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Colorful Rustic Spring Wedding at Bowing Oaks Plantation

This is one of those weddings where you think you’ve picked a favorite part, and then a couple pics later and that part has some competition. I was loving these colorful, succulent splattered bouquets, but then had a good look at the Bride’s blossom in her hair and I just can’t decide what’s better. Or how about the antique plates? Or the look on this Groom’s face when he saw his blushing Bride? See what I mean? Lucky for us, Julie Paisley captured them all and this gallery is full of these goodies for us to Pin away!

Colors
Styles
Rustic

From Julie Paisley… Sometimes it rains on your wedding day and you have to go to the back up plan, but that didn’t take away the joy from this day. The ceremony was all set up under the big oak tree but Florida in the spring can have a mind of it’s own. In spite of the last minute change of moving the ceremony inside, the wedding still went on with smiles from all.

I really loved Bekah’s style. The different colors of the wedding dresses, the floral print ties on the groomsmen and the mix-matched china place settings tied in her rustic/vintage theme. Beautiful venue and beautiful details tied it all together giving us a fresh alternative from the traditional blush/pink rustic style. Bekah’s heritage is Irish, in fact, the majority of the guests made the trip to FL from Ireland for the wedding and her grandfather officiated the wedding. It was pure joy to shoot this wedding, beauty for the eye and the love of family for the soul.

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Wedding Planning: The Wedding Assistant | Floral Design: Blossoms And Accents | Cake: Irma Kay's Cakes | Catering: D'vine Cuisine | Makeup: Paulina Perez | Hair: Hues Hair Salon And Color Bar | Venue: Bowing Oaks Plantation

Classic Cuban-American wedding

Beautifully classic but with a spirited twist, this gorgeous couple and their team of talented vendors brought their “vintage tropics” vision to life in the prettiest of ways. Elite Planning Firm and Ever After Floral Design made sure every little detail was perfect, and thanks to Merari Photography we can get lost in all the lovely here.

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From The Bride…Carlos and I dated for four years before Carlos proposed at the place where we first met: The National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

When we started dating the music video for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” had just come out, and I went on and on about how I was nervous that some teen girl was going to show up at prom with a paper saying “I love you” and the boy she was into wouldn’t reciprocate. Then the first time that I told Carlos I loved him, he pulled that note out of his pocket! Then he surprised me by saving it, framing it, and gifting it to me on our wedding day.

As the wedding planning began, we knew we wanted to incorporate the Miami tropics and our Cuban heritage into the celebration. Mayrelis from Elite Planning took the “vintage tropics” concept and brought it to life. Helen from Ever After Floral Designs incorporated neutral colored blooms, tropical greenery, succulents, metallic vases, wooden bowls, candles and vintage cigar boxes into the romantic tablescapes. Joy Wallace Catering created a menu of island-inspired dishes, including quinoa-crusted mahi mahi, braised beef vaca frita and yucca with pulled chicken. Event Factor kept the Salsa music playing all night long. The night ended with a lively Hora Loca and mini Cuban fritas!

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Photography: Merari Photography | Cinematography: Shaina Koren | Event Planning: Elite Planning Firm | Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Ceremony: Coral Gables Congregational United Church Of Christ | Reception: Comber Hall | Catering: A Joy Wallace Catering, Design & Special Events | DJ: The Event Factor | Baked Goods: Edda's Cakes | Getting Ready: Biltmore Hotel | Hair And Make-up: Caroline Monge | Video: Shaina Koren

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Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties
Stylish Miami Art Deco Anniversary Session

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this anni-sesh from Cody Hunter Photography has earned a spot at the tippy top of my favorites list. Bold statement, I know. But once you set your sights on this gallery, you’ll be ready to pin your heart out, too. From the striking black number ala Rent The Runway and happy stripes to palm tree heaven at The Raleigh with mojitos in hand, this magnetic duo sure kicked off year four in serious style.

From Cody Hunter PhotographyLauren & Tylor wanted something special for their 4 year anniversary. Not just a typical Florida beach session. Together with Elleson Events they created a completely out of the box anniversary session. Once they’d settled on spending their anniversary in Miami (they are from Sarasota, FL) – a fun art-deco, vintage vibe was created. Complete with a fun day roaming the streets of Miami with mojitos in hand and ending the night at The famous Raleigh Hotel on Miami Beach.

Photography: Hunter Ryan Photo | Design: Elleson Events | Dress: Rent The Runway | Hair And Makeup: Salon Tease | Tux: The Black Tux | Hotel: The Raleigh Hotel | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Swimsuits: American Apparel

Elegant Pastel Safety Harbor Spa Ballroom Wedding

Brimming with pure sweetness, these Sunshine State “I Do’s” may put a lump in your throat. From the beautiful Bride’s priceless expression while reading a love note from her Groom-to-be, to the Bridesmaids giggles, to the adorable Father Daughter dance, every emotional moment, captured by Jacqui Cole Photography, is filled with lovely and is all in the gallery right here!

From Jacqui Cole PhotographyCourtney and Adam choose to host their special day at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. Courtney looked absolutely incredible in her blush Allure Bridal gown! The Bridesmaids wore stunning pistachio green dresses accompanied by soft blush florals by 2Birds Events. After a beautiful church ceremony, Courtney and Adam joined their guests and danced the night away. The happiness from this day is just to clear from the photos, it was such a joy to capture!

From the Bride…Adam and I actually met in high school and started dating at the end of our sophomore year. We had been set up on a triple date with some friends, but wanted to get to know each other a little better first, so our first official date was a run around our high school’s campus. We love having this story now, because my parents first date was also a run around their college campus and they have been married for 30 years! We got engaged the week of our eight year anniversary and the Saturday before Easter, which is a big holiday for both of our families so it was so fun celebrating with them the next day and Adam had hidden my ring in a plastic Easter egg.

Since Adam and I met and grew up in the Clearwater area, we knew that is where we wanted to get married. My family had been members of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa since I was in high school and Adam and I had gone there a bunch to go to dinner and hang out by the pool, so it held a lot of great memories for us. We felt it would be the perfect place to have the reception, because besides being beautiful, it also held the number of people we planned on inviting and we really wanted to have the reception at a place where guests could stay on site. We also knew we wanted to have a Catholic wedding ceremony and the beautiful Espiritu Santo Catholic Church is right down the road from the Spa, making it the perfect fit for us.

