Michael, whose siblings were already married to each other. Can you imagine how fun it would be to be a part of this family for Thanksgiving dinner?

After the beautiful ceremony at St. Patrick’s church, during which Marlena walked down the aisle holding a single King Protea bouquet, guests were invited to join the reception at Villa 221. The front of the house has a private, lush garden, where guests were welcomed by a cèviche station and a mojito bar. Various vignettes of Indonesian, hand-crafted furniture and lanterns were in place to really give guests that inviting feeling. Following the cocktail hour, guests were escorted to the backyard of the property, where we had transformed it into a complete fantasy. We installed a black and white dance floor on the deck to give that retro Rat Pack/Miami feeling and large bulb café lights lined the trees. All of the tables were long wooden tables with a mix of three different chairs. Each table also had a different look designed by the talented Ines Naftali with her collection of vintage vases including mason jars, milk glasses and clear vases with an assortment of fresh garden roses, succulents, yellow crespedia and berries. Hanging from the trees above the tables were an assortment of all vintage umbrellas hand picked by the bride. To have them be accented at night we dropped an LED battery-operated light in each one to give off a glow. To keep with the relaxed celebratory feeling of the wedding, there was no assigned seating — guests were invited to take a seat where they felt most comfortable. Guests enjoyed food from the burger bar station, martini mash station and the interactive, made-to-order pasta station. Each station was prepared by Suzanne Michael’s Catering. The couple really enjoys drinking craft beer, and for this, we ordered a vintage green cooler from an Etsy vendor and filled it with various microbrews.

From the beginning, Marlena and Michael were eager to take on DIY projects for their wedding. As a planner, I love this. It adds to those personal touches and allows the couple to be a part of the planning process in a more intimate way. They created the custom signage for the stations, and created the “guest book,” which was was a board with olive green envelopes that invited guests to write a note to the couple. Marlena also crafted fabric spheres using different patterns of Marimekko fabric. These spheres then were hung with fishing wire on a custom white frame that was lined behind the wedding cake to create a cool backdrop. As a testament to the unique style and distinctiveness of this couple and wedding, even the guests had an unanticipated surprise for the couple. Toward the end of the evening, the guests performed a “flash dance,” surrounding the couple and creating another exceptional and memorable moment on this already amazing night. The wedding was a remarkable affair filled with so much joy and laughter, and Ozzy Garcia captured every moment so perfectly. The wedding was everything they had both dreamed it would be. This was truly a special wedding, and the team at JCG Events was excited to make Marlena and Michael’s vision a reality.

Wedding Photography: Ozzy Garcia Photography / Ceremony: St. Patrick Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Florida / Reception: Villa 221 in Miami, Florida / Wedding Planning, Design + Coordination: Jessica + Michael Masi of JCG Events / Floral Design: Ines Naftali Floral & Event Design / Wedding Cinematography: Concept Lounge Creations / Catering: Suzanne Michael Catering / Wedding Cake: Edda’s Cake Designs / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Band: Spam Allstars / DJ: Event Factor, Inc. / Rentals: Hitched Event Rentals + Brelex Party Rentals / Vintage Umbrellas: Bella Umbrella / Transportation: Meilan Limousines / Makeup: Gina Dearing / Getting Ready Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Miami

There’s DIY weddings and then there’s this wedding. This super talented, not to mention, gorgeous bride literally did everything herself, with the help of a few close friends. Yup, that’s right: the invitations, flowers, escort cards, banners, spiced pecan favors, even a painting of the venue so she and her new hubby can remember their special day forever and ever. Whew! I’m tired just listing all the creative work she put into her big day! But I can certainly stare at the pretty images by Ricky Stern Photography all day long. Join me, won’t you?

 Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We had our wedding at the Peacock Garden Cafe in Coconut Grove, Florida. I fell in love with it because it has a beautiful outdoor patio that looks like a tropical garden. I never wanted to have a traditional ballroom wedding, so it was perfect. The owners and staff were wonderful and did everything they could to make my vision come true. The food at the cafe was incredible! The other reason the cafe was perfect was the location. We were across the street from Biscayne Bay (perfect for our first look) and Peacock Park, which was full of gorgeous tropical trees and plants that bloomed just in time. The cafe was also right next door to a hotel, so our guests didn’t need to walk far to get to the wedding. The ceremony was held in a grassy area behind the cafe. Originally we had thought we would get married outside under a tree, but it had been raining for two weeks (typical Miami summer!). The day before the wedding, my mom insisted on putting up a tent with a floor because the ground was so muddy.  Initially I was bummed out about having to use the tent because it wasn’t my original vision, but it actually ended up being amazing and adorable once it was decorated.

I have always been creative, so I wanted to do as much of our wedding myself as I could! The wedding was small, so I was able to personalize everything. My friend and I did all of our flowers, which came out so perfectly. I made all the invitations myself. I hand-painted flowers on cards for all the place settings, and I made the escort cards using formal names for our families and nicknames for our friends. I found fabric in the fabric stores in downtown Miami and made a fabric banner to hang in the tent to conceal a less-than-perfect view on one side. I brought in peacock feathers and hanging lights to decorate the tent. I also made a painting of the Peacock Garden Cafe so that we would always have it to remember the place where we had our wedding. For our favors, I made spiced pecans from a recipe that my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago. My mom and my friend made paper cranes to hang in the tent, which turned out beautifully. On the day of the wedding, my future husband, my family, friends and me all decorated the tent. When I went to get ready, they put the tables for the dinner together and put flowers all over the tent. When we walked in for the ceremony, it took my breath away! I couldn’t believe how gorgeous everything turned out.

