South Beach is probably the most perfect spot on the planet for a chic, warm-weather fête and this one boasts a whole cocktail hour full of fresh mojitos to boot. Sign us up! With a group of talented wedding warriors including Ines Naftali Floral and Event Design behind the florals + decor and JCG Events working their magic on the planning and coordination side, this wedding was crafted into a modern poolside affair dripping in glamor. See all the images captured by 13:13 Photography right here in the full gallery as well as a film by Fandango Studio below.
From JCG Events…Liz and Chris wed on November 17th surrounded by their family and friends at the iconic art deco National Hotel in Miami Beach. This was a destination wedding for all of their guests, so the couple wanted to make sure to create an entire weekend long experience for them that reflected the couple and their love. We accomplished just that!
The first step in creating this overall experience for guests came with the design of the invitation. The wedding invitation is the first impression made upon guests. Liz and Chris took care to make sure that everything stayed true to them and their keen eye for design. Given their love for graphic design we offered them the flexibility of designing their own invitations through the invitation line we offer, Smock Letterpress. This fresh design was then carried throughout the rest of their wedding weekend and was highlighted throughout all of the signage, programs, menus and accents for the wedding. They also created a custom “QR” code for their wedding, where guests were able to download a free app and then upload their personal photos throughout the weekend to share with one another. Afterwards guests were able to download all the photos from the wedding weekend. This just added to the overall experience and connectivity among their guests.
Everything about their wedding was thoughtfully planned and designed. In staying true to the idea of togetherness, we designed the ceremony space so that guests instead of being in the “traditional” theater style seating we had the chairs set-up facing the couple and the aisle. At the ceremony the experience started when guests entered the ceremony area and were greeted with a limeade station at one of the iconic black and white striped cabanas of the National Hotel. They then were welcomed to take a wedding program that also served as a fan and had fun puzzles and brain teasers about the couple on them. They were invited to solve these puzzles during the ceremony prelude. Solving puzzles are one of the couples’ favorite pastimes and it was a fun way to have guests partake in something that they love.
After the ceremony, guests were invited to a lavish cocktail hour where they were welcomed with fresh mojitos. These were garnished with striped straws and adorable custom tags matching the designs the couple created. During the cocktail hour, guests were invited to write advice to the couple with a set of prompted questions. Following the cocktail hour guests were invited back to the reception where we transformed the space from what once was the ceremony area. Liz and her Mom share a passion and love for orchids and they were in wonderful hands with Ines Naftali of Ines Naftali Floral and Event Design who shares the same passion. The tables were dressed in “white crush” linens with acrylic chiavari chairs to give it the modern take. The centerpieces were white phaelenopsis orchids, with air plants and succulents surrounding them. There is true beauty, and something symbolic, in seeing a centerpiece that has life and guests can cherish as well as they were able to take them home after the wedding. The centerpieces were surrounded by mini steel lanterns, which also helped keep the votives lit, given the wedding was close to the ocean breeze.
Guests danced the night away on the beautiful black and white checkered dance floor and under the café stringed lights. Towards the end of the evening we opened up a Smore’s station, which was a huge hit with all of the guests. As favors guests received guava “pastelitos” which is a delicious treat from the famed Cuban restaurant Café Versailles, a true Miami staple. This was the perfect conclusion to a truly wonderful wedding experience for all of the guests, and especially the newlyweds.
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Photography: 13:13 Photography | Planning + Coordination: JCG Events | Venue: The National Hotel | Floral Design + Décor: Ines Naftali Floral and Event Design | Invitations: JCG Events authorized dealer of Smock Letterpress | Linens, Chairs + Chargers: Gables Linens | Cinematography: Fandango Studio | Dance Floor: Hitched Events | Cake: Ana Paz Cakes | Hair: Oribe Salon | Makeup: Elenne Hurley | DJ: Scratch DJ | Ceremony Music: Eleganza strings | Officiant: Rev. Paul Goldman