Florida Weddings

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

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!

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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

 

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!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

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

Let’s talk about uber-stunning engagement sessions for a moment, shall we?  Because this drop-dead gorgeous Miami shoot has it seriously covered from A to Z.  A mesmerizing Biscayne Bay location (hello Stiltsville!), vibrant aqua blue waters and a could.not.be.cuter bride and groom…. with a sweet combination like that, you can’t help but smile from ear to ear.  And those glorious, sun-filled images captured by Becca Borge Photography?!?  Well, they are filling our day with a whole lot of HAPPY… and you can see the whole shebang right here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Becca of Becca Borge Photography… Stiltsville. Seven stilt houses, each almost a century old, in the middle of Biscayne Bay off Miami Beach. An amazing, secluded place off the coast of one of the busiest cities in the country. Christina and Leslie wanted their engagement session here because, well, it fits them perfectly. They love being out on the water, and they love doing things differently (Christina even opted for a lovely pearl ring instead of a diamond). So on a beautiful Florida day, Leslie took us out on his boat for a few hours for an unforgettable experience. I could tell when first met them a few months ago that they were such a sweet, genuine, down-to-earth couple, and I feel blessed that I was able to spend this day with them to capture their love.

Photography: Becca Borge Photography

The second this beauty landed in our inbox, we were chomping at the bit to share. Honestly, we spotted it yesterday and slapped that puppy up faster than you could bat an eyelash. It’s straight out of a magazine with a couple that clearly missed their calling as wedding models. I guess a real life Mr. and Mrs. with crazy beautiful images by KT Merry Photography will have to suffice. And the Bride in her layers of Vera Wang and that hat with just the right punch of sass; it’s MAJ.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Brad and I met and fell in love seven years ago at Florida State University. After graduation, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry while he moved back home to Maryland to work on his MBA. On what I thought was an impromptu visit to NYC, Brad surprised me with a romantic proposal in Central Park to which I excitedly said yes. I have always pictured our wedding back in my hometown of Miami, so I began DIY planning from 1,100 miles away in NYC. Spring romance was the vision for our wedding and using a vision board helped me to organize my thoughts. Fortunately I had my family, and I relied on key websites. Style Me Pretty popped up during an internet search for photographers and quickly became my main online resource. Here on SMP, I found KT — she posted an amazing engagement photo shoot that took place in Haiti, and I knew she was the right person to capture the spirit of our day.

In terms of a venue, I always knew that I wanted an atrium for the ceremony site. My idea was to bring the outside indoors and create an enchanting environment for us to exchange our vows. My florist Jose was able to create an amazing arch to frame the ceremony site and brought in greenery to enhance the feeling of springtime romance. During the planning process, my father became terminally ill and passed away less than five months before the wedding, which made me question everything. I could not have gotten through it without Brad and the encouragement of my family. Planning the wedding helped me channel my energy in a positive way.

It was important to have personal touches that were unique to Brad and me and reflected us as a couple. I wore a bee brooch, which referenced us, and I also wanted to keep it fun, so we booked a photo booth and had cute paper straws with great quotes on them like “B loves B.” The color gold became a theme that started with the invites and continued onto my centerpieces, and I also used a bunch of gold frames for pictures of Brad and me at the entrance of the ceremony. I had my florist spray paint the tall centerpieces gold, and I also I found these great mirrors that I used as table numbers. One of my favorite things was a wishing tree that served a replacement for a guestbook — I loved reading the well-wishes the day after the wedding! Though you can’t plan for everything, I have to say my special day was a day filled with everything I wanted!

Wedding Photography: KT Merry Photography / Wedding Venue: Coral Gables Country Club in Miami, Florida / Floral Design: J. Adan Events (Jadany@gmail.com) / Wedding Invitations: Personal Touch Printing / Violinist: Venka Todorova (vio_flu@hotmail.com) / Photo Booth: Photobooth Stories / Accommodations: Biltmore Hotel / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Party Dress: Basix Black Label / Bride’s Shoes: B Brian Atwood / Bride’s Jewelry: Kate Spade / Hair: Sameika Moore (Sameikamoore@gmail.com) / Makeup: Jennifer Whitmore (jmalakartistry27@gmail.com) / Bridal Party Dresses: Impression, Melissa Sweet, JS Collections + Wtoo / Men’s Attire: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse

Oh.my.goodness, does this gorgeous bride have one seriously talented family.  (Seriously. Talented.) Not only did her mother create all of the beautiful blooms that you are about to spend hours soaking in, but her sweet as can be grandmother MADE HER DRESS.  Yep, that gorgeous tea-length bundle of wedding dress perfection was all handcrafted with love by her Nana and, my oh my, is it amazing.  Add to that a fabulous Miami soiree and some glorious images by Kristen Wynn Photography and well. We’re in DIY heaven.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Kristen of Kristen Wynn Photography… Deidra and Andres chose to celebrate their early spring nuptials with a hint of vintage Miami with the theme “Grand Fete.” Deidra’s gown was handmade by her grandma and was tea-length, allowing her to show off her green shoes. After the ceremony was over, she switched her veil for a handmade reception fascinator crafted from feathers. Bright green and sunny yellow were the colors of choice, and the guest transportation (school buses) fit right in with their look. The bridesmaids chose their own gowns, while the groomsmen donned their own suits. The groom accessorized with a watch gifted to him by his father, but before he got dressed in a brand new suit himself, he and the groomsmen had some fun modeling Panamanian masks that represent Andres’ family heritage. At the reception, the guests found small colorful flags handmade by Deidra and used them to welcome the couple as they entered the room and danced their first dance to an old-fashioned swing number.

Wedding Photography: Kristen Wynn Photography / Ceremony: St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach, Florida / Reception: Fire Tower in Miami, Florida / Flowers: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Wedding Cinematography: Jacob Katel / Catering: Whitcup-Bakst Catering / Entertainment: DJ Chris Halo / Transportation: A Plus School Bus / Photo Booth: Fotos-R-Fun, LLC / Accommodations: Nassau Suite Hotel / Wedding Dress: Handmade by the Bride’s Grandmother / Bride’s Shoes: Poetic Licence “Charm School”

Settle in and get cozy, because this Florida fête by InTandem is worthy of your full attention – it’s stylish, charming and full of that Florida flare we can’t get enough of. With a Bride that paid attention to every detail (her lipstick even matches her shoes!) and gorgeous pictures to capture all those well-thought out touches – it all makes for a must see soiree! See it all here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Sarah + Adam of InTandem… Melissa and Ivan’s backyard wedding was a small, intimate affair with Venezuelan flair. They wanted their wedding to feel like a romantic picnic and a relaxed party for their 60 out-of-town guests. Gold-painted apples and sweets galore sat in a vintage armoire found at a thrift store. Couches and blankets offered poolside seating near a vintage television under lantern-lit palm trees. DIY projects included gold-painted apples, rice bags for the ceremony, flower arrangements, CD favors and handmade shoes and a hairpiece made by the bride’s designer sister.

Wedding Photography: Sarah + Adam Kealing of InTandem / Wedding Venue: A Family Home / Event Design: Charlie Hernandez of Momentum Event Design & Planning / Flowers: DIY / Catering: Chef Jose Marmol of Inedit Gourmet / Gold Apples, Ceremony Rice Bags, CD Favors: DIY / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Shoes + Hairpiece: Hand-Made by Bride’s Sister

There are elegant weddings and then there are elegant weddings – weddings worthy of a royal, soirees that set the bar. Well brace yourself for some serious beauty lovelies, because this is one. elegant. wedding. Brought to us in image form by Jessica Lorren Organic Photography, it’s easy to get lost in all the perfectly edited details and the style-savvy fashion of this fête – and we highly recommend doing so in the full gallery of gorgeous!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Kyle and I wanted something small and intimate that truly reflected our personalities. Creative elements but still simple and elegant.The Plymouth Congregational Church set the tone for the wedding and since I knew I wanted to incorporate elements from the book The Secret Garden, it was a match made in heaven as far as the vision for the wedding went. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to incorporate the subdued pastel colors of Parisian macarons for the brooch bouquets and for the bridesmaids’ dresses. I definitely wanted my bridesmaids to feel special and wear something that represented their own personal style. I gave each of them an inspiration booklet asking them to choose their own dress that they would wear to a party in the garden. Collecting the vintage brooches for the bouquets and the making the mossy murals was a labor of love.