My future husband played squash with his friends the day of the wedding. Right after, he met me for our first look pictures by the water, and it was so wonderful. I was so happy to be getting married to him. Afterward, we walked to the ceremony together. It was so nice to have my best friend with me as we entered to get married! The look of love and sweetness on my husband’s face during the ceremony is something I will never forget. The dinner was incredible, and afterward, we had key lime pie and wedding cake. Following dinner, I put on a red dress and we all hit the town in Coconut Grove for a very memorable night. After the wedding, we gave all our flowers to the restaurant since all of our guests were from out of town and could not bring them home. When we returned the next evening to pick up our things, the flowers were all our on the tables and the restaurant looked so pretty. I was so glad that other people got to enjoy them. We put the enclosed the paper cranes with the thank you notes so that everyone could have a piece of the wedding. We put a lot of work into planning the wedding, but it was all worth it! It was so beautiful and perfect, and all of our guests had a wonderful time. I was so touched by how much effort my friends and family put into it as well — it was a really beautiful experience.

Wedding Photography: Ricky Stern Photography / Wedding Venue: Peacock Garden Cafe in Coconut Grove, Florida / Event Design + Planning: The Bride / Flowers: Berkeley Florist Supply + Arranged by the Bride & A Friend / Wedding Invitations, Place Setting Flower Painting, Escort Cards, Fabric Banner + Venue Painting: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Simply describing this wedding as awesome doesn’t cut it. It’s the awesomest of the awesome or maybe awesome to the hundredth power all while maintaining an ultra cool Miami vibe. But when my cool or awesome words fall short of describing such wonderment, simply try to imagine this. A modern aesthetic mixed with the vivid color of the Miami Art Space, a knockout couple and loads of fun details by Blooming Design and we’re getting closer to the end result. One that was so beautifully captured by Gesi Schilling Photography, you need to see it all in it’s entirety right here.

And how about a beautiful film from MXI Studios to finish things off? It’s a beauty; all three minutes and forty three seconds of it…

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… From the moment we were engaged, Andrew and I shared the same vision for our day: clean, simple and modern with creative twists on tradition. Our ceremony would honor Andrew’s Jewish background with a handmade ketubah featuring our portraits. During the reception, there would be no cake — an idea that made our guests cringe (i.e. “NO CAKE?!?!”), but we were determined that our wedding would convey contemporary taste, even if it meant defying the long standing ritual of cutting into a tower of buttercream!

As soon as we arrived at Miami Art Space, located in the Wynwood Art District of Miami, Florida we were welcomed by a vibrant, mural of colorful squares which immediately appealed to our vision. Within the walls of Miami Art Space, the outdoor courtyard was punctuated by a peacock gate, which offered the perfect backdrop for our ceremony. Inside the venue, the stark white walls and concrete floors were exactly the modern, industrial look that would house our wedding reception. In addition to finding the perfect venue, I took on several DIY projects to make our day even more special. These included handmade clutches and satin robes for the bridesmaids and me, wedding programs, welcome boxes for our out-of-town guests and customized straws for the milkshakes.

On the day of our wedding, we welcomed guests with cool, refreshing, organic sorbet, served directly from a local sorbet cart. In the reception area, Blooming Designs filled the space with sleek white couches and ottomans, cocktail tables and a few acrylic royal table settings that were reserved for family members. Floral centerpieces featured fluffy hydrangea and bells of Ireland, which were the perfect contrast to the clean lines of the reception furnishings. With a lounge-style reception, we bypassed the formalities of a seated dinner and got the party started right away! Guests helped themselves to several food stations and cocktails throughout the night, and we finished it all off with warm chocolate chip cookies and vanilla milkshakes, complete with decorative straw flags created by yours truly! Perhaps my favorite part of the reception decor was the white baby grand piano that I rented so that I could play and sing to my groom! It was such a special moment! From beginning to end, our wedding was everything I’d imagined. It was a thoroughly modern and magical night!

Wedding Photography: Photography: Gesi Schilling Photography / Wedding Venue: Miami Art Space in Miami, Florida / Event Planning, Floral + Event Design: Blooming Design / Wedding Cinematography: MXI Studios / Catering: Food by Chef Lars / Sorbet Cart: Real Sorbet / Wedding Programs: DIY by the Bride / Boxes for Welcome Boxes: The Packaging Source / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta via Ever After / Reception Dress: Custom by Rex Fabrics / Bride’s Shoes: RSVP via Zappos + Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Veil: Ever After / Bride’s Sash: DIY by the Bride / Sash Trim: Swarovski via Rex Fabrics / Bride’s Hair: Rik Rak / Bride’s Makeup: MAC Cosmetics / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay / Bridal Party Robes: Macy’s + DIY Iron-On Applique via Jo-Ann / Purses: DIY by the Bride with Supplies from Etsy / Men’s Suits: J.Crew / Wedding Party Photo Location: Viceroy Hotel Miami / Mural Photos Location: The Wynwood Walls

You know you’ve met a keeper when your very first conversation with him happenings to be about weddings! And that’s just what this adorable couple discussed upon first meeting. And it looks like all that talk paid off because this my friends, is one drop dead gorgeous wedding! With incredible floral displays  (check out that chuppah!) by J Morgan Flowers, and stunning images by Jeff Kolodny Photography, this traditional wedding is definitely one for the record books. Click here for even more gorgeousness!

Don’t miss this gorgeous film by Senderey Video!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From J Morgan Flowers… Michelle and Aron were destined to get married! They have mutual friends who tried to set them up several times to no avail … eventually they met and the first conversation they had happened to be about weddings! The couple lived in Chicago, so this was a destination wedding for them and understanding the vision of the wedding was very important.

