Florida Weddings

The most important thing about your wedding day is that you and your groom enjoy every moment of it, and this couple definitely did. With two pairs of chic shoes (one for the ceremony and one for dancing!) and the relaxing nature of their waterfront venue, this bride and groom guaranteed their wedding would be a very happy occasion. See all the gorgeous photos from Tiffani Jones here.

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A few extra special things from the day:

1. We wanted our wedding to be a whole weekend celebration, not just a one night affair. For the most part everyone stayed at the same hotel, hanging by the pool together all weekend. It allowed mingling of different friend groups and just an overall celebratory vibe that really spread into the big night.

2. Our photographer and videographers! We Skyped with a few different people before we found who we loved! We obviously love their individuality and skills but we also wanted to find people who we connected with. We loved working with these guys because we felt so comfortable with them and they helped us have a blast.

3. We had a really non religious wedding but we did a tisch. One of my friends had done this and I just thought it was so special, adding love and excitement right before the ceremony. A tisch is an old Orthodox Jewish tradition where the males and females separate. The females talk about the future, give advice and make toasts in general. I’m not exactly sure what the men do, but this just increased the excitement before walking down the isle. I feel like since we did our first look before the ceremony this gave us time to regroup separately before meeting under the chuppah.

4. Our DIY project was the board where the table assignments were located. I was at home for a dress fitting and was in the garage and found this old giant wooden frame my parents had. It was a little beat up but then we simply just added burlap, string and clothes pins and it was perfect! It fit in with the vibe and made us feel like we were artsy.

5. The bridesmaids dresses: Oh man, I have literally thrown away or left my bridesmaid dress in the hotel room after each wedding I was in…and they were expensive! I wanted the girls to feel pretty on the day. I wanted them to want to keep their dress. I wanted their money to be worth it! So I just gave the girls a color scheme and a length and everyone looked gorgeous. No one was pulling up a strapless dress all night, or squeezing into Spanx. Everyone felt like themselves and I think it showed on the dance floor! No one sat down all night!

6. My bridesmaids’ gifts. Everyone makes fun of me because I keep the words “I love you” for only like Dan and my family. I mean I love everyone but those words I like to keep special! So as a gift for all the girls I found these little dishes that said “Je t’aime beaucoup.” I really obviously love them all since they were my bridesmaids and wanted to let them all ACTUALLY know.

7. Shoes. Obviously my sneaks. I am so not a high heel wear-er. I can last for maybe an hour and that’s all. I literally wore the nikes because they were more comfortable but they stole the show!

Photography: Tiffani Jones Photography | Videography: Cabana Pictures | Event Coordination: NK Productions Wedding Planning | Floral Design: Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio | Wedding Dress: Malindy Elene | Catering: Michael's On East | Hair & Makeup: Rachel Reumann | DJ: DJ Xio | Venue: Bay Preserve | Linens: Michael's On East | Rentals: Michael's On East

When this Chicago-based duo set out to plan the warm-weather destination wedding they’d always dreamed of, they knew they’d need to assemble an expert team on the ground, in order to make their dreams come true. And where did they find their Miami vendors? Through SMP! Photographer Amy Jo Royall captured every romantic moment, and we can’t get enough of all the love in the gallery here!

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From The Bride…If there is one word I would use to describe both my relationship with Lance and our entire wedding weekend, it would be MAGICAL.

Funny enough, we went elementary school together in a suburb of Chicago, but did not know each other that well. Both having left our hometown to pursue businesses and dreams in New York City, we ran into each other at a gym close to where we now live. To my surprise, he had recognized me and came over to chat. After a series of FB messages, a few misses at the gym and then a few more synchronistic run in’s out of the gym, we finally got together for a casual glass of wine. From that very first date, I knew he was my guy. We both had a Midwestern background with a similar drive that brought us to NYC.

After 10 months of dating, we got engaged and gave ourselves a few months before we dove into planning.

We chose Miami because we wanted to do an easy destination where all our friends and family from Chicago, New York, California and beyond could spend the weekend relaxing in the warmth.

On a weekend trip, we visited a few venues and fell in love with the Villa Woodbine immediately. We loved the Spanish style 1920’s vibe and the fact that it felt like it could be our home.

After I picked my dress, the whole vision for the day came together. I wanted it to be romantic yet relaxed, as if our friends and family were in our very own backyard filled with twinkling lights and beautiful flowers.

I hadn’t intended on wearing blush, but the minute I put it on the two-piece Watters set, I didn’t want to take it off. I couldn’t even look at a white dress after that! Picking bridesmaids dresses was a little trickier, but I knew I wanted all the girls to feel and look like individuals, so they picked their own dresses in shades of crème and gold accents. We didn’t see all the dresses come together until the day of, but I was thrilled with the look.

I couldn’t have asked for a better dream team of people to work with. Each vendor was not only amazing at what they do, but we managed to attract some of the kindest people possible. On your Big Day, you want to be surrounded by people you love. Not just your guests, but also the people helping to make the day special.

This was the case in every sense. Since we were planning from afar, I relied a lot in Style Me Pretty to direct me to vendors that fit my style. I came across our amazing, brilliant photographer, Amy Jo Royall’s work, here on the site. Her and her second shooter Megan Daas were a dream to have by our sides all day. We loved the husband and wife videographer team of Kevin and Becca Borge, as well Vanessa Oppo, our coordinator and the team from South Beach Makeup who were a joy to work with. Each of these people spend the most time with you and we would not have wanted anyone else. We also found our florist Julia Rhode here (her work is incredible!) along with the sweet delectables from Earth and Sugar.

Being an artist myself, I sprinkled my own creativity into the process. I designed our hotel canvas giveaway bags, our programs, our seating cards, and our seating card frame with ribbon. I also hand made all the signs seen throughout the venue and collected things like picture frames, an old suitcase of my grandfather’s and vases to make the venue feel like our home. My mom made the boxes for our dessert giveaways and my 8 year old nephew made our adorable Lego cake topper.

One of our favorite parts of the day was that we had husband and wife musicians, Barnaby Bright, play during our ceremony. We had gone to a small intimate concert of theirs on our second date and flew them down to perform our favorite songs as we walked down the aisle and during cocktail hour.

Our guest couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful and perfect everything was. The day whizzed by so fast, but without a doubt it felt like a magical dream come true!

