Florida Weddings

My city currently looks like the inside of a snowglobe, so to say this sunny Florida wedding came at the perfect time is a total understatement. Infused with pops of citrus, it’s a much-needed dose of Vitamin C and Jacqui Cole Photography + Voila Cinematic are to thank for the capturing every bit.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/191706064 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the couple… On a brisk February morning, just 8 months after their first date, Perry took Lindsay to a spot they’d visited a few times on weekend trips to Boca Grande. With prior arrangements and adventure in his voice, he led her to the top of the Boca Grande Lighthouse, overlooking the Boca Grande Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. Insisting she go before him like any other time, Lindsay stepped onto the catwalk first. When she turned around from taking in the view, Perry was down on one knee, topping all adventures they had shared together.

In agreement that a long engagement was not a priority, wedding plans commenced immediately. It was also a no-brainer that the affair would take place at the historic Gasparilla Inn, a place Lindsay had loved all her life.

Since we come from Florida families deeply rooted in agriculture, to incorporate some of these elements seemed only appropriate. My goal was to fuse Florida’s ‘woods and water’ in complete southern elegance and knew a citrus botanical would be the perfect element to compliment the Inn and its tropical locale and strongly nod to our Florida heritage. We incorporated the citrus from start to finish: from our save the dates to our cocktail stirrers. It’s something we wanted to stand strong, like our families who’ve long stuck with Florida’s citrus industry despite its ongoing hardships.

And like any true southerner, I adore a good monogram. In most of our details, I coupled the two to strengthen the personalization. I chose soft, muted colors for these details. I wanted the colors to reflect the island while keeping in mind we’d marry in October. I went a step further: Perry’s and my favorite colors are peach and green and these became our primary colors for everything.

Sharing college experiences with Old South traditions (Nashville, TN & Oxford, MS) sparks our love for a formal affair but we also feel nothing beats a down-home good time. For this, I aimed to create an elegant, yet laid-back atmosphere, which was a bit of a challenge. Customized corn hole boards and lounge seating on the lawn for cocktail hour were perfect additions for this relaxed vibe.

My favorite moments were our first look and our first dance. Our first look allowed Perry and I to have an intimate moment and really take in the magnitude of the day before being surrounded by family and friends. It also relieved so much angst, letting us relax and be fully present during our ceremony. Not to mention the time it saved by getting those one-on-one bride and groom shots out of the way so we could enjoy cocktail hour with our family and friends. It was during our first dance when I realized for the first time that I was his wife; that we would have each other forever. Being in his arms in that moment was the best feeling.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videographer: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: NK Productions Wedding Planning | Florist: MMD Events | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Kelly Anne Hair & Makeup | Tent Rental: US Tent Rental | Bridal Gown: Austin Scarlett | Bridal Store: Calvet Couture Bridal | Coozies: Oh Deer Creative | Invites, Table Numbers, Menu, Cocktail Napkins: Paper Goat Post | Monogrammed Napkins: Say It With Stiches | Music: Wiley Entertainment | Reception, Ceremony : The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Signage: Meg Grant Co.

The phrase ‘going green’ has taken on a new meaning thanks to this pretty party from Kallima Photography. See that greenery? Well, little did you know that Courtney used the exact same ivy from her Mother’s wedding bouquet, making this stunner of a celebration seriously sentimental. Graced with A&P Designs and elegant details, we’ve got it all in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Both Florida natives, Brock and I share a love for the water. When he introduced me to the little slice of heaven that is Boca Grande, it quickly became a special place to us as a couple. Having grown up in different parts of Florida, we loved the idea of a black-tie wedding in a coastal setting. The Gasparilla Inn & Club was the perfect venue — elegant, charming and old Florida at its finest.

Our flowers were an elegant mix of white and ivory hydrangeas, orchids and roses with gold accents throughout the reception. My bouquet was a very special part of our wedding day. Inspired by mother’s bouquet, I knew I wanted cascading flowers and to incorporate the ivy used in her bouquet that my Dad had preserved from their wedding 30 years ago.

I wanted my dress to be one of a kind so what better place to find the perfect dress then New York City. With no certain style or silhouette in mind, I tried on the Victoria gown at Vera Wang and felt as if it was made for me. There was just something so unique, yet timeless about it that I had never seen before. I paired it with a cathedral veil to add to the dramatic effect.

The wedding day was everything we dreamed it would be and more. We wanted our guests to have the time of their lives and feel our appreciation for the influence they had on us. To have all of our favorite people in our favorite place was truly amazing.

