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Chic Miami Wedding at The Raleigh

From the Bride… Michael and I met and fell in love in New York City while we were both in school. My family lives in the greater Boston area and his family lives in South Florida. To make choosing a location even more difficult, Michael and I live between them in Louisville, Kentucky. Although our family was spread throughout the US, it was easy to choose Florida… sunny weather, gorgeous waters, warm beaches, fulfilling our dream to have an entirely outdoor wedding under the stars.

We chose Fisher Island Club, a private island accessible only by ferry. The Vanderbilt Mansion has a unique history, along with the most incredible banyan tree, which was exactly the organic, natural vibe I wanted for our ceremony. When I saw that tree, I knew immediately that was where we had to have our ceremony.

Having so many people travel to our destination was an indescribable feeling. We wanted a wedding reception that would feel warm, welcoming and full of love, with something for everyone that night: a Cuban cigar roller, open-air photo booth, lots of dessert tapas, and great dancing music. It was amazing to see family and friends from different times of our lives sharing cigars and mini-Baileys milkshakes. We added personal touches, such as my grandmother’s pin attached to my bouquet stem, groomsmen wearing matching socks, and a vintage love seat that made my heart skip a beat when I first saw it. Guests lit long-lasting sparklers to illuminate the floor for our first dance to Ben Howard’s “Only Love.”

Our florist and planner, Guerdy Abraira, brought my vision to life – the incredible twinkle lights to bring the sky down to create intimacy, the romantic flowers and garlands, and the entire vibe of the day and night. Our photographer, Kat Braman and videographer, Voila Cinematic, captured moments and emotions between us that we didn’t even know existed. Rock with U’s string quartet for ceremony, jazz trio for cocktail hour, and DJ/Band fusion assembled all my favorite music that flowed perfectly with my party friends and our older crowd alike.

Planning a destination wedding can sometimes feel like putting unmatched puzzle pieces together, wondering how it will all flow, but when it all comes together that night, it’s magic. Being surrounded by family and friends dancing under the twinkle lights and stars, marrying my best friend, it was the most beautiful night of our lives.

What happens when you blend classic romance with modern touches? One word: perfection. Take a look at the gallery from Julie Cate Photography and you’ll see exactly what we mean. Set amidst twinkling cafe lights and swaying palm trees, this darling duo wed in one timeless ceremony fit for the ages. It’s a gallery not to be missed and it’s waiting for you over here!

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Winter Weddings

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From The Bride…Andrew and I had been dating for close to 7 years, and before that, we were great friends for 5 years. I probably knew he was “the one” even before we began dating (although I usually don’t admit that). After he proposed in November at the duck pond in front of Gapstow Bridge in Central Park in NYC, where we live, and began planning our wedding, we knew we wanted the day to feel super romantic with a touch of modernity, so we chose blush and navy for our colors. Most importantly, we wanted to treat friends and family to a really awesome and fun party.

We chose a winter wedding in Miami, where I’m from. Once we had nailed down the city, we knew we had to take advantage of the climate and beaches and have an outdoor wedding.

The ceremony was held at Plymouth Congregational Church, an old historic church built in the early 1900s modeled after Spanish missions in Mexico, which really played in to the romantic vibe. It’s also extra special because I got baptized there and my aunt had her wedding ceremony at the church 30-something years prior. An added fun touch: we got to privately ring the tower church bells minutes after saying “I Do.”

For the reception, we chose The Raleigh Hotel, an art deco hotel on South Beach. The space was so “us” – chic yet laidback. To play off of the art deco decor, we added ’20s inspired elements which was carried throughout the invite suite, welcome bags and signage. Since we’re also both a bit silly, we balanced out romantic F. Scott Fitzgerald quotes displayed with personalized napkins and matches with fun sayings like “Light My Fire” and “Burn Baby Burn.” Set amidst twinkling cafe lights and swaying palm trees, guests were greeted with welcome cocktails (a Blushing Bride or an Old Fashioned Groom), classic Cuban cigars hand-rolled on site and bossa nova music played by a guitarist. For our guest book, we had friends and family take a Polaroid of themselves and then glue it into the book with well wishes, which everyone had a lot of fun with. Our main obsession is our dog, Theo, so we wanted to make sure we incorporated him in to the day. While we couldn’t have him be the ring bearer because we got married in a church, we made sure to do portraits with him right after our first look and also treated guests to Theo-replica cookies. Throughout the night, when guests weren’t dining on contemporary, seasonal fare by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Schwartz or noshing on dulce de leche, raspberry or red velvet cake from the amazing Earth & Sugar, they were on the dance floor doing flips and getting crazy to a DJ accompanied by a saxophonist and drummer.

