Florida Weddings

13:13 Photography always, and I mean always sends us weddings that make us want to stop and stay awhile. Weddings like this beautiful Miami soiree that looks like it came straight out of a dream. Between the gorgeous florals from Nevot Flower Design and the stunning Villa Woodbine setting, everything in this gallery is just pinch yourself pretty, and you can see it all here.

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For the wedding day, I wanted it all. A blazing sun with a cooling breeze in a romantic spot near the water surrounded by trees where we could see the sunset. Timing was everything and thanks to my great wedding coordinator Danielle, from a LoveForDetail, we got it all. I couldn’t be happier with how everything went. It really was a magical day!

I got ready at the Grove Isle Hotel, in a private island retreat by the water, where my bridesmaids and I could look at the ocean while we got our hair and makeup done. David and I decided not to do a first look, but I asked Ashley, our AMAZING photographer from 1313 photography, if they could do a first look for me and my dad. Words cannot describe the moment, but the pictures do a fantastic job!

The ceremony was at St Hugh Catholic Church. It was filled with little details that brought together all of our family and friends, from the entrance of the ring bearer with a pillow hand-made by my mom, the powerful ceremony vocals sung by David’s cousin, a bilingual exchange of vows and a colorful exit with wands made by my grandma to wave at us, newlyweds.

As we entered the reception venue at beautiful Villa Woodbine, it felt like an enchanted garden filled with roses, peonies, hydrangeas in soft peach, pink and white. The wedding decor finally came together to create a very elegant and almost whimsical feel. As we ate we could see the sunset, and by the time it was time to cut the cake, the sun had gone down and the bistro lights covering the patio gave the villa the most romantic feel.

My favorite part of planning our wedding was incorporating little details to make it unique. As an Ecuadorian I could not forget to put little details to remind me of home. My mom brought hand-embroidered handkerchiefs from Ecuador as favors for our guests.  Another one of my favorite  details were my cakes. Todo Dulces (Everything Sweet) made me five small custom made cakes to complement my decor. The music selection was also very important,  the father-daughter dance was a typical Ecuadorian song to make that moment that much more special, and for dinner we listened to Cuban music to highlight David’s heritage. The night ended with a very Latin tradition “The Hora Loca”, where for the last hour of the party the guests are given props and everyone can dance the night away!

In the end, all the planning was worth it! David and I had the best time of our lives. It was a perfect day and we could not have done it without the fabulous work of all our vendors. Everyone came together to create a magical day!

Photography: 13 13 Photography | Cinematography: Pabelona Studios | Floral Design: Nevot Flower Design | Cake: Todo Dulces | Ceremony Venue: Saint Hugh Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Villa Woodbine | Hair And Makeup: Kerstin Jaeger | Getting Ready Venue: Grove Isle Hotel and Spa | Month/Day Of Planning: A Love For Detail

As a bride who said “I do” in a converted industrial warehouse, I’m all about unique venues. And how much more special could it get than the one-of-a-kind Georgia Aquarium?! The perfect spot for your wedding day (or engagement shoot!), this amazing locale offers couples top-of-the-line catering from Wolfgang Puck, a stunning space and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your guests.

Georgia Aquarium ensures your big day is seamless + stress free thanks to their incredible special event planners who will leave no detail attended! To get started planning your unforgettable Georgia Aquarium wedding, call 404.581.4126.

Summer brides of 2015, take note: this shoot crafted by Unearthed Vintage is bound to become your new best friend. It’s a gorgeous combination of color, whimsy and warm-weather romance, and to say we’re obsessed is kind of an understatement. The florals by Julia Rohde Designs play off the citrus-driven details and that soft, film photography by Michelle March? Utter perfection. More goodies here!

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From Katie at Unearthed Vintage…My inspiration for this shoot came from two areas in my life, my wonderful childhood and teenage years and who I am now as an adult. I grew up in upstate New York working on a local family farm. I spent 7 years waking up early, picking corn, and helping work at the market gaining lots of knowledge of local fruits, veggies, and flowers. During our summers we’d make homemade strawberry jam and strawberry rhubarb pies. After moving to Miami I thought for sure the “farmer” in me would be lost in the hustle and bustle of city life and South Beach. When I discovered Estancia Culinaria I once again felt like I was at home. A hidden gem in South Florida, it is our version of the south, and a truly inspiring location that feels magical the second you step into the gates.

South Florida is full of citrus fruits, bright colors, and sunny days. When pulling together ideas and inspirations I couldn’t help but want to pull in pieces of my past giving them a fresh twist with my South Florida life. What a better way than team up with a group of wonderful vendors to show everyone what the South in South Florida really means. We wanted to be sure to include the bright citrus fruits that can be found all over the state and Julia and Desi did so perfectly in their floral designs and desserts. The citrus also paired perfectly with the craft cocktail bars and also local craft beers that were the perfect parting gift for all of the guests.