After booking the church and the reception site, our priorities for booking vendors was the photographer and DJ, as we knew their availability would probably hold the shortest timeline. We absolutely loved all of our vendors and would absolutely recommend them to anyone getting married in the Tampa Bay area. We found our fabulous photographer, Jacqui Cole, through mutual friends, Adrienne and Chase, who were using her for their wedding a month before ours. I saw Adrienne and Chase’s engagement photos and immediately fell in love with Jacqui’s photography style and knew I had to have her for my wedding. Adam and I first met Jacqui at our engagement shoot. Adam and I were both pretty nervous that we would feel cheesy or awkward during the engagement shoot, but Jacqui made us feel so comfortable and we ended up having a blast! I would highly recommend engagement photos to any bride who is questioning whether to do them or not because it really helps you feel at ease with the photographer on the wedding day. By the time the wedding came around we felt like Jacqui had become a great friend and we had a blast celebrating the day with her, which I think also came across in our wedding photos (which we LOVE!). We also loved our DJ, Ben. Adam and I wanted fun music playing and everyone dancing the entire reception, so having a great DJ that would keep everyone up and moving was really important to us. Ben had the most contagiously fun personality and was the perfect fit for our wedding. Lastly, our videographer, Ian, captured so many wonderful memories from our wedding day, some of which we didn’t even realize until we watched the video. One of the things I loved most about Ian was the fact that he met us at the church prior to rehearsal and interviewed Adam and I separately to capture our feelings right before the big day. It was so nice to have clips of our interviews intermingled throughout our video to really capture all of the excitement and love that we were feeling for each other, our family and our friends. We ended up booking all of our wonderful vendors through recommendations of people we knew and trusted. It was nice hearing first hand what their experiences were like, and I would highly recommend it to all brides!

One of the most special things to me about the wedding was my wedding dress. I wore the most beautiful blush pink Allure Bridals ball gown. Besides being gorgeous, the dress held extra significance to me because I was able to order it from my aunt, who owns The Bridal and Formal Shoppe of Pendleton in South Carolina. It was so fun having someone I am so close with so involved in one of the most special and important things to me about the wedding.

Our wedding style was classic and elegant but with lots of fun mixed in. Our colors were blush pink and pistachio/sage green, with hints of gold and ivory thrown in. Our ceremony was very traditional (maybe minus the blush pink dress :) Our reception was much more laid back. We did a buffet style dinner and had done the maid of honor/best man speeches the night of the rehearsal, so there was no formal sit down dinner. We really just wanted everyone to kick back, relax, and be able to dance and celebrate with us all night long! We also had donuts from Dunkin Donuts delivered for a late snack, because who doesn’t love donuts?

My favorite moment during the wedding day was definitely seeing Adam for the first time as my dad walked me down the aisle. I feel like every girl dreams of that moment on her wedding day, but the love and emotions I felt at that moment was something I could have never dreamed of. I will also never forget the look on Adam’s face. I think we were both just so excited and happy that after being together for so long, we were really getting married!

My advice for future brides would be to remember to keep your eye on the prize (i.e. your wonderful husband to be) and the fact that the main purpose for all of the crazy planning is to marry your soul mate. Planning a wedding is so fun but also undeniably stressful at times, especially in the beginning when you are trying to make big decisions about which vendors to use and what sort of theme/vibe you want to have on your big day. While pinterest and huge wedding websites can be great resources, they can also be overwhelming at times. Therefore, I would also recommend talking to any friends or family members who have recently gotten married, as they will be able to give you first hand scoop on their experiences and vendors! Most of all, enjoy your day and don’t stress about the little things. You are getting married to the love of your life and that is all that matters!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videography: Movie Magic Productions | Floral Design: 2 Birds Events | Cake: Chantilly Cakes | Reception Venue: Safety Harbor Resort And Spa | Bride's Shoes: Adrianna Papell | Makeup And Hair: Michele Renee The Studio | DJ: Grant Hemond And Associates | Men's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bridal Gown: Allure Bridal | Bridal Gown Store: Alexia Couture | Photobooth: Snapshoot Photobooth

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Romantic Garden Wedding at the Powel Crosley Estate

When Justin DeMutiis Photography and Stonehouse Events team up for a wedding, magic happens. Case in point: this gorgeous garden affair at the romantic Mediterranean-style Powel Crosley Estate. With a dreamy lace Pronovias gown, gorgeous florals by Botanica and a romantic al fresco reception under the stars, this bride and groom got a fairytale start to their marriage. See it all here.

From Justin DeMutiis PhotographyLindsay and Dennis began their adventure one magical night in Hong Kong. With just one look and a smile, their lives were changed forever. With a shared love of cooking and traveling together, this international couple, Lindsay from Pennsylvania and Dennis from Sweden would share their two loves and create a celebration of memories that will last a lifetime!

Lindsay and Dennis selected the one and only Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida as the place they would declare their love openly to each other in front of their nearest and dearest family and friends. The day was full of love and emotion beginning with sweet moments while everyone was getting to Lindsay’s grand entrance into the ceremony. She entered the ceremony to a beautifully played, “Happiness Does Not End” by Olafur Arnalds, a song that was very meaningful to them both. Dennis met Lindsay as she was walking the aisle and the two completed their walk together to become husband and wife. They each declared their own personal written vows to each other and exchanged rings. They were married!

The celebration continued while guests enjoyed the Bride’s Bellini and the Groom’s Gin and Tonic as signature cocktails as well as an assortment of passed hors d’eouvres during the cocktail hour. The space was filled with candles and soft hues to capture the love of Lindsay and Dennis. The dinner experience was extremely important to Lindsay and Dennis. So the groom relied on his brother, a chef and his Best Man to create a customized five course dinner and his sister to pair each course with a specialty cocktail. The Swedes and American’s enjoyed Swedish songs and toasts to the bride and groom along with heartfelt speeches shared by their loved ones throughout the dinner. The tables were exquisite with soft florals and candles galore, it was the perfect back drop to this fun filled evening. As the final dessert and cordials were served it was ready to move to the dance floor; where the guests danced the rest of the night away!

It was a magical beginning for Lindsay and Dennis and would become the start to their new adventure as husband and wife!

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Videography: Life's Highlights | Event Coordination: Stonehouse Events | Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Catering: Fete Catering | Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi | Officiant: Wedding With Grace | Venue: Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key | Tent: US Tent Rental | Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musicians: Bella Musica | Chair Rentals: A Chair Affair | Lighting And Draping: Affairs In The Air | Musician/DJ: Impulse Entertainment

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Classic + Glamorous Miami Wedding at Villa Woodbine

This gorgeous Bride and Groom envisioned a timeless wedding, and their Old Hollywood Glamour affair at Miami’s Villa Woodbine is full of details that will never go out of style. From the Bride’s classic look to the stunning reception décor from Unearthed Vintage and the vintage getaway car, this wedding is crazy beautiful. See all the glamour from Jessica Loren Organic Photography here.