Photography: Amy Jo Royall | Event Coordinator: Karma Goddess | Event Planning: Karma Goddess | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Watters | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Catering: Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production | Hair + Make Up: South Beach Makeup Studio | DJ: Boom Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Barnaby Bright | Venue: Villa Woodbine | Video: Kevin Borge Films

When Jessica Lorren steps behind the lens, magic inevitably happens. She’s the kind of photographer who truly makes each moment shine, and when she gets to capture a wedding as beautiful like this Boca Raton beauty, it just doesn’t get any better. We all win with a gallery this good, so join me in getting lost in all the lovely here.

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The Addison has so much natural beauty and charm, I chose to play up the romance of the venue and compliment it with blush, cream, and gold detailing. This wedding was a labor of love and Blaine and I spent many hours creating a day that was completely “us.” With the help of our friends and family, and numerous bottles of gold spray paint and white paint markers, we were able to make most of the important details ourselves. Our escort card display was made on a headboard we found outside of our apartment with the calligraphy done by myself and some friends. We also made the welcome sign, ceremony board, and quote boards. Blaine made our wine box that we used for our ceremony and we found a vintage dictionary at an old bookstore that we used for our guest book.

Blaine and I share a very close group of friends and we always knew we wanted to include them in our day. Our friend Mike is in school for architecture and graciously did a line drawing of The Addison that we used on our Save the Dates. My friend Nick always joked that he would sing at our wedding one day and when we were thinking about first dance songs we knew he had to be the one to sing it. We both agreed that we did not want to have a stranger marry us and knew that our friend Jesse would be the perfect person to officiate our ceremony. Together we wrote our ceremony, carefully picking readings and sayings that meant a lot to us as a couple. When the time came for Blaine to read his vows, we heard the faint sound of the train in the distance and my heart sank as this was something I was warned about.

However, listening to him spill his heart out and watching the tears about to fall from his eye, Jesse threw in a quick joke and we were able to laugh and take a quick dance break as the train roared by. It gave me a second to regroup before I read my vows and will remain one of my favorite moments of the night.

Photography: Jessica Lorren Photography | Coordination: Soleil Event Planning | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Shoes : Miu Miu | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | DJ: Omgg Events | Mens Attire: Ted Barry Tuxedos | Music: Master Musicians | Preparations: Boca Raton Resort & Club | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Video: Lightfield Lewis

Florida is famed for its sunny disposition, and this colorful wedding, with the Bride and Groom saying “I Do” under live blossoming orange trees, is the perfect example of a Sunshine State affair. Captured beautifully by Jacqui Cole Photography and Voila Cinematic, these yacht club nuptials were nautical with a twist, thanks to the amazing teams behind Tracie Domino Events and A&P Design.

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Their whole wedding day had a subtle, yet beautiful Nantucket inspired theme. It all begins with the couples’ custom letterpress invitations by A&P Designs. The team created a beautiful citrus watercolor motif that was elegantly brought to life throughout the day! Tracie Domino Events and MMD executed Meghan’s vision flawlessly. The orange tree motif was brought to life at the alter where Meghan and Ben exchanged their vows under blossoming, real life orange trees!!

There were so many sweet details throughout the reception, including the orange placecards and bold pops of orange and blue. The couple even had pillows made for the cocktail lounge area. Meghan looked absolutely stunning in her Amsale gown and the Florida sunlight streamed through the trees as we took portraits.

Their day was full of unique and wonderful surprises! It was a true joy to capture such incredible memories!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: Tracie Domino Events | Floral Design: MMD Events | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Sylvia Tampa Cakes | Stationery: A&P Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Carlos Olivera | Entertainment: Bella Musica | DJ: Impulse Entertainment | Men's Suits: The Black Tux | Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club | Bridal Boutique: Malindy Elene | Event Decor: MMD Events | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Live Painter: Jacob Neagle

This wedding is seriously gorgeous. So much so, that you’re going to want to pin every last detail planned by JCG Events—from the Bride’s stunning appliqué wedding dress to the lush all-white bouquet. But it’s not just the gorgeous couple’s stunning wedding, their story is going to melt your heart, especially why they got married by the beach. Swoon over it all with photos from Laura Leslie Photography and the video from Lula Wedding Films.

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After the proposal, we quickly knew we wanted a timeless and romantic event, and we wanted all our people from all over the world to have an unforgettable weekend in Miami. We gravitated toward neutral colors, lots of candles, and pieces we knew we could look back at 40 years from now and still think were beautiful. Above all, we wanted to get married as close as possible to the ocean. My momma, who is in heaven, loved the ocean. We wanted to be surrounded by her presence and close to a day that celebrates her, too.

Our wonderful planners, JCG Events, helped us in so many ways, but really won with finding our dream venue: The Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour. We loved the neutral colors of the reception room, the book spaces that made it feel like a home, and airy drapes and wood floors. The details were most important to us, and we spent countless hours finding our vendors. Each one of them “got us” and transformed our vision into the most beautiful celebration.

But most importantly, our wedding was absolutely a labor of love. My dad and step-mom ground and packaged coffee from our family’s farm in Colombia as favors for our guests. My maid of honor was the Craft Queen, and brought many of my ideas to life. My Aunt completely grounded and calmed me behind the scenes during the entire wedding process, and Shane and I hand-picked each cocktail hour song and some of the reception music (Backstreet Boys throwbacks being high on the list). As are most events, it’s the moments leading up to it that make it. I’ll never forget the Saturday we all spent as a family packaging welcome baskets of our guests.

On the day of our wedding, not everything went as planned. That hand-picked playlist was forgotten and the Miami weather didn’t cooperate. Our plan B (aka A) was getting married in a room that felt like we were in the clouds and sharing our first dance as Mr. and Mrs. in a candle-filled room under hundreds of twinkling lights. There’s no way I can pick a moment. My groom took my breath away all night, the smile on my dad’s face, all our people in one room singing to the Backstreet Boys at the top of their lungs, it all was truly magical.

Photography: Laura Leslie Photography | Cinematography: Lula Films | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: Cloud 9 Bakery | Invitations: Masi Events | Bride's Shoes : BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Catering: Ritz Carlton | Makeup: Carolyn Jones Makeup | Hair + Makeup: Agape Makeup | DJ: DJ Serge Ramirez | Grooms Attire: The Black Tux | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour Miami | Paper Products : The Romance Between

Maybe as a former ballet dancer myself I’m a little partial, but I knew this wedding would be making my favorites list upon first glance at these chic shoes. I didn’t even need to see this stunning Bride’s dress (the back details!), the elegant gold chargers or even this too-cute-for-words pup… but believe me, these all added up to one amazing affair, captured for our lucky eyes by Lauren Peele. See it all right this way!