From Julia at Julia Rohde Designs…South Florida brings a lot of natural beauty in the foliage and fruits that are naturally grown here. We wanted to create bright, lush florals that tied in locally sourced Florida grown products to replicate a realistic southern wedding floral design concept that brides can have for their wedding day. Some of the locally sourced foliage and fruits were blush and white bi-color bougainvillea, fresh mint herb, delicate vines and kumquats, all organically grown by South Florida nurseries and florals such as honeysuckle and orange blossom sourced from local wholesalers. The pops of of coral, pale peach, orange and yellow toned florals were used to tie in with the various citrus fruits such as grapefruit, kumquats and oranges that are so abundantly produced in Florida and such an inspiration to this Florida Groves shoot.

Photography: Michelle March | Styling: Unearthed Vintage | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Tara LaTour | Wedding Dress: Chernaya Bridal House | Cake: Gigi-Mamma Cakes | Invitations: Juliet Grace Design | Ceremony Venue: Estancia Culinaria | Reception Venue: Estancia Culinaria | Bridesmaids Dresses: Anthropologie | Catering: Estancia Culinaria | Hair And Makeup: Cristina Vidal | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage

J Layne Photography captured this stunning seaside soiree in a way that makes my heart sing the sweetest of songs. I could look at these gorgeous images for the rest of the day, and I might do just that. Because not only are these images gorgeous, but they are also filled to the brim with love and heartfelt details, making me head over heels in love with this gallery.

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We wanted the wedding to really represent who we are as a couple – we’re huge into DIY so we wanted to bring that quality into the wedding. We’re really laid back, fun loving, and travelers – so we wanted those elements present on our big day as well. Besides that we were inspired by wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty and Inspired By This. If it was a wedding that incorporated soft neutral colors and a casual vintage flair – we couldn’t get enough!

We both really wanted our wedding day to reflect us as a couple. From selecting a beach side location to satisfy our love of travel, to the shoes optional ceremony to capture our laid-back, fun loving nature – we chose elements that incorporated our personalities and tastes. I wanted to create a soft neutral color palette that would play up the ocean and beautiful scenery around us. We used soft blushes, whites, and touches of silver and bronze. We also used plenty of candles to offer soft lighting to play up the whole intimate and romantic. It was also important to me to add touches that paid tribute to both my grandmothers who are no longer with us. I wore my dad’s mother’s vintage costume ring that she had given to me. The succulents that were used in my bouquet as well as our centerpieces were a nod to my maternal grandmother who passed her love for them down to me.

Being able to work on DIY projects for the wedding together also made the whole planning process so much more fun and creative! One of my favorite details of the wedding was our thumbprint guestbook that Mike drew himself! It’s now a charming addition to our wall art in our home. We’ve also since turned the fabric we used for the ceremony arch and the table runners into pillows for our bedroom – being able to re-purpose our wedding DIY projects into home decor has definitely kept our newlywed buzz going and is a great way to incorporate elements from such a special day into our home!

Our first look was a really special moment – but for me the most memorable was walking down the aisle. All the craziness of planning and running around disappeared the moment I stepped out onto the sand. Seeing our closest family and friends waiting, along with my handsome groom, set against the gorgeous backdrop of the ocean and white sand was a moment I will never forget. Almost as soon the music started playing (a mash-up of Jason Mraz’s I’m yours and Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole) and I started walking down the aisle I was completely overcome with emotion! It’s hard to describe how perfect and beautiful the moment was!

My advice to brides to be is: if you just focus on the fact that you’re about to walk down the aisle and marry your best friend – it will absolutely be the best day of your life!! We definitely had things that went wrong – from having to switch the location of the ceremony and reception because of weather to my vision of having the votive candles hanging over the tables not working out – and more. It even rained right up until the big moment. But focusing on the fact that I would soon be married to someone that I couldn’t imagine my life without (my ultimate partner in crime!) made all these details not even matter. If you just focus on the celebration and being surrounded by loved ones (and letting these loved ones handle any details that go amiss the day of!) I promise it will be the most perfect and beautiful day!

Photography: J. Layne Photography | Florist: 2 Birds Events | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Bride's Shoes: Tkees | Caterer: Sirata Beach Resort | Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies | Wedding Venue: Sirata Beach Resort | Hair Piece: BHLDN | Jess Waldrop Makeup Artists: Jess Waldrop | Wedding Dress Boutique: Calvet Couture Bridal

Gold is our mascot, so to speak, and mixed with the pink facade of the Boca Raton Resort & Club , it’s nothing short of stunning. Captured by Kat Braman Photography, this winter glam affair with a six foot moss monogram, a reception sparkling with candlelight and a sea of white florals by Boca By Design and Desiree Dawn Events. Check out the gallery for even more and the film by Shaina Koren below.

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From Kat Braman Photography…Morgan and Stephen have known each other since they were 15 and have dated since they were 19. Because they grew up loving each other, they and their families have looked forward to this day for many years.