Colors
Settings
Villa
Styles
Rustic
From The Bride…Our hearts’ desire was to create something intimate…a unique setting that felt like “us” and an unforgettable opportunity to surround ourselves with our closest family and friends, many of whom were traveling from across the country. Some of our very first dates were in Coconut Grove, a historic, Bohemian-esque bay-side neighborhood in Miami — and when we started our search for a destination, the 1930’s Villa Woodbine mansion instantly drew both of us in. Tucked away behind tall foliage, it gave us the feeling that we had stepped back in time….and what we wanted was ‘timeless.’ My mom is an artist—and a baker—and with our vision in mind, we were together able to get hands-on and create so many elaborate details ourselves…from the escort cards and table numbers —which were crafted from the aged pages of old novels—to the gold calligraphy on the invitations…and even the small, ceremonial cake and dessert bar. Everything was meant to have a personal touch and to blend from one accent to the next….and from the ceremony outdoors and dining under the stars to the fellowship, live music and dancing, we felt that our vintage, romantic night in the garden was filled with so much sweetness. We put our hearts into the celebration…and it was ultimately a reflection of our love, our families and our friends…all of which have been so important to us. It was, without question, more than we could have hoped for, and looking back on these breathtaking photos, we’re reminded of how fortunate we were…and continue to be.

Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography | Floral Design: Hirnis Florist | Wedding Dress: Alon Livne | Invitations: Paper Plenty | Catering: Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production | Hair & Makeup: Tatjana Terzic | DJ: DJ Blaze | Groomsmen's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Villa Woodbine | Bridal Boutique: Chernaya Bridal House | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage

Traditional Tampa Garden-Inspired Wedding

This Florida wedding has all of the elements for a perfect day: a gorgeous venue, personal touches (the Bride made the Groom’s baseball jersey from the Minor Leagues into a guest book!) and a dream team including Justin DeMutiis PhotographyStonehouse Events  and Voila Cinematic. Add to that details like the Bride’s Valentino shoes, the Groom’s custom cuff-links, and you’ve got a stunning day. See it all here.

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From Justin DeMutiis PhotographyWhen Scott proposed to Chelsea, he planned the perfect evening with flowers, candles and a steak dinner delivered to their private hotel room. It was Chelsea’s birthday and Scott gave her a birthday present she would never forget, an engagement ring! Chelsea said yes and planning the perfect wedding day began!

The Davis Island Garden Club in Tampa, Florida was the perfect setting to create an intimate and welcoming space for Chelsea and Scott’s family and friends! The ceremony was adorned with rose petals, candles and flowers to create the perfect backdrop for Chelsea and Scott to share the wedding vows that would make them husband and wife. The magic continued as guests made their way to cocktail hour enjoying a full bar, especially the bride and groom’s signature drink, the Orange Crush and hors d’eouvres. The reception room was warm and inviting with soft pink and blush hues and lots of candlelight. It was breathtaking as the bride and groom made their way to the dance floor for their first dance, “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. Chelsea had a special surprise for Scott that night as she had his baseball Jersey made for all of the guests to sign along with his bat and baseballs used when he played for the minor leagues! It was an evening full of laughter and joy as everyone celebrated the happy couple. As Chelsea and Scott made their way through the sparklers, they drove away in a Golf Cart decorated by the bride’s sister and brother in law, a true tradition on Davis Island! It was a night they would both never forget!

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Event Coordination: Stonehouse Events | Floral Design: Events In Bloom | Cake: Hands On Sweets | Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi | Bridal Boutique: Robinson's Bridal | Music: Grant Hemond And Associates

Romantic Citrus Inspired Wedding in Florida

Carolina Guzik Photography has officially made citrus chic, and it’s all thanks to this fabulously fragrant affair. With reception tables filled with fruit trees it’s a refreshing approach to centerpieces that has got us blooming with excitement. Organic yet elegantly styled, every component of the day is an oasis waiting to be discovered. See it all here!

From Carolina Guzik PhotographyThis Ocean Reef Club wedding was fantastic! Paige + Christian are from the North East and decided to have a destination wedding in Key Largo, a place where Paige and her family have been vacationing since she was a little girl. 100 of their closest friends and family joined them to celebrate their love and commitment for each other.

And as you know, Love is in the details! This wedding had some spectacular decorations. It couldn’t be any more Floridian with the centerpieces being orange and lemon trees, plus some other gorgeous and simple flowers like chamomile plants, and Lily of the valley that Paige’s family brought straight from her grandma’s garden in Philadelphia. This wedding was a complete beauty all around!

Photography: Carolina Guzik Photography | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Wedding Dress: Celestina Agostino | Band: CTO High Voltage | Venue: Ocean Reef Club | Cake Designer : Momofuku Milk Bar | Makeup Artis: Shirley Baptista

Classic + Elegant Wedding at the Bay Preserve

The most important thing about your wedding day is that you and your groom enjoy every moment of it, and this couple definitely did. With two pairs of chic shoes (one for the ceremony and one for dancing!) and the relaxing nature of their waterfront venue, this bride and groom guaranteed their wedding would be a very happy occasion. See all the gorgeous photos from Tiffani Jones here.

From The Bride…We really wanted something that felt like us. We wanted something that felt easy and laid back (even though we all know no wedding planning process is really like that!). We loved that this venue felt as though it was just our backyard with all the people we love, all hanging out. I love the beach and the open water. When Dan first saw me at the beach (we met in NYC) he said “Woah, this is really your element. You seem so at ease and happy here.” BUT we had been to beach weddings and they were so hot and windy – we didn’t want exactly that. This venue had a dock, a beach and then felt like a garden party!

A few extra special things from the day:

1. We wanted our wedding to be a whole weekend celebration, not just a one night affair. For the most part everyone stayed at the same hotel, hanging by the pool together all weekend. It allowed mingling of different friend groups and just an overall celebratory vibe that really spread into the big night.

2. Our photographer and videographers! We Skyped with a few different people before we found who we loved! We obviously love their individuality and skills but we also wanted to find people who we connected with. We loved working with these guys because we felt so comfortable with them and they helped us have a blast.

3. We had a really non religious wedding but we did a tisch. One of my friends had done this and I just thought it was so special, adding love and excitement right before the ceremony. A tisch is an old Orthodox Jewish tradition where the males and females separate. The females talk about the future, give advice and make toasts in general. I’m not exactly sure what the men do, but this just increased the excitement before walking down the isle. I feel like since we did our first look before the ceremony this gave us time to regroup separately before meeting under the chuppah.