Before heading in to the after party, Andrew and I made our way through a tunnel of sparklers while our guests surprise-serenaded us with a rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. The weather was perfection – 70s and sunny – and a clear indicator of how perfect the day was. We had the most magical day with family and friends that we love and an amazing team of vendors! We couldn’t be more thankful of how wonderful the day was!

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Ines Di Santo

Fall/Winter 2015

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Glamorous Geometric South Beach Wedding

This is one of those stop and stare moments; this dress is that good. But it’s only the beginning of an epically gorgeous South Beach bash, captured in all it’s geometric glory by Becca Borge and Floral + Fauna. Guests were treated to a glamorous celebration by Miranda Hattie Events with photo booth fun thanks to Capture Pod. Put it all together and this is the sort of stylish soiree that we can’t get enough of.

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Winter Weddings

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From Becca Borge… Blacks, golds, metallics, and textures framed Arleyne and Mike’s modern South Beach wedding. The bride wore blush, the groom wore vera wang, the bridesmaids wore mismatched sparkly dresses. Their ceremony backdrop as well as reception accents were geometric shapes paired with soft and romantic textures and florals. Everything tied together through the black & gold motif throughout.

Arleyne is an extremely organized and detail-oriented person, and wanted to incorporate some personal and fun elements as well. She had a license plate evening clutch (Mike owns a tag agency), her shoes had geometric gold studs, had a wine box ceremony to open on their first anniversary, had a photobooth for guests, the guests lit sparklers at their first kiss so they recessed down the beautiful sparkler-lit aisle, and in lieu of a guestbook the couple had a unique piece of art painted for them (and guests signed the border).

They wanted their event to be a fun and contemporary expression of themselves, without lacking the romantic feel a wedding should have. Along with Mirando (Miranda Hattie Events)…this celebration was perfectly fitting for South Beach and this beautiful couple!

From the Bride… My planner, Miranda Estes, helped guide me through the my initial ideas and helped me hone into the final decisions, but my definite inspiration was paint splatter, metallics, copper, concrete, contemporary art in general, and NOT being like every other wedding we see here in Miami. I work in the Wynwood design district and the crazier the art, the more mentally stimulating it is to me. I wanted the sparkle, I wanted the romance (of course), but I wanted surprises and to really give the florist free range to create art and use a variety of textures and mediums. I didn’t want a lot of flowers at all. I wanted the containers to be odd and unexpected.

As far as the bridal party attire, sparkle/sequin was key but I wanted each girl to feel glamorous. I got sooooo much criticism about the wardrobe! On the wedding day, when they were all together, each of them voiced how “wowed” they were with the final result and cohesiveness. Again, I fully trusted Miranda’s judgment and experience, she assured me it would work and I eliminated all doubt.

I wanted the day to be an expression of who we are, regardless of what everyone else thought or what is traditionally preferred in Miami weddings we have seen. The W venue was the perfect backdrop for our taste. We have been huge fans of the W and their adjacent restaurant, Mr. Chow, and we knew that it was just plain “us”.”

My favorite moments were the sparkler send-off as we completed the ceremony, and seeing gentlemen in tuxedos and ladies in long glam gowns getting down and dirty of the dance floor! When we said it was “black tie” everyone thought it would be stuffy, and on the contrary, it was such a FUN party!

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Allure

Allure Bridals Fall 2014

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Elegant Tropical Miami Beach Wedding

Miami is home to some of the most awe inspiring weddings out there. Fabulous spaces, jaw dropping backdrops, gowns and gowns and gowns for days. And this wedding is no different…it’s Miami with a decidedly destination feel. Full of color, soul and everything beautiful in the world of weddings. With images from Katie Lopez Photography with planning and design by Miranda Hattie, this is a wedding worth devouring.

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Glamorous Ballroom Wedding in Miami Beach

From Miranda Hattie Events… This beautiful wedding takes all the best parts of Miami–the bright colors, the swaying palms, the modern vibe, the glamour and of course, the beach–and wraps it all up in one amazing package.

Mina and Manny were searching for a vacation spot for their guests, many of whom traveled from Turkey, as well as the perfect venue to support their vision of rustic elegance and outdoor dining and dancing under the stars. The Raleigh Hotel in South Beach was the perfect solution, as it features a large garden oasis with cabanas, bistro lights and lots of tropical foliage plus gave guests the opportunity to stay on the beach. With the venue secure, the style became one of romantic, modern elegance with a hint of tropical flair. The color palette was developed to enhance the lush setting, using white, ivory, blush and pale green with deeper greens and bits of silver, rich pink, orchid and plum. The ceremony was held in the garden, where the natural green backdrop was dressed up with a natural wood arch and the aisle was defined with glowing silver lanterns.

Following the ceremony, guests were escorted to a row of black and white striped cabanas, where they were served delicious small bites catered by acclaimed chef Michael Schwartz. Friends and family dined under a canopy of lights at tables dressed with elegant yet eclectic arrangements of tropical blooms. It was the kind of night where you just want to sit under the stars and soak in the dreaminess, true Miami Beach perfection.

