If you’re looking to have a seaside wedding with a more sophisticated beachy vibe, take note, because this couple pulled off the perfect beach wedding getaway. With a neutral palette accented with hints of mint and sage and an intimate guest list of just family and the bridal party, this big day is what every Bride dreams of. See it all from Julie Cate Photography and Katrina Sorrentino in THE VAULT!
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From The Bride…Kyle and I met at a bar in St. Louis during winter break of my senior year. He bought my friends a round of Lemon Drops so I knew he was a keeper. We both moved to the east coast a few months later. A couple years after moving in together in NYC, I planned a surprise party for Kyle’s birthday. Little did I know that he had a surprise of his own. There had been a winter storm the night before, so we headed to Central Park the next morning to walk through the snow. We stopped at a little hill where we’d had a picnic the first time Kyle visited me in NYC, and he surprised me with the proposal. Later that night, we celebrated with friends at Kyle’s surprise birthday party downtown.
When we started planning for the wedding, we both knew we wanted it to reflect us as a couple: fun-loving and laid-back. We agreed on an intimate, semi-destination wedding in Florida and then a larger reception in St. Louis at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. For years, Kyle and I had been visiting the Longboat Key, Florida condo that my grandparents owned. I grew up going on family vacations to Longboat Key, so it was a place that was not only special to me, but became special to both of us. We opted to do a small wedding at the Resort at Longboat Key Club with our immediate family members and bridal party. Our venue was in the marina, which featured Spanish moss, water views and a beautiful brick courtyard. Our design inspiration came from the natural surroundings—we did not want a “beachy theme,” and instead focused on a palette of neutrals with sage and mint accents. Our bouquets and floral arrangements included blue hydrangeas, orchids and champagne roses.
The entire weekend was relaxed and fun, and the wedding day was no different! The boys spent the morning boating around Sarasota, while the girls ordered breakfast, did hair and makeup and had a dance party. We hired an open-air trolley to shuttle guests from the hotel to the venue. After the intimate ceremony and cocktail hour, we enjoyed a seafood-centric dinner and danced the night away.
We wanted our wedding weekend to just feel like a beach getaway with all of our closest family and friends. Our wedding day was serene, merry and full of love.
Photography: Julie Cate Photography | Cinematography: Katrina Sorrentino | Floral Design: Beneva Flowers | Wedding Dress: Catherine Deane | Cake: Pastries By Design | Invitations: Ruby The Fox | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Kelly Anne Hair & Makeup | DJ: Wayne Delair Of Delair Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Transportation: Sarasota Trolley | Venue: The Beach at Longboat Key Club