They chose the symbol of a tree/branches for their chuppah, ketubah, guest book and table centerpieces — much like a tree, they have grown so much as individuals over their lifetime, their roots strongly planted in their Jewish heritage and their commitment to their family and friends. They look forward to the endless possibilities of their intertwined life as a couple in the years to come. Tu B’ Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, was celebrated during the week of their wedding and is a holiday also known as the New Year for the Trees. Prior to their wedding, Michelle and Aron made a donation to the Jewish National Fund to plant trees in Israel in memory of their family members who are longer with us.

The custom chuppah, the symbol of the new house the couple are creating together, was made of curly willow branches entwined with hydrangeas, roses, spray roses, orchids and tulips in soft shades of pinks and lavenders. I love sentimental details, so we used a family heirloom brooch to attach to the bride’s bouquet, a loose handtie of soft pinks. We decorated the ballroom with two styles of centerpieces to add dimension to the room — one was tall curly willow with blooming orchids and dripping with crystals, the other was a loose dome of cascading tulips, orchids and wisps of curly willow.

Wedding Photography: Jeff Kolodny Photography / Wedding Venue: Hillcrest Golf & Country Club in Hollywood, Florida / Floral Design: J Morgan Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Ruben Senderey of Senderey Video / Wedding Cake: Ana Paz Cakes / Monogram, Program, Menu, Table Numbers + Graphic Details: Belletristics / DJ: Liquid DJs / Linens: Over the Top / Favors: Fortunately Yours, Inc. / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Happy Bride Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Glint “Devyn” via Nordstrom / Hair + Makeup: Tatjana Terzic / Groom’s Tuxedo: Custom by Raja Fashions

Okay, so this bride is totally the cutest. We’re loving her sweet and simple style from her all white bouquet to her gorgeously natural wavy hair, this girl has the whole natural bridal day look down to a T. We’re pretty sure that this wedding was one fun party judging by the fab images from The Big Day Wedding Photography. And how cute are those little ring bearers?! You can see them and so much more right here in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Anais and James wanted their wedding to be comfortable, fun and joyous day where everyone could feel the amount of love between them. Family and friends traveled to the wedding from as far away as Washington and Canada. The bride used her teacher skills to create many DIY items that were used as décor. From invitations to straw flags, personalized items were all over this event. The wedding took place at The Knight’s Loft on Bayshore, located in Miami. The beautiful hardwood floors set a comfortable atmosphere for the ceremony. Nephews of the groom walked before the bride with a cute sign that read “Here Comes the Bride” (for the recession, they flipped it, and it read “Just Married.” The bride wore a lacy trumpet-style dress, while bridesmaids wore off-the-shoulder, navy blue dresses. Groomsmen welcomed guests with black and blue converse — the groom’s idea. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the bridal party took some amazing pictures just outside of the building. The gray building was a great backdrop. The bride and groom also took some shots on the water.

Dinner took place in the dining room of the Knight’s Loft on Bayshore. The modern loft space was filled with purple lighting that created an elegant vibe during dinner. After dinner, guests went straight to the dance floor. Most guests danced the night away in flip-flops provided by the bride and groom. During breaks from dancing, most guests took part of the super-fun, faux photo booth. Props included hats, frames, and chalk board signs. The bride even created ties, lips and mustaches on sticks to allow guests to take some funny photos. As the party wrapped up, guests lit sparklers and created an arch for the bride and groom to exit through. It the type of exit that all brides and grooms deserve!

Wedding Photography: Eve Greendale + Kimberly Stanton of The Big Day Wedding Photography / Wedding Venue: The Knights Loft on Bayshore in Miami, Florida / Event Planning, Floral Design + Catering: Best Miami Weddings / Wedding Coordination: Vicky Martinez / Officiant: Dr. Kenneth Claus / Wedding Cake: Cake Designs by Edda / Cake Topper + “Here Comes the Bride” Sign: Party City / Cookie Station, Bar Decor, Sparkler Exit + Seating Chart: DIY by the Bride / DJ + Lighting: Promo DJs / Wedding Dress: DH Gate / Bride’s Shoes: Paris Hilton / Hair: Elise Klinsport / Makeup: Makeup by Elvi / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bari Jay / Men’s Shoes: Converse

These two cutie pies have a lot to celebrate and it all began with a surprise proposal on St. Lucia! Their gorgeous e-session was captured brilliantly by Elaine Palladino Photography and judging by the description of their wedding plans, their day is not only going to be off the charts fun, but super meaningful to boot! We can’t wait to see it! See even more of their adorable session right here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Groom-to-Be… Mallory’s birthday was approaching, and it was her GOLDEN birthday. I wanted to make this birthday was a special one and decided to take her on a surprise getaway. Little did she know, it would truly be a birthday weekend that she would never forget. For months, I had kept giving Mallory clues about their mystery destination and would tell her their trip was to Alaska. Departure day arrived — Thanksgiving Day — and very early in the morning we off to the airport. Mallory was still in the dark about where we were going, and I had the ring hidden in my carry on. While I was checking in at the kiosk, Mallory looked at the computer and saw we were going to St. Lucia! It was a wonderful trip full of surprises — besides the engagement! We toured the island, visited a drive-through volcano, bathed in the hot springs and mud baths and went zip-lining.