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Inspired by the beauty of her family’s lake house in Italy, this Bride was determined to bring that same sense of romance to her Miami Beach wedding. Combined with a nod to her fiancé’s own upbringing and the creative vision of Guerdy Abraira and Ocean Flowers, the day that resulted is one for the books. I’m calling it “beachy ballroom gone glam” and Shea Christine so kindly shared every last bit.

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Classic Miami Wedding with a Modern Twist

From The Bride…My vision for my wedding was an intimate affair that was reminiscent of my family’s lake house on Lago Maggiore, Italy. We chose the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fisher Island to exude the charm and romance of Italy. With Miami Beach as our backdrop we embraced the city that raised us and where we met. We incorporated lace, candelabras and lots of candles to set the tone. Our focus of the evening was family as we embraced Jared’s family history during the ceremony and my family history with opera singer during the reception. We had personal touches by using hydrangeas that are in the garden at my home in Italy, serving oysters which are Jared’s favorite food during cocktail hour, Affogato for dessert which is a traditional italian treat, and our favors were maple cookies from where we lived in Toronto. The toasts were long, the dance floor was sweaty and the champagne was endless. We would not have had it any other way!

In terms of modern seaside weddings, Miami sets the precedent. And with the crazy good art deco backdrop of the Royal Palm South Beach, this couple set out to craft a destination wedding that’s all at once classic but with a cool South Beach vibe. Who better to capture all the al fresco festivities than Jasmine Star? See all her gorgeous handiwork and a night spent dancing under the stars right here.

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Moroccan Style South Beach Shore Club Wedding

From the Bride, Jenney… Miami holds a special place in our hearts. When we first began dating, we took a long weekend trip to Miami and during that trip, it became crystal clear to us both how very RIGHT it felt to be together. Soon after our engagement, we began casually talking about wedding plans and the idea of having a destination wedding in Miami just seemed to fit. We decided the same week of our engagement that Miami would be a perfect place to celebrate with all of our family and friends – and didn’t look back! We chose to have both the ceremony and reception on-site at The James so that we could spend as much time with our family and friends as possible. I loved the way we were able to drape the lanai of The James to transform the space for our cozy and intimate ceremony. The end result was gorgeous! We decided early on that we wanted someone who knew us to perform our ceremony and we were honored to have my brother, Chris, marry us. He invested a lot in making the wedding so touching by incorporating our story, values, a few laughs and our personal vows into the ceremony. Having my brother officiate the ceremony just made everything feel that much more intimate for our family and friends! Our personal vows were the highlight for both Chuck and I – my brother kept these totally secret from us until the big day and we were both so moved to hear them for the first time. We loved the idea of our guests dining and dancing under the stars in Miami – and that’s exactly what they did! We played up the natural elements of the outdoor space by creating two distinct dining spaces at the reception which framed the center of it all – the bistro lit, open air dance floor. Loved that this unique element brought everyone together – and kept everyone together – all night long! We also created several lounge spaces for guests to enjoy cocktails and cigars throughout the space – playing up the Miami vibe. I will be the first to say I did not think I would be a crazy bride – especially while shopping for a dress. But, after searching high and low for the perfect gown and not really loving anything, I decided to have my dress made by Diana Tran, a local dress-maker in Washington DC. Chuck and I both favored classic and simple silhouettes and I knew that Diana could help me achieve something spectacular yet classic – and something I could love and call my own! Diana and I decided on a classic shape modified from a column and mermaid shape combined, with a little flounce for the train. Using lightweight silk for the fabric kept things light and airy in the heat of Miami. I wanted the dress to speak for itself – without too much accessorizing – so we opted to focus attention on beautiful seaming details on the bodice and skirt (a nod to the mid century and art-deco details of South Beach and The James), adding a touch of softness with the details on the neckline, back and train. It was the perfect mix of classic and modern and the entire creation process was so fun!

We can always count on Miami weddings to splash gorgeous color across our pretty pages and this Moroccan-styled soiree is no exception. Packed with palms, turquoise blue waters, coral charm peonies and gilded Kate Spade heels, it’s an explosion of vibrant love. But the brightest of all? The stunning Bride, done up pretty by South Beach Makeup Studio. Have a look at Beca C Photography‘s imagery right here.