Wedding Photography: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography / Wedding Venue: The Plymouth Congregational Church in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida / Floral Design: Susan Jones (A Family Friend) / Catering: Bill Hansen Catering / Wedding Cake: Filled & Frosted / DJ: Liquid DJs / Wedding Invitations + Guest Book: Paperoni Press / Strings: Encore Chamber Players / Transportation: Meilan Limousines & Antiques / Brooch Bouquets + Moss-Covered Signs: DIY by the Bride / Key Escort Cards + Calligraphy: Rachel Carl Co. / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang “Diana” / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Hair + Makeup: Gina Simone

We are bidding adieu to another week of pretty here at SMP Florida but before we head off for the weekend we had to share this gorgeous, girly wedding by 1313 Photography.  Every single detail is super sweet to the max and the entire day is filled with romance from start to finish.  See it all unfold in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Phillip of 1313 Photography… Monica and Darren are a sweet and stylish couple with a beautiful little daughter. We met them at Eden Roc to capture their getting ready moments and their really sweet first look. They did such a great job with their ceremony and reception, transforming the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens into an intimate venue that was uniquely their own.

Wedding Photography: 1313 Photography / Wedding Venue: Miami Beach Botanical Garden in Miami, Florida / Getting Ready Hotel: Eden Roc Renaissance

In the mood for some fabulous DIY inspiration?  Well, look no further than this darling Miami State Park affair by Brittany Anderson Photography.  All crafted by the adorable bride and groom (with the help of some uber-talented friends and family) and boasting some of the sweetest eco-friendly details you ever did see, this is the kind of wedding that just makes you HAPPY.  Plus, when I tell you that the entire soiree was planned and orchestrated for a total of $4,100 (it’s true!) – you’ll be smiling from here to all eternity.  Don’t miss a minute of lovely – click here for SO MUCH MORE!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Our wedding day truly was the most magical day of my life thus far. I’m sure ALL brides say that, but there was not one single thing that went awry. It all flowed organically and pleasantly, and we ended up spending only $4,100. Everyone danced, laughed, ate and had a great time. When we chose our venue, Brian and I encountered a rascally band of raccoons, and we instantly both said, “I hope they crash our wedding!” Well, we got our wish! As we exchanged vows in front of that gorgeous lake, the raccoon family stood by to watch us say “I do.”

Wedding Photography: Brittany Anderson Photography / Wedding Venue: Greynolds Park Boathouse in Miami, Florida / Flowers: Purchased at Costco + Arranged by the Bride & Bridesmaids / Catering: Paellas R Us / Wedding Cakes: Mayu’s Cakes / Cupcakes + Cake Pops: Cristina Carmona of Tiny Treats / Band: Murphy’s Law / Christmas Tree Favors: Arbor Day Foundation / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal via Brides of Florida / Hair: Kei Pucci / Makeup: Bridal Makeovers by Aradia / Groom’s Suit: Tommy Hillfiger / Groom’s Tie: Alexander Olch via Mr Porter

Well, SMPers.  It’s time to wrap up yet another fabulous week of inspiration here on SMP – and, oh, what a wonderful week it has truly been.  The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are all starting to bloom… Spring is most definitely in the air!  So, what better way to kick off your weekend festivities than with a dazzling Miami engagement session by the oh-so-amazing KT Merry?  With a too gorgeous for words Biscayne Bay backdrop, an uber-stunning bride and groom and a giant dose of Vitamin D, these two cute as can be sailors will leave you grinning until we meet again on Monday.  So, join us in the gallery for every last ounce of sweetness and then have yourselves a fabulous weekend, lovelies! xoxo

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From KT Merry… Anabelle and Jean Luc live in Port au Prince, Haiti and will marry there this Spring on a historic family property.  We spent a picturesque afternoon aboard this vintage sailboat in the Biscayne Bay of Miami.