After a fun filled weekend, the last thing Mallory was expecting was a proposal. I had told Mallory that we were going to have a romantic dinner on the beach — the whole time Mallory was thinking this was for her birthday. As Mallory was finishing up getting ready in the bathroom, I slipped the ring into my pocket. The nerves were getting to me, and I thought that she would for sure see the ring box in my pocket. We walked up to a beautiful gazebo with a view of the gorgeous mountains in St. Lucia. It was the perfect setting for a romantic evening. As we went through the first course and drank champagne, I decided it was time. I began telling Mallory all the reasons I was thankful that she was in my life — after all it was Thanksgiving weekend. At no point did she think anything was out of the ordinary. I finally pushed back the chair from the table, and that was when Mallory knew. I  got down on one knee and asked, “Mallory Elyse Ross, will you marry me?” After wiping away the tears, Mallory said, “Yes!”

From the Couple… Our wedding is going to be both modern and traditional but most of all FUN!! Jonathan ran an entertainment company before moving to Florida, and Mallory knows how to party. There are high expectations for this big day, and some of our friends have already dubbed it as “the wedding of the year.” We both know what we want and refuse to settle. The wedding is going to be set in stages and with the amount of people coming from out of town, we want to have it all in one venue. It will begin with a traditional ceremony with a three-part orchestra setting the stage. We will be writing our own vows and confess our love for one another in front of our family and dearest friends. We are planning a first look so that we can enjoy our guests and every part of the day. After greeting all of our friends and family in a receiving line, we will move into the cocktail hour with a steel drum band to showcase our Caribbean heritage. The reception venue over looks downtown Miami and the music will be provided by Jonathan’s friends and business partners. This is when the fun begins! Great people, great music and a once-in-a-lifetime event calls for a celebration.

Photography: Elaine Palladino Photography / Engagement Session Venue: Redland Koi Gardens in Redland, Florida / Bride’s Attire: Target / Groom’s Attire: Old Navy, Guess + Express

Some brides would be totally intimidated by a DIY wedding with a guest count of 170, but not this drop dead gorgeous lady! She, along with her closets friends and family spent her entire 6 month engagement getting their crafty-craft on and the result is beyond amazing! Just look at those gorgeous water color invites!!! Elaine Palladino Photography captured all the DIY goodness as well as all those meaningful moments and there’s an entire gallery just bursting with pretty. See it all right here.

Don’t miss this gorgeous film by Senderey Video:

From the Bride… I wanted a New Zealand-style wedding in Miami. In New Zealand, weddings are a lot more relaxed in their style, whereas Miami has a certain glitzy style, which was the opposite of what I wanted. The florist had to bring in all of our flowers from California because I wanted garden roses, lavender, peonies and other varieties that aren’t popular in Miami. Our flower choices fit well with our floral-themed decorations and colors: there were a lot of pinks, corals, gold, lemon and cream (and even a little bit of mustard). We are Jewish, so we had a lot of different aspects to incorporate. Our wedding was an entire weekend experience. My husband’s family hosted both of our out-of-town family and friends for the Friday and Saturday Sabbath meals. On the Saturday, my friend made me the most wonderful Shabbat Kallah (the Jewish version of a bridal shower) with beautiful hand crafts and hilarious games. For the actual wedding, we had custom prayer books made that matched our invitations, and the florist made us simple and elegant chuppah poles, which worked wonderfully with our delicate glass and paper aisle decorations.

We had a relatively short engagement (six months), and I — with a lot of help from friends and my new mother-in-law (my mother was overseas) — spent the entire time making, sticking, designing, stringing, chopping and decorating everything: flags, paper flowers, cupcake toppers, wooden spoons, stickers, invitations, place cards, confetti, signs, paper straws, menu cards and aisle decorations. My favorite detail was the seating chart; I worked on it for hours. I cut and hand painted paper flowers that I wrote everyone’s name on in ink and placed them into a frame.  We had 170 guests, so I needed a solution that would work with that many people.  Everything cute that I saw on websites was for no more than 50 people, so I had to think of a solution myself. In the end, we liked it so much we’ve kept it, repaired it (unfortunately, some names fell after the glass pane broke) and hung it on our wall.

My favorite parts of the day were having my closest family and friends from around the world at the wedding (I had about 30 people travel in from New Zealand, London, Israel, Holland, Los Angeles and New York) and my husband singing me down the aisle. I was so worried we’d both be a nervous wreck, but at that moment we were both brimming with happiness. My advice for other brides would be to make sure you find a wonderful photographer and cinematographer (like we did!). We were so caught up in our responsibilities as Bride/Groom/Hosts that we didn’t get to see what was happening around us. Our guests keep telling us little snippets of the day which they experienced and enjoyed — some things that were planned and others that were not, but most of them were missed by us.

Wedding Photography: Elaine Palladino Photography / Ceremony: DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida / Reception + Catering: Briza on the Bay in Miami, Florida / Wedding Planning: The Bride & Groom / Floral Design + Wedding Day Set-Up: Epicure / Wedding Cinematography: Senderey Video / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride / Band: The Music Machine / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Vivienne Westwood by Melissa “Lady Dragon” / Bride’s Veil: Borrowed from the Bride’ Sister / Groom’s Tuxedo: Made to Measure by AM Bespoke / Groom’s Shoes: ALDO

When KT Merry‘s name pops up in our inboxes, we always do a little happy dance. OK…a big happy dance. Because we know when we take a peek at her images, prettiness will ensue. Timeless prettiness. Prettiness like this gorgeous Miami wedding. The type of wedding that makes you feel like you need to catch your breath after gawking at all the gorgeous images, and that ultimately leads to one literally breathtaking gallery of images!