We drew our wedding inspiration from all different sources of mixed metals. From home interiors, place settings, industrial layouts, gilded objects, to gold dipped leaves. We knew from the beginning we wanted an elegant, sophisticated, and timeless wedding. Our dear friend and wedding planner extraordinaire, Desiree Oftedel of Desiree Dawn Events, influenced our special day with unique ways to personalize each detail and to bring vintage pieces in to our modern palette. She sourced all different sized and shaped mirrors and we used them throughout our decor to bring in a modern reflective element. We wanted to incorporate the beautiful Florida nature that the Boca Raton Resort had to offer so we chose design elements that used greenery and foliage to honor that. We used a stunning 6-foot moss-covered “H” for our escort card display with guests names written on to unique shaped mirrors that could also double as tree ornaments (Stephen proposed using a Christmas tree ornament!). We used large palm frawns to flank the bars so our out-of-town guests made sure to enjoy our favorite local foliage. We had signature cocktails, reflective of the bride and groom’s tastes, a cuba libre for him and a champagne cocktail for her. Desiree even had a few tricks up her sleeve, including a surprise jacket change for the handsome groom to compliment his new bride’s second dress and to get the party started. And since we have a house divided, our personal place cards were accompanied by a tiny silver Seminole and Gator and the descriptives, “His Gator” and “Her Nole”.

We planned our wedding with our sweet friend and incredible design leading light, Desiree of Desiree Dawn Events. She made the whole process a dream, bringing in the most talented team of vendors and putting our minds at ease. The best part of our day was knowing that we had nothing to worry about except enjoying and savoring every single moment.

Photography: Kat Braman | Videographer: Shaina Koren | Ceremony Venue: St. Jude Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Boca Raton Resort & Club | Hair And Makeup: Jennifer Cruz | Tuxedo: The Tux Shop | Bouquets And Boutonniere's: Julia Rohde Designs | Bridal Salon: Mariolka's Bridal Boutique | Ceremony And Reception Flowers: Boca by Design | Music: Art Letter | Planner/Stylist: Desiree Dawn Events | Reception Artist: Jacob Neagle | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage

When it comes to engagements, I love those that capture two darlings doing what they love best. Say, sippin’ on a cup of cappuccino with your sweetie, trolly-ing around one of your favorite cities and lots of hand holding and laughing—that’s how this adorable duo spent their day with Pezz Photo. Take a stroll with them in this lovely gallery!

From Pezz Photo… Meredith and Ancelmo “Ray,” a U.S. Marine, love the history of Ybor City, including its cigar manufacturing heritage.

Photography: Pezz Photo

Romantic weddings and Breakers West just seem to go hand in hand. They never fail to make us swoon, and when13:13 Photography is behind the lens capturing that romance, magic happens. It leaves us with a gallery too pretty to miss, and you can see it all here.

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From the Bride…We have been together for over 5 years, and we wanted our wedding to reflect both our own taste for simplicity and to highlight our camaraderie and relationships with our family and friends. Since we are both Caribbean immigrants (Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago) – we also wanted to bring a taste of both our cultures to the event.

From the start we ensured that the events of the weekend would be personal and memorable to us. Stefan’s uncle catered the rehearsal dinner with a range of Trinidadian curries, stews and other dishes local to the island. The ceremony itself was officiated by the mother of one of our close friends. Wedding favors were prepared by our mothers (decorative wooden bowls using native Belizean trees and traditional Trinidadian black cake and Indo-Trinidadian sweets). We asked one of our invited friends to be the official master of ceremonies for the reception.

For music we hired Suenalo, a popular latin fusion band from Miami, who offered the perfect blend of dance and atmosphere that we felt would appeal to the diverse nationalities that made up our guest list – we also felt it was an homage to the region that we have called home for the past decade.

Our choice for photography and videography was also done with friends in mind. 1313 Photography was hired as a referral from one of our friends, whose wedding was also done by Ashley and Philip. Our videographer, Hitched Wedding Films, was similarly recommended.  Lina Portnoy did our flowers and came recommended by our venue but quickly felt like someone we had known for ages.

After all the planning and prepping we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! From getting ready with my mom and sister, my rockstar nephews making the ceremony and dancing the night away with all my favorite people in the world.

Photography: 13 13 Photography | Videographer: Hitched Wedding Films | Floral Design: Lina Portnoy | Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Breakers West | Venue Company: The Breakers Palm Beach

I adore anything gilded and nautical stylings always speak to me, so the moment I opened up this inspiration from Threaded Together Photography I knew I was going to be in love. With stunning florals from Barbie’s Blooms, gorgeous styling from Threaded Together Vintage Rentals and steal-worthy signage from Katie Hoffman Ink, this gallery is pure goodness.

