Florida Weddings

Adorable duos.  We love ’em.  And adorable duos who DIY their Big Day with the help of devoted family and friends?  We love ’em even more.  Because there’s just something sooo amazing (+ heartwarming) about a handcrafted wedding, especially one that includes yummy cupcakes from grandma, handcrafted jewelry and pops of bright teal.  See every last crazy fun moment captured by Jessica Leigh right here.

Oh, and we’re not done yet.  Check out this beautiful film from Alex Meissner for even more cuteness.  It’s awesome.

From the Bride… Jacob and I got married outside on the most perfect Sunday October afternoon. We wanted the ceremony to be outside among the pine trees, and the reception to be inside. To keep all of our 270 guests well fed we hired food trucks.

Jacob found an old Southern tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon upside-down a month before the wedding at the site of your wedding to bring good weather the day of the wedding. It worked!!!

I love creating and coming up with new crafty ideas, so my wedding was the perfect showcase for that. I started collecting trinkets from far and wide to spray paint the 2 shades of teal that I had purchased. Our colors were yellow and gray with pops of teal, and the pops came from my bridesmaids shoes and jewelry and the centerpieces at the reception.

Our wedding was such a team effort and we are very fortunate to have the friends and family that we do to help make it what we dreamt it to be. We asked our friends to sing, play guitar and violin for the ceremony and my coworkers and friends did hair and makeup for us. My friend made the necklaces for my bridesmaids, our friend made the cupcakes for our guests, and my grandma made cookies for dessert. Our friend’s band was our main source of entertainment and our friend DJ’d in between the band sets.

We used local food trucks for the cocktail hour (La Empanada) and main meal (Taco Bus) and a food cart (Big Bruno’s Bites) for snacks to grab on the way out of the reception. We were so lucky to have our friends with us every step of the way, including our friend Summer who helped plan and was our day-of coordinator. We couldn’t have done it without her.

We wanted the day to be fun for all with lots entertainment like a photobooth, beautiful setting, live band, a postcard style guestbook, many treats and food to choose from. We wanted everyone to dance, eat good food, take home any and all of the centerpieces. If I could describe my wedding i would say: fun, eclectic, crafty, tasty, and full of love.

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Wedding Photography: Jessica Leigh | Wedding Venue: Pines of Windermere in Windermere, Florida | Wedding Cinematography: Alex Meissner | Floral Design: Colonial Florist | Event Planning + Design: The Bride + Friends | Photobooth: Fotobox | Caterer: La Empanada + Taco Bus + Big Brunos Bites | Wedding Invitations: Brian Manley | Wedding Stationery: Hugo Giraud Jr. | Wedding Dress: Milanoo | Alterations: Hung’s Tailor’s (407.898.9907) | Cape: Karolin Felix Dream | Shoes: Vivienne Westwood + Miss L Fire | Ties + Bowtie: The Belle and the Beau

When you think of a Florida wedding, your mind might go straight to sandy shores and sunsets – but one mustn’t forget just how beautiful a ballroom wedding can be in that gorgeous state. Floridians have the ballroom wedding down, marrying the perfectly elegant with a more casual feel. A bit of sparkle on the shoreline, and you can see just such a wedding unfold in the gorgeous images from Vitalic Studio below. With a Bride in Oscar de la Renta, dreamy florals from Botanica and reception done to the nines thanks to A Flair for Affairs, this gallery is the perfect reminder of why ballroom weddings will always make us swoon. See it all here.

From Vitalic Studio… Elizabeth and Frank’s elegant wedding started in downtown Orlando at the St. James Cathedral followed by an elegant reception that was dripping with white creamy orchids and whimsical branches.  The venue had a fabulous chandelier that was enhanced by the bride’s addition of market lights.  It was a nice touch that gave the fancy ballroom a more outdoorsy feel.

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Wedding Photography: Vitalic Studio | Ceremony Location: St. James Cathedral in Orlando, Florida | Reception Location: Isleworth in Windemere, Florida | Wedding Cinematography: Stoner Video | Event Planning: A Flair for Affairs | Floral Design: Botanica | Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta

Planning a wedding under $10,000 dollars isn’t always easy, but with the help of the talented April Dorsey from The Dtales and some fabulous shabby chic stylings, this bride and groom pulled it off with flying colors and then some with a breathtaking ceremony held at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, followed by one seriously gorgeous reception at the Village Walk Clubhouse in Orlando.  On hand to capture all of the pretty, pretty details?  The ever-wonderful Absolute Love Photography, making for one can’t-miss gallery.  Join me there for sooo much more.