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Romantic Beach Wedding at The Raleigh Hotel

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Romantic

From the beautiful Bride… Our day was magical and turned out exactly as we had envisioned. It was amazing because we discussed later that as the day played out we both kept thinking to ourselves that it was exactly how we had pictured. While we wanted a laid back outdoor vibe our theme was beachy Moroccan style and Shore Club had the perfect backdrop for this. We added in tons of lanterns, candles, string lights on the trees, and the most gorgeous colorful bouquets with garden roses, succulents, ranunculus, etc. The wedding colors of coral, peach, white, and gold played perfectly against the navy blue groomsmen suits and the yellows, greens and blues of the Shore Club pots. Our DIY projects included the table themes of cities we had been to which included a photo of us in that city at each table; homemade gift bags for each hotel guest with Advil, sunglasses, Utz Chips, Hershey Kisses (both Pennsylvania snacks for Kate’s home state), customized match books, and Perrier water as well as a note with the schedule for the week; and the special pre-wedding mix CD that Ron created and sent out a week prior to the wedding so people could get excited while traveling to and hanging out before the wedding. The theme of the event was #READY and all guests were asked to Instagram photos to a special hashtag with our initials, the wedding date and the word “ready” in it. Also our save the date was a short video set to a song “Are You Ready?” created by Ron of me getting ready in our room while he is on his way home to get me and at the end of the video he asks if I am ready and I say I’m ready. Other things that made our day so special were the food (a whole pig at the Cuban themed dinner was a huge hit); the personalized ceremony (they did a traditional Filipino rope ceremony; four friends each picked a reading which they presented; and Ron surprised Kate by singing a song he wrote for her!); and lanterns which were released on the beach at the end. As gifts bridesmaids each received a beautiful flowered robe in either mint, turquoise or coral and the bride wore one in white. The groomsmen each received a cigar box with a tie, tie bar, pocket square, cigar and Wu Tang Clan tshirt (9 groomsmen and 9 wu tang members).

From Beca C Photography…Six years ago when we met, Kate was living in Philadelphia and Ron in New York. Kate was visiting NY one weekend to see a close friend from college who was dating Ron’s best friend. Kate and Ron instantly hit it off but Ron had to leave early that night because he got sick. He ended up asking Kate’s friend for her email address and since then they kept in touch and gradually Ron started making the visit to Philadelphia every now and then to take Kate to dinner. These trips got more frequent and eventually they were exclusive. After a year of long distance dating Kate made the move to NY and by the time they got engaged they had lived together almost three years. Ron’s friend is no longer with Kate’s friend but we thank them for being our unofficial matchmakers! When Ron proposed on 2/23/13 they were visiting Philadelphia for Kate’s best friend’s birthday. After brunch the two of them decided to walk by Kate’s old apartment. As Kate was posing for a photo in front of it that Ron was taking, Kate’s friend came running over to her from the coffee shop next store. As Kate was distracted by this, Ron was getting down on one knee with the ring. Kate’s friend was all ready to snap photos as he asked Kate to marry him. After Kate said yes Ron suggested they go grab a drink at the same bar they had gone on their first official date, Buffalo Billiards, and when they walked in, both of their families were there to surprise Kate and celebrate with them for the first of the day by playing darts, pool, and ski ball and drinking beer. Ron had coordinated this entire day for months and got their entire families to travel here without Kate having a clue. It was extra special since their families had never met so they finally had the chance to spend some quality time together.

In my opinion, there’s no locale more quintessential of sunshine than Miami. And what more could you ask for in a destination wedding? This adorable Bride & Groom knew they wanted exactly that; a radiant, glowing day. And with the amazing help of Kitanim, planning a soiree from afar was a piece of cake. Have a look right here for every lovely detail from Heather Funk Photography and keep reading for Kitanim’s fabulous tips for planning a destination wedding in this sunny locale!

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From Kitanim… Meryl & Brad are a fabulous couple who looked to Miami Beach as their destination wedding location. They love the Miami sun and the South Beach experience. Meryl & Brad were very lucky to have a perfect weather wedding weekend at The Raleigh Hotel. Their long rectangular wedding reception tables were graced with a multitude of white and green florals and lots of candles to add a romantic ambience. The bride and groom exchanged their vows under the traditional Jewish wedding chuppah in front of their friends and family who travelled from Philadelphia. Kitanim created a chuppah that would accent the beautiful Miami Beach scenery, mixing ivory and champagne textured fabrics for the couple.

The long distance planning component of Meryl & Brad’s destination wedding is becoming more and more common. Kitanim , who covered both the floral design as well as the event planning, relied heavily on technology to converse with the bride. Due to the bride and groom’s work schedules, they were unable to fly back to Miami for a floral sample meeting. No problem! Kitanim conducted a sample meeting via Facetime whereby Meryl and her parents got to approve all of the floral designs for the wedding. We also took a lot of pictures and emailed and texted in order to communicate clearly and efficiently.