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From Threaded Together Photography…I am a sucker for anything nautical so I’ve been wanting to do a full inspiration shoot that was nautical but also authentic and sophisticated. The overall theme for this shoot was inspired by the nautical term “Hold Fast” which is used as a directive to hold the rope taught and strong against treacherous winds. “Hold Fast To Love” is a perfectly appropriate phrase to celebrate as a couple prepare to enter their marriage. It is a sweet reminder of the blessing that is finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and also of what’s worth holding on to and fighting for. The beautiful Oyster Bay Yacht club in Fernandina Beach, Florida which is home to large southern oak trees, a marina, marsh views and the private estate style wedding venue made the ideal spot for our seaside shoot. Since this needed to be a sophisticated and elegant take on maritime decor I went with lots of brass and blues. Found vintage items mix with gilded elements (like the gold sequin mini dress by Pencey) and beautiful floral. The theme phrase was hand painted onto a vintage oar and sets the romantic tone. A unique element is a nautical twist on the photo booth which includes salvaged nautical props (like a ships wheel, brass porthole, buoys, oars and a sailor hat), and a custom backdrop hand made from knotted rope, vintage navy flag code cards strung with twine and a cedar frame. The vintage navy code cards are adorable and include colored flags, naval terminology and little sailor’s showing how to properly signal. Flower boxes were also built into the base and vintage fish net draped down the sides created a softness. Pretty gold lettered signage informs guests to “Jump ship and take a pic.” The open backdrop enables the coquina ledge and marsh views to show through in the photos. The backdrop does double duty and also serves as a unique way to display the naked cake whipped up by Sugar Rush Confections. A lounge area was set up on the front lawn. The floor area invites guests to relax and sit around the coffee table and chat with guests seated around the perimeter. A striped blanket topped with an old cable spool as a coffee table and fluffy pillows add a cozy touch. My vintage dark and chippy mantle and upholstered chair gives a home-like feel and an authentic lobster trap (barnacles and all) serves as a display for chunky striped throws perfect for chilly evenings. A sweetheart area of the lounge includes my two-seat theater bench with custom inserts adorned with gold knots and reads “Almost His” and “Almost Hers.” A vintage wash basin serves as the beverage display with signage reading “Down the hatch” and houses the Shipyard and Anchor brand beers. Brass and cobalt glass pedestals with flowing floral, brass lanterns, rose and hydrangea adorned driftwood, a weather vane, sail boat tray, champagne bottle and trunk add pretty detail. Striped and gold weaved cushions encourage relaxing on the vintage pew. A sweetheart tablescape was set up in the curved path leading to the marina. A brass industrial light hangs over the vintage table. Blue rope dishes add texture, fish print appetizer plates add whimsy and the gold chargers add a touch of luxury. I tied the vintage flatware with gold knots. Brass candlesticks add warmth and the vintage Nippon Sento onion lantern ringed in roses makes the perfect centerpiece. White Hydrangeas, Veronica and tan Sahara Roses added a softness while their understated color palate allowed the nautical decor to stand out. Weather you are a sucker for nautical like me, you want to incorporate the groom’s sailing hobby, or perhaps your family’s Naval heritage, have fun using these ideas in your wedding and party plans!

Photography: Threaded Together Photography | Floral Design: Barbie's Blooms | Cake: Sugar Rush Confections | Location: Oyster Bay Yacht Club | Signage: Katie Hoffman Ink | Styling And Vintage Rentals: Threaded Together Vintage Rentals

I know I gush over weddings on the daily, but this darling DIY wedding is just as charming as they come. The setting, the personality-packed details, the sweet vintage touches – it’s all just fabulous. But what I really love is this couple. Their love is so obviously genuine, making not gushing over this gallery from Brandon Scott Photo Co practically impossible.

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From Brandon Scott Photo Co…Allie and Zach’s wedding this May was nothing short of incredible. The venue was dropped right in the heart of an epic Florida forest that isn’t even a wedding venue. The couple made it their own in every way. We were beyond humbled when they asked us to fly out from California to photograph their day. 

From the Bride and Groom…What was your inspiration behind the day?
WE LOVE FORESTS. We love being outside, being adventurous, going for hikes, and taking in all of the natural beauty that God has surrounded us with. Being the typical girl that I am, I love enchanted, magical forests, you know, stuff you see on disney princess movies and stuff like that. So that was our goal: find a simply beautiful forest, and make it look all fancy and enchanting by bringing in shades of pink and gold (my favorite colors).

For the reception, we wanted to continue the “fancy and magical” theme but make it a relaxing environment as well – in my parents backyard – we had beautiful vintage couches making small living room areas, as well as some tables scattered throughout with chandeliers hanging overhead. We also wanted our guests to have fun and relax so we had a game section with Life-sized Jenga, Corn-hole, and Ladder Golf.”

What was your “perfect wedding” vision? 
My perfect wedding was a small mini wedding with only our parents and siblings in the Redwood Forests of California. However, Zach’s perfect wedding was a huge celebration with anyone and everyone we’ve ever met. So after talking about it for what seemed to be months, we decided to keep the wedding at a reasonable number, with our closest family and friends, but to keep the forest theme, since that was something we both really wanted.

What are three unique details that you infused into your decor?
Glitter. Gold. And old things. Everything had glitter on it. Because what girl doesn’t love sparkly things? The majority of our decorations were things you could find in a recycling bin: old bottles, cans, cardboard, random pieces of scrap wood, really whatever we could find; that most people would consider garbage, we decided to make it glamorous.

