There are some weddings that are so perfect that when looking through the images, I just can’t believe they are real – the light is stunning, the flowers have been perfectly picked, the bridesmaids are beauties and the details couldn’t be more darling. This my lovelies, is one of those weddings. The only thing that has me convinced that this beyond lovely Florida fête by Mi.Amore.Foto is of the real wedding variety is how the love this couple shares pours through each picture. It makes for the most perfect of posts, and you can see even more in the full gallery of images!
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From the bride… As I began putting the pieces together for our big day, I began to feel very overwhelmed. I love so much about weddings that I actually had a very difficult time narrowing down which details I wanted to include. Ok, I admit … my Pinterest addiction didn’t help. I had so many ideas but no clue how to create a cohesive event. After fighting myself over cakes or cupcakes, salmon or beef, and centerpieces, I decided to take a step back. I decided to make our wedding about “us” and not “me.” After I changed my focus I began to create the wedding of our dreams. I knew from the beginning that we were not the traditional couple. Our first dance was going to be “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles and we didn’t play the Electric Slide or the Macarena. Our wedding was going to be about our love for each other and not a cookie-cutter event.
We wanted the feel of our wedding to be very old Florida. There was lots of lace, oil lamps, cut-glass bowls and real Florida scenery in our wedding. Since both of our families are from small southern towns in the heart of Florida, it was very important to us that our wedding was about our families as well. We included pictures of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents at the seating card table. The gold rings I wore on my right hand belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother. My shoes were vintage Salvatore Ferragamo pumps given to me by my aunt years ago. My childhood minister officiated the ceremony. Andrew’s father played guitar for the ceremony. Two of the songs used in the processional were written by Andrew. I was escorted down the aisle by both my father and mother. Needless to say, our wedding was all about us. As far as the details, we did a lot by ourselves. I made the boys’ bow ties, the ring bearer pillows, the “Here Comes the Bride” sign, the invitations, and even decorated the hanger for the picture of the dress. Friends and family helped with the invitations, the candy buffet and much, much more. I may have gotten a little carried away, but it was definitely all worth it in the end. It was all of the personal touches that made our wedding day so special.
We couldn’t have had a more fantastic day without Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club and Mi.Amore.Foto. Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club was just perfect. The view was spectacular, the dining room was impeccably Florida, and they had incredibly gracious staff. Not to mention they specially made us a guava-filled wedding cake even though it wasn’t on the menu. Other than the “I do’s,” the photography was the most important aspect of our wedding. We wanted a photographer that listened, was someone that we could trust and even collaborate with on our vision. Shannon Mathis of Mi.Amore.Foto was way beyond a wedding photographer. She made us feel so comfortable and truly captured our love. Our wedding day was incredibly personal and loving. As I look at our photos I am reminded of how lucky we are to have one another and our family and friends to support us. This day was only one day out of many in our marriage, but it stands out as the most beautiful start a couple could ask for.
Wedding Photography: Shannon Mathis of Mi.Amore.Foto / Wedding Venue, Catering + Cake: Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club in Palm City, Florida / Flowers: Harbour Bay Florist / Wedding Dress: San Patrick via Tamera’s Forever Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo / Bride’s Gold Rings: Family Heirlooms / Hair: Sara Lucas / Makeup: Shannon Mathis / DJ: Paragon Entertainment / Wedding Invitations, Bow Ties, Ring Bearer Pillows, “Here Comes the Bride” Sign, Dress Hanger + Candy Bar: DIY / Ceremony Music: The Groom’s Father