4. Our DIY project was the board where the table assignments were located. I was at home for a dress fitting and was in the garage and found this old giant wooden frame my parents had. It was a little beat up but then we simply just added burlap, string and clothes pins and it was perfect! It fit in with the vibe and made us feel like we were artsy.

5. The bridesmaids dresses: Oh man, I have literally thrown away or left my bridesmaid dress in the hotel room after each wedding I was in…and they were expensive! I wanted the girls to feel pretty on the day. I wanted them to want to keep their dress. I wanted their money to be worth it! So I just gave the girls a color scheme and a length and everyone looked gorgeous. No one was pulling up a strapless dress all night, or squeezing into Spanx. Everyone felt like themselves and I think it showed on the dance floor! No one sat down all night!

6. My bridesmaids’ gifts. Everyone makes fun of me because I keep the words “I love you” for only like Dan and my family. I mean I love everyone but those words I like to keep special! So as a gift for all the girls I found these little dishes that said “Je t’aime beaucoup.” I really obviously love them all since they were my bridesmaids and wanted to let them all ACTUALLY know.

7. Shoes. Obviously my sneaks. I am so not a high heel wear-er. I can last for maybe an hour and that’s all. I literally wore the nikes because they were more comfortable but they stole the show!

Photography: Tiffani Jones Photography | Videography: Cabana Pictures | Event Coordination: NK Productions Wedding Planning | Floral Design: Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio | Wedding Dress: Malindy Elene | Catering: Michael's On East | Hair & Makeup: Rachel Reumann | DJ: DJ Xio | Venue: Bay Preserve | Linens: Michael's On East | Rentals: Michael's On East

Romantic Destination Garden Wedding at The Villa Woodbine

When this Chicago-based duo set out to plan the warm-weather destination wedding they’d always dreamed of, they knew they’d need to assemble an expert team on the ground, in order to make their dreams come true. And where did they find their Miami vendors? Through SMP! Photographer Amy Jo Royall captured every romantic moment, and we can’t get enough of all the love in the gallery here!

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From The Bride…If there is one word I would use to describe both my relationship with Lance and our entire wedding weekend, it would be MAGICAL.

Funny enough, we went elementary school together in a suburb of Chicago, but did not know each other that well. Both having left our hometown to pursue businesses and dreams in New York City, we ran into each other at a gym close to where we now live. To my surprise, he had recognized me and came over to chat. After a series of FB messages, a few misses at the gym and then a few more synchronistic run in’s out of the gym, we finally got together for a casual glass of wine. From that very first date, I knew he was my guy. We both had a Midwestern background with a similar drive that brought us to NYC.

After 10 months of dating, we got engaged and gave ourselves a few months before we dove into planning.

We chose Miami because we wanted to do an easy destination where all our friends and family from Chicago, New York, California and beyond could spend the weekend relaxing in the warmth.

On a weekend trip, we visited a few venues and fell in love with the Villa Woodbine immediately. We loved the Spanish style 1920’s vibe and the fact that it felt like it could be our home.

After I picked my dress, the whole vision for the day came together. I wanted it to be romantic yet relaxed, as if our friends and family were in our very own backyard filled with twinkling lights and beautiful flowers.

I hadn’t intended on wearing blush, but the minute I put it on the two-piece Watters set, I didn’t want to take it off. I couldn’t even look at a white dress after that! Picking bridesmaids dresses was a little trickier, but I knew I wanted all the girls to feel and look like individuals, so they picked their own dresses in shades of crème and gold accents. We didn’t see all the dresses come together until the day of, but I was thrilled with the look.

I couldn’t have asked for a better dream team of people to work with. Each vendor was not only amazing at what they do, but we managed to attract some of the kindest people possible. On your Big Day, you want to be surrounded by people you love. Not just your guests, but also the people helping to make the day special.

This was the case in every sense. Since we were planning from afar, I relied a lot in Style Me Pretty to direct me to vendors that fit my style. I came across our amazing, brilliant photographer, Amy Jo Royall’s work, here on the site. Her and her second shooter Megan Daas were a dream to have by our sides all day. We loved the husband and wife videographer team of Kevin and Becca Borge, as well Vanessa Oppo, our coordinator and the team from South Beach Makeup who were a joy to work with. Each of these people spend the most time with you and we would not have wanted anyone else. We also found our florist Julia Rhode here (her work is incredible!) along with the sweet delectables from Earth and Sugar.

Being an artist myself, I sprinkled my own creativity into the process. I designed our hotel canvas giveaway bags, our programs, our seating cards, and our seating card frame with ribbon. I also hand made all the signs seen throughout the venue and collected things like picture frames, an old suitcase of my grandfather’s and vases to make the venue feel like our home. My mom made the boxes for our dessert giveaways and my 8 year old nephew made our adorable Lego cake topper.

One of our favorite parts of the day was that we had husband and wife musicians, Barnaby Bright, play during our ceremony. We had gone to a small intimate concert of theirs on our second date and flew them down to perform our favorite songs as we walked down the aisle and during cocktail hour.

Our guest couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful and perfect everything was. The day whizzed by so fast, but without a doubt it felt like a magical dream come true!

Photography: Amy Jo Royall | Event Coordinator: Karma Goddess | Event Planning: Karma Goddess | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Watters | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Catering: Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production | Hair + Make Up: South Beach Makeup Studio | DJ: Boom Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Barnaby Bright | Venue: Villa Woodbine | Video: Kevin Borge Films

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Boca Raton Garden Glam

When Jessica Lorren steps behind the lens, magic inevitably happens. She’s the kind of photographer who truly makes each moment shine, and when she gets to capture a wedding as beautiful like this Boca Raton beauty, it just doesn’t get any better. We all win with a gallery this good, so join me in getting lost in all the lovely here.


From The Bride…On our very first date, Blaine took me to one of the most beautiful restaurants I had ever been to, The Addison. I remember thinking how romantic a wedding would be under the 2 large banyan trees and decided if I ever got married this would have to be the spot. Six years later, my dream came true.

The Addison has so much natural beauty and charm, I chose to play up the romance of the venue and compliment it with blush, cream, and gold detailing. This wedding was a labor of love and Blaine and I spent many hours creating a day that was completely “us.” With the help of our friends and family, and numerous bottles of gold spray paint and white paint markers, we were able to make most of the important details ourselves. Our escort card display was made on a headboard we found outside of our apartment with the calligraphy done by myself and some friends. We also made the welcome sign, ceremony board, and quote boards. Blaine made our wine box that we used for our ceremony and we found a vintage dictionary at an old bookstore that we used for our guest book.