What – if anything – did you DIY? 
We basically DIY’d EVERYTHING. My sister-in-law, Katy, was in charge of all of the decorations, and set up of everything and she did an incredible job! She made beautiful centerpieces out of bottles, cans, wine jugs, spray paint, twine, and glitter. She also decorated the ceremony site with a beautiful fabric altar. We got most of our supplies from Michael’s and JoAnn’s Fabric, but a lot of the stuff was random things we just had laying around. My dad was in charge of building all of the big projects, and he now officially hates the word “Pinterest” because he knew if I said “Hey Dad, I saw this thing on Pinterest…” it would mean I had found something else for him to build me. He built these BEAUTIFUL doors out of wooden pallets for the ceremony and for the reception site, he made benches for our guests to sit on, he also made a beautiful swinging bench with a tulle canopy that looks lovely in pictures, and he made LOTS of other things that would take entirely too long to list. Also one of my very good friends Julianne Brown (the 5th of the band FourFifths) made our wedding invitations, and I made the programs for the wedding. We got our flowers from King’s Wholesale Florist, and my sister-in-law, Katy, did all of the arrangements.”

What was your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment was right after the ceremony when Zach and I walked out of the ceremony and for a few seconds it was just us, being able to hug each other and really take in that we just got married, without anyone coming over to congratulate us or complement the wedding. For those 45 seconds, it was just me and my new husband taking in the craziness of the day, and it was one my favorite parts.

What song did you do your first dance to? 
Zach and I are terrible dancers – like the worst ever. So we decided to forgo the first dance. However, I walked down the isle to “Come to Me” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

What was on your menu? 
We had an INCREDIBLE private chef that has been a family friend of ours for a long time. He created a wonderful menu for us of cocktail style food that was still filling, there were Sweet and Sour Chicken Skewers, Braised Beef Sliders, Caesar Salad Cones, Bruschetta Rounds, Meatball Skewers, and many other delicious items. We also are big Coffee Junkies, and we love sweet treats, so our friends at the Coffee Barn and Bakery catered coffee, Cold Brew, and assorted pastries and deserts as well as adorable Bride and Groom Cake Pops.

Photography: Brandon Scott | Wedding Dress: Jon's Bridal | Ceremony Venue: Hog Island Recreation Area | Reception Venue: Private Residence | Hair Stylist: Meghann Zarillo | Cake And Dessert: The Coffee Barn And Bakery | Music: FourFifths

Oh, do I love a Miami affair peppered in pink. Shades of flamingo, blush, softly sweet pinks just fit with the magic city like no other. And with Miranda Hattie Events behind the design helm, the rest of the romantic details fit perfectly into place. From the twinkly-lit clear tent from Unearthed Vintage, to the baby’s breath wrapped ceremony arbor to every touch of glamour, Michelle March tells this story like a fairy tale.

From Miranda Hattie Events… This gorgeous event was held at the Thalatta Estate in southern Miami, a pretty waterfront venue with a picturesque lawn for the ceremony site and a brick courtyard perfect for an outdoor reception. The uncharacteristically cold weather meant that we had to bring in a tent (and heaters!) at the last minute, but we chose a clear structure that let in the night sky and brought everyone together in a delightfully cozy way under the glow of bistro lights.

The wedding palette was primarily shades of white and ivory with bits of blush and a hint of sparkle for glamour. The florist, Anthology Co Floristry, did a beautiful job of achiving a look that was both romantic and sophisticated, incorporating mirrored pieces with mercury glass, while the bride added lots of fun details. She made giant glittery letters to be used for the sweets table and used chalkboards for cute signage pieces (AND hand-wrote each guests name on the seating chart on the morning of her wedding!)

I asked the bride, Laura, what her favorite moment of the day was and she told me: “It may come across as strange but my favorite moment of the day was leaving the wedding. We had just ran through the mayhem that was our sparkler exit and into that warm comfy car. I looked at Wagner and felt so utterly happy that he was my husband. The driver put on some nice tunes while we relaxed and recapped the day.”

Her advice for brides? “Enjoy the process. Although it can be stressful, time consuming, expensive, and monotonous (hello DIY), remember that you only get to do it once. Cherish the times that your friends and family came over to help you with “wedding stuff”. Laugh at all the ridiculousness that gets thrown your way (arriving to the ceremony in a hot air balloon/boat/horse/unicorn, coming out for the first dance like the Miami Hurricanes, etc.) You might miss all of it once it’s over.”

Photography: Michelle March | Cinematography: Michelle March | Event Design: Miranda Hattie Events | Event Planning: Miranda Hattie Events | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Wedding Gown: Pronovias | Cake: Sugar Fancies | Shoes: J.Crew | Catering: Mena Catering | Hair And Makeup: Makeup By Marz | Lighting: Unearthed Vintage | Transportation: Florians Classics | Venue: Thalatta Estate | Linens: Over The Top Linens | Music: Vision DJs | Photo Booth: Maxbooth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We chose the Caribbean Resort for a few different reasons.