From The Dtales… An elegant Shabby Chic wedding based in Orlando, Florida. Nothing was spared for this wedding – from Jimmy Choo shoes to burlap wedding favors.  Every component of the wedding was a detailed description of their love and handmade with love from the entire family.  So many amazing details made this budget wedding look like a million bucks. From the DIY burlap/lace bags, containing their favorite farmer’s market treat of kettle corn to a homemade custom cake, made by mom – yes, even the sugar peonies.  No detail went unnoticed.  Blink and you might miss the special elements, from their engagement photoshoot calendar to their handmade shabby chic “escort card” window pane door.  Planning this wedding with Alex was amazing and we put pinterest to good work.  Sharing a custom board with eath other (along with the gazillion texts about ideas and items we couldnt wait to share, the amazing part was the budget. The entire wedding was under $10K (not including the shoes and dress) and something nobody would ever have known.

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Wedding Photography: Absolute Love Photography | Ceremony Venue: Holy Cross Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida | Reception Venue: Village Walk Clubhouse in Orlando, Florida | Event Planning + Design: April Dorsey from The Dtales | Floral Design: Atmospheres Decor | DJ: Al Dee Productions | Wedding Dress: Kenneth Pool | Shoes: Jimmy Choo

When you pair the sandy shores of Florida with the gorgeous ballrooms of The Ritz Carlton, it’s safe to say the result is going to be jaw-droppingly beautiful. It basically guarantees gorgeous, and when you add a couple that look like they belong in the movies? Lovelies, we have a winner. That entire scenario unfolds through the lovely images from Jamie Borland Photography allowing us to spend our wedding surrounded by all the pretty right here. What more can you ask for?

From Jamie Borland Photography… I’m so excited to share with you one of my favorite weddings from 2012. The bride is the coordinator for the Ritz Carlton, Miami and she put thought and effort into every minor detail resulting in a stunning wedding from start to finish! She admits much of her inspiration was from Style Me Pretty! The brides vision was a “modern and elegant wedding” with a simple color palate of white and silver which complimented their lush pink ballroom beautifully. Their reception ended by releasing LED balloons into the crystal clear sky. It was pure magic.

From the Bride… Jeff and I wanted a destination wedding but somewhere that was close to home and that everyone could come celebrate with us. We couldn’t have chosen a better location then The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Being that we met at the location in Miami, we felt it would be very meaningful to get married at one of their sister properties. Our wedding weekend was absolutely amazing with beautiful weather. We were surrounded by friends and family all weekend who shared so much of their love with us. What made it even more special was that it was Thanksgiving Weekend and I was able to share the Holiday with many of my friends and family.

One of my favorite moments was at the ceremony standing with my husband to be, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes and feeling as if we were the only ones there. I was the happiest girl in the world. One of the most important things to me was that everyone danced the night away and thanks to my DJ, that’s exactly what we all did. I always dreamed of a simple, modern, elegant wedding. I loved the idea of all my bridesmaids wearing different color palette dresses and styles.

My sister and I created the table numbers from an idea we got online. We spray painted some small glass jars with looking glass spray paint and large number stickers. We then added a small candle to each jar. The gorgeous sheen of the new mirror look made the flame of the candle dance around the entire glass jar. It was perfect. I could not have done this without the help of my mother and sister who were there for me every step of the way and were so creative. Most importantly I married the man of my dreams and I look forward to our future together. 

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Photography: Jamie Borland Photography | Wedding Venue: The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island On the Green + Ballroom in Fernandina Beach, Florida | Event Planning + Design: The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island | Cinematography: The Miami Artist Group | Floral Design: Anything with Plants and Flowers, Inc | Wedding Invitations + Save the Date: The Paper Girl | Wedding Stationery + Signage: Paper Please Studio | LED Balloons: Sky Lanterns | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Attire: Amsale | Bridesmaids Robes: silkandmore | Flowergirl Attire: Paola Moore + Young Hearts Boutique | Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang

We’re all about the glitz and the glamour here at SMP so when we saw this sparkly gem from Melissa Tuck Photography, we knew we had to share it with all of you asap. Filled with the most fabulous details, you’re guaranteed to find inspiration in each and every image.  Click here for the full gallery!

And Focused on Forever Studio keeps the pretty going with their oh so sweet film…

From Melissa Tuck Photography…The overall style: Glitz, glamour, gorgeous!  Seriously, my jaw dropped several times while photographing this wedding.  

Donna and Chris got married at the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Chris and I are cousins, and I was so honored/thrilled/happy/PUMPED when Donna asked me to shoot their wedding. I love Chris and his family, but over the course of planning the wedding, I got the chance to know Donna and her family better, and they are just THE SWEETEST! Chris, you caught yourself such a caring, beautiful woman. I’m so, SO happy for y’all.

The day went flawlessly, thanks in huge part to Lori Kelly. Y’all, this lady knows what she is doing! The details at this wedding were jaw-dropping. Literally… I think I found my mouth open in amazement pretty much the entire day. I loved the navy blue suits that the groomsmen wore and the elegance of the bridesmaids’ dresses. And Donna has killer style, so of course she looked STUNNING. I could go on and on and on (about the cake, the candy bar, the florals…)

Wedding Photography: Melissa Tuck Photography | Wedding Venue: Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Wedding Coordinator: Lori Kelly Weddings | Floral Design: Xquisite Events | Wedding Cinematography: Focused on Forever Studio | Caterer: Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale | Wedding Cake: Ana Paz | Reception Music: Mike Sipe Entertainment | Invitations + Programs: It’s My Party | Wedding Dress: San Patrick | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Diamonds Direct Charlotte | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Coren Moore | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Old Dog Clothing | Ties: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Amy Palma from South Beach Makeup Studio

I know I sing the praises of seaside weddings on a daily basis here on SMP Florida, but honestly, I just can’t help it.  There’s just something so magical about saying “I do” amongst the acres of sand, crashing waves and salty air that sends my heart into a serious pitter patter.  And this beautiful Santa Rosa affair? It’s beachy perfection.  Beachy perfection with amazing florals crafted by Noveau Flowers, a stunning Tara Keely gown and a bundles upon bundles of beautiful images from Browne Photography. See them all in the full gallery.

From Browne Photography… Megan and Charlie were married at Bentley’s on the Bay in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Bentley’s on the Bay is a sweet, cottage like retreat right on the bay. The decor is elegant, yet comfortable, as well. Their ceremony took place on the shores of the bay while the sun shone brightly above. Their outdoor reception followed on the patio overlooking the bay and everyone got to watch the set over cocktails. Their flowers and centerpieces were beautiful, light and airy and they also incorporated some homemade pillows, signs, and decorations. Everybody danced the night away under the lights strung across the dance floor.

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Wedding Photography: Browne Photography | Ceremony Venue and Location: Bentleys on the Bay in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | Floral Design: Noveau Flowers | Wedding Dress: Tara Keely | Bridesmaids’ Attire: LulaKate

You know what happens when a bride as adorable as this graces our pages here at SMP Florida?  We throw a party.  A party that celebrates all things bridal cuteness and a true love romance that is just as amazing.  I’m talking a seriously sweet theater proposal and a wedding filled with bundles of shabby chic meets vintage-inspired details held at the Town Manor Inn.  Ready to get your party on?  Join us in the gallery for every last moment captured by Angela Gaspar Photography.  It’s all kinds of pretty.

From Angela Gaspar Photography… I had the pleasure of escaping the cold for a little while to photograph Diana and Nick’s beautiful Florida wedding.

Even though Diana and Nick had known each other since high school, their romance didn’t begin until after college. They had both moved back to their hometown and started spending more and more time together. Diana’s first one-on-one moment with Nick was spent helping him build a set he was designing at the local school he worked at. It was only appropriate that Nick would propose to Diana in the same theater. On a night out, Nick made an excuse to stop by the school and when they entered the theater she immediately saw “Diana, will you marry me?” written in tape on the stage!

Their wedding took place at the charming Town Manor Inn. I loved the whole look and feel of the ceremony, including the bridesmaids mix matched dresses. The cake topper was adorable and represented their terrier that wasn’t at the wedding.

 

Wedding Photography: Angela Gaspar Photography / Wedding Venue: Town Manor Inn in Auburndale, Florida / Bridesmaids’ Attire: ModCloth / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang for David’s Bridal / Stationery: Exclusively Weddings / Jewelry: Family Heirlooms

Perfectly subtle and perfectly southern, this beaut from Amalie Orrange Photography is going to make your Monday feel beyond fabulous. It’s a wedding that will stand the test of time, and from the looks of these two lovebirds, its a love story that will too. So grab another cup of coffee, and join me in starting this week off right in this gallery filled to the brim with gorgeous.

From Amalie Orrange… Abby & Nick had a gorgeous wedding, from the champagne and charcoal details, to the beautiful sunny day that make Florida so famous. Abby found me via Style Me Pretty and we hit it off from the start. She has such great classic style and wanted that to come across in all of the details in their wedding. Abby & Nick’s monogram appeared throughout the entire wedding from the programs, guest gift boxes and the bridesmaids monogramed “getting ready shirts”. 

From the Bride… We met in Tallahassee, FL while we were both second year law students. Nick, a die-hard gator fan and UF alum, transferred to FSU law after a year at Ole Miss. His best friend and fraternity brother was in my first year law school class and told me I needed to meet his friend who was transferring. Jokingly, I said, if he’s an obnoxious Gator like you, this Seminole fan is not interested. Little did I know, he talked me up that entire summer and we all hung out as friends once Nick arrived in Tallahassee. Our first date was October 24, 2008. I guess you can say, the rest is history.

Nick and I both now live in Jacksonville, FL. After a year or so of renting a house with a group of guys, Nick was bit by the “house buying” bug. I would walk through houses with him and comment on design ideas, etc. At this point, we both knew that any house would one day become our home together. Fast forward to actually buying a cute, 1960’s red brick house in Jacksonville. After getting keys to the house, but before moving anything in, amidst drop cloths and paint cans in an empty living room, Nick got down on one knee, said that he wanted to start our life together there in that house.

Wedding Photography: Amalie Orrange Photography / Wedding Venue: Women’s Club of Winter Park in Winter Park, Florida / Wedding Planner: Kristen from Blush by Brandee Gaar / Floral Design: Apopka Florist / Catering: Levan’s / Band : KTG Entertainment / Wedding Dress : Casablanca via The Bridal Shop / Alterations + Customization: Martha Shump Designs / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Lynn Lugo via Bella Bridesmaid / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Absolutely Fitting / Hair: Salon INXS / Makeup: Nicole Larson

Sometimes when you’re totally sure of something… absolutely certain about something, you have to document it. This is a case of boy meets girl and boy knows almost immediately that the girl is The. One. Fast forward just over a year and boy and girl are saying I-do in a sunset-drenched beach ceremony. Brought to us by the always fabulous Diva Productions it’s a tale that’s meant to be told first hand. It’s a girl with a smile so beautiful, a boy with a heart so full, a love so deep it calls for more than just words… it begs to be documented… which is precisely why we’re head over heels for this film.

You can see more images from Simply Blue Studios in the gallery, right here.

From Diva Productions… After 11 days of knowing one another, Davey told us he “knew Kristy was the one.” He was so sure of it, he felt like he needed to document the revelation, but didn’t want to send it to his buddies “because you know what guys are like, they’ll just bust my chops” or family “because they’ll start planning the wedding immediately,” so he wrote himself an email. Part of what I love about this trailer was that we got Davey to read us that email and it just reflects his wonderful certainty that Kristy was the girl for him and their love for each other.

Cinematography: Diva Productions / Photography: Simply Blue Studios / Song: “I’d Rather Be With You” by Joshua Radin licensed through SongFreedom / Event Design and Coordination: Kimberly Bartoli of Elegant Beginnings / Venue: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa / DJ: Paul Kirker for Gulf Talent Services

It’s kind of crazy just how much I love this darling St. Augustine duo.  Crazy, because even though I have never met them in person (unfortunately), I am pretty sure they are one of the most awesome couples that has ever existed.  And the gorgeous bride?  She NEEDS to be my new best friend.  Because anyone that can make me laugh, cry and swoon all within 10 minutes is someone I need to grab drinks with.  (Seriously.)  So, prepare to spend your day soaking in her beyond adorable description, the beautiful images captured by Mi Amore Foto and the sweet film from Life and Love Studio.  You’re going to love every last minute.

From the Bride… In the summer of 2009, Aaron’s brother married my friend, Akiko. When the Best Man stood to give a speech, I thought to myself, “WHO. IS. THAT?” But I didn’t have the courage to ask him to dance so I did what any normal girl does… stare at a cute boy and believe my gaze will somehow communicate to him that I would like to dance and that I think he’s super cute.

I stayed at the wedding for a few hours, but never spoke with Aaron. I had to leave to my friend Jon’s graduation party so I said my goodbyes and headed for the car. Keys in hand, about to unlock the door, the bridal party came running out to decorate the getaway limo. I was invited to join by a groomsmen so I went along with the happy bunch! Suddenly, a tall, handsome and athletic boy smiled at me with the cutest dimples I had ever seen…it was the Best Man! This was my chance! But after talking for only a few minutes, I learned he was leaving for California and I was two weeks away from leaving to England for the summer.

We hugged goodbye without an exchange of numbers, or last names. I had just met such a fantastic guy but I had no clue if I was ever going to see him again. “Well, God, you will make it happen if it’s meant to be…” But as I walked away, I couldn’t help feel that I really was going to see him again.

I spent that summer frolicking through balmy England and Aaron spent the summer in California beating up other guys while training to be a pro boxer. We were worlds apart. After two months of meeting, he got a hold of me through Facebook and asked for my number. Sure enough, the weekend I got back from England, Aaron asked me out and drove from Jacksonville to take me to dinner. (I had no clue he was driving five hours to see me until he was actually on his way!) He stepped out of the car holding a bouquet of flowers and I melted.

I could fill this page with how God wrote our love story but I’ll just share what I told my sister after a date one night: ” I just have this feeling about Aaron… like I’m never going to have to say goodbye to him…”

Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto / Wedding Venue + Catering: The White Room in St. Augustine, Florida / Getting Ready Venue: Bella Bay Inn Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida / Floral Design: Damaris Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Life and Love Studio / Bride’s Bouquet: The Conservatorie / Wedding Cake: Sweet Weddings / DJ: Footloose Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Custom made by Yolanda Gonzalez, Friend of the Bride / Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire: Stafford / Hair: M. Schaefer Hairdressing / Makeup: Kimtasha

Good food, good friends and an entire weekend of fun.  That’s what this darling duo had in mind when they planned their breathtaking Dolphins Resort soiree and, oh my goodness, did they succeed with flying colors.  Because this gorgeous gem of a day?  This beauty of a wedding?  It’s most definitely the kind of affair you dream about having… and attending.  From the picturesque scenery to the vintage stylings to the homemade cookies and ice cream, you can’t miss a moment captured by Erin Wallis in the full gallery.  Trust me.

From the Groom… When planning our wedding, we set out to make it representative of our new life together. Moving from the prairies of Saskatchewan to Campbell River, we knew that we wanted a Canadian “destination” wedding that gave our family and friends a feel for the west coast. After discussing a few ideas, Dolphins Resort emerged as the ideal setting. We had read and heard so many great things about the resort, especially the cuisine, we knew we could not disappoint our family and friends by asking them to join us at Dolphins. Nearly all our guests were traveling to meet us, so the twelve rustic cabins were perfect for a weekend gathering.

We met many times with Carmen Amberson, the value-added operations manager for the resort. Always confident that she understood us and our vision, we put our wedding plans in her hands. She worked tirelessly with her husband Joe, the chef, to make our vision a reality. The venue and food were taken care of. All we really needed to concern ourselves with were the outfits, music, drinks and decoration.

The idea for decoration was simple: antiques and trinkets that you would find in our home. No matching centerpieces and no ‘colours’. Carmen and Jessica combined efforts and trinkets to place throughout the reception cabin for the dinner, drinks and dance. Jessica’s sister and nanny baked our favorite cookies to go with Joe’s homemade ice cream and toppings in lieu of a cake. We didn’t expect complaints and we didn’t receive any!

When the day finally came, we exchanged vows on the beach and shared a champagne toast. After the ceremony the guests walked up to the top lawn for hors d’oeuvres, sangria, and Heather and Golden Ales from Salt Spring Island Ales. Meanwhile, Erin Wallis made us look like we felt with a shoot on the beach and float dock. Anyone in or around Campbell River already knows that Erin Wallis exceeds expectations.

In keeping with west coast weather, the rain began to fall and we moved to the main cabin to open the bar and dance the night away. We are told that our company carried on well after we retired to the beach house.

Wedding Photography: Erin Wallis / Wedding Venue + Catering: Dolphins Resort in Campbell River, Canada / Floral Design: Amy from Willows Market / Cookies: DIY by Bride’s Family / Dreamcatchers: DIY by the Bride + Friends / Wedding Dress: Adrianna Papell / Shoes: David and Joan / Bridesmaids’ Attire: BCBG / Groom’s Attire: Theory  / Groomsmen Attire: Le Chateau / Hair: Amy from A Cut Above

An intimate beach wedding – is there anything better?  I mean, saying “I do” with your toes in the sand, the cool, ocean breeze in your hair and those majestic waves crashing sweetly in the background?  It’s crazy amazing, no?  Especially when your intimate beach wedding happens to include some gorgeous turquoise blue hues, beautiful florals from DD’s Blooms and one moment after another of pure happiness captured by Karen Harrison Photography.  That’s crazy amazing and then some and you can see it all in the full gallery right here… and then stay tuned for even more lovely with a sweet film from Studios 76 below.

From Karen Harrison Photography… Francesca and Corey were married in a beautiful beachside ceremony at the Hyatt Regency on Clearwater Beach, Florida.  Their lovely decor consisted of simple and elegant hues of turquoise and neutrals.  The bride’s bouquet was a beautiful creation with starfish mixed into the florals.  This was an intimate gathering of family and friends who traveled from as far as Europe to celebrate with the couple.  

Wedding Photography: Karen Harrison Photography / Second Photographer: Stephanie Smith / Wedding Venue: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Florida / Floral Design: DD’s Blooms / Officiant: Weddings by Christina / Wedding Cinematography: Studios 76 / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Nomeda / Ceremony Music: Caladesi Steel Drum Band / DJ: Jude from Grant Hemond and Associates / Linen Rental: Connie Duglin / Chair Rental: Signature Event Rentals / Photo Booth: Tampa Bay Photo Booth / Hair + Makeup: Theresa from Michele Renee Hair & Makeup Group

Here’s why Florida is one of the coolest places ever to shoot an engagement session.  One minute you’re frolicking happily in the sand with the love of your life, the next minute you’re stealing kisses underneath a beautiful orange tree.  It’s magical.  And for this stunning St. Augustine duo, the magic is literally overflowing from every glorious image snapped up by Melissa Robinson Photography.  Because when two sweeties like this come together to celebrate their impending nuptials, it’s all sorts of crazy gorgeous, seriously stylish fun.  Click here to see it all.

From Melissa Robinson Photography… Cate and Mike recently moved to Florida from New York City (he proposed on the road trip down!) and are planning their Wilmington, NC wedding for October. Washington Oaks State Park in St. Augustine, Florida was the perfect location for this sweet couple’s engagement session – gorgeous oak trees, a little orange grove, and a unique shoreline of coquina rock. The best part?  A little drizzle towards the end of the session gave way to a perfectly placed rainbow!

Wedding Photography: Melissa Robinson Photography / Location: Washington Oaks State Park in St. Augustine, Florida

There are Brides with style and then there is this lovely Bride. She’s in a league of her own. How, you ask? Well not only did see DIY all the pretty little details waiting for you right here, but she also crafted each and every one of those fabulous headpieces the lucky ladies in her life got to wear. And we can’t thank her enough, because from the looks of the images from Shea Christine Photography – everything turned out simply perfect. See it all here.

From Shea Christine Photography… Small gathering of family and friends near the gazebo. The weather was perfect and the light shining through the trees was beautiful. The wedding party consisted of a Maid of Honor (Sister of the Bride), Best Man (Grooms Best Friend) and Flower Girl (Brides Niece).

The ceremony was short but sweet. The guests joined the Bride and Groom at a separate location for the reception. Here they danced, celebrated and got their photos taken in the photo-booth. Many of the details were handcrafted by the Bride. Including the Brides, Maid of Honor and Flower Girl Head pieces. The invitations, program and thank you cards were created by the bride. All the guests took home a one of a kind, handmade ceramic tea-bowl created by the bride.

 

Wedding Photography: Shea Christine Photography / Ceremony Venue: Flamingo Gardens in Davie, Florida / Reception Venue: Royal Fiesta Events in Deerfield Beach, Florida / Wedding Coordinator: Kimberly Reisgo (954.258.5493) / Floral Design: Flowers by Blanca / Officiant: Drew Wallen / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Damaris / Ceremony Music: Master Muscians Inc. / DJ: Park Avenue Party Productions / Photobooth: Color Me Photo / Transportation: Wallstreet Limo / Wedding Dress: Bellissima Bridal / Groom’s Attire: Patricia South Bridal / Hair + Makeup: Christen from Amanda Lynn Salon

This is just adorable. There really is no other way to describe it but simply adorable. Couple are getting so creative nowadays, and we get to reep the rewards with films like this one from Steadfast Weddings. One watch and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about, and I won’t judge you one little bit if you decide one view isn’t enough – something this cute deserves a few replays…

From Steadfast Weddings… I’m going to be shooting Michelle and Erik’s wedding in a few months, and I reached out to them last week to see if they would be interested in doing a Save the Date video that they can share with all their friends. Michelle & Erik did all the required scurrying (and hard work), and they were so much fun to work with. Michelle is a school teacher with access to plenty of chalk, so I provided them with a solid blue canvas that would allow the best contrast for the vibrant chalk colors. My hands are still a little blue from the spray paint, but it was all worth it to end up with a sturdy base that wouldn’t shudder in the strong beach winds. Hope you enjoy :)

Wedding Photography: Steadfast Weddings

On a Friday after a week full of pretty on SMP Florida, we like to leave you with a wedding that will take some time to truly devour. A wedding whose gallery needs some serious QT. And this Orlando beauty from  Shea Christine Photography fits that bill and then some. From each beautiful detail to each sweet kiss, it’s a gallery you simply cannot miss. See so much more right here.

From the Bride… From the start of our planning, Clark and I knew that we wanted our wedding to be intimate, celebratory, and unique to us. I grew up in Asia, and Clark lived in Europe through much of our dating relationship, so travel seemed like a natural theme for our wedding. Discovering my great-grandmother’s travel scrapbook from the 20’s brought all the inspiration we needed! We made a list of cities that have been important to us and, with the help of friends, created table centerpieces with items from each “destination.” Family members graciously contributed vintage heirlooms and luggage. As a mostly DIY wedding, we had so much fun bringing in all the little details like airmail stationery, luggage tag seating cards, paper airplanes for our send off, and a postcard guest book.

What made our wedding most wonderful was the intimate atmosphere! Our fathers officiated the ceremony together, and our dearest friends and family made up our hundred guests. The Dubsdread ballroom is amazingly cozy, and a Thanksgiving-style dinner and hot cocoa were perfect for fending off the Florida November chill. Clark and I had time to talk to every guest without feeling rushed, which was a highlight for me. And despite all our bets on who in the family would cry first, there were no tears! Just lots of laughter, which was exactly what we had hoped for!

Wedding Photography: Shea Christine Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Historic Dubsdread Ballroom in Orlando, Florida / Floral Design: Atmospheres Floral & Decor / Wedding Cinematography: Josh Gilligan, friend / Wedding Cake: Cindy Kahre, friend / Reception Music: Isaac Folch + David Cording, friend / Ceremony Music: Graham + Danielle Wigle, friend / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Street Market in Cina / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Weddington Way / Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire: Marc Anthony via Kohls

I love this wedding.  I love that the bride and groom described it as “gypsy-like in design” where “nothing matches, but everything feels right.”  I love that the entire day was held in their breathtaking private villa in Coconut Grove, aka, one of the prettiest backdrops I have ever seen.  And I also love that it was literally infused with one moment after another of personality-filled details, from the Mediterranean feast of olives and hummus to the Turkish coffee and baklava served to each guest at the end of the evening.  See it all in the full gallery captured by Daniel Lateulade.  It’s a beauty.

From Daniel Lateulade… Kat & Edvin are graphic designers who were married on 12/1/12 at their villa in Coconut Grove, Florida, and everything was designed to be a direct reflection of their personalities.

When Kat wrote me to describe her wedding day, she said “The main theme of the wedding is love, family, travel and a celebration of cultures. The decor of the wedding is a mashup, inspired from the bride & groom’s love of Moroccan/Indian/Spanish/French lifestyle. Very gypsy-like in design. Nothing matches, but everything feels right.”

Their Hindu Fire Ceremony was inspired by the bride’s yogic tradition, and was followed by a Mediterranean family style dinner of olives, hummus, pita, grilled lamb and babganoush. In honor of the groom’s Bosnian heritage (and in homage to the couple’s tradition of making coffee together every morning), Kat & Edvin personally made and served Turkish coffee and baklava to their guests before leaving for their honeymoon in Marrakech.

Wedding Photography: Daniel Lateulade / Venue: Private Villa in Miami, Florida / Wedding Coordinator + Event Styling: Lauren Buck Design & Events / Catering: Lenore Nolan Ryan / Wedding Dress: Temperley of London / Groom’s Attire: Ermenegildo Zegna / Hair + Makeup: Josie Miller

There’s one easy way to become number one on your guests’ favorite person list: give them a fabulous wedding weekend, which doubles as a built-in vacation, in sunny and beautiful Florida. Want them to love you even more? Plan your soiree at Alys Beach. The crazy-gorgeous beach community located along the Gulf of Mexico in the heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast, is an ideal beachside wedding venue. Boasting spectacular Mediterranean-inspired architecture, white-sand beaches and gorgeous parks, Alys Beach has wedding + reception venues that can accommodate up to 250 guests! Making a long weekend out of it? There are amazing rental properties available, allowing your guest to stay a while! Do you feel the love already!?

 

Whether you’re looking for a grand space like the Gulf Green or an intimate, park-like setting such as Fonville Press, you’ll find the most incredibly gorgeous spots to say “I do!” And with a million and one things to do on Florida’s panhandle, you and your guests will have no shortage of activities. I don’t know about you, lovelies, but I’m already planning my five-year vow renewal! Head on over to their site, and start planning your dream beach destination wedding at Alys Beach!

Photo Credits:  Paul Johnson Photography / Hugh Forte Photography

 

Some color palettes just sing to me, making me giddier than I probably should admit. Well the pops of pink mixed with the naturally gorgeous blues of this Tampa wedding from Paige Lowe Photography fall smack dab in the middle of that giddy-inducing category. And when you start to pull back all the layers of this gorgeous seaside soiree, you slowly begin to realize you are looking at prettiness defined. And it doesn’t get better than that. See it all here.

From Paige Lowe Photography… The Bruey’s got married in gorgeous Tampa Bay Florida at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant. The pink and white hues contrasted beautifully with the deep blues of the ocean back ground and the couple could not have looked happier! From the cute beer coozie party favors, to the softball accents and gator goodies, this wedding was personalized to the University of Florida alum and sport lovers perfectly. 

Wedding Photography: Paige Lowe Photography / Wedding Venue: The Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Tampa Bay, Florida /  Floral Design: 2Birds Events / Band: Bus Stop Band / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Lula Kate / Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Hair + Makeup: Destiny and Light Hair and Makeup

There’s nothing like getting married at a private beach house, right on the sand, with an intimate ceremony surrounded by friends and family. And that’s exactly what this head-over-heels in love couple did. Kristina Grimm Photography captured all the personal details like their adorable travel themed reception. Click here for the full gallery!

From Kristina Grimm Photography… Taylor & Reid met through a mutual friend and soon realized they were two peas in a pod. They enjoy fishing, sports, and most of all each other. Things just flowed making their relationship turn from friendship to romance with ease. They are both extremely caring people who value family and friendships. This made their life blend together as life long friends. They love each other deeply and are best friends. Truly making it the best of both worlds. Taylor spent many summers working after high school on the sweet little island of Nantucket while Reid spent his time in Minnesota. Both so far apart found love in Florida. Their wedding venues made a sweet and intimate spot for them to exchange vows. They married at a private beach house on the white sands of New Smyrna Beach under fishing poles and the waves crashing as their background. The Atlantic Center for the Arts was a perfect secluded location for the cocktail reception to celebrate with all their family and closest friends. 

Wedding Photography: Kristina Grimm Photography / Ceremony Location: Private Beach House in New Smyrna Beach, Florida / Reception Location: Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna, Florida / Event Planning: Leah Palmer / Floral Design: DIY by bridesmaid from Florida Wholesale Florist Supply / Caterer: Big Wheel Provisions / Wedding Invitations: Nu.B. Era Designs / Music: Acoustic Guitar by family friend / Wedding Dress: Sue Wong via Neiman Marcus / Bridesmaids Attire: The Collection Bridal / Groom + Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Hair: Nick from Abitare Salon (407.302.1110)
/ Makeup: Amber Sepulvado from Makeupify