Blaine and I share a very close group of friends and we always knew we wanted to include them in our day. Our friend Mike is in school for architecture and graciously did a line drawing of The Addison that we used on our Save the Dates. My friend Nick always joked that he would sing at our wedding one day and when we were thinking about first dance songs we knew he had to be the one to sing it. We both agreed that we did not want to have a stranger marry us and knew that our friend Jesse would be the perfect person to officiate our ceremony. Together we wrote our ceremony, carefully picking readings and sayings that meant a lot to us as a couple. When the time came for Blaine to read his vows, we heard the faint sound of the train in the distance and my heart sank as this was something I was warned about.

However, listening to him spill his heart out and watching the tears about to fall from his eye, Jesse threw in a quick joke and we were able to laugh and take a quick dance break as the train roared by. It gave me a second to regroup before I read my vows and will remain one of my favorite moments of the night.

Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography | Coordination: Soleil Event Planning | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Shoes : Miu Miu | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | DJ: Omgg Events | Mens Attire: Ted Barry Tuxedos | Music: Master Musicians | Preparations: Boca Raton Resort & Club | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Video: Lightfield Lewis

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Elegant Orange + Navy Carlouel Yacht Club Wedding

Florida is famed for its sunny disposition, and this colorful wedding, with the Bride and Groom saying “I Do” under live blossoming orange trees, is the perfect example of a Sunshine State affair. Captured beautifully by Jacqui Cole Photography and Voila Cinematic, these yacht club nuptials were nautical with a twist, thanks to the amazing teams behind Tracie Domino Events and A&P Design.


From Jacqui Cole PhotographyMeghan and Ben’s wedding was a joy to capture. Meghan and her ‘maids got ready at her family home in Clearwater. The girls all wore custom monogrammed shirts and toasted to Meghan’s new future! Almost all of Meghan and Ben’s guests had flown in from out of town so they graciously gave everyone a sweet welcome bag, filled with a map of Clearwater beach, hotspots not to miss, sunglasses and custom snacks.

Their whole wedding day had a subtle, yet beautiful Nantucket inspired theme. It all begins with the couples’ custom letterpress invitations by A&P Designs. The team created a beautiful citrus watercolor motif that was elegantly brought to life throughout the day! Tracie Domino Events and MMD executed Meghan’s vision flawlessly. The orange tree motif was brought to life at the alter where Meghan and Ben exchanged their vows under blossoming, real life orange trees!!

There were so many sweet details throughout the reception, including the orange placecards and bold pops of orange and blue. The couple even had pillows made for the cocktail lounge area. Meghan looked absolutely stunning in her Amsale gown and the Florida sunlight streamed through the trees as we took portraits.

Their day was full of unique and wonderful surprises! It was a true joy to capture such incredible memories!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: Tracie Domino Events | Floral Design: MMD Events | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Sylvia Tampa Cakes | Stationery: A&P Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Carlos Olivera | Entertainment: Bella Musica | DJ: Impulse Entertainment | Men's Suits: The Black Tux | Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club | Bridal Boutique: Malindy Elene | Event Decor: MMD Events | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Live Painter: Jacob Neagle

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Romantic Bal Harbour Beach Wedding at The Ritz Carlton

This wedding is seriously gorgeous. So much so, that you’re going to want to pin every last detail planned by JCG Events—from the Bride’s stunning appliqué wedding dress to the lush all-white bouquet. But it’s not just the gorgeous couple’s stunning wedding, their story is going to melt your heart, especially why they got married by the beach. Swoon over it all with photos from Laura Leslie Photography and the video from Lula Wedding Films.

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From The Bride…You never know where love will find you. And for us, that statement could not have rang more true. Love found us hard at work. We had known each other for about a year, Shane just starting as an attorney and I as an undergraduate intern at a law firm in Orlando. But it took us a while to actually meet. Over a couple months, my comments to my friend (and future bridesmaid) of the “cute and funny attorney” turned into my reports back of our first dates. Our relationship grew fast from becoming friends into being inseparable. I’m forever grateful for that internship. It taught me much; but more than anything, it brought me to love.

After the proposal, we quickly knew we wanted a timeless and romantic event, and we wanted all our people from all over the world to have an unforgettable weekend in Miami. We gravitated toward neutral colors, lots of candles, and pieces we knew we could look back at 40 years from now and still think were beautiful. Above all, we wanted to get married as close as possible to the ocean. My momma, who is in heaven, loved the ocean. We wanted to be surrounded by her presence and close to a day that celebrates her, too.

Our wonderful planners, JCG Events, helped us in so many ways, but really won with finding our dream venue: The Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour. We loved the neutral colors of the reception room, the book spaces that made it feel like a home, and airy drapes and wood floors. The details were most important to us, and we spent countless hours finding our vendors. Each one of them “got us” and transformed our vision into the most beautiful celebration.

But most importantly, our wedding was absolutely a labor of love. My dad and step-mom ground and packaged coffee from our family’s farm in Colombia as favors for our guests. My maid of honor was the Craft Queen, and brought many of my ideas to life. My Aunt completely grounded and calmed me behind the scenes during the entire wedding process, and Shane and I hand-picked each cocktail hour song and some of the reception music (Backstreet Boys throwbacks being high on the list). As are most events, it’s the moments leading up to it that make it. I’ll never forget the Saturday we all spent as a family packaging welcome baskets of our guests.

On the day of our wedding, not everything went as planned. That hand-picked playlist was forgotten and the Miami weather didn’t cooperate. Our plan B (aka A) was getting married in a room that felt like we were in the clouds and sharing our first dance as Mr. and Mrs. in a candle-filled room under hundreds of twinkling lights. There’s no way I can pick a moment. My groom took my breath away all night, the smile on my dad’s face, all our people in one room singing to the Backstreet Boys at the top of their lungs, it all was truly magical.

Photography: Laura Leslie Photography | Cinematography: Lula Films | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: Cloud 9 Bakery | Invitations: Masi Events | Bride's Shoes : BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Catering: Ritz Carlton | Makeup: Carolyn Jones Makeup | Hair + Makeup: Agape Makeup | DJ: DJ Serge Ramirez | Grooms Attire: The Black Tux | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour Miami | Paper Products : The Romance Between

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Rustic + Elegant Jacksonville Wedding

Maybe as a former ballet dancer myself I’m a little partial, but I knew this wedding would be making my favorites list upon first glance at these chic shoes. I didn’t even need to see this stunning Bride’s dress (the back details!), the elegant gold chargers or even this too-cute-for-words pup… but believe me, these all added up to one amazing affair, captured for our lucky eyes by Lauren Peele. See it all right this way!