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

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

Photography: Care Studios | Event Designer: Mile Marker Party Rentals | Floral Designer: Marathon Florist | Cake: Sweet Savannahs | Invitations: After A While Crocodile | Ceremony Venue: The Caribbean Resort | Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Makeup Artist: Ana Baidet And Shannon Biondoletti | Mens Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Dress Designer: JLM Couture, Inc

While we celebrate all sorts of styles and wedding personalities here at SMP, if we’re being honest…we fall the hardest for affairs that pay homage to the classics. Tradition with a hint of sparkle. Black tie with a glittery twist. And this wedding – photographed by Lauren Kinsey – is that, and so much more. Take a look here in the galleries too!

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Kelsey & Andrew moved to Japan almost immediately after the wedding, where Kelsey works as an English teacher for seventy five students from ages zero to thirteen in Tokushima, Japan.

From The Bride…Andrew and I went to the same Middle School, and most likely met in one of the classes we had together, though honestly we do not remember the first time we met each other. We love to go on long walks at night, so during one of our many walks, he stopped in front of a lake and told me to admire “how beautiful it was.” After that, he got down on one knee and proposed to me with a ring I had said I liked the most when we went ring “window-shopping” together around a month prior. I was so surprised and overjoyed! For the remainder of the walk I couldn’t wipe the grin off of my face!

We have a tradition of going to Seaside, Florida together every summer, so we thought a destination beach wedding would be the perfect venue to allow for maximum relaxation after the wedding, as well as would make a nice, nostalgic backdrop for our special day.

The thing I looked forward to the most was seeing my husband’s reaction to my dress! (And his reaction didn’t disappoint me; he was so moved that he cried!). I loved seeing my husband all done up and looking his best, I loved how our families and friends came together and were in such a good mood, I loved seeing all of our family members “get down” at the wedding after party and show us some of their best dance moves, I loved how random people cheered for us when they saw us make the walk back to our beach house together in our wedding attire, and I loved how the whole day seemed like a dream.

Photography: Lauren Kinsey | Videography: Pure 7 Films | Coordination: It's A Shore Thing Wedding and Event Planning | Floral Design: Events By Nouveau Flowers | Cake: Confections On The Coast | Stationery: Gourmet Invitations | Reception Venue: Bud Alleys Restaurant | Hair & Makeup: Make Me Blush | Entertainment: Top Hat Live | Chapel: Seaside Interfaith Chapel | Film Processing & Developing: Indie Film Lab

This shoot has my name written all over it. The colors, the stunning seaside setting, the sublte but sophisticated details – it’s almost as though the talents behind this gorgeous inspiration knew the perfect recipe to make my heart sing. Dreamt up and captured by Debra Eby Photography, I think it goes without saying I adore every image sitting in this gallery.

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The setting is the sea. A background of gentle waves caressing the shoreline set against a watercolor sky. The ocean has a way of beckoning romance. Using Martha Stewart’s line of glass paint, tiny vases transform into seaglass. Now hosting dripping candlesticks on the tablescape.

There were several art projects that provided small details. For the table number, I transformed a wooden number into a mosaic by gluing pieces of seaglass onto it. The number was then glued on a glass picture frame.

Oyster shells were collected by the shoreline and then hand-painted gold. Meghan, our stylist, fashioned our tablescape using these pieces.

For the closing scene, I had this vision of romantic exploration. As the sun begins dipping over the horizon, our couple steps into the water. Here, they lift white lanterns lighting the dimming seascape.

Photography: Debra Eby Photography | Gown: RCB Fashion | Cake: Bliss Pastry | Tuxedo: John Of Daytona Tuxedos - John's Bridal | Custom Hanger: Oh Deer Creative | Earrings: Marolsha | Hair And Make-Up: Faces By Shannon | Headpiece: Eleven Skies Studio | Rentals: Coastal Vintage Rengals | Stationery Suite: Beloved Paper | Stylist And Florist: Flowers By Milk & Honey | Wooden Cut Outs: Build A Cross

Finding a wedding venue that checks off each and every box on your wedding wants list can prove

Lovely doesn’t even come close to describing this sweet Sarasota wedding beautifully captured by Divine Light Photography. Not even close. In fact, I’m not sure there is a single adjective that will do this beauty justice. Designed by MMD Events, this gallery is light-filled perfection. See even more here.

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From the Bride and Groom…We met on e-Harmony. She was overcome with temptation when she saw he was taking ballroom dance lessons and has two hairless cats named Dudeman and Girlfriend. He was instantly intrigued by her picture on a standup paddle board requesting responses only from men with their head on straight. He skipped the prefabbed questionnaire, emailed her directly, and the rest is e-Harmony history.

We are a pretty carefree couple, not much into formalities, so we think it took friends and family by surprise that we chose the gorgeous Ringling Ca’ D’Zan as our venue. Most probably thought we’d elope. Our only criteria was to be outside, simple, and quaint. We love the outdoors. When we saw the Ca’ D’Zan, it was hard to consider any other place. The venue captured our free spirit…totally free within bounds. The Ca’ D’Zan is on the water, outside, classic, elegant, and needed nothing else to make it perfect. The ceremony was by the banyan trees and our party was out by the water, with a historic mansion as our backdrop. Not being the social butterfly of all couples, we opted for a sweetheart table (we skirted temptation to have the table roped off).