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From Lauren Peele… Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Jennifer (Efstathion) Colvin, made the most stunning bride. The bride and groom met through a bridesmaid and fellow cheerleader three years ago and have been living happily in Dallas since.

The two were wed in Jen’s home town of Jacksonville, FL, at a venue her family built for her wedding. A majestic tree draped in flowers made for a romantic backdrop as they said their vows surrounded by family and friends.

Jen’s love of dance shaped her wedding into an elegant affair in neutral shades of grey and pale blue. She wore a Hayley Paige dress that was made to move, complete with ballet flats. Her maids were dressed in perfectly mismatched dresses and all held natural cream bouquets.

A candlelit reception set the mood for a romantic evening filled with dancing. The tables were adorned in ivory linens surrounded by lots of greenery keeping with the elegant yet organic tone of the day.

From the Bride… What are the MOST important aspects of our wedding day… What are our make-it-or-break-it things? This was the first topic we tackled when we started our wedding planning journey, and it wasn’t a very long conversation before we came up with our answer. Wedding success equaled: 1) being surrounded by our family and friends + 2) FUN (which obviously involves a lengthy dance party) + 3) having an amazing photographer to capture every moment. Being on the same page about our wedding priorities made the rest of our decisions a piece of cake :)

The venue, Bowing Oaks Plantation, was simply breathtaking. It gave our wedding that laidback, celebratory vibe that makes everyone feel right at home. We had the ceremony under the shade of a beautiful, giant oak tree draped in flower garland. Our officiant, Ted, is an extra special guy because he was the best man in my mom and dad’s wedding (42 years ago and counting!) and also performed the ceremony for my sister’s wedding. Ted’s words definitely made our ceremony feel more personal. However… the BEST part of the ceremony was when Ryan got a little tongue-tied saying our vows! He was a little caught up in the moment and repeated that he would take me as his “waffle wedded wife.” We totally lost it laughing, and everyone joined right in with us! So funny and so adorable :)

Of course, for any Florida wedding… outside…. in the spring… weather is a concern. So we partook in a little tradition to ward off the rain! Southern folklore says that “burying an unopened bottle of bourbon one month before the wedding, at the exact time of the wedding, at the site of the wedding, ensures good weather on the day of the event.” I’m not particularly superstitious, but we did have pretty perfect weather! The second part of the tradition gets even better. After dinner, everyone went outside and circled around as we dug up the bottle and passed it around to kick off the reception!

One of my favorite moments of the night was the father-daughter dance. My super talented groom played guitar and sang “Brown Eyed Girl” while Dad and I showed off our dance moves. This was just the beginning of the dance party highlights – all made possible by my amazingly perfect wedding dress! I loved my Hayley Paige dress even more than I could have imagined. The bodice and delicate straps reminded me so much of the ballet costumes I grew up wearing, and I immediately knew it was the one. I was also confident that I would be able bust out any moves I wanted to in this gown (which came in handy when it was time to do the kickline with my fellow Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders – a game day AND wedding reception tradition!) Likewise, I needed my feet feeling good too, so ballet shoes were an obvious fun and comfortable choice!

Our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for and more. The first morning we were back in Dallas, I made my HUSBAND breakfast-in-bed. Waffles, of course! With a little sticky note… “Love, your waffle wedded wife.”

Photography: Lauren Peele | Videography: Take One Productions | Event Coordination: First Coast Weddings and Events, Inc. | Event Design: Jessica Colvin Styling | Floral Design: Celebrated Occasions | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Invitations: Celebrated Occasions | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Bridesmaids' Dresses: WToo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Stardust Celebrations | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lela Rose | Catering: 4 Rivers Smokehouse | Hair & Makeup: Zinc Beauty, Peggy Segundo | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Venue: Bowing Oaks Plantation | Alterations: Altered For The Altar | Bridal Bouquet & Flower Crown: Jessica Colvin Styling | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia | Bridal Party Hair: Coastal Beauty | Bride's Robe: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Cigar Bar: Southern Charm | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Rentals: Beachview Event Rentals and Design | Signage: BB Designs

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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With seemingly endless sunny days, idyllic white sand beaches, abundant wildlife and microclimates, and palm trees as far as the eye can see, it’s no surprise that Florida is one of the premier locations for destination weddings in the U.S.. Whether you dream of having your nuptials celebrated shoreside or in a famed Spanish-style estate, there is a venue in the Sunshine State that will make those dreams a reality!

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5 Charming Wedding Venues in the Sunshine State

The Addison (shown above): Situated in picturesque Boca Raton, the gorgeous Spanish architecture of this estate serves as an idyllic setting for local and destination weddings alike, while The Addison’s in-house event specialist will ensure your day-of plans are executed flawlessly. See it here.

National Tropical Botanical Garden: When you say “I do!” amongst the flowering tropical plants and fruit trees of the nation’s premier tropical botanical garden, the Kampong, located in Coconut Grove, there’s no need for additional decor! See it here.

Tampa Yacht & Country Club: An ideal venue choice for those striving for nuptials that can only be defined using words like elegance, simplicity, and classic, this waterfront yacht and country club is perfect for traditionalists and those seeking oceanfront views.  See it here.

Casa Marina: As a member of the Waldorf Astoria family, that also happens to be located in jaw-dropping Key West, there’s no denying this resort is a stunner, but its Old World ambiance and guests-only private beaches lend a sense of calm that’s totally charming, too. See it here.

Up The Creek Farms: Perfect for those dreaming of a sweet and rustic barn wedding, this centrally located farm features eight acres of open-air paddocks and fields surrounded by white picket fences, a 6,000 square foot barn, and the option of on-site pre-wedding accommodations for the Bride and Bridal party, in the farm’s 137-year old farmhouse. See it here.

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Photography: Kallima Photography

Give me a tented wedding any day of the week and my heart is happy.  But give me a wedding celebrated under the sailcloth canopies of Sperry Tents and that’s an entirely new level of pure, unadulterated joy. Think breathtaking silhouettes, solid wood support poles and seriously sweet pennant flags waving in the breeze.  It’s romance meets elegance and it’s exactly how your wedding should be.

