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Stunning “I dos” at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Let’s be honest, destination weddings are awesome.  Think acres of sandy beaches, endless sunny skies and a crazy cool locale like The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village making every.single.moment completely unforgettable. I mean, a vacation of a lifetime meets an entire weekend of fun-filled wedding activities? It’s the perfect way to celebrate.

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village isn’t just one of the world’s most relaxing places to vaca, it also happens to be one of the most stunning locales ever to say “I do” – whether that’s in an intimate affair with your nearest and dearest or a more elaborate celebration with 200 of your closest friends and family. That’s because The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has over 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space just waiting to host your big soiree. I’m talking everything from your welcome dinner to your post-wedding brunch to that sweet little bridal luncheon prior to the Big Day. Not to mention the THREE outdoor pools, crazy fun marina activities (hello kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing), bike rentals for getting your fitness on and a Westin Kids Club® for the 6 to 12-year-old kiddos – they’ll NEVER stop talking about their day of exploration. And for the adults? A spa, a boutique, a private island and some of the yummiest food and cocktails you will ever taste.

To start planning that wedding of a lifetime, contact The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village today to begin speaking to one of their on-site Wedding Specialists. They’ll work with you step by step throughout the entire process to make sure your event runs smoothly… AND ensure a fun-filled weekend (or week!) for all of your friends and family. Plus, you can earn up to 100,000 bonus Starpoints®* AND special rewards, like a guestroom or suite on the night of your wedding and a sparkling toast during your reception. You’ll even earn triple Starpoints® on all group rooms used, while your guests will also earn Starpoints® on eligible nights.  It honestly doesn’t get better than this.

*Client is eligible for a Starpoint® signing bonus equal to one Starpoint for every one US dollar ($1) of contracted food and beverage and room rental fees, maximum 100,000 Starpoints. Valid on weddings reserved this year and hosted by December 31, 2017.

Who Says Bridesmaids Need to Wear Dresses?

This gorgeous Bride and her pretty ‘maids might take the award for best dressed bridal party ever. Not only did Georgia’s girls embrace the mismatched and pattern trends, but some of them also rocked some fabulous rompers. And tropical blooms from KITANIM, a floral design and event company, brought the whole look together perfectly. See it all from EvanR Photography in The Vault!

Colors
Styles
Al Fresco

From KitanimFebruary 27 was a perfect Miami winter day for bride and groom, Georgia and Tom. Casual and chic tropical was the design direction we were given as the floral design team and we ran with that motif utilizing tropical protea and fuchsia dendrobiums for a pop of wow color. The bride’s mom, Mary, is a special lady, saving and hand packing and color coding approximately 500 vases that were collected from Georgia’s childhood home. If you look closely on the rustic tablescapes, you will see trinket remnants from Georgie’s glittered Halloween costumes over the years. The bride wore a gorgeous delicate yet powerfully hued hair halo. Fairchild Tropical Gardens allowed the retro Food Truck to make its appearance as dinner fare for the guests who dined under romantic bistro lights and headed indoors to the reception area for dancing and more fun. Bridesmaids wore shades of green textured dresses and rompers as they walked down the aisle. With a multitude of vendors, the planner really orchestrated the group especially in her curation of antique furniture for the reception lounge.

Photography: Evan Rich, EvanR Photography | Event Planning: Desiree Dawn Events | Floral Design: KITANIM, a floral design and event company | Catering: Curbside Gourmet | Catering: Rent A Bartender | Hair + Makeup: Jennifer Cruz | Lighting: Epic Lighting | Venue: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden | Antique Rentals: Paula Roemer Inc. Antiques and Consignment Shop | Linen Rentals: Chateau Alice Designs | Rentals: Simple Rustic Event Rentals | Rentals: Atlas Party Rental

The Ultimate Wow Factor? A Floral Filled Staircase of Course

Alison and Josh’s wedding had me at the staircase ceremony, but then totally blew me away once I learned that this was in fact a luxurious elopement with only their nearest and dearest on hand. With just 4 guests in attendance, their Big Day dreamed up by Blush By Brandee Gaar doubled as an intimate getaway that we’d vie for an invitation to. Captured by Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography we’ve got it all in The Vault!

From Blush By Brandee GaarAlison and Josh’s wedding was truly a luxury destination event! They treated their guests to a long weekend in Orlando beginning with a trip to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on the night of their arrival. On Friday, all of the guests were treated to spa treatments and a fabulous private dinner at Ravello. The big day, which fell on Halloween and was also the anniversary of the couple’s first date, was an absolute dream! With only 4 guests, we had a lot more flexibility within the resort and we chose to make use of the magical grand staircase which is the centerpiece of the resort! The dinner took place in one of the lakeside villas perfect for a small gathering of friends and family for dinner and fireworks! It was truly a magical evening at the Four Seasons Resort!

Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Cinematography: Love & Lustre | Coordination: Blush by Brandee Gaar | Floral Design: Lee James | Cake: Party Flavors | Hair + Makeup: Four Seasons Orlando | Lighting: Kaleidoscope Event Lighting | Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies | Ceremony Music: Orlando Violin Music | Venue: Four Seasons Orlando | Desserts: Two Sweets Bake Shop | Linen Rentals: GBS Linens | Lounge Furniture: Afr | Rentals: A Chair Affair

A Wedding That Proves ‘Going Green’ Can Be Oh-So-Chic

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!

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

Natural Elements + Industrial Architecture Combine For One Gorgeous Editorial

Photos from Katie Lopez Photography, design and decor by JCG Events, florals by Anthology Co. and furniture rentals from Unearthed Vintage — this Miami inspiration session features the absolute best of the best, and the result is unlike any other wedding inspiration you’ve seen before. See all the pretty moments of this organic-meets-industrial-meets-modern masterpiece in The Vault!


From JCG EventsThe goal of this wedding shoot was to create an organic industrial modern wedding. We wanted to inspire through the details and create an overall story. This is what happens when you bring together a wonderful group of creatives in the wedding industry.

The wedding story began with our couple. They are actually married in real life and their love for each other translated through the lens. The venue 1111 Lincoln Road created the perfect backdrop for this shoot. It has an architectural design with clean lines, hanging greener, with concrete and small wood paneling detail. We created a conceptual design for this wedding to inspire and make you reimagine the elements that make a wedding.

We created a ceremony centered around a unique structure and accented with light bulbs loosely strung together to create a romantic backdrop for their wedding. Guests would then be invited to celebrate in the cocktail hour where we created a lounge area in order to make a more intimate setting for guests to be able to converse with one another, celebrate and take in the breathtaking views the venue offers. The focal point of the cocktail space was the helix dome that was placed over the Hampton bar, along with hanging Edison bulbs.