We really cannot take any credit for how our wedding turned out other than finding the venue, choosing a “wedding team” that we liked, and choosing light green and light pink as our colors. Spending a little bit of time with everyone on our wedding team went a long way. I think we were most passionate about taking pictures of our four cats (now a blended family) for our table centerpieces. We spent countless hours putting sticky numbers on them, chasing them down, and taking pictures. People who know us best appreciated that little touch. Our day was perfect and the way it was captured was perfect too.

Photography: Divine Light Photography | Cinematography: Lucky Lemon Films | Event Design: MMD Events | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Caterer: Mattison's Catering | DJ: Grant Hemond And Associates | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Ringling Museum Of Art | Guitar: Ben Kimsal

These two southern sweethearts are proof that sometimes a blind date can result in happily ever after. They strolled through Jacksonville Treaty Oak Part for a love session documented by Stephanie W Photography, and the result is one adorable capture after another. Click here for so much more.

From the Bride and Groom-to-be… We met in Jacksonville, Florida through a mutual friend who was one of my sorority sisters and also his childhood friend. She set us up on a blind date, the first for both of us. We had dinner and drinks at a local restaurant in Atlantic Beach called Ragtime Tavern. Our first date lasted three hours long and we knew it would only be the first of many. Flash forward two years later, we took a trip to San Diego to visit friends who were relocated to the naval base there. He proposed at sunset in Temecula, California while we were wine tasting at Leonesse Winery. The proposal was absolutely perfect and I was so happy when he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

We decided to go with the traditional southern chic look for our engagement session back in Jacksonville. We love the big oak tree surrounding Treaty Oak Park downtown and also the historic area and houses of San Marco. I chose to wear white and blush pink shades, keeping with our traditional southern look. I also wanted to incorporate wearing some lace in our engagement shoot, keeping with my style of my wedding dress. We were so comfortable with Stephanie and she really made the shoot memorable. We can’t wait to have her capture our special moments on our wedding day this October!

Photography: Stephanie W Photography | Dress: Nordstrom | Makeup: Paulina Perez | Hair: Aura Salon Kati Hogan | Earrings: Kate Spade | Shoes (gold Ballet Flats): Nordstrom | Shoes (neutral Pumps): Nine West

In terms of modern seaside weddings, Miami sets the precedent. And with the crazy good art deco backdrop of the Royal Palm South Beach, this couple set out to craft a destination wedding that’s all at once classic but with a cool South Beach vibe. Who better to capture all the al fresco festivities than Jasmine Star? See all her gorgeous handiwork and a night spent dancing under the stars right here.

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Photography: Jasmine Star | Florist: Flowers By Carol | Wedding Dress: Diana Tran Of The Gown Doctor | Invitations: Minted | Shoes: MaxMara | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Bdry Blow Bar | Hair: Bdry Blow Bar | DJ: DJ Phlipz | Wedding Venue: Royal Palm South Beach

In Miami there lies a pretty art gallery that happens to have one very fabulous green garden. It’s a space transformed by Danielle Cipriani and Unearthed Vintage into a coconut toting, family style reception who’s laid back, simple details only add to the overall beauty of the day. Take one look at the gallery captured by Jessica Lorren Organic Photography and you’ll be smitten too.

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Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography | Wedding Gown: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: House Of V | Catering: JugoFresh | DJ: DJ Wasabi | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: Levi Felix | Venue: The M Building | Coconuts: Coconut Cartel | Custom Menus: Eden's Invites | Drinks: September Wines Spirits Wines | Jewelery: Satomi Kawakita | Planning: A Love For Detail | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage

We can always count on Miami weddings to splash gorgeous color across our pretty pages and this Moroccan-styled soiree is no exception. Packed with palms, turquoise blue waters, coral charm peonies and gilded Kate Spade heels, it’s an explosion of vibrant love. But the brightest of all? The stunning Bride, done up pretty by South Beach Makeup Studio. Have a look at Beca C Photography‘s imagery right here.

From the beautiful Bride… Our day was magical and turned out exactly as we had envisioned. It was amazing because we discussed later that as the day played out we both kept thinking to ourselves that it was exactly how we had pictured. While we wanted a laid back outdoor vibe our theme was beachy Moroccan style and Shore Club had the perfect backdrop for this. We added in tons of lanterns, candles, string lights on the trees, and the most gorgeous colorful bouquets with garden roses, succulents, ranunculus, etc. The wedding colors of coral, peach, white, and gold played perfectly against the navy blue groomsmen suits and the yellows, greens and blues of the Shore Club pots. Our DIY projects included the table themes of cities we had been to which included a photo of us in that city at each table; homemade gift bags for each hotel guest with Advil, sunglasses, Utz Chips, Hershey Kisses (both Pennsylvania snacks for Kate’s home state), customized match books, and Perrier water as well as a note with the schedule for the week; and the special pre-wedding mix CD that Ron created and sent out a week prior to the wedding so people could get excited while traveling to and hanging out before the wedding. The theme of the event was #READY and all guests were asked to Instagram photos to a special hashtag with our initials, the wedding date and the word “ready” in it. Also our save the date was a short video set to a song “Are You Ready?” created by Ron of me getting ready in our room while he is on his way home to get me and at the end of the video he asks if I am ready and I say I’m ready. Other things that made our day so special were the food (a whole pig at the Cuban themed dinner was a huge hit); the personalized ceremony (they did a traditional Filipino rope ceremony; four friends each picked a reading which they presented; and Ron surprised Kate by singing a song he wrote for her!); and lanterns which were released on the beach at the end. As gifts bridesmaids each received a beautiful flowered robe in either mint, turquoise or coral and the bride wore one in white. The groomsmen each received a cigar box with a tie, tie bar, pocket square, cigar and Wu Tang Clan tshirt (9 groomsmen and 9 wu tang members).