From the Bride… We wanted to get married in South Florida, where we met and currently live. After visiting many venues, we immediately fell in love with Vizcaya, a historical estate on Biscayne Bay with gorgeous gardens and a lot of character. Throughout the planning process, we wanted to make sure we created a wedding that included as many personal touches as possible. In fact, even our wedding date was chosen for sentimental reasons — not only was it the weekend we met four years prior, but it was also my grandparents’ wedding anniversary. Our goal was for our family and friends to leave with the sense that they’d experienced a unique wedding that truly told the story of us. For instance, since both of us grew up spending family vacations along the water (Jeff at Siesta Key Beach and Lori at Lake Michigan), we held a sand ceremony, during which we blended sand from both beaches into one vase. We also tried to include personal details throughout the cocktail party, such as the vintage typewriter from the 1920’s, displayed next to the wedding weekend newspaper that written by the groom and handed to guests upon hotel check-in, symbolizing Jeff’s writing career. And we made sure our band, which we actually found at a bar, played the type of up-tempo anthems that our generation has come to love. In every way, from start to finish, our wedding was always about the personal touches.  nd ultimately, that’s what made our day feel so special when it was all over. We don’t look back and think about the storm clouds that popped up just before our ceremony was about to start, but about the experience that represented us so well and the celebration of the beginning of our married life together.

Wedding Photography: KT Merry / Wedding Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida / Floral Design, Lighting, Stage + Dance Floor: Parrish Designs / Catering: Bill Hansen Catering / Wedding Invitations: Smock via Arabesque of Naples / Place Cards: William Arthur via Sincerely Yours, Diane / Personalized Cocktail Napkins: Designed by the Bride & Groom via Sincerely Yours, Diane / Ceremony String Quartet: Monty Bloom Ensembles / Reception Band: Sekond Nature / Cigar Roller: Miami Tobacco Traders (305-445-0100) / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang via Ever After Miami / Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran via Boca Raton Bridal / Bride’s Ring: The Bride’s Maternal Grandmother / Bride’s Necklace + Earrings: Family Heirlooms Borrowed from the Bride’s Paternal Grandmother / Bride’s Bracelet: Ever After Miami / Hair: Andrea Alikaj (239-537-7210) / Makeup: Rachelle (954-260-5919) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: Kendra Scott / Groom’s Tuxedo, Bow Tie, Cummerbund + Pocket Square: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Tuxedo Stud Set: David Donahue

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There is something so, so sweet about this highlight film. Something that makes me want to watch it over and over again. Something that will make you smile from the very beginning to the very end, and then will make you press play just once (or twice) more. Blueshore Cinema got lucky with a gorgeous in love couple, and then worked their magic to make us all fall in love!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/42223608 601 338]

You can say that Yascel and I were destined to meet. In December 2007, we both decided to go to a dinner club one Friday night after a long day at work. The owners of the dinner club were friends of mine and were sponsoring a teacher’s happy hour. So naturally both my co-workers and I decided to attend. As I walked towards the ladies room, I recognized Yacsel from a picture on my cousins MySpace page, out of all places right? We made eye contact and entered into a short conversation where we discussed our mutual friends. A few days later, I receive a request on MySpace from him. This started a short online courtship that led to a 4 year relationship where we realized we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I guess you can credit social networking for breaking the ice that first night.

My husband loves marine life and owns a 120 gallon salt water tank. His hobby is expanding and maintaining this tank. So, it didn’t surprised me that on July 4th, 2010, he preferred to be working on his tank instead of watching the fireworks outside. While he was working on it, he asks for my help in removing a fish that had become a nuisance eating his coral. He told me to hold a small fishing rod that was attached to a string buried in the sand. He told me to pull it up at the count of three and as I did, I uncovered my beautiful engagement ring. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.

Very soon after our engagement, we began planning the big day. We both had very different ideas and it took us some time to agree on how we wanted this day to unfold. We paid for the wedding ourselves, so it was difficult to develop a budget that would both give us the wedding of our dreams, without leaving us in a financial bind. So, we prioritized and allocated funds to what was most important to us and then found economic alternatives to those items that weren’t as important. In the end, it all worked out and we could not have been happier with the outcome.

I am an elementary school teacher and have worked in that capacity for the past 11 years. I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Reading. I also tutor on the side as an extra income on weekdays and teach enrichment classes on Saturdays. I was born in Cuba and my family immigrated to the United Stated in search for a better life. I’ve lived in the US since I was 3 years old. We are a very tight-knit group and family is very important to us.

Yacsel works for Federal Express and also owns a small company that wraps vehicles for advertising purposes. At the age of 10, his mother made the difficult decision to allow Yacsel to come to the United States to live with his father. Yacsel was her first-born and to this day she second guesses her choice. After one reunion 5 years later, Yacsel wasn’t able to go back and visit due to financial constraints.

It was important to us for Yacsel’s mother to be present the day of our wedding. We decided as a couple to start the process to bring his mother to the United States. A year before the wedding, we began all the necessary paperwork. It is a long and arduous process. We each saved more money and worked more hours. Every week we got news that she was one step closer in coming. After 16 years, Yacsel’s mother would get to not only embrace her son, but would also walk him down the aisle on his wedding day. Two weeks before the wedding, we received the most disappointing news. Yacsel’s mother was denied in her efforts to come the United States. We were all heartbroken, especially Yacsel . We vowed to have her in our thoughts but to do the very best we could to enjoy the beginning of our lives together.

I would say the highlight of our wedding was the best man’s toast. His idea was brilliant. He made Yacsel’s night even more monumental by including the one person he longed so much to be present on the day of his wedding, his beloved mother. At the conclusion of his toast, Yascel’s mother’s voice came over the sound equipment, speaking to us and giving us her blessing. It was a very special and emotional moment.