The reception would then follow. Here we used square wooden tables to create one long royal table paired with industrial metal chairs. Designing one long royal table enhanced the intimate romantic yet industrial feel we were looking to accomplish. The centerpieces consisted mostly of greenery with various textures and long black tapered candles in gold modern candleholders. The plate chargers had silver detail and a modern geometric design. We paired them with black linen napkins tucked into hammered metal napkin rings.

The cake was a clean design with a marble fondant finish. The favors were mini chocolate bars with gold calligraphy words on each of them. This concept could also serve as escort cards or place cards. This design and natural feel of the marble cake fit perfectly with the setting. It all was displayed on top of three various height crank tables.

The three spaces for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception all came together in the design. We achieved visually unique experiences for guests at each space for an overall memorable and inspiring design.

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Catering: STARR Catering Group | Hair + Makeup: März Makeup And Hair | Groom's Attire: My Grooms Room | Venue: 1111 Lincoln Road | Audio Visual: EMG | Cake + Desserts: Earth And Sugar | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage | Rentals: Atlas Party Rentals

After an 18-Month Engagement, This Beautiful Wedding Was Worth the Wait

Long engagements aren’t for everyone, but when you’re a Bride who isn’t sure what she wants for her wedding, a long engagement gives you time to discover your wedding style and turn your vision into a reality. And in the case of this sweet Bride and Groom, their 18-month engagement allowed them to plan their day to perfection. See it all from L. Martin Wedding Photography in The Vault!

From The Bride…I had no idea what I wanted at first so we had an 18 month engagement to give us plenty of time to decide. I wanted a venue that was different and surrounded by beautiful nature. After seeing the Davis Island Garden club we knew that was the place.

I really like neutral colors so we decided on a light color palette of white and gray with touches of blush pink. The Garden is so beautiful it didn’t need a lot. I didn’t want anything to extravagant as far as extra décor, but my own touches to make it feel like a nice relaxing day in the garden. We had an acoustic guitarist playing in the gazebo while guest entered the garden which helped to set the tone.

I made the entrance sign into the venue from pieces of pallet wood. My dad made all of the flower boxes for the centerpieces and the wood pallet cake stand. My father-n-law made our DIY photo booth frame and a stand for our succulent wedding favors. My mother-n-law and I repotted off the succulents and added the thank-you and seating assignment. We were very blessed to have all the help we did for our DIYs from both families!

My favorite moment was at the end of the night when we were leaving on the boat looking up and seeing all of our family and friends cheering for us standing on the shore. I was so surprised to see how many people stayed for the entire reception and even the send off. It was so nice to see and hear all their support at the end of the night.

My florist did an amazing job! I was a little nervous not being able to see the way all the flowers would look like ahead of time. The first flowers I saw was my bouquet when I was getting ready and I was speechless! My florist made exactly what I pictured all my flowers looking like. I loved my gown, it was so light for all the tool that it had. It was so much fun to dance in all night. I put my own touch on it with the belt and it made it fit my personality perfect. Our cake was so delicious but the only piece I had time to eat was the one my husband fed me after cutting the cake. I cant wait to see what it will taste like when we celebrate our one year anniversary.

Get a wedding planner or a day of coordinator, esp if you have a DIY venue. I did not have one and it made me a little stressed having to think of every little thing esp. since I have never been married before. I was so lucky to have my husbands family and mine to set everything up and help me along the way. My DJ was also a great help the day of making sure everything happened when it needed to.

From L. Martin Wedding PhotographyBoth of their occupations are to help others, CJ is a firefighter and Erin is a nurse, which explain their open and caring personalities! The Davis Islands Garden Club is one of the most popular spots in Tampa, with its waterfront views on Hillsborough River you can see all of Downtown Tampa. The lush backyard and gardens of this 1950 home, served as a beautiful ceremony space for Erin & CJ. They had a classic blush and grey color palette that seamlessly flowed through every detail!

Erin fell in love with gardens at the Club and all the details they had planned – the signage, florals and handmade decor made her vintage garden vision come to life! Their guests loved the floating frame her Father-in-Law made for a DIY photo booth. They stocked the bar with liquor that had been gifted to them from friend’s and family. Erin’s Dad built a custom wood pallet planter shelf for the succulent favor’s that doubled as place card’s. (This was one of my favorite details! I said a few ohh’s and ahh’s when I saw it.) Erin also made the entrance sign that welcomed guests to the wedding. So many pretty handmade details!

I love send off’s, they just end the night in a fun way. Not only did they have a confetti canon send off, they ran to the dock nearby onto a boat they chartered, that took them directly to their hotel on the riverwalk. The guests stood by the water’s edge and cheered them on as their boat went by. A truly magical way to end such a gorgeous wedding!

Photography: L Martin Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Bloomingdale Florist | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: 911 Catering | Hair + Makeup: Destiny And Light | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Davis Island Garden Club | Bridal Boutique: Robyn Lynne Bridal | Signage: Z Create Design

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Romantic Garden Wedding with a Touch of Palm Beach Flair

When the wedding day starts with the Bride and her maids getting pampered and pretty in Plum Pretty Sugar robes,the stage is set for a gorgeous day. And this Palm Beach wedding from Wedding Nature Photography is all kinds of beautiful. Think: garden roses in full bloom, a garden ceremony with a view and a surprise visit from one very colorful guest. See this, and so much more, in The Vault!

From Wedding Nature PhotographyWhether you’re a true bohemian Bride, or simply looking to add a touch of organic natural feel to your own affair, decorative details of this wedding are sure to inspire. Jessica and Carlos wanted a very open feel to their natural light wedding. Everything they loved about each other and their relationship was reflected in the planning and at the wedding day. Naturally, being outside for the ceremony and reception was what they were going for. They were literally obsessed with their wedding venue, sophisticated beachfront The Palms Hotel and Spa. With the softest, most ethereal natural light that creates feeling of serenity plus romantic outdoor setting of the hotel this darling wedding is the epitome of Florida’s sweetness. Flowers and greenery were very important to the pair. Little touches of flowers and soft pallet color were everywhere you looked. Pinks, whites and green, stood out all over. Everyone could see how much care and attention Jessica and Carlos put into the details of their day. Jessica’s stunning bridal bouquet highlighted an assortment of ranunculus and lovely garden roses with a pop of pale pink wrapped in white ribbon. Jessica made a truly beautiful bride in her white wedding gown and her bridesmaids wore soft blush dresses, which was perfect with all of the greenery of this natural light wedding. Clean lines, white backdrops, crisp and tender florals plus natural style put everyone in one really fantastic mood. An elegant two tier white cake was decorated with charming blush garden roses and topped with custom Mr. & Mrs. Rivera golden sign in cursive metal that was another cute inspiring idea to personalize your wedding. This natural light wedding was filled with delicious food, a stunning venue, superb lighting and good music, funny speeches, and warm embraces from friends and family. Their wedding day was for sure the one to remember – the day their life started together, as one. Now married, they are enjoying every moment of this next chapter of their lives together!