Photography: Kallima Photography | Cinematography: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: One Fine Day, Inc. | Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: A&P Designs | Ceremony Venue: Boca Grande United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair + Makeup: Jessica Scantlin | Band: The Headliners Band | Groom's Suit: Ralph Lauren | Ceremony Music: Dillingham Quartet | Tent: TentLogix

If you could evoke the essence of Italy in a wedding, this would be it. The lace veil alone has me dreaming of a medieval stone church tucked away in some Tuscan town. With Lana Ponomarenko Photography on hand to capture it all, abundant florals and a rustic tablescape transformed this Florida courtyard into an Italian villa.

Lana Ponomarenko Photography

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Lana Ponomarenko Photography… I always was in love with intimate Italian weddings. Together with wedding designer Inna Olimpiyuk Events we tried to bring a little Italy to Florida :)

We wanted it to be relaxed, very personal and full of love – a big family celebration of marriage and happiness in a magical atmosphere. We envisioned a laid-back evening at family villa.

Beautiful flower arrangements were made of white sweet pea, honeysuckles, snowberries, and burgundy roses with olive branches wrapped with hand–dyed silk ribbons.

Photography: Lana Ponomarenko Photography | Event Design: Inna Olimpiyuk Events | Floral Design: Inna Olimpiyuk Events | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake : Luba's Cakes And Pastries | Stationery: Gallant And Such | Makeup : Krista Worth Make Up | Hair: Hope Stanley | Bridal Boutique : Bill Levkoff Via Charlotte Bridal Boutique | Paper Goods: Silk and Willow | Rentals : Sweet Southern Charm

I’m enchanted by these Floridan colors; the pinks, greens and creams have me captivated. Dave Lapham captured every gorgeous shade at this elegant, yet relaxed, wedding, and Sixpence Productions made me not only feel like I personally know this couple, but wish that I had been there to celebrate with them. Sit back and enjoy this beautiful treat ahead and get ready to smile for the rest of the day.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/109434749 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Sixpence Productions… Full disclosure, this gorgeous girl is my cousin Molly. She’s patient, affectionate, enthusiastic, smart, organized, and well-traveled. I could go on for days about how fabulous she is because I’m just that proud of Molly, and her sisters Laura and Emily. Molly’s perfect half came in the form of the handsome, intelligent, loving, thoughtful and sincere, Dustin. As maid of honor Emily, quotes their mother Mary in her speech, “They really are each others perfect compliment.” We lost Mary just six weeks before the wedding and this film is dedicated to her memory.

When I talk to couples before their wedding about hiring us, I tell them about how we focus on their friends and family rather than what I call “eye candy.” I consider eye candy to be all the gorgeous details and location shots which are nice to look at, but don’t really advance your story or add to the narrative. Boca Grande is my hometown, and in the early stages of editing this wedding film sneak peek, it looked like a love letter to Gasparilla Island with lots of beautiful details sprinkled in, rather than a story about Molly and Dustin, so I stopped, tore apart the edit, and focused on their story. At the end of the day, it’s not about my creative vision for a film. It’s about our couples. Molly’s sister Laura taught me that several years ago when I created her wedding film, and it’s shaped how I approach all my films to this day. I want to assure you, that this wedding had gobs of eye candy, but it belongs in their final film, not this sneak peek.

From the Bride… Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted a Floridian wedding. Summer afternoons were spent dreaming up the details, and I would run around our home in Tampa Bay, sharing the palette, menu, and decor to anyone who would listen. My Mom used to joke that I had planned my wedding by age ten, but I couldn’t help but find inspiration in the colors and architecture of the “old Florida” that surrounded me. I loved the elegance, charm, and history, and often begged my Grandparents to share photos and stories of the St. Petersburg they once knew, fifty years ago. Despite a move to North Carolina, and to Columbus, Ohio soon thereafter, my heart still remained in Florida, with the vision of my wedding day painted with a Gulf of Mexico sunset.

Although Dustin and I met in Columbus, we spent a lot of time in Florida over the years, visiting my family in Tampa Bay, and his extended family in Polk County. When he proposed, it felt natural to pick Florida for the wedding, a place that’s so special to each of us, and a place that we have grown to love even more as we have experienced it together. We explored venues in my home town, but ultimately settled on a venue in a town newer to the two of us, but one very familiar to both of our families: Gasparilla Island. Boca Grande, the small town on the Island, was home to my Aunt, who started its first newspaper on the island, the Boca Beacon back in the 1970s. Dustin’s family grew up fishing in Boca Grande, and spent countless weekends exploring the island and its surrounding waters. Boca Grande is a true Floridian gem, abound with “old Florida” charm. It’s a rare place that’s been untouched for countless years, and one that we couldn’t wait to share with our guests on our wedding day.