Photography: KT Merry / Sailboat: Private Owner / Makeup: MAC Cosmetics

In case you missed any, here are all of the pretty posts from the week…

a gorgeous Garrison wedding
a sweet Calistoga soiree
a beautiful Santa Barbara affair
a stunning Denver wedding
a glamorous San Diego soiree
a breathtaking California affair
a glorious inspiration shoot
an entire day of seven gorgeous weddings
a fabulous Long Island City affair
a sweet Ojai photo shoot
an awe-inspiring Los Angeles affair

Some fabulous links from around the web…

yummy multigrain apple crisps via Smitten Kitchen
fun DIY paper flower cone bouquets via Oh Happy Day!
sweet lavender lemonade via Once Wed

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Little Black Book members…

Theilen Photography
Shannon Gail Weddings and Events
I Do Concepts
Chick Invitations
Taylor Films
Details Design Studio
Wild Bunch Studio
Stewart Leishman Photography
Miller Lash House
Bridal Beauty Mobile Artistry Group
Make Me Blush

And, last, but certainly not least… we have some winners to announce!

A winner has been selected for Doie Lounge’s giveaway of a Lilian robe. Congratulations to Olivia for winning this stunning robe!

Congratulations to Florida reader, Jennifer, for winning a free Engagement Story Film from Trinity Wedding Cinema!

Have a happy, happy weekend, lovelies!  See you back here Monday morning! xoxo

White and sparkle. That might just be my new favorite color palette. And When a Bride describes her wedding colors in such a way, I think it’s safe to say you just know you are in for a treat.  With gorgeous layers of detail and delights, it’s classically chic in the best possible way. And thanks to all the pretty snapped up by Captured Photography by Jenny, we can spend our Monday morning devouring all the white and sparkle in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

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From the bride… My fiance, Erin, and I used to tell everyone that we were going to get married barefoot on the beach in t-shirts that said “bride” and “groom”.  Our recent wedding at the enchanting Vizcaya Museum & Gardens definitely required more elegant footwear, but still managed to keep many of the comfortable, casual elements that define who we are. Guests dressed in glamorous black tie sipped champagne and feasted on paella and peking duck stations before tucking into a main course of comfort food favorites, a “trio of mini burgers” — crab cakes, cheeseburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches — along with french fries and truffle mac & cheese. Next up was double scoops of chocolate, vanilla and mint chocolate chip, and lots of hot fudge at a “make your own sundae” ice cream bar.  The cherry on top? A stylish sweets table, featuring our favorite treats, from white chocolate covered gummy bears to Hershey kisses. Our most important goal of the night was for everyone to have fun! World renowned entertainer extraordinaire Greg Denard and his amazing band, GDO Soul, made sure guests were boogieing on every inch of the vintage-inspired black and white dance floor. And after the last bus had been boarded and the gates to Vizcaya finally closed, guests kept the party going well until the early morning hours at “Club 50,” the happening in-house nightclub at the wedding hotel, the Viceroy Miami. My wedding colors were “white and sparkle,” and they extended to everything from the rhinestone-encrusted white rose and calla lilly florals and the dining tables’ silver swirl overlays to the sparkling crystal pillar candle holders and my dress — a beaded lace Pnina Tornai gown paired with glittering silver Jimmy Choos! But I think the most important thing I wore that day was a huge smile, knowing I was truly happy to be marrying my best friend. It wouldn’t have mattered whether we were in tuxes or t-shirts, in this stately mansion or on the sand — what truly made the wedding so magical was knowing that Erin and I were starting our lives together, surrounded by family and friends from around the world. From the groom… After an amazing rehearsal dinner of tacos and tequila, I woke up Saturday for the most beautiful sight of my life: my adorable bride walking down the aisle. I know she went to the store where they film “Say Yes to the Dress” and “yes,” they picked the perfect dress. She was smiling so big that I wanted to take a picture. After we kissed and I broke the glass (I was nervous about messing up both) we got to hold hands and walk together to the most amazing party any of us will ever attend. We danced like dorks, sang along to every song, and shared the night with our friends and family. Every time I looked at my gorgeous new wife and this wedding from a fairy tale, I realized I am the luckiest man in the world…

Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Wedding Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida / Event Coordinator: Jill Spear at Spearhead Events / Cinematography: Captivated Films / Catering: Eggwhites Catering / Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Karen Rubens / Makeup: Amy Palma of South Beach Makeup Studio / Band: Greg Denard and GDO Soul of GDO Entertainment

We are closing out the week here at SMP Florida with a super gorgeous fete by 1313 Photography. You’re seriously gonna die when you see all the pretty florals like baby’s breath and old moss roses in the prettiest, little mason jars wrapped with jute. What a cute and easy way to add a little something to an old standby. The color palette is beyond beautiful and seriously makes my heart flutter. You too? Click here for more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Make sure to take a minute or two to see this gorgeous fete come to life by Tall Like Trees.