From the Bride… When we started planning our wedding, we already had a vague idea of what we wanted and what we didn’t. Before we got engaged, we had already lightly discussed the topic, and it helps when you’re marrying your best friend because you already know “he or she definitely won’t like this”. We wanted it to be intimate, filled with our family and closest of friends, in a location that would make for amazing photos and with great food. After weeks of browsing for inspiration and locations, we decided a romantic garden wedding at the Palms Hotel and Spa was the way to go. It’s local, surprisingly quiet for a hotel in Miami Beach, has a timeless vibe and already beautiful on its own. I remember telling my husband “this one is the one” after our first visit, and he agreed. Once the venue was set, the rest of the planning was focused on what would match the theme and location.

Our color scheme and linens changed a few times, along with what I wanted in a dress. When you’re planning your own wedding and binge watching “Say Yes to the Dress”, you can get pretty overwhelmed with the possibilities. Thankfully my husband is more down to earth than me, and we had decided early on a budget. Whatever we spent money on, we made sure it was something neither of us could do and that it looked top notch. Basically anything that was handmade, we made except for our “here comes the bride” sign, which we ordered from Etsy. We made our guestbook on Shutterfly using our engagement photos. I made the program fans, menus, table numbers, designed the place cards and the kid’s coloring books. We bought our picture frames from Ikea, an idea we got from Pinterest which is so useful. I even learned to mimic calligraphy with markers to design the hangers for the dresses and make a welcome sign on cardboard.

Because there were so many elements, the most nerve wrecking part was hoping everything we planned would actually look good together. On the big day, things couldn’t have been better. Everything just fell into place, and because we had a day-of-coordinator it gave us a chance to enjoy our day worry free. We kept a few secrets from each other, like how my dress looks, him in his tux and our vows until the big day which made the day just that much more exciting. When we had our first look, my husband was speechless with tears once he saw me in my gown. It’s a priceless moment, and we are just so thankful our day was filled with moments like those.

Photography: Wedding Nature Photography | Event Design: Beauty in the Making | Floral Design: Divine Design Flowers | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: Ana Paz | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: The Palms Hotel & Spa | Hair + Makeup: Kiss This Makeup | DJ: Rayo Sound | Officiant: Rev. Ted Church | Venue: The Palms Hotel & Spa | Linens: Contempo Linens And Event Rentals | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
This Enchanted Wedding Has Everything Coming Up Roses

You know how some people are just natural trendsetters? This gorgeous Bride is one of them. Even before Pantone named rose quartz and serenity the 2016 Colors of the Year, this Bride worked with the lovely JCG Events LLC to create a dreamy rose quartz, serenity and gold wedding with cherry blossoms, a classic coke Bottle escort card display and sweet vintage rentals from Unearthed Vintage. See it all from Shea Christine Photography and Pin Wheel Film Company in The Vault!

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From JCG Events LLCCourtney and Byron wed at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on March 13th. We loved working closely with this couple and especially with the mother of the bride, Cecile. All the details were carefully thought through and chosen. Everything came together perfectly to create a magical evening.

The color palette for the wedding was Rose quartz and Serenity with soft touches of gold, and was selected even before it was named Pantone color of the year for 2016. This was the basis for the design starting from the soft serene hues of the bridesmaids dresses to the pale rose cherry blossoms that marked the altar. The clear top tent for the reception was lined with bistro lights that created a warm and inviting glow throughout the evening. The escort card table was lined with classic coke bottles with hand written tags, paying homage to the Father of the Brides time working at the company. The royal table had custom “share-a-coke” bottles that were used as the place cards.

One of the couple’s top priorities was the food. They wanted to make sure to have a custom menu that was reflective of them and their taste, that they can enjoy with their closest families and friends with nearly 200 guests that had traveled from all over to attend their wedding. Prior to the ceremony guests were greeted with an array of fruit infused water. After the ceremony guests were greeted with Miami mules served in copper mugs and traditional mojitos. Cocktail hour’s hors d’oeuvres consisted of some Southern favorite’s like truffle mac n’cheese and fried green tomatoes with basil aioli. Guests were then invited to the reception where it was a plated menu which included a trio appetizer of lobster bisque shooter, shrimp and grits and bacon cup with shaved lettuce, Florida avocados and a quail egg. For the main entrée guests had the option between short rib or chicken and waffles.

Guests danced the night away! They enjoyed some late night snacks and the delicious array of desserts and wedding cake. At the end of the evening Courtney and Byron were sent off with their guests waving glow sticks as they got into their vintage Bentley to began their happily ever after.

Photography: Shea Christine Photography | Cinematography: Pinwheel Film Company | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Catering: Suzanne Michael Haute Cuisine | Hair + Makeup: Tatjana Terzic | DJ: DJ PAZ | Officiant: Father Joaquin Perez | Ceremony Music: Mike Sipe Entertainment | Transportation: Padrinos | Venue: Vizcaya Museum Gardens | Cake + Desserts: Cloud 9 Bakery | Getting Ready Venue: Royal Sonesta New Orleans | Invitations + Stationery: Alexandra Scillieri Design | Rentals, Lighting + Sound Equipment: Evoga Events | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents | Vintage Rentals + Lighting: Unearthed Vintage

Beyond Blooms: This Couple Used Cakes As Their Centerpieces!

Why don’t more weddings do this!? Instead of sharing one main cake, let’s spread the sweet love and have a cute confection at every single table! That’s exactly what this wise lady did and I’m a fan! Jacqui Cole captured each adorable treat – and all the other delightful details of this Floridian fete, with Voila Cinematic filming away! See it all below and satisfy your sweet tooth with more in our Vault here!

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From Jacqui Cole PhotographyPatrice and Ashlyn celebrated their marriage at The Vault in Tampa. This venue is a gem for our small city providing a grand historic backdrop while still feeling romantic and warm. The floor to ceiling windows light up the whole ballroom until the sun sets over your wedding day.

Patrice hand picked some incredible details. She absolutely loved her sparkly pink Jimmy Choo’s… I mean, who wouldn’t! Her sleeved, low-back gown fitted her like a glove. Patrice and Ashlyn wanted to make sure Ashlyn’s daughter was included in the portraits. Some of the sweetest moments of the day were as their little flower girl looked up at them both.

Jennifer from Bourbon and Blush Events helped to bring Patrice’s vision to life! The soft romantic blushes’ of the bridesmaids dresses really stood out against the vibrant pops of marsala and golds. This was carried through the reception decor where a unique cake was at the center of every table! The guests were able to cut into their very own personal cakes! Gold flatware, custom calligraphy paper goods and countless textured linens really brought the space to life.

Patrice, Ashlyn and their family and friends danced the night away until they rode off in their vintage car. The entire day was full of magical moments and I thoroughly enjoyed capturing every one of them! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Parker!