There are weddings, and then there are weddings held under the handcrafted goodness of Sperry Tents. Those are the type of weddings where sophistication takes center stage with sweeping panels of genuine sailcloth intricately crafted by sailmakers in coastal New England.  Imagine an array of tent sizes, creative lighting and luxurious floor options seriously perfect for your Big Day, no matter the size of your party.  So whether you plan on dining with an intimate group of 50 or dancing the night away with 500 of your favorites, Sperry Tents’ nationwide network of licensed providers has a tent just waiting for your creative touch… and flare for the amazing.

Contact the Sperry Tents Southeast location nearest you to begin your journey towards your dream wedding.  Offices are now open in Naples and Miami, Florida, as well as Charlottesville, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina.  Happy planning, lovelies!

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Photography: IRIS Photography + Al Gawlik Photography + Concept Photography + Neil Landino

Florida weather is infamous for its unpredictability, but this couple had the best attitude about it: “When the wind picked up moments before our ceremony, they told us our marriage would be a breeze.” Don’t you just love that? That’s only the beginning of the loveliness, captured by Justin DeMutiis Photography. With gorgeous details designed and executed by the Bride’s graphic-designer sister and a stunning setting, you’re going to fall in love with it all in the gallery.

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I soon learned that my younger sister, Jennifer, a graphic designer, had an interest and amazing gift in styling weddings. She worked endless hours to both design and create most of the items for our special day. Jennifer designed and laser cut our invitations, which included a sneak peak of our new monogram and dahlias, one of my favorite flowers that were also included in our bouquets. She incorporated our new monogram throughout the decor, including on our cake topper, menus, and our koozie wedding favors. She added a hint of elegance by painting the cake topper, ceremony signs, and table numbers a glittery gold. Our double lined place cards featured the guests name on a frosted paper over a blush table number.

We could not be more thankful for our wedding planners, Jennifer and Natalie of Burkle Events. They kept so calm and made me feel so special as if I was their very best friend. They genuinely cared to make everything perfect for us. They suggested most of our vendors, including the vendor who tailored my dress and went above and beyond to custom create and sew my favorite detail from the entire day, my floor length lace veil.

Our Rabbi traveled from my hometown from the opposite coast of Florida to officiate. Our huppah was made out of birchwood and featured the same garden roses, hydrangeas, and lambs ear as in our bouquets and centerpieces. Hydrangeas hanging in mercury glass from the chairs lined the aisle. When the wind picked up moments before our ceremony, they told us our marriage would be a breeze.

During dinner the mercury glass candle pillars and the cafe bulbs created a romantic setting as the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. After everyone joined us on the dance floor for the horah, our DJ kept everyone there for the rest of the night and our families and friends danced the night away underneath the stars.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Event Planning: Burkle Events | Floral Design: Elegant Designs Floral Art Studio | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Jennifer Kirkpatrick | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Good Food Catering Co | Hair & Makeup: Denise Burkle | DJ: Grant Hemond And Associates | Transportation : Srq Transportation | Venue: Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key | Tent: Rental Depot | Bridal Boutique: Malindy Elene | Chandelier And Lights: Affairs In The Air

I’ll forever be enchanted by the coast; just a brief sight of the sea makes my heart happy. I wasn’t sure what could make an already stunning view better… but then Jacqui Cole shared these pics from her shoot with Oh Hello Events and here we go! Entranced with these two gorgeous gowns and romantic hair and makeup by Salon Inga, I’ll be spending my Monday daydreaming away right this way.

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From Jacqui Cole… Fellow LBB member Salon Inga and myself are thrilled to share this inspiration bridal shoot with you!

This organic, coastal inspired bridal portrait session was an opportunity for our team to revel in beautiful details that adorn a modern bride. The soft hues of the Floridian waters and the perfect morning breeze created the ideal backdrop. We selected two gowns by Hayley Paige and Christos to show versatility of a classic waterside setting.

For the makeup we chose a classic look that can suit any bride and added a pop more of color on the lips to fit the vintage/exotic look of the set-up and location. Salon Inga created hairstyles that walked the line of effortless and a little undone yet still would still match the formality of a wedding. Each look compliments the dress in different ways – no matter the personality of the bride.

Oh Deery Floral really wanted to create something loose with a lot of movement – something to mimic the movement of the ocean waves. We chose light pink astilbe, light green hellebore, purple lilac, light pink ranunculus and a moody dark purple ranunculus, paired with white hybrid ornithogalum, and white clematis. The rich berry and coral florals provided an element of vibrancy and depth against the tranquil blue and aqua water. Lastly, a long piece of champagne silk ribbon was tied around the bouquet which happily blew in the wind throughout the whole shoot.

To ground the setting, we sourced a vintage sofa and rose armchair that lent themselves to relaxed and blissful poses.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Event Planning: Oh Hello Events | Floral Design: Oh Deery Floral | Hair And Makeup: Salon Inga' | Beaded Bridal Gown: JLM Couture, Inc | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Halter Neck Silk Gown: Christos | Model: Chanda Am | Rentals: Tufted Vintage Rentals

I just can’t get enough of these two cuties! We first met them during their adorable engagement shoot in Tampa and the love that radiated between them is even more evident in their wedding pics from Jacqui Cole. With champagne has an inspiration, the whole bash is bubbling over with love and laughter and I can’t think of any better way to start off my Friday – get in on all the goodness right here!

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From Jacqui Cole Photography… You may remember the beautiful Adrienne and Chase from their engagement session on SMP! It’s hard to believe that their wedding rolled around so quickly but my goodness it was a dream to photograph! Adrienne looked stunning in her Modern Trousseau gown and her bright smile throughout the day was her perfect accessory. The new Mr. and Mrs. Harris chose to have their ceremony outside under the beautiful large oak at Innisbrook. Adrienne’s own father, Judge Harris, officiated their wedding ceremony and it’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! My favorite moment of the day has to be capturing the look exchanged by the new Mr. and Mrs. as they walked back up the aisle… sheer elation! I couldn’t be happier for these two and am overjoyed to have documented such an incredible day for them!

From the Bride… We actually first found our wedding venue, Innisbrook on Style Me Pretty. I was searching for Tampa venues and we came across a prior wedding on the blog and fell in love with it! We had a lot of things we wanted in a venue and we found them all at Innisbrook. We were looking for a venue with a beautiful outdoor ceremony space with a wonderful indoor option, in the event the weather didn’t pan out. We also wanted the wedding to take place somewhere that everyone could stay that night without worrying about getting to another hotel or getting home. We were able to have our rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and a Sunday breakfast all on site.