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From Lauren Peele… Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Jennifer (Efstathion) Colvin, made the most stunning bride. The bride and groom met through a bridesmaid and fellow cheerleader three years ago and have been living happily in Dallas since.

The two were wed in Jen’s home town of Jacksonville, FL, at a venue her family built for her wedding. A majestic tree draped in flowers made for a romantic backdrop as they said their vows surrounded by family and friends.

Jen’s love of dance shaped her wedding into an elegant affair in neutral shades of grey and pale blue. She wore a Hayley Paige dress that was made to move, complete with ballet flats. Her maids were dressed in perfectly mismatched dresses and all held natural cream bouquets.

A candlelit reception set the mood for a romantic evening filled with dancing. The tables were adorned in ivory linens surrounded by lots of greenery keeping with the elegant yet organic tone of the day.

From the Bride… What are the MOST important aspects of our wedding day… What are our make-it-or-break-it things? This was the first topic we tackled when we started our wedding planning journey, and it wasn’t a very long conversation before we came up with our answer. Wedding success equaled: 1) being surrounded by our family and friends + 2) FUN (which obviously involves a lengthy dance party) + 3) having an amazing photographer to capture every moment. Being on the same page about our wedding priorities made the rest of our decisions a piece of cake :)

The venue, Bowing Oaks Plantation, was simply breathtaking. It gave our wedding that laidback, celebratory vibe that makes everyone feel right at home. We had the ceremony under the shade of a beautiful, giant oak tree draped in flower garland. Our officiant, Ted, is an extra special guy because he was the best man in my mom and dad’s wedding (42 years ago and counting!) and also performed the ceremony for my sister’s wedding. Ted’s words definitely made our ceremony feel more personal. However… the BEST part of the ceremony was when Ryan got a little tongue-tied saying our vows! He was a little caught up in the moment and repeated that he would take me as his “waffle wedded wife.” We totally lost it laughing, and everyone joined right in with us! So funny and so adorable :)

Of course, for any Florida wedding… outside…. in the spring… weather is a concern. So we partook in a little tradition to ward off the rain! Southern folklore says that “burying an unopened bottle of bourbon one month before the wedding, at the exact time of the wedding, at the site of the wedding, ensures good weather on the day of the event.” I’m not particularly superstitious, but we did have pretty perfect weather! The second part of the tradition gets even better. After dinner, everyone went outside and circled around as we dug up the bottle and passed it around to kick off the reception!

One of my favorite moments of the night was the father-daughter dance. My super talented groom played guitar and sang “Brown Eyed Girl” while Dad and I showed off our dance moves. This was just the beginning of the dance party highlights – all made possible by my amazingly perfect wedding dress! I loved my Hayley Paige dress even more than I could have imagined. The bodice and delicate straps reminded me so much of the ballet costumes I grew up wearing, and I immediately knew it was the one. I was also confident that I would be able bust out any moves I wanted to in this gown (which came in handy when it was time to do the kickline with my fellow Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – a game day AND wedding reception tradition!) Likewise, I needed my feet feeling good too, so ballet shoes were an obvious fun and comfortable choice!

Our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for and more. The first morning we were back in Dallas, I made my HUSBAND breakfast-in-bed. Waffles, of course! With a little sticky note… “Love, your waffle wedded wife.”

Photography: Lauren Peele | Videography: Take One Productions | Event Coordination: First Coast Weddings and Events, Inc. | Event Design: Jessica Colvin Styling | Floral Design: Celebrated Occasions | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Invitations: Celebrated Occasions | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Bridesmaids' Dresses: WToo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Stardust Celebrations | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lela Rose | Catering: 4 Rivers Smokehouse | Hair & Makeup: Zinc Beauty, Peggy Segundo | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Venue: Bowing Oaks Plantation | Alterations: Altered For The Altar | Bridal Bouquet & Flower Crown: Jessica Colvin Styling | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia | Bridal Party Hair: Coastal Beauty | Bride's Robe: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Cigar Bar: Southern Charm | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Rentals: Beachview Event Rentals and Design | Signage: BB Designs

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5 Charming Wedding Venues in the Sunshine State

With seemingly endless sunny days, idyllic white sand beaches, abundant wildlife and microclimates, and palm trees as far as the eye can see, it’s no surprise that Florida is one of the premier locations for destination weddings in the U.S.. Whether you dream of having your nuptials celebrated shoreside or in a famed Spanish-style estate, there is a venue in the Sunshine State that will make those dreams a reality!

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5 Charming Wedding Venues in the Sunshine State

The Addison (shown above): Situated in picturesque Boca Raton, the gorgeous Spanish architecture of this estate serves as an idyllic setting for local and destination weddings alike, while The Addison’s in-house event specialist will ensure your day-of plans are executed flawlessly. See it here.

National Tropical Botanical Garden: When you say “I do!” amongst the flowering tropical plants and fruit trees of the nation’s premier tropical botanical garden, the Kampong, located in Coconut Grove, there’s no need for additional decor! See it here.

Tampa Yacht & Country Club: An ideal venue choice for those striving for nuptials that can only be defined using words like elegance, simplicity, and classic, this waterfront yacht and country club is perfect for traditionalists and those seeking oceanfront views.  See it here.

Casa Marina: As a member of the Waldorf Astoria family, that also happens to be located in jaw-dropping Key West, there’s no denying this resort is a stunner, but its Old World ambiance and guests-only private beaches lend a sense of calm that’s totally charming, too. See it here.

Up The Creek Farms: Perfect for those dreaming of a sweet and rustic barn wedding, this centrally located farm features eight acres of open-air paddocks and fields surrounded by white picket fences, a 6,000 square foot barn, and the option of on-site pre-wedding accommodations for the Bride and Bridal party, in the farm’s 137-year old farmhouse. See it here.

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Photography: Kallima Photography

Sperry Tents

Give me a tented wedding any day of the week and my heart is happy.  But give me a wedding celebrated under the sailcloth canopies of Sperry Tents and that’s an entirely new level of pure, unadulterated joy. Think breathtaking silhouettes, solid wood support poles and seriously sweet pennant flags waving in the breeze.  It’s romance meets elegance and it’s exactly how your wedding should be.

There are weddings, and then there are weddings held under the handcrafted goodness of Sperry Tents. Those are the type of weddings where sophistication takes center stage with sweeping panels of genuine sailcloth intricately crafted by sailmakers in coastal New England.  Imagine an array of tent sizes, creative lighting and luxurious floor options seriously perfect for your Big Day, no matter the size of your party.  So whether you plan on dining with an intimate group of 50 or dancing the night away with 500 of your favorites, Sperry Tents’ nationwide network of licensed providers has a tent just waiting for your creative touch… and flare for the amazing.

Contact the Sperry Tents Southeast location nearest you to begin your journey towards your dream wedding.  Offices are now open in Naples and Miami, Florida, as well as Charlottesville, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina.  Happy planning, lovelies!

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Photography: IRIS Photography + Al Gawlik Photography + Concept PhotographyNeil Landino

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Romantic + Elegant Blush Wedding at The Powel Crosley Estate

Florida weather is infamous for its unpredictability, but this couple had the best attitude about it: “When the wind picked up moments before our ceremony, they told us our marriage would be a breeze.” Don’t you just love that? That’s only the beginning of the loveliness, captured by Justin DeMutiis Photography. With gorgeous details designed and executed by the Bride’s graphic-designer sister and a stunning setting, you’re going to fall in love with it all in the gallery.

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From The Bride… One early Saturday morning, soon after we had gotten engaged, I dragged my sleepy husband-to-be down to Sarasota to tour the estate. We fell in love with the estate immediately and talked about our new venue the entire drive back, planning where we should have our ceremony and where we should put the bar. We knew we wanted to say our vows down by the water and cover the dance floor with a starburst of cafe bulbs.

I soon learned that my younger sister, Jennifer, a graphic designer, had an interest and amazing gift in styling weddings. She worked endless hours to both design and create most of the items for our special day. Jennifer designed and laser cut our invitations, which included a sneak peak of our new monogram and dahlias, one of my favorite flowers that were also included in our bouquets. She incorporated our new monogram throughout the decor, including on our cake topper, menus, and our koozie wedding favors. She added a hint of elegance by painting the cake topper, ceremony signs, and table numbers a glittery gold. Our double lined place cards featured the guests name on a frosted paper over a blush table number.

We could not be more thankful for our wedding planners, Jennifer and Natalie of Burkle Events. They kept so calm and made me feel so special as if I was their very best friend. They genuinely cared to make everything perfect for us. They suggested most of our vendors, including the vendor who tailored my dress and went above and beyond to custom create and sew my favorite detail from the entire day, my floor length lace veil.

Our Rabbi traveled from my hometown from the opposite coast of Florida to officiate. Our huppah was made out of birchwood and featured the same garden roses, hydrangeas, and lambs ear as in our bouquets and centerpieces. Hydrangeas hanging in mercury glass from the chairs lined the aisle. When the wind picked up moments before our ceremony, they told us our marriage would be a breeze.

During dinner the mercury glass candle pillars and the cafe bulbs created a romantic setting as the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. After everyone joined us on the dance floor for the horah, our DJ kept everyone there for the rest of the night and our families and friends danced the night away underneath the stars.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Event Planning: Burkle Events | Floral Design: Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Jennifer Kirkpatrick | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Good Food Catering Co | Hair & Makeup: Denise Burkle | DJ: Grant Hemond And Associates | Transportation : Srq Transportation | Venue: Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key | Tent: Rental Depot | Bridal Boutique: Malindy Elene | Chandelier And Lights: Affairs In The Air

Romantic Coastal Bridal Inspiration

I’ll forever be enchanted by the coast; just a brief sight of the sea makes my heart happy. I wasn’t sure what could make an already stunning view better… but then Jacqui Cole shared these pics from her shoot with Oh Hello Events and here we go! Entranced with these two gorgeous gowns and romantic hair and makeup by Salon Inga, I’ll be spending my Monday daydreaming away right this way.

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From Jacqui Cole… Fellow LBB member Salon Inga and myself are thrilled to share this inspiration bridal shoot with you!

This organic, coastal inspired bridal portrait session was an opportunity for our team to revel in beautiful details that adorn a modern bride. The soft hues of the Floridian waters and the perfect morning breeze created the ideal backdrop. We selected two gowns by Hayley Paige and Christos to show versatility of a classic waterside setting.

For the makeup we chose a classic look that can suit any bride and added a pop more of color on the lips to fit the vintage/exotic look of the set-up and location. Salon Inga created hairstyles that walked the line of effortless and a little undone yet still would still match the formality of a wedding. Each look compliments the dress in different ways – no matter the personality of the bride.

Oh Deery Floral really wanted to create something loose with a lot of movement – something to mimic the movement of the ocean waves. We chose light pink astilbe, light green hellebore, purple lilac, light pink ranunculus and a moody dark purple ranunculus, paired with white hybrid ornithogalum, and white clematis. The rich berry and coral florals provided an element of vibrancy and depth against the tranquil blue and aqua water. Lastly, a long piece of champagne silk ribbon was tied around the bouquet which happily blew in the wind throughout the whole shoot.

To ground the setting, we sourced a vintage sofa and rose armchair that lent themselves to relaxed and blissful poses.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Event Planning: Oh Hello Events | Floral Design: Oh Deery Floral | Hair And Makeup: Salon Inga' | Beaded Bridal Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Halter Neck Silk Gown: Christos | Model: Chanda Am | Rentals: Tufted Vintage Rentals

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Elegant Spring Wedding at Innisbrook Resort

I just can’t get enough of these two cuties! We first met them during their adorable engagement shoot in Tampa and the love that radiated between them is even more evident in their wedding pics from Jacqui Cole. With champagne has an inspiration, the whole bash is bubbling over with love and laughter and I can’t think of any better way to start off my Friday – get in on all the goodness right here!

From Jacqui Cole Photography… You may remember the beautiful Adrienne and Chase from their engagement session on SMP! It’s hard to believe that their wedding rolled around so quickly but my goodness it was a dream to photograph! Adrienne looked stunning in her Modern Trousseau gown and her bright smile throughout the day was her perfect accessory. The new Mr. and Mrs. Harris chose to have their ceremony outside under the beautiful large oak at Innisbrook. Adrienne’s own father, Judge Harris, officiated their wedding ceremony and it’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! My favorite moment of the day has to be capturing the look exchanged by the new Mr. and Mrs. as they walked back up the aisle… sheer elation! I couldn’t be happier for these two and am overjoyed to have documented such an incredible day for them!