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More fabulous Floridian weddings here!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: Bourbon And Blush Events | Floral Design: Inna Olimpiyuk Events | Cakes: Trudy Melissa Cakes | Invitations: Writefully Simple | Reception Venue: The Vault Tampa | Catering: Salt Block Catering | Linens: Kate Ryan Linens | Rentals: Ever After DeAnn

Fake Pro Baker Status with this Gorgeous (and easy) Cake

Want a great tip for impressing your friends beyond all measure and having something scrumptious to nibble on all at the same time? This cake! It’s summer party ready and all gussied up with pretty florals to give it that extra splash of charm. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with this number crafted by Earth + Sugar along with pretty florals by Anthology Co. and images by Alisa Ferris. Psst… find more here.

With summer just around the corner, we are gearing up for Sunday brunch, BBQs and fun in the sun. So with the lyrics of Alice Cooper’s ”School’s Out For Summer” resonating in our brains, Earth + Sugar, Anthology Floristry Co and Alisa Ferris teamed up to bring SMP readers a bright and beautiful baking and floral tutorial. Follow these easy steps, and your friends and family will be calling you “Martha Stewart” in no time.

Janderyn’s love of baking dates back to her childhood as well – although, back then she probably needed a step stool to reach the countertop! Since then, her ethereal and earthy cakes have won the hearts of many, and most importantly, that of her daughter, Sabrina, with whom she teaches the tricks of the trade.

Summer Cake Recipe

I N G R E D I E N T S

*makes 3 six inch layers or 2 eight inch layers

5 egg whites
3/4 cup whole milk
2 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into cubes
4 lemons, zest

D I R E C T I O N S

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease, line with parchment, and flour three six inch pans or two eight inch pans.

In a medium bowl, combine and stir the egg whites, 1/4 cup of milk, lemon juice and the vanilla. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the dry ingredients together on low speed for 30 seconds, then add the butter and remaining 1/2 cup of milk, and mix on low speed until just moistened. Increase to medium speed and mix for 90 seconds.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and begin to add the egg mixture in 3 separate batches; beat on medium speed for 20 seconds after each addition. Once it is well combines add the lemon zest and mix on low for a minute or so.

Divide the batter, spreading it evenly with a small offset palette knife.

Bake 25-35 minutes or until a cake tester comes clean when inserted into the center. Be very careful not to overbake. Check cake at 20 minutes, but not before, and once you feel it’s almost ready, set the timer for 2 minute intervals. Let cool on racks for 10 minutes before loosening the sides with a small knife, and invert onto greased wire racks. Gently turn cakes back up, so the tops are up and cool completely.

Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.

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F R O S T I N G

This recipe can be made smaller by dividing ingredients in half if desired

1 lb salted butter, room temperature
12 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
4 lemons, extract juice from cake recipe above
2 clementines, juice and zest

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream the butter on medium speed. On low speed gradually add the sifted powdered sugar until well combined.

Once combined bring the mixer back to medium speed for 2-3 minutes until frosting is light and creamy. Slowly add the vanilla paste, citrus juices and zest on low speed.

Scrape the bowl and mix again for about 3 minutes, if you would like to add a pretty color use food gels or dye of your choice at this time and continue to mix.

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Cardboard cake circle, 6″ or 8”
Small offset spatula
Large offset spatula
Bread knife or cake carving knife

Remove your cool layers from the refrigerator, if you have frozen them, do allow them to defrost in the refrigerator beforehand. Trim the top layers to remove the top crust and place your first layer on a cardboard circle. To secure the cake to the board add a dab of frosting before placing the cake down on it.

With your offset spatula spread the buttercream on the first layer and repeat this step until all layers are completed.

With the long side of the large spatula smooth a light amount of buttercream on all sides to lightly coat the cake.

Decorate with fresh flowers!

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Baking Tips

Never frost a fresh baked cake, it will crumble to pieces!

Mise en place: measure and set all your ingredients and tools on the counter before starting to bake or layer, this will ensure a joyful and more accurate baking day.

Always have ingredients at room temperature before combining.

If you have a scale handy weigh your batter in each pan evenly so all layers bake the same size.

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While you’re at it, learn how to perfectly frost that pretty dessert

Photographer: Alisa Ferris | Florals: Anthology Co. | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Makeup Artist: März Makeup And Hair

This Whimsical Country Club Wedding Is the Perfect Spring Affair

Sarah Beth and Josh’s wedding is truly one to cherish. It’s classic, timeless, and filled with oh-so-elegant details. Captured by Jacqui Cole Photography with beauty from Salon Inga, we’ve got this stunner of a celebration waiting for you to fall in love with time and time again in The Vault!

Colors
Settings
Country Club
Styles
Whimsical

From Jacqui Cole PhotographyEvery single moment of Sarah Beth and Josh’s wedding day was truly a joy to capture. There was so much love throughout the day you couldn’t help but smile as you saw the memories unfold.

Sarah Beth and Josh chose to celebrate their marriage at the beautiful Tampa Yacht and Country Club. This classic Tampa venue not only has stunning grounds but the ability to enjoy both dining al fresco under twinkly lights and dancing the night away in the air-conditioned ballroom! Any Florida girl knows this is the best of both worlds.

Sarah Beth got ready at her family home with her dear friends and of course their sweet family pup! The girls sipped on champagne and relaxed as the team at Salon Inga pampered them with their beautiful hair and makeup. When it came time for Sarah Beth to step into her Monique Lhuillier gown, her mum and sister were able to share a special moment by themselves. So many of Sarah Beth’s detail were meticulously chosen and almost every one had a sentimental meaning. The wedding day events map was hand painted by her father, the champagne goblets were her Grandmother’s bridesmaid gifts and the custom embroidered bag was a gift from her sister.

Sarah Beth and Josh wanted a classic, timeless wedding with neutral colors. Pops of soft lilac and organic greens added depth to their decor. The table settings were simple yet oh-so elegant. The bride and groom love the beach and chose to substitute name cards in place or hand calligraphed shells.

Sarah Beth switched into her honeymoon dress and arm in arm they exited under sparklers into their Rolls Royce getaway car. I couldn’t be happier for these two beautiful souls – it was a true honor to capture these memories!

From the Bride… I had never pictured getting married in my hometown, but after living away from home for the past 10 years, it was incredibly special to have our wedding where I grew up. Josh and I wanted our wedding to be formal and timeless but also very personal. I had always pictured an organic, romantic style for our wedding, so we used long, candlelit tables to make the dinner feel more intimate and chose mostly greenery and neutral colors with a pop of purple in the flowers. We served craft beer brewed by my uncle and had a bourbon bar especially for Josh. I have a major sweet tooth, so we had an ice cream and cookies bar served alongside the cake. My parents also helped me (painstakingly) collect and paint over 200 oyster shells to use as place cards since most of my childhood memories revolve around the water and Josh often took family trips to beaches just an hour away from Tampa, despite growing up in the Midwest.