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From the bride… Miami can be more of an adjective than a location when it comes to weddings, so when Jason and I started our planning we set out to have a non-Miami, Miami wedding that reflected our more laid-back, fun and friendly style. Among other things, that meant no ballrooms, no crystals, no “poof” and easy on the cheese (unless we’re talking about the edible kind). Luckily, I stumbled on to 1313 Photography through an exceptionally breath-taking post on Style Me Pretty and got our venue, Red Fish Grill at Matheson Hammock Park, and our photographers booked! That was not the last problem SMP would solve but it was definitely the most important first step!

Jason is from South Africa and we are lucky enough to have friends living all over the world, so we had guests coming in from everywhere (Literally. From Durban to Dubai, California to Kazakhstan). We knew we wanted to make it a whole weekend of festivities that ended with the Sunday night wedding and, most importantly, with a guest list of 120, we still wanted it to feel intimate and warm. So, with our wedding song, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, in mind we put everything through the “Fun, Friendly, Intimate: A Lovely Day” filter. We incorporated lace and organza accents, warm colors, and mismatched details that all started coming together as the day got closer. We knew we wanted to have the ceremony under the oak tree at Matheson Hammock park, so we enlisted the help of Jamie Lipman at Absolute Events to make sure everything came together to be the “Lovely Day” we imagined. More than that, Jamie became a resource for a whole network of vendors that just got our vision and never once tried to add glitter :) Little things like replacing the limos with old-school (but still air conditioned. Hey, it is still Miami!) trollies and having an acoustic guitarist play at the ceremony made things feel more like us, but with the traditions still in place.

There are a million details that added so much to that day but to name a few of our favorites: Guests sipping on mojitos (homemade by the hubby) before the ceremony. Coming down the aisle to an acoustic guitar version of “Doo Wah Diddy.” Incorporating our bulldog Spike (who unfortunately couldn’t be there) into the table numbers, ceremony and speeches. The words spoken by our officiant (who also happens to be our yoga teacher), “Marriage isn’t just about passion, it’s about intention.” The vows we wrote together. All our signage, including the custom fingerprint tree sign-in and directional sign. The “fauxto-booth” fun! The Soultrain that replaced our Father-Daughter Dance.  My brother MC’ing the wedding like a pro! The homemade whoopie pie favors made by our bridesmaid and BFF. Our cake topper (swoon!). And, of course, the groomsmen stripping down to their “knickers” and jumping in the ocean to end the night! All in all it was more than just a lovely day, it was an amazing one. And largely because of the awesome people we were lucky enough to share it with … and that DEFINITELY includes our vendors, who felt more like friends!

Photography: 1313 Photography / Event Planning: Absolute Events / Venue: Red Fish Grill / Floral Design + Decor: Ines Naftali Floral & Event Design / Cinematography: Tall Like Trees / Transportation: Lolly The Trolley, Pompano Beach / Ceremony Music: Jordan Brown Music / Tree Sign-In Board, Calligraphy + Other Signage: Ohmygoodness / Cake Topper: MilkTeabyBthanari / Dessert: Misha’s Cupcakes / Invitations: Manny Fabian, friend of the couple / Dress: Martina Liana via Bellissima Bridal / Suit: J. Lindeberg / Hair + Makeup: Julie Czarnecki Eggleston and Jackie Perez-Coscette

As we bid adieu to yet another gorgeous week on SMP Florida, we couldn’t resist sending you off into the weekend with this floral-filled Miami affair by the talented Captured Photography by Jenny. Held at the breathtaking Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and complimented by the floral design of Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company, it’s hard to find a wedding more lush than this one! You’ll have all weekend to lust over all the pretty details, so don’t forget there is even more in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL Wedding!

From the bride… Ryan and I live in Los Angeles.  When Ryan asked me to marry him in Santa Barbara in March. Soon after, we decided we wanted to have our wedding in my hometown of Miami. I always knew I would get married at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.  My family has been involved with the Garden for years, my Bat Mitzvah was there, and it’s just a fascinatingly beautiful and unique place.  I fell in love with Jenny’s photography on Style Me Pretty.  Her pictures consistently articulated this youthful bliss, this sense of happily-ever-after, that I just adored.  When a friend of my mother’s told us she had hired Jenny for her own wedding, we knew it was meant to be.  Jenny and her assistant, Shelly, were a dream team.  They laughed with us, snapped more pictures than I thought possible, and made everyone feel so comfortable. 