Our inspiration for the wedding was classic and elegant with a modern twist. We really just focused on making everything at the wedding mean something to us, while having fun and throwing a great party to celebrate with friends and family. We used champagne as a theme because we wanted our wedding to have a fun and elegant atmosphere. And I love champagne of course!

Family is really important to Chase and I so we wanted to make sure to incorporate that throughout the wedding. My father is a judge in Tampa so he walked me down the aisle, put on his robe and then performed our wedding ceremony. We wrote the wedding ceremony script and wanted to include the rest of our parents as well so we included a part in the ceremony where my dad asked all of our parents to stand and give their blessing to Chase and I in our marriage. I also used part of my mother’s wedding dress to wrap around my bouquet, carried a handkerchief of my grandmother’s with me and wore my great aunt’s brooch in my hair.

A wonderful surprise at the wedding was that my parents hired a really talented artist named, James Jacob Neagle to do a live painting of Chase and I’s first dance. Throughout the entire wedding people were able to walk up and watch him and see how the canvas changed throughout the night when he added more details. And it also gave us an amazing keepsake from the wedding. Something fun we added to our wedding reception was a signature drink called a Southern Mimosa made with tea and champagne.

We had such an amazing experience with all of our vendors. We absolutely loved our photographer, Jacqui from the moment we met her and could not have asked for a better photographer. We knew the photographs were going to be extremely important to us so once we chose the venue and date that was our number one priority. We got so lucky with Jacqui and I can’t even begin to say how much I appreciate her and loved having her there at the wedding. Innisbrook also had an amazing wedding coordinator, Melissa, who made everything run so smoothly. She made sure I didn’t have to worry about anything with the wedding and she was so easy to work with and extremely organized. Our band, Matt Winter Band, was amazing also. Chase really wanted a band and Matt did a great job of keeping everyone on the dance floor!

My parents are amazing and actually did more of the DIY projects than I did for the wedding. We had friends and family collecting champagne corks for months and my parents cut each of them and printed place cards for all of the guests.

My favorite moment of the day was finally getting to walk down the aisle and see Chase. I was so excited to get to see him and loved seeing his face when he finally got to see my dress.

My advice for future brides would be to really enjoy every minute of it. I loved planning our wedding because it was so much fun. Anytime the planning got stressful I just had to step back and remind myself what the day was all about. Enjoy every second of the wedding because it really does go by so fast. And don’t have your cell phone on you the day of the wedding! Another bride gave Chase that advice and it was so nice to just really be in the moment. My sister and Chase’s sister had their phones and communicated with Chase and anyone who needed help or assistance throughout the day. It was so relaxing to be away from it and just enjoy what was going on.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: 2 Birds Events | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Band: Matt Winter Band | Wedding Venue: Innisbrook | Bridal Boutique: The White Magnolia

An intimate vintage inspired affair has SMP written all over. Especially when Alyssa Morgan Photography is behind the lens of a fabulous destination fete filled with old world glamour. From the gold stars adorning the dance floor, to the Hemingway favors, endlessly elegant touches honored their love and make this fete simply unforgettable.

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From the beautiful Bride… Our favorite part of the day wasn’t necessarily the ceremony or the reception, but the people who were there to share the day with us. For both George and I, we truly believe it’s the people that make the party and we were absolutely blown away that our family and friends genuinely had just as much of an amazing time as we did. Being that it was a destination wedding, the guests who chose to celebrate with us weren’t in attendance simply because they were invited, but because they wanted to be there. Looking back we still feel so overwhelmed and blessed by how much love and support we had from our friends and family, and that the people in our lives truly love and support us so unconditionally. We pinch ourselves every day when we think of how lucky we are.

George and I were big fans of the show “Boardwalk Empire” and always knew we wanted a vintage feel to our wedding. We also knew that we wanted to keep the wedding as intimate as possible, and create a scenario where our guests would have just as amazing of an experience as we would, which is why we decided to do a destination wedding in Key West, Florida. I had visited Key West with my mother years prior to our engagement, and the charm, intimacy, and rich history of the location had always stayed with me. So after George proposed, I just knew it was the perfect place to share the personal experience of our wedding in combination with a great experience of place and retreat for our guests.

We rented out bed and breakfasts for our guests to keep the quaint and unique essence of the island and being that it was Key West, it only seemed right to add a little “Hemingway” flair to our wedding. George and I both love the book The Old Man and The Sea, and have fond memories of reading it together while on vacation in Aruba. And although Hemingway isn’t exactly the ideal example of good marriages (haha), we felt this was still a great way to connect our memories from Aruba and our love of Hemingway’s writing with the historical essence of Key West.

Taking this inspiration further, we modeled our wedding off of the lavishness of of the 1930’s, the prohibition era (there’s that Boardwalk Empire influence again), and Ernest Hemingway’s lifetime. We chose gold as our color and went with heavy greenery instead of an abundance of flowers. With all the green it just felt more tropical, and had a little bit of a ‘hidden garden’ feel. We modeled one of our signature drinks after a recipe Ernest Hemingway used himself and loved to drink. Finally, we gifted each of our guests with books by Hemingway.

Looking back at the beauty and overall feel of the day, the whole weekend in fact, it felt like the perfect compromise between what people expect from a wedding and expressing who George and I truly are as a couple. It was magical!

From Destination Wedding Studio... I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it’s these things I’d believe in…” When Lillie’s maid of honor shared this Gatsby quote, she captured the essence of this bride perfectly.

Lillie is an artist in her own right and immediately I knew that we were going to have fun planning and designing her wedding. In collaboration with the bride’s mother, who was fabulous, we took Lillie’s vision and detailed it as much as possible to truly capture the essence of the 1930’s while never forgetting what a wedding should be about: family, friends, traditions and love.

From the gold stars above to the Hemingway book for each guest, Lillie and her mother searched endlessly to find just the right touches to not only honor Lillie and George as a couple but to honor from there they came. From the first day I met them until the very last song, Lillie and George were and still are unforgettable.

Photography: Alyssa Morgan Photography | Event Planning: Destination Wedding Studio | Floral Design: Milan Events | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Cake: Amazing Cakes And Creations | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul's Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: Casa Marina | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: Timmy Tuxedo | Boutique: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Bowties : Bowtie Boutique | Music: Brian Roberts

Simple, sweet weddings make me happy. Especially in a dress like this one. Simple, sweet weddings where the lovely Melissa Joan Hart is accompanying all of the lovely? Happiness times ten. As the gorgeous bride’s sister in law, Melissa was simply one amazing aspect of this beautiful day, where a glowing bride got to marry her prince charming. And crafted a wedding that was as understated as it was gorgeous. More here!