We also tried to incorporate a lot of family traditions. We got married in the church where my parents were married over 35 years ago and had our reception at the same location where both my parents and paternal grandparents had their wedding receptions. We displayed photos from our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings at the reception and used some special family heirlooms, including my grandmother’s set of toasting goblets. On my grandmother’s wedding day, her five bridesmaids gifted her with a set of six silver goblets — one for each of them and one for her — which they used at her wedding reception. After my mom realized that I happened to have five bridesmaids as well, we used them during the day while getting ready at my parents’ house. It was such a fun and relaxing part of the day that was made even more special since my grandmother couldn’t be physically present with us.

We are so grateful to Jacqui for perfectly capturing our wedding! It is so true that the day goes by really quickly, but we are thankful to have such wonderful photographs that remind us of all of the joy and love from that day.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: The Potting Shed | Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Little Miss Press | Reception Venue: Tampa Yacht And Country Club | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Hair + Makeup: Salon Inga' | Band: Frequency Band | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss

This Enchanted Fairytale Inspiration Has It All, Including Prince Charming

Once upon a time, this editorial from JCG Events came into my life and I fell in love. With the prettiest flowers from Anthology Co., a gorgeous Bride and handsome Groom, and rentals from Unearthed Vintage, this inspiration session is utterly enchanting. Head to The Vault for endless pretty, courtesy of Katie Lopez Photography and Pinwheel Film Company, and let happily ever after start now!

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From JCG EventsWe were inspired by the venue Estancia Culinaria We wanted to capture its beauty and add a bit of enchanting mystery to this shoot. The ceremony was set under a helix dome in a forested area on the property. The concept was to design a setting that provided the impression that the couple stumbled upon this structure and decided to get married. The simplicity of the design gave it a more romantic feeling.

The invitations were designed with grey paper and gold letterpress ink with charcoal hand calligraphy. Fresh hand picked guava fruit garnished the signature cocktail drink, which were served in metallic West Elm glass coupes from the oak barrel bar. The garnish provided a pop of color and complemented the dark ethereal florals and enchanted feeling of the centerpieces. The centerpieces with a bit of an untamed wild flare, were complemented by matte black candlesticks and gray candles to complete the look. The reception was set under a Sperry tent with a collection of beautiful rustic tables, set with cocoa dinnerware with forged bronze matte finish flatware. The cake was a work of art in itself, multi-tiered with a large and dark sugar flower that provided a visual mystic at the center of the cake.

The inspiration shoot came together through all the details and everyone working together to bring the vision to life. The couple evoked the raw emotion of this enchanting storybook fairytale.

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography | Cinematography: Pinwheel Film Company | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Invitations: Smock | Hair + Makeup: Hot Pink Style | Lighting: Evoga Events | Bow Tie: Bloomingdales | Groom's Attire: Bloomingdales | Venue: Estancia Culinaria | Ceremony Wedding Dress: Chernaya Bridal House | Earrings: Hot Pink Style | Groom's Shirt: Bloomingdales | Groom's Shoes: Hot Pink Style | Reception Dress: Bloomingdales | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage | Table Setting: West Elm | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents

A Typical Sit-Down Reception Wouldn’t Do for This Laid-Back Couple

This right here is my kind of couple. For a normal sit-down reception just wouldn’t do for this laid-back duo. Their choice of celebration? A Mediterranean cocktail party complete with a wishing booth that acted as their interactive guestbook, Brigadeiros in lieu of a wedding cake, Beauty in the Making at the helm, Love in Vintage rentals, and Ozzy Garcia behind the lens. Overall, it’s wedding day perfection. See it all in The Vault!

Colors
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From the Bride… Daniel proposed to me while we were in Brazil visiting his family on the rooftop of the world famous Hotel Fasano, at sunset. Besides the beautiful scenery of Rio de Janeiro, what made the moment even more special is that we were surrounded by family and friends. I remember all of the girls gathered together to take a photo (pre-planned but unknown to me) Daniel came up and grabbed my hand, got down on one knee and I thought “what in the world is he doing”. I was so surprised that I have no idea what he said after that… but I do remember saying yes!

The wedding was Mediterranean cocktail inspired. I wanted the entire vibe to feel warm, inviting and super laid back. As if we were having a small outdoor gathering at our own home. Everything from the seating layout, to the music and the way we planned the food was designed to encourage guests to explore, mingle with each other and feel the love. It was a very intimate, small wedding so we were really able to focus on laughing with friends and family, enjoying the live music and beautiful Miami night, not an evening fixed around a traditional wedding agenda.

I loved our “wedding aisle” that we walked down, it was a combination of vines that fell from the sky. I also loved the “Wishing Booth”, it was sort of an interactive guestbook. Instead of wedding cake we did Brigadeiros which are a traditional Brazilian dessert (since the groom is from Brazil).

Daniel’s favorite moment was seeing the bride for the first time. And Kelli’s special moment was that kiss at the end when they say “you may now kiss your bride”

An advice for future Brides & Grooms: Don’t stress too much. The best advice I got was from Daniel when I was having a freak out moment leading up to the wedding. I was worried that things weren’t going to be “perfect”. He said to me – “Babe, no matter what happens that day, if it rains, if it snows, if the flowers don’t show up, if spill wine on your dress (almost happened), in the end we will still be marrying each other and that’s all that really matters”. I pretty much melted in his arms when he said that.

Photography: Ozzy Garcia | Event Planning: Beauty in the Making | Floral Design: Divine Design Flowers | Wedding Dress: Yolan Cris | Invitations: Karmomo | Hair + Makeup: Carolyn Jones Makeup | Venue: Royal Palm South Beach | Wedding Venue: Royal Palm South Beach | Rentals: Love in Vintage | Rentals: Wood That Works | Wedding Dress Shop: Chic Parisien

A Garden Wedding in Winter? Oh Yes They Did.

We typically associate garden weddings with springtime. But if you’re lucky enough to live in Florida, like this Bride and Groom, you can have a garden wedding any time of year. It simply takes a vision and vendors like Premier Party RentalsConfetti EventsA+P Design Co., and Showorks Events, and an incredible photographer to capture it all, like K and K Photography. Get inspired in The Vault!

From The Bride…Our wedding weekend was unequivocally the best time Chris or I have ever had. And it truly was a weekend of revelry — we celebrated New Year’s Eve with our wedding party, followed by a wonderful New Year’s Day rehearsal dinner with our families and out-of-town guests, crowned by our wedding day itself. So, my advice to other brides is to prioritize the fun for your guests, and most importantly, to let yourself enjoy that fun as well!

We were married in my sweet hometown, Bartow, FL at my family’s church, and held our reception at a private residence owned by family friends. The gorgeous plantation-style home spoke for itself and we are so grateful for the unique opportunity to have held the reception there!