The decision to have the wedding at this particular venue was almost instant. From the moment I walked into the Starlight Room, in the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, I fell in love. I knew then I wanted my wedding reception to be there. The ceiling looks like a night sky. There are thousands of white lights that make it look like a sky filled with infinite stars. It was a romantic setting and that was exactly how I wanted my wedding to look and feel.

I had to work with the existing color scheme of the ballroom in order to choose a complimentary color scheme. I decided on Navy blue, Silver and White. My centerpieces along with the ceiling made the ballroom a romantic Starry Night. My flower arrangements, by Elegant Bodas, made an impact once you entered the ballroom. I had 16 centerpieces, all different in heights, with long clear beads hanging from the centerpieces. I chose navy blue pintuck table linens and silver chivari chairs.

During my religious ceremony, I incorporated la mantilla. La mantilla is a lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders used to unite the couple while the priest recites a prayer. This tradition is passed down from generation. We were given our mantilla as a gift and God willingly will be able to pass our mantilla down to our children. Since my grandmother was not present for my wedding I wore her wedding band as a symbol of my love and her presence on the day of my wedding.

We decided on two wedding favors for our wedding; One favor being edible. A silver box containing three LINDT truffles, white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, tied with a navy blue ribbon. Our second favor became an instant hit, Snapshot Memories Photo Booth Entertainment. I provided some funny props and my guests enjoyed hours of picture snapping with friends and family. The best part was that my guests got to take a piece of my wedding home with them. I too received the best gift. I was given an album at the end of the night with a copy of everyone’s picture, as well as everyone’s heartfelt well wishes.

I want to thank ALL my vendors for making March 10, 2012 PERFECT! I especially want to thank two vendors in particular. First, my event planner Letty Gobel, for making the wedding process easy, and for being so patient with me. My event planner put me in contact with most of my amazing vendors. In particular, the most brilliant and skilled cinematographer on the planet, Jeremy Nelson from Blueshore Productions. Before even being engaged, I would watch trailers made by Blueshore Productions and would get lost in his films, almost as if I was the bride in every trailer. I know it sounds crazy but its true. That is just how skilled Jeremy and his team truly are. Film truly is such a vital medium, because if it wasn’t for film, Yacsel’s mother wouldn’t have the opportunity to see, and feel what she did when she viewed our wedding trailer in Cuba. By the way, June 17, 2012, after 16 years Yacsel was reunited with his mother in Cuba. When they arrived at his mother’s house, the first thing Yacsel did was play our wedding trailer for his mother to see. Words cannot express the emotion that mother felt viewing her son and daughter-in- law exchanging vows; and then as if the exchanging of vows weren’t enough, hearing her voice on the film, watching her son cry, made her realize that physically she wasn’t there but definitely spirituality she was.

Cinematography: Blueshore Productions / Photography: Gail Chatelain / Flowers: Elegant Bodas / Event Planning: LMG Events / Ceremony Location: Saint Francis de Sales / Reception Location: Miami Beach Resort and Spa – Starlight Room / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Shoes: White Satin Badgley Mischka / Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Fashion: Formal One Tuxedo / Any special jewelry: Bride’s grandmother’s wedding band

There’s just nothing sweeter or more joyful than a future Mr. and Mrs. celebrating their impending nuptials with an engagement session chock-full of L.O.V.E.  And this adorable Coral Gables duo?  Well, they are most certainly delivering the happy with a jaunt around The Biltmore Hotel, photo ops with a vintage car and style for miles (and miles).  All captured in beyond gorgeous images by PS Photography, there’s no doubt about it – this is e-session perfection.  See all of the lovely right here.

From the Bride-to-Be… Mike and I met about eight years ago and planned our wedding slowly after he popped the question in 2010. When we finally picked a wedding venue and secured our date, there was no doubt in our minds who we were going to call to photograph the event. Patty and Susie from PS Photography took our first set of engagement pictures about two years ago, and we fell in love with their style and fun personalities. Since our wedding package included another engagement session, we were really excited to take some updated pictures before the wedding and tried to figure out a style that was different from the normal pictures everyone takes. We knew we wanted something vintage so we decided to try an antique train museum, but because of construction, we had to change locations last minute. It worked out perfectly! We met Patty at the Biltmore, a historic hotel in Miami, Florida, and made our way down the pretty streets of Coral Gables, stopping to take pictures in front of trees and ornate doors. At the end of our session, Patty suggested driving down the street to take some shots in front of an old car parked outside a shabby-looking restaurant. At first, we thought she was crazy, but we trusted her and we are so glad we did. It was the perfecting setting to end our vintage shoot and the pictures came out amazing!

Photography: PS Photography / Location: Coral Gables, Florida + The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida

If you are anything like us, you’ve spent every spare minute this week poring over the new Fashion & Beauty E-Mag. It’s irresistible in the best possible way. After turning the pages of pretty over and over, you probably came across this sparkly beauty captured by the beautiful KT Merry. And you probably stopped. Dead in your tracks. Because it’s perfection. Sparkly, detailed, love-filled perfection. From the Monique Lhuillier gown to the images that are so pretty I want to hang them on my walls, it all makes for a full gallery of images that is just be-yond.

From KT Merry… Aly and Raul met in January 2005 while she was studying abroad in Madrid. They caught each others’ attention at a neighborhood restaurant and quickly became inseparable. Aly’s outgoing nature and Raul’s mild mannered personalities made for a yin and yang dynammic that surprised Aly’s family back in the States as much as it did Raul’s close-knit family in Spain.