From Beca C Photography…Six years ago when we met, Kate was living in Philadelphia and Ron in New York. Kate was visiting NY one weekend to see a close friend from college who was dating Ron’s best friend. Kate and Ron instantly hit it off but Ron had to leave early that night because he got sick. He ended up asking Kate’s friend for her email address and since then they kept in touch and gradually Ron started making the visit to Philadelphia every now and then to take Kate to dinner. These trips got more frequent and eventually they were exclusive. After a year of long distance dating Kate made the move to NY and by the time they got engaged they had lived together almost three years. Ron’s friend is no longer with Kate’s friend but we thank them for being our unofficial matchmakers! When Ron proposed on 2/23/13 they were visiting Philadelphia for Kate’s best friend’s birthday. After brunch the two of them decided to walk by Kate’s old apartment. As Kate was posing for a photo in front of it that Ron was taking, Kate’s friend came running over to her from the coffee shop next store. As Kate was distracted by this, Ron was getting down on one knee with the ring. Kate’s friend was all ready to snap photos as he asked Kate to marry him. After Kate said yes Ron suggested they go grab a drink at the same bar they had gone on their first official date, Buffalo Billiards, and when they walked in, both of their families were there to surprise Kate and celebrate with them for the first of the day by playing darts, pool, and ski ball and drinking beer. Ron had coordinated this entire day for months and got their entire families to travel here without Kate having a clue. It was extra special since their families had never met so they finally had the chance to spend some quality time together.

Photography: Beca C Photography | Videography: Faisal Sukkar | Coordinator: Creme De La Creme Events | Florist: Anthology Co. | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Bridesmaids Dresses: Union Station | Make Up: South Beach Makeup Studio | DJ: Mark Gallo | Officiant: Ana Rosa Ramirez | Venue: Shore Club South Beach | Bridal Gown: Wtoo (Watters) | Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade | Groomesmens: H&M | Grooms Tux: Tribut Ives Saint Laurent

This, my friends, is a wedding that will take your breath away.  A cultural beauty that is rich in gorgeous details (think strands of flowers hanging from the trees and one of the most striking color palettes you will ever see) and a happiness that seems to burst straight from your computer screen.  It’s the epitome of elegance, as captured by the talented team at Bridges Cinema.  Press play for all of the beauty.

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From Bridges Cinema… This was such a magnificent wedding event to capture. We love it when we get to work with an amazing team for a beautiful and sweet couple. Enjoy this film!!

From The Bride… We definitely have an international love story, meeting in Pittsburgh on the last day of college. I was graduating from undergrad, and Raj was finishing his masters; we were both starting work at the same firm and met at a new hire event. We trained together in London, becoming friends and started dating six months later in New York City. Fast forward six years and we got engaged on a surprise ski trip to Lake Placid Raj organized (calling it a super date after “How I Met Your Mother”, which we both love). We immediately knew we wanted a warm and sunny destination wedding, but also wanted a place that would be convenient for our families (Raj’s family in Canada, my family in England and New Jersey, and our friends/extended family in NYC and Chicago). Miami just fit the bill!

We linked up with our amazing wedding planner Amen, who knew all about Indian weddings, and also understood our vision for an elegant, slightly glamorous weekend! We didn’t want a typical hotel wedding and knew we wanted to get married outdoors, and we also wanted a venue that truly transported our guests to a different time and place. The moment we saw Fisher Island, we knew it was perfect, a hidden Island oasis off of South Beach, with a historic charm, beautiful details and a breathtaking view. The majestic tree in the courtyard was perfect for our Indian wedding, with an abstract mandap created by hanging flowers and chandeliers from the tree. We’re also really into animals and planned a safari for our honeymoon, and wanted to incorporate some of this whimsy, from the animal magnet placecard holders (a Christmas present from my sister!) to the penguin cake toppers to the actual peacocks roaming around the Island! Peacock feathers were painted gold and incorporated into the centerpieces for a subtle theme which tied in with the sophisticated but fun Indian wedding! We really wanted our family and friends to have a joyous time!

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography | Cinematography: Bridges Cinema | Event Planning: Pawar, Inc | Florist: J Morgan Flowers | Catering: Madras Catering | Hair And Make Up: Makeup By Marz | DJ: Pavan Events | Venue: Fisher Island