Our fabulous team of vendors carried out our vision for the day flawlessly. We dreamed of a romantic, organic winter garden wedding represented by a spectrum of jewel tones — amethyst, emerald, wine, and gold. These colors were infused throughout the wedding, included in our linens, paper goods, florals and bridesmaids’ dresses. Our cocktail hour was hosted throughout the house and outside on the patio, while the reception itself was held under a string-light lit tent in the backyard — the beauty of Florida in winter!

Pinterest was a godsend throughout the planning process — I pinned things I loved, from my florals to our wedding cake and groom’s cake, and simply showed them to our vendors. It was my first practical use of Pinterest! As the wedding quickly approached, I became obsessed with personalization — I wanted the day to be unmistakably ours. To that end, we wrote our own vows, made our wedding favors in my momma’s kitchen, and filled the reception space with ‘us’. One of our favorite personal touches was our place-themed food stations. Chris is from Oklahoma, I’m from Florida, and we met in Austin, Texas, so we had three food stations serving food representative of each of those places. Another favorite personal touch was quote cards that we placed on each table at the reception. Chris is an Army officer stationed in Georgia and I work in Washington, D.C., so we’ve spent most of the past year and a half apart and have written at least a hundred letters and cards to each other. We combed through all of them, and had our favorite quotes printed on cards for each guest table. At the last minute, we also incorporated a few DIY projects executed by Chris, like painted metal letters of our now-shared last name, a hand-drawn chalkboard with our hashtag (#happynewakers), and pine-sprig based centerpieces for the cocktail tables.

Two of the most special moments of the day were my first dance with Chris and the dance with my dad. Chris and I instantly knew which song we wanted to dance to, “If It Wasn’t For Texas” by George Strait. I’ll always remember two-stepping across the dance floor with him and hearing the best line of the song, “I wouldn’t be standing right here right now, if it wasn’t for Texas.” We owe everything to the wonderful year we spent growing love in Austin, and it turned out to be a perfect choice for our first dance. Prior to the wedding, I spent an entire evening listening to finalists for the father-daughter song, crying the whole time. I chose “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor and surprised my dad with the choice. It was such a winner to him that we had to cut the dance a little short because we were crying too much!

Lastly, something, somehow, will inevitably go “wrong,” so let it and revel in the story you’ll always have to tell! For us, it was our favors. We chose to make fudge. For years both of my grandmothers made fudge at Christmastime to give out to family and friends, so we decided to combine the recipes and give it a shot ourselves. We must’ve made sixteen batches of fudge, a labor of love mostly by my mom and her best friend. The glitch was the cooling process — the Florida winter temperatures were too warm for the fudge to set properly. So, at 11 pm Chris, our maid of honor, best man, and I packed all the fudge in the car to take to my grandparents’ extra fridges to try again! The next day the fudge still hadn’t quite set up, but we spent hours packaging 200 boxes of still semi-gooey fudge, laughing all the way.

Photography: K and K Photography, LLC | Event Design: Premier Party Rentals | Event Planning: Confetti Events + Weddings | Wedding Dress: The White Magnolia | Cake: The Cake Zone | Invitations: A&P Designs | Ceremony Venue: Bartow Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: At Home | Catering: Terrie Lobb Catering | Hair + Makeup: Femme Akoi | DJ: Impulse Entertaiment | Transportation: Him Hers | Floral Design + Decor: Showorks Events

This Bright Fall Wedding is Unlike Any Other You’ve Seen Before

Just because you’re getting married in the fall doesn’t mean you have to choose the typical fall color palette of deep reds, golden yellows and rich oranges. The proof? This beautiful day from Amalie Orrange Photography. With bursts of hot pink, orange, coral and peach and gold accents sprinkled throughout, this fall Florida wedding is the perfect mix of glamour and fun. See it all now in The Vault!

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From Amalie Orrange PhotographySometimes you just have a wedding that is so amazing that you call it our magical unicorn of weddings! Everything was perfect from the couple, the weather, the venue and vendors….the stars aligned for these two beautiful people and we are thrilled and honored that we were trusted with photographing their wedding day.

From L.I.F.E EventsRobin came to me with her color palette and I was inspired from the get go! Oranges, hot pinks, peaches, coral and more with pops of gold – one can’t go wrong! A botanical chic design was then in the works!

The couple wanted most of the color to pop through the flowers and didn’t envision that much on the guest tables. We did however play up cocktail hour and the head table with the perfect coral and peach linens to accentuate all the beautiful flowers designed by Lee Forrest. All tables were accented with a beautiful gold sequins runner the client found on Etsy that added a touch of chic to the design! Gold glass beaded chargers, gold flatware and gold mercury glass topped it all off!

The Sugar Suite helped Robin and Steven with the design of their cake and it was the prefect mix of simplicity meets chic! Placing the cake on a high top full of glitz kept the design consistent and oh so perfect!

My favorite aspect was the favor table! Robin had candles in mind and I fell in love. We created a “let love shine” table that housed all their candles for guests to take at the end of the night. Until then it was a great visual for all guests as they danced the night away!

From The Bride…Steven and I met at the beginning of our first year in law school at the University of Florida. One of my bridesmaids, who I had just met at the time, was having a birthday party and we met at her house. I remember thinking he was so cute! We hit it off that night and the rest of the story followed! Steven and I had been out of law school for a year when we were back in our old stomping grounds for a friend’s wedding. The day after the wedding, it was a beautiful fall day in Gainesville, with the sun shining and a perfect cool breeze. We walked all around campus before Steven took me to a walking trial near a lake on campus, a place we often walked together when we were students. We neared the end of the boardwalk that jutted over the lake, and as I was gazing out, Steven dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife. It was the happiest moment of life my life, next to my wedding day.

My most memorable moment was definitely our first look. The anticipation I felt leading up to that moment was huge and there was something truly special about sharing that first moment, just the two of us! I am so glad we had that private time to take each other in. It also didn’t hurt that the first word out of Steven’s mouth after he saw me was “wow!”

My vision for my wedding was inspired looking at lots of wedding blogs to get inspiration for my wedding. I wanted to find out how everyday brides, like me, planned and styled their events. I came across one wedding which color palette I fell in love with– I used a lot of their ideas to come up with my color palette. Then, when we found Casa Feliz, our venue, I meshed my color ideas with the space to come up with my exact vision. My wedding planner, Becky, took all my ideas to the next level and that’s how we came up with such a beautiful wedding. If it had not been for her, my day would have been nowhere near as pretty as it turned out to be.

My favorite design element was definitely all the colors!! I wanted a fun, happy, vibrant wedding with a touch of glam, and I think that really came through in all the flowers and details of the event.