Tips for planning a Miami destination wedding:

Choose vendors who you trust and who are able to communicate clearly so the “distance” doesn’t affect your planning process.
Splurge for a local day of coordinator to help you and your family enjoy your special day. Meryl & Brad opted for a Kitanim day of coordinator to make their experience calmer and simpler.
Have a clearly delineated rain plan, but hope for sunshine. It’s Miami!
Utilize the hotel for all of its amenities—if the hotel can accommodate your guests’ stay needs, your rehearsal dinner and your after party, book all three!
Allow for travel time. Plan to arrive a few days before your wedding and to stay a few days after so as to not feel rushed.
Ask the locals: use your local vendors as a resource for a list of the best Miami restaurants to visit and Miami must-do’s.

Modern Miami Waterfront Wedding

When I’m in need of a good dose of vibrant florals, I can always count on Kitanim. Take this stunning Bride’s coral + pink bouquet for instance… paired perfectly with the Miami palm trees and the ceremony petal pathway, how could you not feel instantly happy holding a colorful beauty like this? For even more, head to the gorgeous gallery from 13:13 Photography.

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Miami Wedding Film at The Palms Hotel, Miami Beach

From Kitanim… Nicole and Marvin are a special couple with a lot of love, faith, and a commitment to one another. Nicole discovered the photo and flower vendors on Style Me Pretty and a great collaboration began. The bride chose bright hues of mandarin orange and salmon pinks to line her aisle walkway as well as her bouquets. Marvin’s son was a key player in the family photos—he was adorable and stole the show. The bride and groom lucked out at matheson hammock park on the water as they avoided a major rainstorm and enjoyed the beauty and serenity of a simple wedding on the water. The bride will tell you that the wind messed up her hair, but the pictures will tell you otherwise—she was radiant. Each guest enjoyed a hand made paper cone of petals as well as homemade cupcakes. Dinner took place at red fish grille.

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Bridges Cinema just made my day with this sweet as the come film, and trust me when I say you’ll want to reserve some time today to soak up every precious moment. It will give you the warm and fuzzes in no time, so it goes without saying that hitting play on this puppy is one mighty fine idea…

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From Bridges Cinema…We were so honored to have been able to capture this wedding in video but such a wonderful couple. The groom, a young looking Tom Cruise looked so dashing in his full uniform. We knew the ceremony would be so special because it would include the sword salute. South Florida was a destination wedding for this couple and they were joined by family and friends at the gorgeous beach locations, The Palms Hotel.

Cinematography: Bridges Cinema | Venue: The Palms Hotel & Spa

Mediterranean Wedding Inspiration

To be totally honest, I’ve drooled over this Mediterranean inspiration shoot way longer than I even care to admit. But can you blame me? We’re talking the most steal worthy swoonage from top-tier wedding pros like Beauty in the Making + Ozzy Garcia and you can join me in the gallery for soooooo much more.

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Miami Wedding at The Palms from Ozzy Garcia Photography

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Estate Weddings

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Romantic

From Beauty in the Making… The Bath Club ideally hosts our Mediterranean dream. Elegantly cooling the hot kiss of the Floridian autumn’s air, and the echo of corridors fills our senses with intrigue and laughter of the festivities. To complement the scene, the Moorish arches and terra cotta tiles reveals the medieval Andalucia. The sunset beauty light reflects a timeless moment and spanish tunes usher the celebration.

The bride’s style is exquisite yet simple and regal. Floral fragrances discretely intoxicate us, and leads to an appetite for the feast that is awaiting. Silver platters with lush colorful joyful figs, grapes, and pomegranates, decorate the affair while lit by tall candelabras and soft daylight. A sense of fulfillment guides the sunset toward a wooden warm table filled with aromatic delicacies and opens the chapter of best wishes. The aged red wine tosses in celebration as the hearts dances the song of oneness. Sounds of unison clapping is the rhythm section that accompanies the exquisite moment of love.

If there is one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am obsessed with candy. Sugary, fruity, chocolatey candy… the term “sweet tooth” and me go hand in hand. So this candy-inspired masterpiece of a wedding captured by Ozzy Garcia Photography ? Well, it has me smitten with its candy bouquet (YES), pink-filled blooms from Ocean Flowers and a never-ending sweets display. Click here for all of the yummy details. It’s beyond pretty.

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Miami Beach Elopement from Jonathan Connolly Photography

From the Bride… Yoav and I started by choosing a venue that could host our wedding outdoors, in the warm Miami air, a welcome reprieve from the blustery winters of Chicago and Amsterdam and a minimal climate change for our 30 family members that made the trek all the way from Israel. Our vision for the evening was casual comfort with a side of sugar and a couple of unexpected surprises along the way. Jessica Masi of JCG Events ensured that this vision came to life and Ozzy Garcia, of Ozzy Garcia Photography, artistically captured this vision and memorialized it.

We had Yoavs brother officiate a portion of the ceremony because we felt that when it came to incorporating personal details, who could tell our story better than someone who has been there from the beginning? We wanted this to set the precedent and tone for the wedding everyone in attendance, witnessing the first day of our lives as a couple, were all loving, integral characters in our story.