As Aly’s inevitable return to NY approached, they made what felt like a very easy decision to stay together and meet up as much as possible. As Aly finished up college and Raul began to look for job opportunities in the US, they met up in cities including NY, London, Madrid, Denver, Palm Beach and Miami. They spent the summer of 2006 together in Madrid, and by the fall, Raul had landed a great job in Toronto. Their trans-atlantic long distance relationship was compressed to a much more bearable (yet still international) seperation, until Raul ultimately moved to New York in 2007. Raul proposed to Aly on December 19, 2010 in Central Park.

Wedding Photography: KT Merry / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida / Wedding Planning: Teresa Blumberg (tblumberg@tocaeventos.com.br) / Floral Design + Decor: Karla Conceptual Event Experiences / Catering: Le Basque / Custom Wedding Invitations: Scott Peiffer of The Right Side Design / Letterpress Studio: Studio on Fire / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Veil: Rivini / Bride’s Jewelry: Provident Jewelry / Bridesmaids’ Dresses + Belts: Jenny Yoo / Groom’s Attire: Hackett

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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KT Merry Photography

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I am so madly in love with this wedding, I am not even sure where to begin.  The vibrant purple and teal color palette, the contemporary meets traditional details, the beyond gorgeous (and uber-HAPPY) bride and groom – it’s a serious wedding knock out from start to finish.  And those lovely images captured by Merari Photography?  Well, they’ll leave you grinning from ear to ear with moment after moment of downright gorgeous jumping straight from your computer screen.  Yep, it’s absolute perfection and it’s all happening right.at.this.very.moment in the full gallery.  Join me there for more.

From Merari Photography… Eric and Margarita met at work. They met at a Starbucks for their first date. They fell in love. Fast forward a few years, and they were ready to pledge their eternal love to one another. It was an elegant and simple affair with touches of Margarita’s Nicaraguan heritage sprinkled in. Happiness was in the air, and I couldn’t have taken a picture without someone smiling even if I wanted to. Their laid-back personalities and passion for one another was contagious.

There were very personal details thrown in. The necklace Margarita wore is an heirloom from Eric’s family. Margarita had a special handkerchief made to give to her dad, and Eric gave his groomsmen custom flasks as gifts. They also provided a “photo booth table” during the reception with a Polaroid camera and various props so guests could take their own photo, write a small message and put it in a special album. There were lots of little ones at the wedding, so Margarita provided coloring books and crayons to entertain them. The table numbers were also personalized with facts about their relationship!

My favorite part of the day was when Margarita’s dad surprised them with a mariachi band and serenaded the newlyweds with a special song about Margarita. Oh my word, not a single dry eye in the room.

It was a very special day for a very special couple.

Wedding Photography: Merari Photography / Wedding Venue: Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design / Event Planning: The Bride + Her Family / DJ: A Family Friend / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: Lulu Townsend / Hair + Makeup: Art of Hair by Claudia

It’s no secret that we are all about the pretty, pretty inspiration here on SMP Florida – and we love bringing it straight to your computer screens every day of the week.  So, when we decided to devote our Thursday to the love of all things floral and a fabulous Q&A session with the guru of bloomy goodness, Meredith at Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company, we knew you lovelies would be over the moon.  Because, really, what’s better than spending your morning, noon and night soaking in all of the glorious (+ elegant + stunning + amazing) masterpieces that Kitanim has been busily creating, plus an oh-so-helpful list of FIVE summer floral tips, straight from the expert herself?  Yep, prepare yourselves for a whole lot of lovely, SMPers.  It’s going to be fabulous.

What do you do, how long have you been doing it and what makes you awesome?

Kitanim, a floral design and event company, is a full service floral design and event company specializing in unique floral designs and event décor with an impeccable attention to customer service. We love our customers and our goal is to keep celebrating and planning life cycle events with them. As Owner and Creative Director of Kitanim, I have been happily cultivating and growing Kitanim for the past five years with the help and inspiration of my husband and a fabulous team of design staff members. (We started with one Ocean Drive sponsored event in Miami’s Design District and, thankfully, we have been in this stylish business ever since.)

I have, however, been in the floral industry for twelve years, getting started over one exciting summer in New York City with a fabulous designer named Michael George whose retail floral shop was located in the very chic beauty level of Bergdoff Goodman. After returning to and subsequently graduating from The University of Michigan, I moved back to New York City and continued my floral career path at another high-end and extremely inspiring floral design studio named the Daily Blossom. I was lucky, persistent, and in the right place at the right time to have been so fortunate to get such a fabulous initial opportunities.

Realizing my love for flowers, my creative flair, and my ability to help others transform their ideas into extraordinary special event experiences, the truth is that I really love what I do. I think it is this love, this genuine enthusiasm and excitement each day that motivates me and Kitanim as a whole to strive to exceed our customers’ expectations again and again. We take the time to listen to our clients’ needs and our undivided attention sets us apart and allows us the opportunity to really deliver a fabulous product.

What sets FL weddings apart from weddings anywhere else?

Florida weddings are a special breed because of the vast range of opportunity a couple has when choosing a venue or venues for their wedding experience.  There are so many distinct beautiful weddings locations that a Florida bride and groom can make their wedding into a weekend adventure, taking advantage of an urban rehearsal dinner setting, an ocean front beach ceremony, a palm tree lined cocktail hour, and a ballroom reception should they decide they want that full varied weekend experience. Additionally, Florida weddings (close to my heart as I got married here) are afforded sunny weather in seasons that most of our country defines as winter. In Florida, more than anywhere, I truly believe that anything goes. Brides and grooms can be as formal or as casual as they like and they will blend right into our welcoming community.