Ryan’s cousins happily agreed to be the musicians for our ceremony.  They played such interesting music: scores from Forrest Gump and The Princess Bride for the processional, and a totally funky take on “Sign, Sealed, Delivered” for our recessional.  And before the ceremony, as we played cat and mouse with the Florida rain, our talented cousins kept our guests entertained with instrumental versions of old favorites from the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and other classic artists.  Ryan’s sister and father sang “You’re All I Need to Get By” during the ceremony, a beautiful wedding tradition in the groom’s family.  Having our family so involved in all of the music really made our ceremony one-of-a-kind and very personal.  

Kitanim did our floral and event design and provided our day-of-coordinators too.  Meredith, the owner, is so sweet and so dedicated to her work.   Meredith and her team at Kitanim took my ideas and suggestions and turned them into a breathtaking reality.  Every detail was better than I could have planned.  I wanted centerpieces with height, but I did not want that height to seem unnatural or forced.  I wanted plenty of green, but I also wanted pink; I was looking for something natural, old-fashioned, but fresh and sweet and lovely.  Each table—complete with its centerpiece, soft burlap linens, and decorative stones, candles, jars and vases —perfectly bonded that mossy, old-garden feel with a sweet, youthful brightness.   (My mom, true to self, spent the summer scooping up all the jars and lanterns on sale at Pottery Barn.) As a midnight snack and a thank you to our guests, we provided fresh oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies, along with little cartons of milk.   After a send-off full of bubbles and laughter, we hopped into the convertible and drove down Old Cutler Road, one of the most scenic routes in Miami, as husband and wife.  It was such a sweet ending to an amazing night.

Photographer: Captured Photography by Jenny / Floral Design, Event Design + Coordination: Kitanim – A Floral Design & Event Company / Venue: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden / Hair: Rodolfo Hair Gallery (305-444-7443) / Cake + Desserts: Divine Delicacies / Caterer: David Schwadron / DJ: Corey Feldman / Dress Designer: Nicole Miller via Nicole Miller West Hollywood / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse /  Jewelry: David Yurman + Maria Elena / Shoe Designer: Kate Spade / Stationery: William Arthur via Paper Pigeon / Veil + Hair Accessories: Nordstrom at Village of Merrick Park / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew

Every wedding is special on Style Me Pretty. But when one of our own ties the knot, well, it gives “special” a new meaning. Annie is one of our beloved SMP girls and her wedding was a total representation of the passion that she puts into her work, into the vendors that make it possible, into the style and the beauty and the unabashed love that she finds in each of the celebrations that we feature. The photographs by Paper Antler, the florals + design by Parrish, the vintage styling paired with the al fresco gorgeousness…well, love doesn’t even scratch the surface. A HUGE congratulations to Annie and Matias…we have no doubt you are destined for a life as beautiful as your wedding day. Click here to see SO much more.

I moved to Argentina after college to learn Spanish and gain some work experience abroad. Little did I know that I would meet my future husband there and about 4 years later be planning my wedding! Since Matias is from Argentina and I am from Chicago, the first thing we had to do was choose our wedding destination. We wanted to get married in a meaningful place for both of us, while making it an accessible destination for guests from all over the world. Choosing Indian Creek Country Club in Miami was perfect. Plus, it was especially meaningful since we had gotten engaged there the previous year on New Year’s Eve!

To say we took a big risk with the weather is an understatement. The ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner reception were all al-fresco which is not an easy task in Miami! The most important thing to us was to mix both of our cultures and traditions into the wedding. I said my vows in Spanish and Matías said his in English so that families and friends on both sides could feel as though they participated in and witnessed our commitment to each other. To incorporate the local Miami culture, for the cocktail hour we had a Mojito bar and for the dinner we chose to do Indian Creek’s famous Seafood Buffet chock full of sushi, lobster and Alaskan king crab claws. After dinner guests enjoyed a full dessert spread including a gelato bar for our Argentine guests. Everyone was bid “adios” with a little burlap bag stamped “Viva Los Novios” with an alfajor, a traditional Argentine cookie, inside.