Love is sweet, my love for candy is even sweeter, and I knew all along that I wanted my bouquet to be made out of candy. Some people dry their bouquets, some people save them, I intended to eat mine. Thanks to the Donut Divas, I had a great late night snack on my wedding night! Some of my favorite sugar confections, marshmallows and m&ms, were artfully placed into a giant waffle cone. The benefit of having a wedding around the Easter holiday is that even the grass in the bouquet was edible.

In addition to my sugar addiction, I truly believe that there are few food items in this world that can make me as happy as a Publix Grocery store birthday cake. In order to share my love for this confection with others, Sweet Display made us different colored wooden cake stands, to which Ocean Flowers added some sparkle, and we had different flavors of 8-inch Publix cakes placed on the reception dinner tables. The plan was to remove the cakes after dinner and have them cut up for dessert, but our guests seated at these tables became so possessive over the cakes on their table that they would not let anyone touch them. Our guests dug into them with their forks, without even removing them from the cake stand!

Besides all of the fleeting sugar elements that went into our special day – the escort cards, the bouquet, the candy ring pops, the flower girl lollipops, the candy bar, the Publix cakes – I think one of our favorite keepsakes from the day came from Erin Una Chainani. I read about Erin online about 2 years ago after googling Miami portrait artist. I called Erin and asked her if she would be so inclined to attend our wedding and paint a scene. Not only was she willing, but she painted two scenes to boot! She captured one of the ceremony and one of our first dance as a couple.

When my new husband and I were comparing notes after the wedding, we both remarked that many people offered us this advice, cherish every second of this day because it goes so fast. And while the day did go quickly, we never felt that we missed any opportunities to take it all in. And thanks to Erin and Ozzy, we have mementos that will remind us of our wedding day forever.

I know I talk a lot about my love for elopements, but it’s honestly something I just can’t say enough about. I mean, rushing off to a private beach with your one and only to say “I do” with nothing but the crashing waves, clear blue skies and each other? There’s nothing more magical. And just in case you were doubting me AT ALL, this sweet affair from Jonathan Connolly is here to prove my theory… and then some. It’s a gorgeous duo, some sleek + sophisticated stylings and a whole lot of love wrapped up in one crazy gorgeous gallery. Join me there for all of the pretty.

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Miami Beach Destination Wedding from Brittany Anderson Photography

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Casual

From the Bride… Drew and I got engaged last October. Of course, we were bombarded with well wishes and the never ending questions of “When’s the wedding?” I have always dreamt of a small, intimate wedding. An elopement to be exact. We had thought, why not just throw a big party of a few close family members and friends. That turned into a big stress headache once we started compiling a guest list. So we decided to stick to our guns and have our wedding the way we wanted. We booked/planned our wedding in about a week. We decided on Miami Beach. We chose the Tides Hotel to stay and it was fabulous. Our officiant from Small Miami Weddings was fantastic as she laid out a few options for us on the beach to hold our ceremony. She also did my bouquet which I didn’t see till the day of the ceremony. Our photographer, Jonathan Connolly, was absolutely amazing. He kept re-assuring us about the Miami weather as it was raining the whole time up until the night before the big day. Luckily, that morning of the wedding, it was absolutely beautiful! The whole time we were there, it was just Drew and me. It was so intimate and romantic. No stress. We also decided to have a wedding wine box ceremony which we thought added a nice touch of intimacy and uniqueness to our ceremony. Our ceremony took place in South Pointe Park which was a nice quiet area of the Miami Beach and it had little benches surrounded by palm trees that we thought would be a great spot to pop some champagne for pictures. All in all, we don’t regret eloping. Our advice to others getting married, is to remember that the day is about you two and to stick to your guns in how you envision your day!

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Miami Beach weddings? They exude elegance; a kind of drop-dead gorgeous glamour that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Case in point? This stunning Miami Beach Botanical Gardens affair from Brittany Anderson Photography, aka, a garden party meets sophisticated ballroom reception literally overflowing with inspiration. From the vibrant hues to the lush florals from Events on a Budget to the seriously stunning bride and groom, it’s the epitome of all things amazing. Get your pretty on in the full gallery.

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Destination Event Venue Garden Weddings Outdoor Weddings

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Miami Beach Wedding from Michelle Lawson Photography + Kitanim

From Brittany Anderson Photography… Ebonee and Chris had a Miami Beach destination wedding– but not your typical beach wedding! Instead… a gorgeous garden wedding. They are from Washington, D.C. and approximately 60 of their closest friends and family flew down to Miami Beach to celebrate their love!