Photography: Amalie Orrange Photography | Cinematography: Studio829 | Event Planning + Design: L.I.F.E Events | Floral Design: Lee Forrest Design | Wedding Dress: Calvet Couture Bridal | Cake: The Sugar Suite | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Arthur's | Hair + Makeup: Makeover Station | DJ: Liquid Jay | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Harpist: Catherine Way, Harpstrings, Inc. | Venue: Casa Feliz | Chair Signs: Emily Grace Design | Chairs + Rentals: Orlando Wedding And Party Rentals

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This Disney Inspired Wedding Is the Ultimate Fairytale

Before we get carried away singing Disney lyrics we have to acknowledge that this duo planned one incredible celebration. From the Love in Vintage rentals, to the film inspired vignettes (can you guess which one pairs with which fables?!), to the Samba dancers , this couple officially had the Best Day Ever (all thanks to Beauty in the Making), and rightfully so since that was after-all their wedding slogan. See it all captured by Ozzy Garcia in The Vault!

The Vault

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From the Bride… Joao and I took a less traditional approach to life and decided to have our children before our wedding. We have always been big Disney fans and shared that love with our children. Joao proposed in front of Cinderella’s castle at Magic Kingdom just after the fireworks show. I knew then that I had to have a Disney Wedding but I still wanted it to be elegant and classy. I knew to pull it off we would need professional help and that’s when I found Eileen from Beauty in the Making.

Eileen helped me find focal words for our wedding so that whenever we decided to add something we had to ask is it organic? Was it thoughtful? Was it elegant? And was it Subtle? It really helped me from getting lost and going overboard. My favorite part of planning was finding all of the elements for the tables. I spent hours on the hunt in antique stores, art stores, and on Etsy. Each piece is really special to me and I’ve kept every one! Joao also made a lot of elements for our wedding. My favorite is an armoire that he painted to look like the one from beauty and the beast. We used it to hold scarves and sandals for our guests. I remember walking through the reception area of the Raleigh to take photographs on the beach prior to the wedding guests arrival. I was stunned. I started crying, like ugly crying. It was seriously like walking into a dream come true. It was everything I had imagined it to be and more.

Our slogan for the wedding was Best Day Ever! and it really was. It’s hard to pick favorite moments but I really enjoyed our wedding singer Lourdes Valentin. I gave her this never ending list of disney music and she and her band learned and played every one! It was so beautiful and really set the tone for the whole evening. For the kids we had bags made with things to help keep them entertained during the ceremony and dinner. It had items like a disposable camera and scavenger hunt and a coloring book and crayons. After dinner we had the kids go to a seperate area in the hotel exclusive to them with babysitters and a face painter to keep the kids entertained so their parents could relax and enjoy the night.We had a slow motion booth and guests couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had with it! The videos are hilarious! The most fun though was the Hora Loca. Joao’s family is from Brasil so we surprised them with Samba dancers and drummers.

Everybody kept commenting that I was the happiest bride they had ever seen and I’m sure it was true! I think because for Joao and I our wedding wasn’t so much about new beginings but about celebrating the fast paced one we had and the people who had helped us be successful it took a lot of the pressure off. My advice to any newly weds is to not lose focus on what a wedding is really about and thats sharing a moment with the people you love the most. And find an amazing planner that gets as excited about your wedding as you!

Photography: Ozzy Garcia | Cinematography: Cool Coconut Studios | Event Planning: Beauty in the Making | Floral Design: Divine Design Flowers | Hair + Makeup: Carolyn Jones Makeup | Entertainment: Lourdes Valentin Quartet | Wedding Venue: The Raleigh Hotel | Photo Booth: The Foto Boyz | Rentals: Love in Vintage | Rentals: Wood That Works | Samba Dancers: Brazilian Carnival

Why an All-White Wedding Is Never Going Out of Style

Wedding trends come and go, but some things will always be in style, including all-white weddings like this one from Hunter Ryan Photo. From the Bride’s lovely lace wedding dress and perfect hair and makeup from Duality Artistry to the lush white florals and perfect garden ceremony, this day from Along Came Stephanie is as classic and beautiful as they come. See all the pretty details in The Vault!

From Hunter Ryan PhotoLauren, being born and raised a Florida girl, just knew she’d have her wedding in South Florida. What she didn’t know is that it would end up being a destination wedding for many – including herself – after following her dreams to start her life in Chicago. Her life in Chicago which includes being right next to the sweet guy who stole her heart 6 years prior at Homecoming in college, Dave. He lights her up like no one can and it was beautifully apparent on their wedding day. Witnessing love as a photographer – we see so much – we observe – we capture. Lauren and Dave? They were so fully engaged in one another, the moment, their wedding day -that we just got to capture the love from the outside that they had in their own sweet little world that day. These two are the absolute perfection of a Barbie & Ken couple – but their beautiful hearts and kindness far outshadows the outward beauty – and we could not be happier for them and a lifetime of love!!

Lauren’s main focus was sharing with their closest friends and family in their faith and love. She’s so careful to make sure everyone else is perfectly taken care of and having a good time. Lauren is such a classic beauty and her entire aesthetic reflected that. The entire day was a soft white garden party feel. Winter in Florida is such amazing weather (compared to her windy city!) that they chose the outdoor lawn/garden area for their ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. Beautiful draping ushered in guests and the bride alike with soft white florals and greenery. The reception moved indoors and yet kept the same airy garden feel with tall white floral centerpieces and hanging greenery, greenery garland runners on the head table and lots of elegant candlelight and mercury glass.

Photography: Hunter Ryan Photo | Event Planning: Along Came Stephanie | Floral Design: Signature Florals | Invitations: Minted | Hair + Makeup: Duality Artistry | DJ: DJ Dayve | Venue: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point | Photo Booth: Bash Booths | Rentals: Island Events

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The Wedding Photographer Didn’t Show Up + Here’s What Happened Next!

If ever there was a write up I beg you to read, this is it. It’s straight out of a movie, a thrilling, romantic adventure where jetsetting backpackers meet halfway around the world, fall in love and when they’re about to say “I do”… their wedding photographer doesn’t show. But don’t worry dear readers, because Alisa Ferris was there within an hour to capture this magical elopement before vows were exchanged and the results are downright stunning. Believe in the power of fate in our Vault right this way

From Alisa Ferris…. Sarah and Matt met and fell in love while traveling in Southeast Asia, and then eloped at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami. In an interesting turn of events on the big day, when their wedding photographer failed to show up, they had a mere hour to source a new photographer! Here’s the scoop!

From the Bride… In January 2013, production had just wrapped on my first big film job. I found myself romanticizing the idea of being in Southeast Asia, so impulsively, I booked my ticket and had two weeks to condense my life into a backpack. Unknowingly, across the Atlantic in London, my future husband was also packing his bag to indefinitely escape winter. A journey that would change both of our lives.

We crossed paths at a beach bar in Railay, Thailand (a rock climbing haven). I was about to watch an infamous Thai fire show, when I overheard a striking and soft spoken British accent.

Matt and I had an immediate connection (and a love for Simon & Garfunkel), we shared life stories, future travel plans, and danced the night away.

After Railay, we met up as our routes crossed throughout the southern Thai islands. Our first “official” date was a snorkeling trip off the shores of Maya Bay (the location made famous by “The Beach” starring Leo DiCaprio).