From the Bride… We actually first found our wedding venue, Innisbrook on Style Me Pretty. I was searching for Tampa venues and we came across a prior wedding on the blog and fell in love with it! We had a lot of things we wanted in a venue and we found them all at Innisbrook. We were looking for a venue with a beautiful outdoor ceremony space with a wonderful indoor option, in the event the weather didn’t pan out. We also wanted the wedding to take place somewhere that everyone could stay that night without worrying about getting to another hotel or getting home. We were able to have our rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and a Sunday breakfast all on site.

Our inspiration for the wedding was classic and elegant with a modern twist. We really just focused on making everything at the wedding mean something to us, while having fun and throwing a great party to celebrate with friends and family. We used champagne as a theme because we wanted our wedding to have a fun and elegant atmosphere. And I love champagne of course!

Family is really important to Chase and I so we wanted to make sure to incorporate that throughout the wedding. My father is a judge in Tampa so he walked me down the aisle, put on his robe and then performed our wedding ceremony. We wrote the wedding ceremony script and wanted to include the rest of our parents as well so we included a part in the ceremony where my dad asked all of our parents to stand and give their blessing to Chase and I in our marriage. I also used part of my mother’s wedding dress to wrap around my bouquet, carried a handkerchief of my grandmother’s with me and wore my great aunt’s brooch in my hair.

A wonderful surprise at the wedding was that my parents hired a really talented artist named, James Jacob Neagle to do a live painting of Chase and I’s first dance. Throughout the entire wedding people were able to walk up and watch him and see how the canvas changed throughout the night when he added more details. And it also gave us an amazing keepsake from the wedding. Something fun we added to our wedding reception was a signature drink called a Southern Mimosa made with tea and champagne.

We had such an amazing experience with all of our vendors. We absolutely loved our photographer, Jacqui from the moment we met her and could not have asked for a better photographer. We knew the photographs were going to be extremely important to us so once we chose the venue and date that was our number one priority. We got so lucky with Jacqui and I can’t even begin to say how much I appreciate her and loved having her there at the wedding. Innisbrook also had an amazing wedding coordinator, Melissa, who made everything run so smoothly. She made sure I didn’t have to worry about anything with the wedding and she was so easy to work with and extremely organized. Our band, Matt Winter Band, was amazing also. Chase really wanted a band and Matt did a great job of keeping everyone on the dance floor!

My parents are amazing and actually did more of the DIY projects than I did for the wedding. We had friends and family collecting champagne corks for months and my parents cut each of them and printed place cards for all of the guests.

My favorite moment of the day was finally getting to walk down the aisle and see Chase. I was so excited to get to see him and loved seeing his face when he finally got to see my dress.

My advice for future brides would be to really enjoy every minute of it. I loved planning our wedding because it was so much fun. Anytime the planning got stressful I just had to step back and remind myself what the day was all about. Enjoy every second of the wedding because it really does go by so fast. And don’t have your cell phone on you the day of the wedding! Another bride gave Chase that advice and it was so nice to just really be in the moment. My sister and Chase’s sister had their phones and communicated with Chase and anyone who needed help or assistance throughout the day. It was so relaxing to be away from it and just enjoy what was going on.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: 2 Birds Events | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Band: Matt Winter Band | Wedding Venue: Innisbrook | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia

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Old World Glamour Wedding in Key West

An intimate vintage inspired affair has SMP written all over. Especially when Alyssa Morgan Photography is behind the lens of a fabulous destination fete filled with old world glamour. From the gold stars adorning the dance floor, to the Hemingway favors, endlessly elegant touches honored their love and make this fete simply unforgettable.

From the beautiful Bride… Our favorite part of the day wasn’t necessarily the ceremony or the reception, but the people who were there to share the day with us. For both George and I, we truly believe it’s the people that make the party and we were absolutely blown away that our family and friends genuinely had just as much of an amazing time as we did. Being that it was a destination wedding, the guests who chose to celebrate with us weren’t in attendance simply because they were invited, but because they wanted to be there. Looking back we still feel so overwhelmed and blessed by how much love and support we had from our friends and family, and that the people in our lives truly love and support us so unconditionally. We pinch ourselves every day when we think of how lucky we are.

George and I were big fans of the show “Boardwalk Empire” and always knew we wanted a vintage feel to our wedding. We also knew that we wanted to keep the wedding as intimate as possible, and create a scenario where our guests would have just as amazing of an experience as we would, which is why we decided to do a destination wedding in Key West, Florida. I had visited Key West with my mother years prior to our engagement, and the charm, intimacy, and rich history of the location had always stayed with me. So after George proposed, I just knew it was the perfect place to share the personal experience of our wedding in combination with a great experience of place and retreat for our guests.

We rented out bed and breakfasts for our guests to keep the quaint and unique essence of the island and being that it was Key West, it only seemed right to add a little “Hemingway” flair to our wedding. George and I both love the book The Old Man and The Sea, and have fond memories of reading it together while on vacation in Aruba. And although Hemingway isn’t exactly the ideal example of good marriages (haha), we felt this was still a great way to connect our memories from Aruba and our love of Hemingway’s writing with the historical essence of Key West.

Taking this inspiration further, we modeled our wedding off of the lavishness of of the 1930’s, the prohibition era (there’s that Boardwalk Empire influence again), and Ernest Hemingway’s lifetime. We chose gold as our color and went with heavy greenery instead of an abundance of flowers. With all the green it just felt more tropical, and had a little bit of a ‘hidden garden’ feel. We modeled one of our signature drinks after a recipe Ernest Hemingway used himself and loved to drink. Finally, we gifted each of our guests with books by Hemingway.

Looking back at the beauty and overall feel of the day, the whole weekend in fact, it felt like the perfect compromise between what people expect from a wedding and expressing who George and I truly are as a couple. It was magical!

From Destination Wedding Studio... I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it’s these things I’d believe in…” When Lillie’s maid of honor shared this Gatsby quote, she captured the essence of this bride perfectly.

Lillie is an artist in her own right and immediately I knew that we were going to have fun planning and designing her wedding. In collaboration with the bride’s mother, who was fabulous, we took Lillie’s vision and detailed it as much as possible to truly capture the essence of the 1930’s while never forgetting what a wedding should be about: family, friends, traditions and love.

From the gold stars above to the Hemingway book for each guest, Lillie and her mother searched endlessly to find just the right touches to not only honor Lillie and George as a couple but to honor from there they came. From the first day I met them until the very last song, Lillie and George were and still are unforgettable.

Photography: Alyssa Morgan Photography | Event Planning: Destination Wedding Studio | Floral Design: Milan Events | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Cake: Amazing Cakes And Creations | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul's Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: Casa Marina | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: Timmy Tuxedo | Boutique: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Bowties : Bowtie Boutique | Music: Brian Roberts

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