The bride and groom were wed on October 28th, 2012 at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. The garden is a very beautiful location in the heart of Miami Beach. It makes you feel like you’re not even in the city. The couple had an outdoor ceremony and they did the African American tradition of jumping the broom. The couple chose to have a First Look so they could enjoy their cocktail hour which was also outside. The reception was inside the small venue of the Botanical Gardens. The room was filled with uplighting and beautiful floral arrangements.

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Fact: when you combine ultra-cool contemporary stylings, a breathtaking all-white color palette and the glamour that is Miami Beach, it’s always a magical thing. Especially when that trio of goodness is executed by some of Florida’s finest vendors, like the uber-amazing Kitanim and Michelle Lawson Photography. Together (with Linsey Harris Smith and Erin Kozlowski), they helped this stunning bride and groom create a day that is beyond breathtaking. See every last magical moment in the full gallery.

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Winter Weddings

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Ballroom Weddings Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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Classic Weddings Modern

From Kitanim, a floral design and event company… Grace and David chose The Bath Club, Miami Beach for its ambiance and architectural uniqueness. With an all-white color palette, Kitanim created low garden-inspired centerpieces that graced all of the reception tables. The wedding structure Grace and David got married in front of was an all-white carnation masterpiece. Each carnation bloom was hand-wired to create a free flowing structure that served as a wedding vow exchange backdrop. The party continued after dinner in the all-white “club room” where white balloons and the bride acting as “DJ” made for fun photo ops.

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Wedding Photography: Michelle Lawson Photography | Wedding Venue: The Bath Club, Miami Beach | Floral Design: Kitanim, a floral design and event company | Event Planners: Linsey Harris Smith + Erin Kozlowski

Miami Rooftop Wedding from Carolina Guzik Photography

This wedding from Carolina Guzik is exactly the reason I adore Miami weddings. The reason my heart stops in its tracks every single time I see a pretty little gem from The Magic City in my inbox. It’s the breathtaking rooftop of the Hilton Bentley joining forces with a stunning ballroom reception bathed in purple, lush florals from A Blooming Touch and a whole lot of seaside fun. In other words, it’s Miami perfection. Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

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Ballroom Weddings Rooftop

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Miami Beach Courthouse Wedding from Trenholm Photo

From Carolina Guzik… The wedding of Katie and Hannon was simple, yet exquisite. They opted for a first look that was very emotional and beautiful, then they had a rooftop ceremony overlooking downtown Miami. Their ceremony was both Christian and Jewish. After the ceremony the whole wedding party went to the beach to get some fun portraits of the group.

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Courthouse weddings are a truly magical way to say “I do.” An old Hollywood glamour meets cozy nuptials, if you will. And when it comes to finding the perfect inspiration for some drop-dead gorgeous courthouse marrying, look no further than this beautiful day captured ever-so-amazingly by Trenholm Photo which is bursting at the seams with darling details, including sophisticated blooms from Simpson’s Green & Floral and a breathtaking dress from BHLDN. See it all in the full gallery.

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City Hall Eatery

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Casual

From Trenholm Photo… Robyn and Jules planned a truly elegant and intimate wedding. Robyn got ready at the Eden Roc Hotel on Miami Beach. Her BHLDN dress and Badgley Mischka shoes accented the Miami styled room wonderfully. Jules ran last minute errands and got dressed very shortly before arriving They chose to have their ceremony at the Miami Beach Courthouse. Their closest friends and family joined the crowded hallways of the beautiful courthouse as they were married on the staircase. Dinner was held at the classic Smith and Wollensky Restaurant. The details were simple, including a wonderful cake topper made specially by one of Robyn’s close friends.

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Coastal Miami Beach Engagement Shoot from Vitalic Photo

I had every intention to be productive today. Up early, coffee brewing – but the images sitting pretty in this gorgeous gallery captured by Vitalic Photo have a different plan for me this morning. Oh yes, their plan is pull at my heart strings until I just can’t look away, ultimately spending hours with them swooning over their gorgeousness. But that’s productive too, right? I think so. Get swept up by them here.

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Spring Weddings Summer Weddings

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Spanish Inspired Photo Shoot from To Love Photographie + Persnickety Events

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Casual Nautical

From Vitalic Photo… Jordan & Jason are from Miami and absolutely fell in love with South Pointe Park on South Beach after it was redesigned a few years back. They would often go for walks there while dating and enjoy the beach, pathways and park. Their outfits were almost as adorable as they were, and the colors and lighting on South Beach makes for the prettiest photos. I’m looking forward to their Coral Gables wedding in December!

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Photographer: Vitalic Photo | Location: South Pointe Park, South Beach, Florida

My favorite holiday of all time is Cinco de Mayo. So much so, that my husband and I host our own fiesta each and every year that includes more salsa and guac than could ever possibly be consumed, a killer playlist and ever flowing margaritas. It’s pure heaven and I’m kicking myself for not turning that love of fiestas into our own wedding day celebration. Now fastforward to this inspiration shoot, which technically is no where near Mexico being Spanish inspired, but it still holds that vibrancy and beautiful cultural tradition with an undeniable elegance. And I’m guessing it would pair beautifully with margaritas so we’re running with it. Crafted by Persnickety Events, with florals by Julia Rohde Designs and images by To Love Photographie, this is one gallery full of inspiration not to be missed!