Despite only knowing each other for a mere seven weeks, Matt and I shared so many beautiful memories – we were unsure if we’d ever see each other again. For the following six months, Matt and I Skyped every Sunday night.

Fast forward to the fall, Matt and I met up in Bangkok, and then flew to Sydney where we spent the next 11 months together followed by extensive travel throughout India, Nepal, Christmas in London, NYE in New York, and the Northern Lights in Iceland. A truly vintage year!

After a long nine-months apart, this past December Matt’s U.S. Visa was finally approved. Due to his initial Visa stipulations – 90-days to get married and no travel outside of the U.S. – it made it near-impossible for us to plan a traditional wedding. Our decision to elope, wasn’t really a decision at all. Our relationship has always been about just being able to simply be together, and we wanted this sentiment to represent our marriage.

I woke up to perfect Miami weather – clear blue skies with an ocean view. The day was going exactly as planned.

Matt arrived at Vizcaya an hour early to meet the photographer and setup for the first look. My finishing touches were near-complete when my mother received a panicked call from Matt – our photographer was nowhere in sight! I was in disbelief, with time ticking away and no Miami contacts, I felt helpless. Meanwhile at Vizcaya, Matt scrambled to search for potential photographers. My mother frantically did the same, before eventually calling my makeup artist. Carolyn said she knew the perfect fit and immediately put us in touch with Miami-based wedding photographer, Alisa Ferris. She received the call at 2:15PM and was at the venue by 3:00PM! I truly believe that our meeting was kismet.

What could’ve been a disastrous turn of events, instead, made for absolute serendipity. As with so many things that Matt and I have shared, this day was spontaneous, reflected our easy-going spirits, and in the end, was truly enchanting. Alisa’s photographs are imbued with both the beauty of our moment and the timeless charm of Vizcaya.

“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” – Old Chinese Proverb (and one of my favorite quotes)

I’d like to go to Moorea in French Polynesia for our honeymoon, but we’re also considering Cuba or Tulum. In addition, next February we’re planning to go to Vietnam and revisit Thailand.

From Alisa Ferris… When I received the call from Carolyn, the makeup artist, I immediately felt crushed for the bride. To be stuck in such an unfortunate situation on your wedding day is just horrible! My biggest concern was making sure Sarah was well taken care of and felt confident in our newfound, eleventh hour relationship.

My first step was to reach out to her to waylay her well-justified insecurities, and let her know that it would be smooth sailing from here on out. Then, I literally dropped my half eaten sandwich, threw on a black dress and flats and breezed out the door (with my photo bag, of course!).

Upon arriving at the venue, my thoughts remained with my clients’ well-being. I listened to their stressful morning, cracked a few not-so-great jokes to ease the pain, and learned as much about them as I could in 10 minutes. As Sarah wrote, it was kismet. On our 7th date, my husband and I traveled throughout Southeast Asia for 30 days. Fellow adventurers and romantics unite! We immediately found common ground, and believe our paths were meant to cross. I’m grateful to have encountered such lovely humans.

So, many of you are probably thinking, “What would I do in such a situation?” Before your wedding day, it’s important to discuss Plan B with your photographer. Any reputable photographer will have a backup already in mind. To further relieve stress, ensure that there is ample communication with your photographer in the lead up to the big day: discussions regarding agenda and shot lists are key. Finally, call or text your photographer the day before the wedding to confirm everything is on track.

More magical Miami weddings here!

Photography: Alisa Ferris | Floral Design: The Flower Bazaar | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Carolyn Jones Makeup | Venue: Vizcaya Museum And Gardens

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See How This Couple Glammed Up Their Wedding with Shades of Purple + Gold

Historically speaking , purple and gold are the colors of royalty, and this Florida affair is pretty enough to be a royal wedding. From the anemone-accented bouquets to the soft gold table linens at the reception, every detail of this day exudes luxury. Head to The Vault now to cure all your Monday blues thanks to gorgeous photos from Kt Crabb Photography!

From Kt Crabb PhotographyCayla and Chris were always meant to be. In fact, everyone else knew it long before they even realized it! Their early days together were spent as the best of friends. Not too long after did they realize they were attached at the hip. Their wedding day was nothing short of pure joy. They were filled with so much joy and laughter that was felt by all in attendance. What a joy to see their dream day come to life!

Photography: Kt Crabb Photography | Cinematography: Beyond Videography | Coordination: L.I.F.E Events | Floral Design: Arrangements Floral Studio | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Arthur's | Hair + Makeup: Laura Reynolds Artistry | DJ: Orlando Wedding And Party Rentals | Venue: Casa Feliz | Photography - Assistance: Ashley Poole

Say Hello to the Perfect Halter Neck Wedding Dress

This bride wanted a dress that was anything but ordinary, and we’re giving her the official job well done. She opted for a halter neck, tulle skirt Tara Keely customized it to fit all her dress dreams. It was the perfect attire for a classic Floria wedding, and thanks to Kallima Photography we’re getting an inside look at the big day, fashion moments and all.

From The Bride…Rob and I were married at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. From the moment we began planning our wedding, there was one thing Rob and I immediately agreed on…we wanted our wedding weekend to be as memorable for our guests as it would be for us.

We chose St. Pete as the location with this in mind, everyone could be in walking distance from each other and from all the venues all weekend long. Our reception was held at the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the middle of downtown right along the water, with the most beautiful views of Tampa Bay.

In searching for my dress, I knew I wanted a look that had some kind of sleeves or straps, as I am not one for anything strapless, but I didn’t quite know what that look was. I also envisioned my dress incorporating tulle, I’ve always thought tulle skirts give off an airy, lighthearted and romantic feel. When I tried on the Tara Keely gown, it felt as if it was made for me, and my seamstress Rita was able to customize it so that it truly was. She worked so the bodice of the dress fit seamlessly and also customized the back by adding thin straps – just what it needed.

The lace bodice of the dress had scalloped edges and was exactly the right amount of classic bridal I wanted in my look. The skirt was perfectly airy and light, yet still fitted below the layers of tulle, adding in the slightest hint of a contemporary feel. The finishing touch was wearing my sister’s veil that matched the tulle in my skirt perfectly.

The months of planning and attention to details led to our wedding day exceeding my expectations in every way possible. Most of all, it was so unbelievably special to have all of our favorite people that mean so much to Rob and I in one place to share in our love and commitment to each other.

Photography: Kallima Photography | Coordination: Olympia Catering | Floral Design: Redman Steele Florist | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church St. Petersburg | Reception: Museum Of Fine Arts | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Jewelry: Beard's Jewelry | Catering: Olympia Catering | Hair + Makeup: Jess Waldrop | Band: Bay Kings Band | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein

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See Why This Real Bride is SO On Trend!

Spring 2017 Trend Alert: Halter Necklines
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Spring 2017 Trend Alert: Halter Necklines
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