We fell in love with the Boca Bay Pass Club and knew its views of the Gulf would be the perfect backdrop for a tented reception. We took inspiration from the venue’s surroundings, choosing classic decor that echoed the beauty of the island – shades of pink linens, floral arrangements of peonies and hydrangeas, whimsical calligraphy on signage and place cards. The Sperry Tent, adorned with a canopy of bistro lights, was one of my favorite details of the wedding, and (with the help of a beautiful April sunset!) helped create a stunning ambience for the reception. Floridian touches were scattered throughout the wedding – a menu highlighting Gulf Shrimp and Grouper, assorted pies from a nearby bakery, Boca Beacon newspapers layered in each welcome bag, hand drawn maps of the island passed out to each guest. Since many of our friends and family traveled long distances to Boca Grande, we wanted to ensure they fell in love with the island’s charm and simplicity, just as we had. Sarah Tucker’s guidance and support truly helped create a magical night for the two of us, and we could not be more thankful to our talented group of vendors that helped our vision come to life.

Photography: Dave Lapham Photography | Cinematography: Sixpence Studios | Floral Design: Victoria Blooms | Wedding Gown: Essense of Australia | Wedding Cake: Publix Bakery | Ceremony: The Lighthouse Church Of Boca Grande | Reception: Boca Bay Pass Club | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Camilyn Beth | Calligrapher: Juliet Grace Design | Band: Brett Foreman Band | Tent: Sperry Tents | Accomodations: The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Bridesmaid's Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | Event Designer/Planner: Sarah Tucker Events | Linens: Linens By The Sea | Music License: Evan Wise Through Songfreedom | Pastor: The Lighthouse Church Of Boca Grande | Rentals: US Tent Rental | Wedding Pies: Yoder's Restaurant

Have I told you lately that coral-splashed weddings own my heart? It’s true, they do. And when they come hand in hand with the cutest little flower girls, seashells and sand in your toes? I love them even more. Our friends at K and K Photography stood behind every pretty moment that sits in this sweet gallery and it’s all so, sooo lovely.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the beautiful Bride… All the vendors we worked with were extremely helpful and did a fabulous job of helping us to plan an extraordinary event that our family and friends thoroughly enjoyed. Most importantly Mark and I had an incredibly special day that we will cherish the memories of for a lifetime.

Mark and I really wanted our children to be part of the ceremony so my daughter Tiffany was my maid of honor and his son Max was his best man. My son Zac also stood up for Mark and walked me down the aisle since my father passed away many years ago. Mark’s daughter Olivia and my Goddaughter Sydney also stood up for me. Neither Olivia nor Sydney had ever been flower girls when they were young so that is what they wanted to be in the wedding. This was perfect because we have two English Bulldogs, Bentley and Brutus, who are very much a part of our family so we made them ring bearers and had them walk down the aisle with the girls. I made their tuxes which was the perfect distraction during the wedding planning!

Photography: K and K Photography, LLC | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Florist: Jana Stall With Events In Bloom | Wedding Gown: Justin Alexander | Invitations: Joanne With Inviting Business | Hair & Makeup: Lisa H With Salon Agape | Calligraphy: Calligraphia By Melissa | DJ: Vollmar Entertainment Group | Limo: Ambassador Limo | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Boca Bay Pass Club | Custom Cake Topper: I Do Cake Toppers | Dress Shop: The White Closet (Cindy And Sarah) | Food/Cake/Venue: Innisbrook | Linens: Connie Duglin | Minister: Sensational Ceremonies

If we’re being totally honest here, I’ve never actually heard of Boca Grande (I know, shameful being a Gulf Coast resident myself), but after this gorgeous wedding it’s pretty much top of my vacation list right now. Vitalic Photo’s images of the day are something out of a dream – a really bright and happy dream – and they have totally convinced me to pack my flip flops and go!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the photographer… Erin Leigh Littrell and Matthew David Turner’s destination wedding in Boca Grande was the perfect intimate affair on a July summer night. With most of their family and guests being from Oklahoma, the island was full of golf carts zipping around to the ceremony and reception. The quaint Baptist church and Gasparilla Inn Beach Club provided the perfect venues for a Florida West Coast wedding.