Working for Style Me Pretty and being inspired daily by different weddings and talented vendors made choosing a theme and color palette seem impossible! First I found my dress from the incredible Australian designer Johanna Johnson and knew the moment I saw it that it was what I wanted. SO much so, that I ordered it from Australia without ever even trying it on! The dress ended up really setting the tone for how I wanted the wedding to feel. We knew that we wanted the wedding to be elegant yet relaxed, vintage yet not too theme-y. The paper suite included an art deco-inspired shell logo, which was incorporated in every detail. We ended up with a tropical palette using corals, peaches, and champagnes and Parrish Florists went above and beyond in executing our vision. The vibrant arrangements accented by candles, lanterns and mercury glass were definitely show-stoppers without being over the top.

Our photographers and friends Jonny and Michelle from Paper Antler are incredible. We never worried once about how our photos would turn out because we felt so totally comfortable with them the entire day. The photos have a nostalgic and natural feeling which is exactly what we wanted. Jonny and Michelle are not only talented photographers, they are a philanthropic team who have found a way use wedding photography to fight human trafficking. Beginning in 2012, the amazing duo will embark on The Fifty Nifty. They will hit the road for an entire year, photographing weddings in every state (plus stops in Canada and the Bahamas) aiming to raise $50,000 to support the non-profit organization She Dances. Future brides – look no further for your wedding photographer!

The most incredible part of the day was feeling all the love around us. We were truly humbled by our guests who flew from five different continents to share this special day with us.

Wedding Photography: Paper Antler / Event Coordination: Table 6 Productions / Floral Design: Parrish Designs / Wedding Videographer: Artistry Wedding Films / Hair + Make-up: Miriam Behar  / Graphic Design: Brittnye Rutherford / Wedding Dress + Headpiece + Veil: Johanna Johnson / Earrings: Tejani / Bracelet: Dreamcatcher Studio / Clutch: Moyna / Bridal Party Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar/ Ceremony Trio: Master Musicians / Band: Love Child / DJ: Ricky Vazquez

Happy, happy Friday, lovelies!  It’s been a fabulous week of inspiration here on SMP Florida and what better way to welcome in the weekend than with this elegant Miami affair by Virtuous Creations Inc.?  Literally overflowing with pretty pink and orange hues, this beautiful backyard fête is all about the glamorous details… and we are loving the lakeside ceremony, crystal-embellished vases and uber-gorgeous blooms.  Thankfully, Studio Andy Photography was on hand to capture every moment, so you can start your weekend off in style.  Join me in the gallery for more! 

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Virtuous Creations Inc.… This wedding took place on 11-11-11 at a private home in beautiful Miami, Florida. The bride and groom choose this date because of it’s epic symbolism. The wedding colors orange and pink displayed the bride’s personality bold and beautiful. The ceremony and reception were both outside under the beautiful radiance of the sunset. The gazebo overlayed with orange fabric billowed in the cool breeze as the guests sat in gold chiavari chairs with pink chair pads. The bride wanted to make sure that her wedding showed her chic side, so she stayed with the traditional flower choice of roses. The roses color of orange were enhanced by flower spray and hot pink roses were chosen so that the color would stand out. The bride and groom shared an intimate ceremony with 100 of their closet family and friends. The bride’s attention to color detailed was made relevant through her floral, table linens, chairs, and custom candy favor boutique.

The wedding reception displayed cylinders adorned with two tone diamond wrap in fuchsia pink and clear diamond. Instead of table numbers, table names were given and guests were able to read words that are important in a marriage. The tables also displayed pink satin napkins with a custom designed napkins rings. Orange pintuck taffeta linens with a rose ball in as the centerpiece. As day turned into night guests danced the night away under the cool Miami night sky. The couples logo lights up the floor and candles are lit to add a more intimate feel to the night. To add a little hint of bling, chandeliers were placed right above the sweetheart table. The crystals glistened in the light to add to the brides elegant appeal. Guests were fed buffet style and danced the night away. The bride and groom now live happily ever after!

Wedding Photography: Studio Andy Photography / Floral Design, Event Planning + Design: Virtuous Creations Inc. / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Residence