When sweet vintage stylings and crazy cool modern details join forces in a breathtaking Key Biscayne wedding, we here at SMP call it “seriously awesome.” And when that seriously awesome day is captured by Elaine Palladino Photography and features lush blooms from Flowers by Sandra and an Elegant Temptations masterpiece, we can’t think of a better way to kick off the work week. Join us in the gallery for all of the pretty.
My fiance (now husband!) and I wanted a fun and intimate “party” for our guests. It was important to us that we were married in church. We fell in love with the beautiful Plymouth Church. We also felt it was important to hold the wedding in Miami,the city where we met and fell in love. We both have family from the Boston area and we thought our guests would enjoy some sunshine for Springtime wedding in Miami.
Vintage-Modern was the feel I was going for as I planned the day. I love vintage butI am also a very modern girl at heart. So I decided to incorporate the two. I loved the idea of a Spring wedding with the color palette of pretty peaches, pinks, nudes and ivories combined with soft florals and gorgeously soft lighting. We used metallics and mirrors to accent the light colors and bring a more modern, glamorous feel.
It felt impossible to properly “thank” everyone as the day seemed to quickly fly by. It was very important to us to do so, however. We took the time before dinner to greet every single guest. We walked table to table to hug and thank our family and friends. The groom’s favorite part of the day was the bridal party entrance as he choreographed it, incorporating the NBA Bull’s entrance, with the DJ. It was quite fun. I also loved joining our guests for the cocktail hour. While most brides and grooms are busy doing pictures (we had done the first look before the ceremony) we were able to enjoy extra time with our guests.
I am all about the little details. To me they make a big impression and make an occasion your own. Probably my favorite “detail” (and creative surprise) was that our friends made props of our heads to be used for the photo booth. They were a hit to say the least. Not only were they used in the photobooth- they were found later in the evening in floral arrangements and all over the dance floor.It was fun to see all the creative ways our friends celebrated with us, aka “our heads.” I also loved some of the more vintage touches, for example small kraft gift bags (with gorgeous white doilies) I had made for the bridemaids’ gifts and all the mirrored/metallic objects my mom and I had collected together over the year of planning. The truth is, all the little details were things I loved.
Late in the evening I changed into the dress my mom wore as her “going away” dress. This was special to me as my family is very close. For my sister and I, our parents are our everything. They have always loved us unconditionally and have always told us we could (and can!) accomplish anything we dreamed of. I know I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without the love of both of my parents. It was amazing to be wearing something I knew my mom wore the day she married my dad. I also used brooches on our ring pillow that belonged to my grandmother, who could not be present at the wedding due to travel. She is my idol and knowing she was there in more than just spirit was very special. I will always cherish those items and connect them with our marriage and wedding day.
I have a love for stationery and originally wanted to make thank you cards to put on the tables at each of the place settings. Then I thought about it. Although gorgeous for a picture or two, they will immediately get thrown away and I just didn’t like that idea. So instead of cards, I decided to make a thank you “mirror”using a vintage mirror I purchased and a chalk-pen. I used different fonts and got to be creative in spelling out our gratitude to our guests. The chalk pen washes off so the mirror can be used again. Less waste and more memories. I’ll take it. I also made personalized vintage compact mirrors for my bridesmaids with their names. I love the idea of practical things that can be used again well after the wedding, but with all the great memories and love that goes along with such a day.
Like everyone says the day goes by very quickly! But it really goes even faster than quickly. My advice for future brides and grooms? Breathe, EAT (this is so hard when you are nervous/excited/etc), and take it all in. Definitely splurge, if you can, for a great video. A month after our wedding, on our “one month” anniversary we went back to the Rusty Pelican for a casual dinner and came home to our “highlight” video of our wedding day. It truly was like reliving the day. That video will never get old to us. I love it even more than I can describe. To see things you didn’t see that day and to see the live reactions and anticipation of the day.Pictures are a must, but I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy the video. I would highly recommend other brides squeeze this in to their day if they are at all questioning the idea.
Photographer: Elaine Palladino Photography | Videographer: Delight Media | Floral Design: Flowers by Sandra | Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani | Cake: Elegant Temptations | Invitations: Beacon Lane | Ceremony: Plymouth Church Miami | Ceremony Venue: Plymouth Church Miami | Reception: Rusty Pelican | Reception Venue: Rusty Pelican | Shoes: Vera Wang | Bridesmaids Dresses: Unique Bridal | DJ: DJ Cardi | Bridal Boutique: Couture Bridal Miami | Groom's Tux: Men's Wearhouse | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Sash: Pronovias | Veil: Couture Bridal Miami