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From The Bride…As a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of being Cinderella or at least part of a Disney fairytale. In fact, I’ve always been planning my wedding (actually found a wedding magazine from 1994 for inspiration…needless to say it was a bit dated). Like any great fairy tale, I’ve been on the look out for prince charming. I waited, waited, waited and then I got tired of waiting and waited some more. When I finally found the man of my dreams, he was also attached the Army (which means he’s not really all mine, he belongs to the US Government). This means that you can plan your dream day, but the Army has the last say with TDY, deployment and time off. I also realized at the age of 38 years old, most of what I wanted in a Wedding Day had changed. It wasn’t about how many people could come or the perfect dress, or the location; it was that I was getting to marry my Prince Charming. We had found each other!

WHAT??!! This coming from a girl that watches romantic comedies over and over again, a girl who loves fashion, sparkles, hair and makeup, a girl with a pinterest wedding that oozes gorgeous impractical things such as tulle, sequins and lace? Yes, yes, yes! Don’t get me wrong, I wanted a beautiful wedding but it was more about the moment, the man of my dreams and joining our wonderful families together to celebrate with God had blessed us with: each other.

We planned our intimate family wedding for Easter weekend, which gave our out of town family members an extended weekend to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Since I lived in the area before moving to Texas, I used a lot of my friends to help plan this special weekend. The wedding was held at my parent’s new home in The Origins of Watersound. Right behind their home is the most gorgeous green space that ended up being the perfect spot for our wooden archway draped in white sheers. A wooded path that leads to the open space was perfect for a natural isle to walk towards my groom. I’m a yoga girl, so I love the natural organic connection with nature.

My wedding day was absolutely wonderful! Did I mention it was raining….no worries it cleared away and made room for an gorgeous day and a perfect 71 degree temperature. The day started with a 75 minute vinyasa flow at Balance Health Studio (best yoga studio and where I completed my yoga teacher training). The practice gave me such a peaceful spirit, open heart and restful mind. My friend and yogi sister Mindy Norris who is a local stylist arrived at 11:30AM to start the hair & makeup process. SHE IS BRILLANT. She’s booked almost every weekend on the coast doing weddings, so lucky to have her friendship and talent. My bridesmaids were my sister Holly Cole and my sister-in-law Melissa Joan Hart (yes, Sabrina the Teenage Witch). They each picked their own style bridesmaids dress that complemented the color palette of the wedding. We asked for natural beachy waves and I can honestly say that I’ve never loved my hair more than I did on my wedding day. My two flower girls were Scott’s daughters Trinity and Eden Kruse. They wore beautiful crowns of baby’s breath in their hair and wore simply sweet Jayne Copeland cream dress with sewn pink & cream flowers at the waist and shoulders (Dillards).

The groom wore a custom Italian charcoal grey suit with a white textured button front shirt, and champagne Micheal Kors tie. His groomsmen were his brother, Ben Kruse and his father William Kruse. Scott’s sons Noah and Ezekiel Kruse were also part of the wedding partying and stood beside him during the ceremony.

The dress , the dress, the dress: My dress was everything I wanted. Honestly, I just wanted to feel pretty. I had never tried on a wedding dress, but knew that I wanted to sparkle…but in my own way. Not your typical bride way. I had bought this Adrianna Papell dress for my engagement party, but when we had to change some of our wedding plans, I decided it was what I wanted for my wedding dress. My wedding palette was blush/neutral/sparkle/sequins (my husband was thrilled). My dress was a spaghetti strap beaded blouson gown in champagne with sheer overlay and brilliant rows of beaded detail. It has a 20’s, Gatsby feel with breathtaking softness. My earrings were by Rada (BHLDN). The Giallo Chandeliers were made up of soft, pastel hues and sparkle (they were inspired by fairy tales). I wore Grecian lace up ballet shoes from Capezio (this is what happens when you are the daughter of a ballet dancer).

Most of the afternoon was spent drinking mimosa, laughing with the girls and preparing for our 5PM nuptials. My photographer, the marvelous Amy Riley Photography, arrived at 2PM to start capturing our memories. After the prepping process, we headed over to my parents to put the final touches on our wedding looks.

What really made this day special:
My brother, a musician and Grammy nominated songwriter played the acoustic guitar for our music. Over the Rainbow, Hallelujah, Canon in D
My 6-year-old nephew pretending to be our wedding photographer and capturing some pretty funny moments
My brother-in-law singing the Lord’s prayer a cappella
My pastor and family friend Dr. Bill Montgomery performing our wedding ceremony. He baptized my siblings and me, and also wed all three of us too.
An intimate family wedding full of love, happiness and God’s blessings
The gratitude I felt standing in front of my soon to be husband for being more than I could’ve ever imagined in a man, father and husband

After our sweet ceremony, we had our reception at my parent’s home. Catered by Cahall’s in Panama City Beach, FL . We also had the amazing Chick-fil-a trays (which any good southern girl will understand). Heavy hors d’oeuvres consisting of crab cakes, bbq meatballs, spinach & artichoke dip, chicken salad croissants, fruit & veggies trays.

The grooms cake was a Chocolate with Chocolate Buttercream from Edgars Bakery in Birmingham, AL. The wedding cake was a sour cream pound cake with buttercream icing made by Michelle Martin Thompson in Enterprise, AL. Both cakes were incredibly delicious.

We spent our wedding night overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at The Pearl in Rosemary Beach, FL (a gift from my wonderful brother and sister-in-law). This is officially my favorite hotel of all time, absolutely stunning (so much so that I’m painting our bedroom the same color as our room).

Photography: Amy Riley Photography | Florist: Beach House Florist | Wedding Dress: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Cahalls Deli | Hair & Makeup: Mindy Norris | Ceremony & Reception: WaterSound Origins | Earrings : BHLDN | Groom's Tie: Michael Kors

If planning your engagement session is feeling a little stressful, remember this. A beautiful backdrop and a whole lotta love are really all it takes to create gorgeous photographs. Like these from Amalie Orrange Photography where the couple at the center just might be glowing. Planning by
Clover & Company Weddings And Events meant that the entire day went off without a hitch and the end result was engagement perfection. More here!

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From Clover & Company Weddings And Events… A world away from the hustle and bustle of the city life of Miami lays a gorgeous and private ranch in Arcadia, Florida, which sprawls across 125 acres of Florida’s farm country. Five R Ranch is the second home for the Bride’s family and where this amazing couple has chosen to tie the knot. The Bride and Groom chose this magical place for their March 2016 wedding because it holds a sentimental value to them. “The ranch basically sums up who we are and who are families are. It is where we are most comfortable.”

Kimberly Gosselin and Stephanie Crona of Clover & Company Weddings and Events wanted to find the absolute perfect photographer to fit this couples laid back and elegant style to really capture the magic and love they experienced when they met Alexandra and Luis. Amalie Orrange of Amalie Orrange Photography captured this perfectly and the essence of this couple.

Photography: Amalie Orrange Photography | Event Planning: Clover & Company Weddings and Events | Hair And Makeup: Style Hair and Makeup | Venue: Private Ranch

Ladies, get ready, because this precious flower girl in her pink tulle tutu is going to melt your heart. And that’s just the beginning. Photographed by Justin DeMutiis Photography and planned by Clover & Company Weddings And Events, this Tampa wedding is full of heartfelt touches—from the Maker’s Mark groom’s cake to the couple’s adorable dog. Swoon over all the pretty in the gallery.

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From Clover & Company Weddings And Events…One of the Clover Girls favorite sayings is that the “Love is in the Details.” This elegant, yet simple wedding sums up the essence of what we as planners strive to encourage our brides and grooms to do and that is to make it personal. It is the little touches of a couples style or personality that guests will remember. This particular wedding achieved just that. From the signature drink “Moscow Mule” to the mix of diamonds softened by pearls, allowed the perfect balance of bringing rustic glamour down to earth. Who doesn’t love gorgeous florals, sparkle, and tu-tu’s?!?!. This unique, rustic and glamourous wedding is certainly an inspiration for southern weddings of any season.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Event Planning: Clover & Company Weddings and Events | Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio | Wedding Dress: The White Magnolia | Cake: Chocolate pi | Cake: Outrageous Cakes | Invitations : Minted | Band : Easy Posse | Officiant : Sensational Ceremonies | Harpist : Tampa Bay Harpist | Venue: Tampa Yacht And Country Club | Make- Up & Hair: Lasting Luxe | Photo Booth : Foto Box

Tucked away in a garden oasis of Coconut Grove, Florida is a wedding that defines “tropical elegance” to a T. Planned and designed by the incredibly talented JCG Events, guests were spoiled from start to finish (peach sangira, anyone?!) and beautiful rentals from Unearthed Vintage set the scene. Have a first-hand peek at so much more from Merari in the gallery.

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From JCG Events… Lauren and Michael wanted to have a wedding that reflected them both as a couple and also highlighted some of the most gorgeous unseen parts of Miami since most of their guests were traveling to Miami as a destination. They hosted their wedding at the beautiful Kampong Botanical Gardens, a hidden gem nestled in the luscious landscape of Coconut Grove, Florida. Lauren had fallen in love with the willow tree on property and that is where we set-up the willow branch chuppah filled with the most amazing garden style blooms with a crystal chandelier hung from the tree.

Guests were welcomed to a refreshing peach sangria and a cocktail hour to make any foodie’s heart swoon with a raw bar in an oversized canoe and passed hor d’oeuvres that included chicken and waffles served in mini cast iron skillets. After the memorable cocktail reception, guests were invited to take their seats at the beautiful reception filled with floral and greenery chandeliers and centerpieces that overflowed the tables. Traditional escort cards were replaced by hot pink geodes that were hand calligraphed with guests’ names and table numbers.

Everyone danced the night away and at the end were treated to Shake Shack burgers as a nod to Lauren’s New York heritage. The party continued back at the Al Capone suite at the luxury 1920’s Biltmore Hotel. Luckily for guests the welcome bags had included the cutest recovery kits that tied in Michael’s profession as a doctor all crafted and put together by Lauren, the bride.

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Photography: Merari | Wedding Planning + Design: JCG Events | Floral Design: Petal Productions | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage | Catering: Bill Hansen Catering | Calligraphy:Julia Rohdes Design | Wedding Venue: The Kampong Botanical Gardens | Getting Ready Venue: Biltmore Hotel | Music: Serge Entertainment |  

With its bright orange hues and touches of sunny yellow, this Florida-inspired photo shoot is a welcome ray of sunshine—we can almost smell the crisp citrus and freshly-cut grass! And with, Nave Event & Floral Design behind the design, a stunning Watters gown and cheery photography from Rebecca Read, we’re ready to escape to Florida. Come join us in the gallery.

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From Rebecca Read Photography… A collaboration of Central Florida wedding vendors gathered to honor the sunshine we all love. This styled shoot is a tribute to the local orange groves we all grew up with and hopes to inspire Florida brides to celebrate these seasonal specialties.

Nave Event & Floral Design gathered a ton, truly a ton, of oranges and citrus from their local grove, Harvey’s Groves, to design this shoot. By mixing in the local favorite, they designed a styled Farmhouse bar, ceremony decor and fun details. What bride wouldn’t love the sweet smell of citrus on a beautifully manicured Florida farm?

The bride is wearing the Adelaide by Watters from The Sample Room in Melbourne, FL.

Photography: Rebecca Read Photography | Planner: Nave Event & Floral Design | Styling: Nave Event & Floral Design | Floral Design: Nave Event & Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Watters | Stationary: Conforti Creative Group | Makeup Artist: Church Of Evangelical Faith | Venue: Up The Creek Farms | Bridal Boutique: The Sample Room | Hair Styling: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Rentals: Rent Your Events | Rentals: Crystal & Crates | Seasonal Fruit: Harvey's Groves

A sure sign that this couple has great style? The fact that custom designed nearly every detail of their wedding – dress, rings and farmhouse reception tables included. All true to their organic, boho, fuss-free vision, they crafted a bespoke affair that’ll have every non-traditional bride jumping straight out of her seat. Violets In Bloom came alongside to provide beautiful blooms for the occasion and Kati Rosado captured it all behind the lens.

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From Kati Rosado Photography…This small but stylish wedding is sure to leave your jaw to the floor and hearts in your eyes. Just about every detail (including Taylor’s dress and the rings) were custom designed by the bride and groom. They both have impeccable style and knew exactly what they wanted on their wedding day. Surrounded by just their closest friends and family, Taylor and Chris tied the knot at a private residence in Melbourne, Florida.

Along with Taylor’s father, they handmade every one of these wood farmhouse tables out of scrap palettes. Taylor collected china from antique stores and her bridesmaids inserted trick candles into every one of the candlesticks to make sure they didn’t blow out in case it was windy. Every detail was cohesive, impeccably styled, and truly filled with love. 

Photography: Kati Rosado Photography | Floral Design: Violets In Bloom | Bride's Shoes: Vince Camuto | Groom's Attire: Asos | Venue: Private Residence | Bridal Gown: Pearls And Roses | Chair Rentals: A Chair Affair | Headpiece: Flight Of Fancy | Lettering On Signs: Chelsea Barrett | Wedding Rings: Unearthen

This adorable couple pulled out all the stops for the glamorous ballroom wedding of their dreams, enlisting the help of Palm Beach locals Shea Christine Photography, Andreo Studio and Capture Pod Photobooth to capture it all on camera and film. Get a sneak peak below, then hop on over to the gallery, and see all the full-blown gilded glamour right here!

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From the Bride… We wanted to get married in West Palm Beach. Ralston grew up here and I moved to this area about 5 years ago for school. I just felt in love with this city. West Palm Beach has amazing beaches, stunning inter-coastal skylines, and beautiful palm trees. We live where people come to have destination weddings. Plus, this is where I met Ralston. West Palm Beach is a special place to Ralston and I. I could not imagine getting married anywhere else.

We wanted to get married in front of God so we picked Holy Trinity Episcopal church. The church is perfect size for our 120 guests. It also had the traditional church feeling that we were looking. We also loved the Father Wilt. During our wedding counseling sessions, he really tried to get to know us and we got to know him too. Father wilt was able to make our wedding ceremony very personalized and special.

Breakers is one of the most beautiful place we ever been to. Walking into The Breakers is like walking into one of the palaces in Europe. As soon as we walked into the circle room in The Breakers, we knew this was it. It had the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and a high ceiling with amazing artwork and a stunning chandelier. We didn’t have to look anywhere else. The church organist played ceremony music. He played the organ while guests were sitting. He played “Ave Maria” for the sitting of mother. Processional song was Prince of Denmark’s march by Clark. Recessional song was “Hompipe” by Handel.

Ralston is such a thoughtful person. We had a wedding gift exchange before the ceremony. When I was opening up the wedding gift sent to me by Ralston, there was a letter starting with “ Good morning my beautiful bride,” and I just lost it. I was sobbing. I almost ruined my makeup that took 2 hours! Ralston gave me a lock with our initials and our wedding date engraved. He special ordered this for us so we can lock it in the Love Bridge in Paris on our honeymoon. He also gave me a Cartier watch as a wedding gift too. His wedding band actually matches my watchband!

Photography: Shea Christine Photography | Flowers: The Breakers Palm Beach | Gown: More Lee | Ceremony: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: The Breakers Palm Beach | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair & Makeup: Pretty Suite Inc | Capture Pod Photobooth: Capture POD Photo Booths | Cinemamtography: Andreo Studio | Jewlery: Nadri | Music: Mike Sipe Entertainment | Paper: Wedding Paper Divas | Veil: Etsy

The phrase “home is where the heart is” definitely rings true for this sweet couple, who said “I do” on the Groom’s family ranch. First his grandfather’s home, then his father’s, the ranch is now home to the newlyweds, and what better way to start off a lifetime of memories there than with a memory of a beautiful wedding? Admire all the rustic charm, photographed by Andi Diamond, in the gallery.

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From Andi Diamond Photography…Megan and Charles first noticed each other on their college campus, Florida Southern College, in the spring of 2009. They didn’t officially connect until coincidentally working together at the same job. Both being country born and raised, they had an instant connection with their love of nature and the outdoors.

Charles’ family owns the beautiful Rocking H Ranch in lakeland Florida, where throughout the years he has become extremely knowledgeable of cattle/farm life (and even built a house on the property with his own hands for him and Megan!). The garden inspiration for their reception came from Megan’s love for plants and gardening. Due to their love of nature, the details of their wedding were also inspired by the great outdoors, with colors of sage green, white, khaki, and earth tones. Other small figures included birds, nests and eggs, moss, teacups, hydrangeas, roses, and all of the antiques that are displayed throughout the barn. Charles’ mother worked closely with the wedding coordinator to help bring together their vision of an organic inspired, country-chic affair. Megan’s bouquet was made from flowers of her choosing, but Charles’ mother put it together so Megan would have the extra touch of her bouquet being made by her mother-in-law. She added a special touch by putting a few stems of floral from her own garden in it, as a surprise to Megan. Guests dined on BBQ and were given little pre-made bags of s’mores ingredients to use outside at the bonfire and also nibbled on cake (the groom’s cake was inspired from the movie Steel Magnolias!).

From the Groom…Our first date was at Starbucks. Megan had asked me if I would like to meet her for some coffee. We ended up talking for the next 6 hours, until Megan explained that she had to be home before curfew (she was 22 at the time).

All my previous relationships lasted anywhere from a year to a year and half. After I had been with Megan for two years, I realized that I was hooked. I didn’t have to go out of my way to be something I wasn’t for someone else. I wasn’t tired of her, and she didn’t get on my nerves. Megan loved me for who I was. She had become my best friend. That’s when I knew she was “The One.”

After we had been dating for three years, I decided that I was ready to propose to Megan. So I planned an extended weekend trip up to New York City. We Stayed at the Helmsley on Central Park. It was a perfect little Vacation. I had her ring in my pocket the whole time. I didn’t have a plan, I was just winging it. I thought I’d like to get her alone and propose to her in Central Park. The problem with that was that we were in NYC with over 3 million other people. We took a long walk in the park, and by this time it was close to midnight. The moment finally presented itself on a quite lake in the park. It was the perfect location, it’s a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

 It meant a lot to me to get married at the Ranch. To me it just seems that’s the way it’s supposed to be. It’s my family’s property. It’s home. This is where we belong. It’s where I wanted us to begin our lives together.

Photography: Andi Diamond Photography | Event Planning: Shana Bennett | Floral Design: Shana Bennett | Cake: The Desserterie | Catering: Good Buddies BBQ | DJ: Enchanting Entertainment | Ceremony And Reception: Rocking H Ranch | Decor : Belinda Hill