What kind of weddings do you love most and what is your favorite trend right now?

I love all weddings. Each and every one is different and with its own personality. What I love most about a wedding is the moment when a bride and groom see their ceremony site and/or their reception set up for the first time. The smiles of excitement and gasps of, “It’s even more beautiful than I expected!” let me know that I have done my job well. In terms of trends, my favorite at the moment is the “unique but complimentary” bouquet trend whereby each bride and her bridesmaids receive a bouquet that coordinates with the rest of the bridal party, but is unique in its composition. I think the overall combination of several distinct yet coordinating bouquets creates a sense of texture and interest that is truly beautiful. This trend allows my design team to be creative and artistic — and really delve into the artistry of bouquet making.

What is your biggest piece of advice for people planning a wedding?

I have had the great opportunity to work with a lot of brides and grooms, and their families. My biggest piece of advice to a bride and groom is to create a wedding that reflects their relationship, their beliefs, and their priorities. If pink is your favorite color, then by all means, pink should be incorporated into your wedding palette (no matter the season). If you have ten nieces and nephews and you want them to be part of your wedding, then by all means, let us create flower halos and ring bearing pillows for them to enjoy. If you love candles and their romantic sense of light, let’s line the aisle pathway that you walk down with an array of gorgeous floating candles that reflect your personality. In summary, I always tell couples, “This is your day. Anything and everything you want is a possibility.”

And now that you’ve gotten to know (and LOVE!) Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company a little bit better, it’s time for a FIVE summer floral tips from Kitanim’s fabulous Owner and Creative Director, Meredith. Awesome.

Top 5 Summer Floral Tips From Kitanim

1. TEXTURE. TEXTURE. TEXTURE. There are so many fabulous blooms in season during summertime that we urge you to try out some extraordinary textured combinations.  Sometimes, a wild texture combination will take less flowers and create quite a bold statement.

2. HYDRATE. Summertime is a fabulous time for florals, but also an opportunity for the sun and heat to zap the vibrancy out of your gorgeous blooms. That being said, we recommend keeping your flowers out of direct sunlight. Place flowers in a cool spot in your home and remember to change the water in your vases daily in order to avoid bacteria growth. As for your wedding blooms, we will keep them safe in our state of the art cooler.

3. SUMMER DEALS. Because a Florida summer is so intense in terms of the heat, Kitanim recommends that all of those savvy shopping brides and grooms look into the great summer deals Florida has to offer in terms of per guest discounts. Flower prices are generally consistent over the summer, but the fact that you can spend less money on your venue will afford you the opportunity to add to your floral budget (or take a longer honeymoon). We recommend both!!!

4. PLAN AHEAD. If you choose to get married in Florida over the summer at a gorgeous outdoor venue, Kitanim always recommends planning ahead and allowing us to book a tent in the event that it rains during ceremony and/or reception time. The money well spent on this “rain plan” is well worth your peace of mind.

5. TIME CHECK. Florida’s heat and all of the fabulous recreational activities that are available for guests has the tendency to keep wedding guests busy and perhaps running a bit late. If you are time conscious and you would like your wedding to reflect your punctuality, tell your guests to arrive earlier than the ceremony will actually begin (usually 30 minutes earlier than the actual ceremony time is perfect). It will give them a chance to take in the Florida sights and still get a great seat at your wedding.

Well, SMPers.  There you have it.  A big ol’ dose of pretty for your Thursday.  Join us in sending a great big virtual hug to Meredith at Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company for gracing us with her lovely today.  It’s been a serious honor.  Thank you, Meredith! xoxo

Floral Design: Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company / Photography: Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company + Sheri Mazariegos Photography + Captured Photography by Jenny + Manolo Doreste of In Focus Studios

Even though the inspiration for this gorgeous Miami wedding by Erika Delgado Photography was shabby chic doesn’t mean that it wasn’t 100% elegant.  There is so much romance, love and charm beaming from this obviously totally in love couple and so much sweetness in each and every polished detail they included in their picture perfect day.  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Erika Delgado Photography… Carla and Canor’s shabby chic Miami wedding was one I will never forget, mainly because of their captivating love for each other and the joy that filled the room from their presence together. Besides their beautiful love story, they had a magical wedding day. It was filled to the brim with perfectly polished details that Carla dreamed up — a color palette of pink, peach, vanilla and a touch of natural earth-tones from their tropical venue in Miami, Florida, added that extra natural beauty to their day. Carla wowed everyone with her feminine elegance and charm as she walked down the aisle wearing the San Patrick Calais wedding gown. The feather pleated dress swayed back and forth on her like the ocean breeze. She wore her great grandmother’s blue diamond ring and held her close to her heart throughout the night. The couple exchanged their vows under a sweet traditional gazebo and promised their love to each other forever, never losing sight of each other. Their hundreds of guests enjoyed a musical soiree of violins and fresh cocktails, followed by an outdoor poolside reception like I’ve never seen. Everyone felt and experienced their love that night, how perfect it was.

Wedding Photography: Erika Delgado Photography / Wedding Venue: The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: Pearl B. Meyer of The Blonde Tulip / Officiant: Ana Rosa Ramirez of Florida Wedding Officiant Services / Wedding Cake: Gilbert’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Puro Papel / Violinists: Serenade Ensemble / DJ: Luis “LG” / Wedding Dress: San Patrick “Calais” via Bellissima Bridal / Blue Diamond Ring The Bride’s Grandmother’s / Hair + Makeup: Sacha Josephau of Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa