Citrus-Inspired Wedding Design at The Gasparilla Inn
The Planning
Design / Vibe / Vision
In one sentence: Colorful details and fresh citrus meets tropical elegance.
The groom, Jacob, is Danish, and Megan is Jewish originally from Syracuse NY. They wanted a destination wedding that would bring family and friends from different cultures together, literally from all over the world, to enjoy a laid back and luxurious vacation vibe with their wedding day to top it all off. Choosing the Gasparilla Inn in February was the perfect tropical destination and venue to fit the bill! The couple really wanted to capture the old Florida yet elevated feel the island is known for, and at the same time incorporate very local-feeling fresh citrus and bright happy colors in their whimsical blooms.
Proposal Story
From the bride: "We drove cross country to move from Seattle to New Hampshire over May/June 2021. On our way home we stopped in Syracuse for a few weeks (where I'm from) to stay at my parent's house and that's where the planning started. I knew a proposal was coming eventually, but literally had no idea the day it happened. We went to one of my favorite coffee shops while my Sister and her husband were in town visiting and met up with my cousins. Then, we were supposed to walk to brunch, but on the way stopped at a park where Jacob proposed. He picked the park specifically because it was one of the only dog-friendly places in Portsmouth so our pup Bailey got to be there too. Then, after it happened, my parents came out from behind trees and surprised us! We had the best day grabbing lunch and hanging out to celebrate!"
Getting Ready
Bridal Portraits
Flat Lays
First Look
The Fashion
Wedding Gown
The bride stunned in a flattering a-line gown featuring hand sewn flowers by Marchesa, with a custom strapless neckline and cascading three dimensional appliques down the soft and whimsical tulle skirt. She finished her look with a fingertip length veil that perfectly accented her textured gown without taking away from it.
Bridesmaid Dresses
It was very important to Megan that her wedding day be extremely family-oriented. While surrounded by dozens of girlfriends throughout the day and on the dance floor, Megan opted for only her sister and Jacob's niece to accompany her down the aisle as her bridesmaids. In true laid-back Megan fashion, she allowed each bridesmaid to select a dress of their choice, knowing that confidence is the most beautiful thing any girl can wear.
Bridal Party
Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
The Details
Food & Drink
Though Megan is vegan and enjoyed a vegetable and quinoa pilaf for dinner, she also wanted all guests to feel spoiled with delicious options to fit their palettes. Her menu included local pan seared grouper as well as filet mignon.
One of her signature drinks, the strawberry mojito, was actually a recipe The Inn followed from Megan's own blog!- https://shortgirltallorder.com/strawberry-mojitos
Florals & Decor
Lush, vibrant blooms by Kaleidoscope events set the stage for a light-hearted and family-oriented evening, and rattan lanterns and string lights were the perfect compliment over the dance floor to make for a picturesque evening dancing away to upbeat tunes.
Megan told the florist she wanted "vibrant pops of color and citurs tones that channeled a tropical and whimsical feel", and I'd say they nailed it!
Wedding Cake
When Megan decided to leave her high powered corporate job a few years ago to pursue food blogging full time (shortgirltallorder.com), she never could have guessed she’d be creating her very own vegan wedding cake recipe.
The Gasparilla Inn didn't have a good recipe on hand to use for the moist and fluffy vegan cake Megan had in mind, so she happily provided her own for their use!
Featuring two different flavors (lemon and lavender as well as vanilla with berry jam), guests were dazzled by hand painted citrus accents on the cake fondant and enjoyed a decadent dessert you'd never know was vegan unless you were told!
Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs
Part of the prelude included a version of wildest dreams by Taylor Swift played on the violin, a song special to the couple and their relationship.
Megan's Jewish faith is very important to her, so her and Jacob's nearest and dearest gathered together under the chuppuh for a traditional Jewish ceremony ending with the ever-favorite breaking of the glass.
Though Megan and Jacob were supposed to say their I do's under the iconic Gasparilla Inn banyan tree, a hurricane swept through months before their wedding blowing away the famous tree along with it. Weeks before the big day, Megan and Jacob came to town to select a new ceremony location, and couldn't have been more thrilled with their chosen view of the sweeping golf course the Inn is famous for.
Couple Portraits
Reception