Photography: Vitalic Photo | Florist: Botanica International Design Studio | Gown: Vera Wang | Reception: The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Suits: Haspel | Bridesmaid: Anne M. Cramer | Earrings: Mikimoto | Invitations/Paper Goods: Sarah-Allen Preston Designs | Reception Band: Bay Players Club | Ring Bearer Belt: Smathers & Branson | Veil: Toni Federici | Wedding Designer/Planner: Sarah-Allen Preston Designs

Preppy meets classic just might be my favorite combination ever.  Aside from the fact that they are both seriously gorgeous ways to style your day, it’s that feel of a classic celebration mixed with a dose of prepster whimsy that kind of takes a wedding from downright pretty to “oh my gosh, I’ve never seen something so amazing.”  And in the case of this stunning Boca Grande affair, it’s all of the aforementioned mixed with some of the sweetest details you will ever see, including beautiful bridesmaid frocks from Julie Brown Designs, fab paper goods from Dabney Lee and a whole host of breathtaking images from K&K Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… We fell in love with Boca Grande when I surprised Justin with a weekend getaway at The Gasparilla Inn & Club for his 30th birthday. It was the most amazing, romantic place we had ever visited and we knew it was the perfect fit (even though we had already started planning our wedding in Maine). I am so happy that we chose a destination wedding because it allowed us to really spend time with our guests at the various events we planned (a cocktail party on Thursday, a golf tournament and a welcome dinner on Friday, and a brunch on Sunday), rather than frantically trying to visit with everyone in one night.

We wanted our wedding to feel like “us,” so we skipped lots of the traditions that didn’t feel right for the intimate night we had in mind (announcing the bride, groom, and the bridal party, the bouquet and garter toss, etc.). Instead, we focused on personal touches, like the salt favor escort cards that my mom and her girlfriends put together the morning of the wedding and the programs that we glued to painted wood so they would not blow away during our beachfront ceremony. The bridesmaid’s dresses were really the jumping off point for the “look” we were going for, and one of my best friends designed the amazing invitations, menus and table numbers to go with our theme. For the dinner, we wanted everyone to feel like they were at an intimate dinner party rather than a typical wedding reception. We chose long feasting tables covered in clustered floral arrangements and tons of candles and mercury glass that my mom and I found months before. The real icing on the cake was our DJ, Jonathan Cortez, singing live throughout dinner. It was so special and enchanting. I remember walking into that room, with all of the candles and the lit fire, and looking at Justin and feeling overwhelmed with the beauty of it all and the love that I felt for him.

It is amazing how fast the night flew by, but we are so thankful to Jeff at K&K Photography for capturing every moment. He is so incredibly talented and has such a natural ability to capture every moment while also making everyone feel comfortable and at ease. We feel so blessed that so many of our friends and family were able to come celebrate with us, and we are just so thrilled to start the next chapter of our lives together!

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: K&K Photography | Wedding Venue: Gasparilla Inn + Club | Invitations: Dabney Lee | Floral Design: Suncoast Florist | String Quartet: Musical Rendezvous | DJ: Jonathan Cortez | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Julie Brown Designs | Ties: Thomas Pink

One thing we know for certain here at SMP Florida?  Boca Grande weddings are amazing.  And Boca Grande weddings featuring beautiful florals from Botanica International Design Studio and captured in stunning images by BinaryFlips Photography?  Even better.  Which is why we happen to be head over heels for this little gem of a day planned to perfection by One Fine Day Weddings & Events.  It’s everything we love about Boca Grande affairs, complete with a beyond beautiful couple, intimate setting and heartwarming moments aplenty.  See it all in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… When Thomas proposed to me at The Breakers, Palm Beach, during the Spring I knew right away that an ocean-front wedding in Florida the following Spring would be the perfect fit for our big day. We searched quite a few locations along the West Coast of our beloved state, yet found all too quickly that many venues did not offer the intimacy we were looking for. Also, we wanted a backyard feel for our wedding instead of a beach ceremony, which cut our options down significantly. After a few months of searching it finally hit us. The intimate island of Boca Grande, where our families have spent so many years vacationing and where Thomas and I both love to fish. The moment we stepped foot onto the beautiful, wooden front porch of The Gasparilla Inn & Club, we were hooked. It offered the most beautiful setting for an elegant, Southern style, black tie affair while still keeping the relaxed feel of Florida that we love.

It was very important for me to keep our wedding intimate in every aspect possible. We opted for a circle ceremony instead of a traditional aisle ceremony so that our bridesmaids and groomsmen, standing behind us, were physically “backing us” in our union, while our family and friends encompassed us. Thomas’ uncle, a United Methodist Minister, officiated our ceremony and his sister, Martha, sang “Songbird” as we lit our unity candle. It was incredible to have our loved ones lead us into our future as husband and wife.