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Weddings in Historical Venues

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Miami Beach Wedding at The National Hotel from 13:13 Photography

From To Love Photographie + Persnickety Events…It was a rare night in Miami where the weather was actually pleasant. Roxanne of Persnickety Events and I met for a brainstorming session over green tea and warm cinnamon-spiced soy milk. A photograph she showed me during the course of our conversation of delicate hand-painted Spanish tiles was the spark that led to us planning a Spanish-style intimate wedding shoot. We both love bespoke weddings, intimate celebrations, and culture and wanted those to be the ties that bound all of our ideas together. We envisioned a destination wedding in Valencia, Spain with beautiful details and the warmth of only the bride and groom’s closest friends and family.

When looking for a venue we wanted a place that was true to the region and that would be a canvas for our decorative elements. After scouting many locations we chose the Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami, Florida. It was originally constructed in Northern Spain in 1141 AD and 100s of years later brought over to the United States piece by piece and reconstructed. Its rich history and authenticity made it the perfect backdrop. We then began to pinpoint what visual aspects we wanted to incorporate and between collectively pinning our ideas and conversing with one another we decided on a modern and simplistic approach to the décor. We focused on reds and burnt orange, greys and blues to pay homage to the coast, and greens picked up in our floral and herbal elements. Julia Rohde of Julia Rohde Designs flawlessly added to the ambience with her bright bouquet of garden roses, dahlias, and clementis bound together with lace that played off of the bride’s stunning Monique Lhuillier “Arielle” gown from Chic Parisien. The soft white lace, corset top, and formfitting silhouette coupled with her knotted veil appealed to our design aesthetic and was a modern take on a Spanish wedding look for an unconventional and forward-thinking bride; the crystal headpiece she adorned during the reception added a touch of sparkle befitting a glowing bride on her wedding day.

As for the reception, we wanted it to be simple and beautiful. Julia’s garland centerpiece lay delicately across the table as a runner with such lovely points of visual interest like the grapes, ranunculus, and magnolia and olive tree foliage tying in with the florals in the bride’s bouquet. These elements complimented the arrangement of light grey silk linens, gold flatware, bone white etched plates from Spain, and carved wooden chairs that Roxanne conceptualized. Bottles of wine meant for sharing were scattered throughout the table to encourage interaction and family style dining. Chef Lubin of Semaj’s One Way Catering created a spread of fresh seafood and tapas with the show stopper being his Paella de Mariscos with whole lobster held in a beautifully patinaed silver vessel. All of these visual elements were tied together with the invitation suite and menu cards from KT Smail. Her work is so pretty and whimsical and she was able to incorporate the soft and simple design of our shoot in the stationary by creating a hand-drawn floral motif which complimented Julia’s centerpiece and bouquet. Denise of The Cake Collection created a simple and clean two layer honey almond cake with candied kumquats which melded the flavors indigenous to Spain. The Prayer Well of the Monastery gracefully encased our beautiful cake.

In Spanish weddings, during the banquete de bodas, or wedding reception, often times the bride and groom offer their guests favors that usually incorporate something edible. Roxanne prepared a station of cigars as favors for the “Senors” while The Cake Collection created mini versions of the wedding cake as favors for the “Senoras”. Another tradition we wanted to incorporate was the use of the wedding lasso during the ceremony. The lasso is made in the form of a figure eight, or the infinity symbol, and is placed over the couples’ heads after their vows have been exchanged. It is a symbolic declaration of intention that the bride and groom voluntarily bind themselves together before family, friends, and God. We loved the meaning of this ritual and felt it was a beautiful element to include. The wedding lasso we chose from Chic Parisien was a crystal double rosary with intricate beadwork in the cross; a true statement piece.

We ended the day with a flamenco dance number by Celia Fonte of Siempre Flamenco accompanied by her acoustic guitarist and husband, Paco. It really made for a celebratory atmosphere as our guests, in their rococo colored attire and scarves, formed a semi-circle to watch them perform. The bride and groom were invited to take center stage and end the day with a final dance and sweet kiss as husband and wife.

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13:13 Photography? They truly never disappoint. Whenever I spot their name floating in my inbox, I know I am in for the prettiest of treats. So I was just a tad bit excited when I stumbled on this beauty at The National Hotel. Classic with the prettiest of beachy twists, it’s the type of fête that makes my heart pitter patter faster than I ever thought possible. I couldn’t love these sweet nuptials more, and one peek at the pretty in this gallery and you’ll be singing the same tune.

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