Our palette of pink, gold and ivory meshed seamlessly with our surroundings. Botanica International Design Studio created beautiful cherry blossom trees in antiqued planter boxes to define our aisle, as well as a gorgeous ring of blush colored rose petals to circle us during our vows. The absolutely breathtaking space they created under our reception tent was filled with cherry blossoms, tulips, peonies and roses in mercury glass containers. Lavish candles and crystal chandeliers lit our evening. I had explained my vision to Sarah Fairbairn of One Fine Day, Inc. and she put it together perfectly. We were so blessed to have found BinaryFlips Photography to document our extraordinary day. Their use of light and beautiful detail shots were exactly what we had dreamt of in wedding photography. As it rained an hour before our ceremony, Dennis and Tina captured the most wonderful shots and used the circumstances to their advantage. They were an absolute joy to work with.

The day of our wedding was indescribable. So many of our friends and family traveled to Boca Grande to celebrate our love and our next step in life together. The sense of harmony between everyone was incredible. We commemorated our loved ones that are no longer with us on programs created in classic Crane & Co. stationary, to match our invitations. After enjoying The Gasparilla Inn’s decadent dinner and signature Gaspartinis we danced the evening away to the sound of Phase5, our wonderful wedding band. Later, a firework show treated our guests with a beautiful ending to a memorable day. Thomas and I were sent off by an aisle of sparklers and picked up by a 1955 Bentley. We are so grateful to everyone that made our dream into a beautiful reality.

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: BinaryFlips | Wedding Venue: The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida | Event Design + Coordination: Sarah Fairbairn from One Fine Day Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio | Catering + Wedding Cake: The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Groom’s Cake: Cakes by Ron | String Quartet: Sean O’neil from Musical Rendezvous | Band: Phase 5 | Wedding Stationery: Crane & Co. | Fireworks: Zambelli Fireworks | Wedding Dress + Veil: Anne Barge via Malindy Elene | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale | Flower Girl Attire: Katina Katoo

One thing I can never get enough of – peonies.  Bouquets of fluffy, to-die-for, couldn’t be more beautiful peonies.  Well, that and the amazing images of Melissa Schollaert Photography.  Together they make one crazy gorgeous duo and with the help of Designs By Jody, they’re shining brighter than ever in this glorious gem of a Gasparilla Island wedding.  Add in a breathtaking Monique Lhuillier gown, amazing paper goods from Sarah Drake Design and a bride and groom who are the definition of stunning and we can call this a seriously pretty, peony-filled Thursday.  See it all in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Melissa Schollaert Photography… The wedding was held in Boca Grande, Florida, on a little island called Gasparilla Island. It is a very remote and small island and is known for its tarpon fishing. The ceremony was held at a little white chapel, St. Andrew’s, while the reception took place Boca Bay Pass Club at the end of the island.

Wedding Photography: Melissa Schollaert Photography / Ceremony: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Boca Grande, Florida / Reception: Boca Bay Pass Club in Boca Grande, Florida / Floral Design + Decor: Designs By Jody / Wedding Cake: Baked Occasions / Wedding Stationery + Invitations: Sarah Drake Design / Band: Soul Survivor / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Simple Silhouettes / Groomsmen’s Sport Coats: Michael Kors / Men’s Ties: Vineyard Vines / Men’s Pants + Shirts: Jos. A. Bank

You know we like to kick off the work week with a whole lot of pretty, so when the ever-fabulous Yvette Price Events sent along this sweeter than sweet Boca Grande affair, we knew it was the perfect Monday morning treat.  I’m talking a too-cute-for-words bride and groom, a ceremony that will take your breath away (literally) and a whimsical meets rustic vibe that is crazy gorgeous in every.which.way.  All snapped up in pretty images by the oh-so-wonderful team of Ashlee Addison, Mike Wolanin and Morgan Matters, this, my friends, is one SERIOUS love-fest.  See it all right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Yvette Price Events… Back in 2003, after his freshman year in college, Tim was asked by his friend and fraternity brother Todd to join him for dinner with a group of 11 young ladies that Todd had gone to high school with. Not wanting to be the only man in the group, Todd invited Tim, and Tim eagerly accepted. Tim however had no idea that he was heading to a dinner that would eventually alter his future path. There, he met Kilee for the first time. Kilee, a recent high school graduate, was heading to her freshman year at the University of Indiana, while Tim was entering his second year of college at Miami of Ohio. People say, “Timing is everything,” and for this delightful couple this could not be truer! Since their reunion in 2007, Kilee and Tim remain devoted to each other, their families and friends.

In March 2011, with the help of Kilee’s immediate family, Tim flew down to Boca Grande, Florida, for a very special proposal. During that same weekend, the couple decided Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island would be the perfect backdrop for their romantic, shabby chic destination wedding. Throughout the last four years, the couple has enjoyed countless ventures in diverse places, yet Boca Grande seems to be among the couple’s favorites. For Kilee in particular, Boca Grande has endearing memories of family vacations and numerous hours spent climbing the canopy of banyan trees with her siblings, which is yet another reason she chose this iconic street on the island as her backdrop for her nuptials. Kilee’s ONE and ONLY must have was that she had to get married on Banyan Street under a gorgeous crystal chandelier, surrounded by rustic elements, welcoming flowers and, of course, the canopy of banyan trees dripping over the entire street. And with the help of some amazing vendors, we were able to pull it off!

Wedding Photography: Ashlee Addison Photography (Sister of the Bride), Mike Wolanin (Assistant Photographer to Ashlee Addison) + Morgan Matters Photographer (A Bridesmaid) / Ceremony: Banyan Street in Boca Grande, Florida / Reception: Boca Grande Club in Boca Grande, Florida / Event Design + Planning: Yvette Price of Yvette Price Events / Personal Ceremony Flowers + Reception Centerpieces: Ronica Davis of Native Gardens Florist / Banyan Street Decor, Floral Design, Chandelier, Staging, Custom Aisle Runner + Staging Cover: Lynn McGhee, Frank Clemente + Suzan Gough of Concept Bait / Officiant: Reverend David Moenning (The Bride’s Uncle) / Ceremony Programs: The Paper Tree / Ceremony Musicians: Jay Goodley Entertainment / Band: Seranade of Souls / Linens: La Tavola (Burlap, White Alencon Lace Toppers and Tuscano Collection: Ocean) / Accommodations: The Gasparilla Inn & Club / Bridal Party Transportation: Green Hibiscus Trolley / Wedding Dress: Pronovias “Adela” / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale (Blush Crinkle Silk Chiffon) / Flower Girl’s Dress: US Angels (Champagne) / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank (Gray Linen) / Ring Bearers’ Suits: J.Crew Crewcuts

Wrapping up the week is this gorgeous Boca Raton fete captured oh-so-perfectly by Soul Echo Studios. This reception location is to die for beautiful and totally romantic under the banyan trees. It’s like a super chic jungle with dinner and dancing! And what’s not to love about that?! Click here for the entire day, you won’t be disappointed!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Soul Echo Studios… This was a beautiful outdoor wedding surrounded by tall banyan trees. It had plenty of gorgeous decor full of orchids and lots of details to inspire brides. A very elegant couple and nice locations.

Jessica and Justin got ready at the Boca Resort in Boca Raton, Florida. They did a first look at the hotel where most of the portraits were done. The ceremony and reception took place outdoors at the Spanish-style location The Addison among towering banyan trees. Jessica changed outfits into a party dress half way through the reception.

Wedding Photography: Alex of Soul Echo Studios / Wedding Venue: The Addison in Boca Raton, Florida / Floral Design: Joan of Tropical Elegance / Wedding Dress: Christos / Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran / Hair + Makeup: Jenna Marie of Kiss This Makeup / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff / Groom’s Tuxedo: Marc Ecko

We have such a beauty to share with you this morning thanks to the talented team behind the lens at Care Studios! It’s the type of fête people flock to Florida for, and the lush backdrop of the island of Boca Grande (a place near and dear to the Groom and his family) provided the perfect place for the pretty to unfold. The Bride, a blogger on Huffington Post Weddings, was able to put all her talents to work leading up to this stylish soiree, and you can see it all come to life in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL gallery!

From the Bride… Rob and I met at George’s at the Cove in La Jolla. We were both living in San Diego while completing our post-doctoral work. Two weeks after our first date, Rob found out he would be moving to Seattle in just a few short months for work. We both knew we’d found “The One.” Nothing was going to keep us apart! I quit my job and packed up to move with him to Seattle just *two months* after our first date! It was the best decision of my life. We became engaged eight months into our relationship, and the engagement lasted one year.

Boca Grande Island is the best-kept secret around. It is timeless beauty and tranquility. Rob has wonderful memories of growing up and vacationing in the area with his grandmother and grandfather. It meant the world to us to have our wedding on the most beautiful island imaginable with all of the people we love. Our family and friends came from all corners of the US to be with us, and we will cherish the memories forever. This was a destination wedding, and we chose to have a romantic, simple and classic theme. The grounds of the Gasparilla Inn are stunning. We didn’t want to distract from the natural beauty of our surroundings; the crisp green of the golf course, the gorgeous water, the views from the gazebo. Rob and I wanted to have our wedding to reflect a timelessness and ease that embodies the island.

As for advice, I also have a wedding blog on Huffington Post where I discuss weddings and relationship issues. As a psychologist, I combine my love for weddings and my love for romance in my work with pre-marital couples. You can check it out here. Do know that all of the planning (and stress!) is so totally worth it. Just remember to plan a wedding in a place that is meaningful for you, and do plan to take your honeymoon right away! Our wedding was the best week of my life, hands down. It brought my husband and I even closer together and far exceeded my expectations.

Wedding Photography: Bob and Mariela of Care Studios / Ceremony: The Golf Course at The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida / Reception: The Gazebo at The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida / Officiant: Pastor Brian Brightly of The Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande / Catering + Wedding Cake: The Gasparilla Inn & Club / Wedding Invitations: The American Wedding / Ceremony Violin: Leah Rothe / Reception Music: Black Tie DJs / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Bellevue Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Nordstrom / Hair + Makeup: The Gasparilla Inn & Club / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein

One thing I know for certain – this wedding is awesome.  The kind of awesome that can only be found in chevron linens, a vibrant color palette and one seriously gorgeous seaside location.  The kind that jumps straight from your computer screen in the form of beautiful blooms by Native Gardens Florist and fab paper goods by Nico & Lala.  The kind that instantly puts a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Yep… it’s just that good.  And when you wrap up all of that lovely with breathtaking images by Concept Photography and a too.cute.for.words bride and groom, well… it’s awesome.  See it all right here.

From the Bride… Boca Grande is a very special place to Alan and me. Alan grew up going to Little Gasparilla Island, which is a boat ride away from Boca Grande. It was also one of the first places we went together on vacation. We had always envisioned a laid-back, coastal location for our wedding weekend — a place where our friends and family could relax and spend the entire weekend on “vacation.” The Gasparilla Inn was the perfect venue – classy, gorgeous and a little slice of old Florida.

The biggest challenge was living in Orlando and having our wedding location three hours away. It did make for some long days on the road – sometimes day trips and other weekend trips to knock as much out as we could while down on the island. Luckily for us, we got to enjoy many beautiful beach days and weekends on the island while in town, so I can’t say it was that challenging!

The mix of coastal, preppy and southern charm was played out in every area of our weekend. From the starfish vases on the tables to the chevron table cloths and shrimp and grits for dinner! I had a “look” I wanted for the tables and searched everywhere for chevron style table linens. I had no luck with linen companies, so decided to order fabric off of Etsy, and my sister made the 14 table linens for the reception. They were a perfect match to our fabulous invitations! A friend designed the programs, reception table and drink cards. She took our invitation and interpreted it in the most perfect way. Instead of flower boutonnieres for the guys, we purchased starfish and had pins put on them. It was the a fun touch to a coastal wedding! For our guest book, I got a coffee table book on Boca Grande and had all our guests sign it so we can display in our new home! I purchased all the glass vases for the tables — I found buying them was the same price as renting them, and now we can reuse them in our new home for backyard parties!

There were quite a few moments that stood out for me on our wedding day. Seeing each other before the ceremony was really special for the both of us. We got a chance to spend some time together taking pictures, laughing and taking in all the moments that led up to that day. When the church doors opened and my Dad and I walked down the aisle, it was a moment I had dreamed about my whole life. To see Alan at the end of the altar with tears in his eyes was indescribable. Walking into our reception as we were introduced for the first time truly took my breath away. Seeing all our family and friends there celebrating with us in the most gorgeous setting I have ever seen in my life – with the crystal green ocean and sand in the background, it felt like a dream.

Wedding Photography: Concept Photography / Ceremony: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Boca Grande, Florida / Reception: The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida / Floral Design: Native Gardens Florist in Boca Grande, Florida / Wedding Cake: The Gasparilla Inn & Club / Wedding Invitations: Nico & Lala / Band: Wings of Sound / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Hair + Makeup: Vanessa Schmitz of Stella Luca

It’s raining cats and dogs this Monday morning, so a Boca Grande beauty by K and K Photography seems to be the perfect way to get lost for the day. It’s 100% beach chic, with it’s fabulous color palette, gorgeous bride and groom, and perfect seaside setting. Not to mention the bride’s engagement ring literally knocked my socks right off my feet. Although I guess being sock-less is a good thing for getting lost in this sandy soiree, because after looking through all the pretty images in the full gallery I can almost feel the sand between my toes…

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…When Oakley and I were engaged we both knew we didn’t want a huge wedding. As we are both from the same hometown, we knew it would be very hard to keep it intimate having the wedding there. So we moved it down to Boca Grande, FL, a place where we each spent time growing up with our families and a perfect setting for what we wanted. We chose the Gazebo at The Gasparilla Inn Golf Club for our ceremony, which was ideal for an outdoor wedding, but also because Oakley spent many spring days under the same roof waiting for a golf game. We tried to incorporate as much of the island as possible, opting for a local bakery shop to make all the key lime pies for dessert and listing all of our favorite locales on our weekend itinerary for our guests, including the names of local fishermen for our guests to reach out to…which they did! As a predominately New York based crowd, there was a huge effort made by all who came down for the weekend. It meant the world to us to see all of our favorite people in our favorite spot.

As for decor, the island itself is such a beautiful place that we wanted the wedding to fit within its surroundings, though keep a classic, not overly beachy feel. With my favorite colors being all shades of blue, it was fun to coordinate with the setting; a deep blue sky and turquoise waters. We opted for shades of blue paper lanterns, alternating blue and green bridesmaid dresses and striped groomsmen ties, blue table linens, sea glass and mason jars. As a present to his groomsmen, Oakley had needlepoint belts made with symbols of Boca Grande and each person’s initials, also in keeping with our color scheme. All of this, paired with the crisp whites of the peonies, linen napkins, bridesmaids’ earrings, groomsmens’ trousers, and a black and white dance floor created the perfect balance for which I had hoped.

Looking back, we would not have changed a thing. Being surrounded by our closest friends and family in Boca Grande certainly made it the best weekend we could have ever imagined.

Wedding Photography: K and K Photography, LLC / Event Coordination: Events by Maestro / Ceremony Venue: Gazebo at The Gasparilla Inn Golf Club / Reception Venue: The Boca Bay Pass Club / Florals: The Naked Florist / Ceremony + Reception Music: Tropics Entertainment / Reception Band: Libido / Tent, Chairs, Linens, Lanterns: US Tent Rental / Invitations, Place Cards, Programs: William Arthur Fine Stationery from Min Meg II

Imagine whisking away to a beautiful island where you’re greeted by a heavenly spread of s’mores and ice cream.  Then parading through town with a beaming bride and groom behind the coolest accordion player to an idyllic reception where a great Italian feast ensues complete with your own personal lemoncello di testani.  The night ends against the backdrop of the the most perfect sunset and lounging under the stars.  Sound absolutely divine?  Yeah, we thought so too.  Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites made this dream destination experience come true for these two lovebirds and their lucky guests.  Click here to see even more from this Italiano celebrazione in Boca Grande!

Check out the full wedding gallery for more inspiration!

This beautiful destination wedding was located on the quaint island of Boca Grande, Florida. The welcome reception included a warm fire pit with a s’more station and ice cream treats. The ceremony was held in the newly renovated St. Andrews Episcopal Church, which had an antique flair lit by brass lanterns which created a homey feeling among all who attended. The finishing touch to the pews were hydrangea and ribbon. The red door to enter the chapel was adorned with a starfish made up of white floral blooms.

All the wedding guests paraded to the reception site led by the bride and groom and an accordion player, where they enjoyed a cocktail hour and socialized among familiar faces. The reception was held in a breathtaking white draped tent outlined by glimmering crystal chandeliers. The floral throughout was composed of  purple hydrangeas, white gladiolus, and l peonies. The dessert table was overflowing with three classic cakes and matching cupcakes. Guests were thrilled to see the Cigar roller available for their enjoyment, and they smoked under the stars in the outdoor lounge.

Event Design, Planning + Paper Goods: Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites / Wedding Photography: Impressions / Florals: Floral Artistry / Ceremony Venue: St. Andrews Episcopal Church / Reception Venue: Gasparilla Inn / Tent: Premier Tents / Talent: Paul Lawrence / Music: Buzzcats

We are featuring another beautiful wedding from Michael Schuhmann. His photography talents are industry-renowned and so very well-deserved …

Sara and Jerry were married in Boca Grande, Florida. The stunning lighting effects were provided by Tony Ormonde Productions. The gorgeous floral design was done by our own Little Black Book’s Botanica International Design Studio. Event coordination by Camille S Williams.

Many of Michael’s image treatments reflect the feelings of days gone by … of past and present perfectly blended into fine contemporary compositions.

If you look carefully, you’ll see that each image has a story all it’s own…

Photography by Michael

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

Yesterday, one of Michael’s colleagues had this to say: “Michael Schuhmann is a rare talent in the wedding industry and the Florida market is very fortunate to have him in it’s backyard. Having documented weddings alongside Michael over several seasons it never ceases to amaze me the fresh ideas and passion Michael brings to every event for which he is retained. His work always puts a smile on my face and exceeds expectations. It’s a shame the general public has not yet seen the depth and breadth of Michael’s fine art work. At a time when unfortunately the term “fine art” has lost it’s currency in a world of too many “me too, fine art photographers”, these wedding images demonstrate the stunning quality of the work Michael is able to deliver to those couples fortunate enough to retain his golden eye.”

We couldn’t agree more!