Florida Weddings

When the happiest day of your life is planned for the most magical time of the year, it’s bound to be good. And this St. Petersburg wedding from mandy & me studio is no exception. Wintery florals by Dana Dineen Floral Design set the tone and sweet touches like the s’more jar favors perfectly personalized the holiday-esque wedding! See the rest of this sweet fête in the full gallery!

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From mandy and me studio… We loved everything about this wedding. There were so many amazing details, and the cake was just beautiful! We loved the jars of s’mores supplies that were put together as favors for the guests. It was a special day, and we are glad that we were part of it. It was a day packed with emotions, energy and love.

Wedding Photography: mandy & me studio / Wedding Venue: Mirror Lake Lyceum in St. Petersburg, Florida / Event Design: One Stone Events / Floral Design: Dana Dineen Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Indie Atlantic Films / Catering: Amici’s Catering / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Carolynn / Cake Topper: Hand Painted Love Boxes / Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Bella Musica / DJ: Sword Sounds / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal via CC’s Boutique /  Hair + Makeup: Destiny & Light

They say when you find the one, you just know.  And, yes, I am talking about the dress.  THE dress you’ll wear to marry the love of your life on one of the most important days you’ll ever have.  And for this drop-dead gorgeous (+ amazingly beautiful) bride, it wasn’t the dress she expected to fall for, but this White by Vera Wang gown was most definitely made for her AND for her intimate seaside affair with her dashing beau.  Together they make one VERY stunning duo… and the images of the day captured by Sophan Theam Photography?  Serious eye candy.   See them all here.

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From the Bride… Let’s just say I had no idea what I was doing — but I knew we couldn’t spend a ton of money on our wedding. I had no idea what I wanted, but I surely could tell you what I didn’t want. I knew that I wanted it to be different. Not different like “that’s weird,” but different like “I should’ve thought of that.” Regular wedding chairs were unacceptable. Suits, unacceptable. A white dress — who does that!? We both wanted an outdoor wedding. As opposed to buying decorations, it seemed logical to go to a place where we could take advantage of nature’s beauty. And the wedding had to be SUPER small. Neither of us wanted the attention of 200 or so people on our day. We wanted our families to really get to know each other. So, needless to say, we went from having our wedding on a mountain top, to under a waterfall, to near a lighthouse, and then on a beach — but we never imagined a private beach.

I knew that the two most important things to me were my dress and the pictures. We could’ve eaten at Waffle House for all I cared. So I knew where I could slash the budget and where I was going to splurge. I created all of my paper items. I am a total DIY freak, and that stuff was right up my alley. My programs, wedding invitations and menus were all inspired by items I saw online. Let me say, I NEVER wanted a princess-style dress. Not me! No how! I went on my first trip for a dress and tried on every trumpet and mermaid-style dress the store had. I hated them! Someone suggested that I try on another style, and it just so happened to be this dress in blush. I was floored. After that, my entire wedding centered around THAT dress. I have to admit, originally I was in denial (and a little upset) that I even liked it — I had my heart set on a mermaid dress at the time.

The wedding day did NOT turn out exactly the way I wanted it. I was surprised at the level of chaos and confusion that occurred (even when there were only 14 people there!). However, the ceremony went off without a hitch. Both of us “wrote” (really, made-up on the spot) our own vows, and it was over WAY too fast. The reception took place on the beach as well. It was nice to have everyone seated at the table by the beach — the atmosphere was exactly what we wanted. All in all, I am happy with the way it went. Our families had a great time, we didn’t break the bank, my dress hit the spot, and the pictures are gorgeous! I couldn’t ask for more.

Wedding Photography: Sophan Theam Photography / Wedding Venue: Extreme Polynesian Beach House in Jewfish Key, Florida / Officiant: Reverend Frank McGrath / Wedding Cake: Publix / Violinist: Anton Cutajar / DJ: DJ Thomas / Wedding Dress: White by Vera Wang

There are so many, many reasons to love this darling Fernandina wedding, but I’m starting off with the adorable bride and groom.  Because, not only are they seriously stunning, they’re rockin’ a drop-dead gorgeous Amsale gown and a fab seersucker suit (respectively) and that makes them downright awesome, as well.  Add in a wedding that is all sorts of amazing with a green, blue and pink color palette and brilliant images from Moments by Sarah and it’s preppy meets rustic day of pretty.  See it all here.

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From Moments by Sarah… This was a beautiful summer wedding in Fernandina, Florida! The bride was stunning, and the groom was helplessly in love. The bride’s longtime family friend offered to share their historic home for photos of the bridal party and the bride and groom’s first look.

Wedding Photography: Moments by Sarah / Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida / Reception: Walker’s Landing at The Amelia Island Club in Amelia Island, Florida / Bridal Photo Location: Villa Las Palmas / Catering: Mai Oui Gourmet / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Jack Rogers / Hair: Dolan Smith of Salon Dolan / Makeup: J’Me for MAC Cosmetics

Any day that sees us basking in some eco-friendly inspiration, we consider to be a very good day. Especially when that eco-friendly inspiration was oh-so-perfectly crafted by a dream team of Florida vendors.  That’s a good day and then some.  Add to the mix the fab stylings of Wed Perfect, serious beauty expertise of Hope Henderson Artistry + Salon Tease and some downright amazing images from Luminaire Foto and, well.  It’s a go green masterpiece.  See it all right here.

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From Wed Perfect… Wed Perfect teamed up with the these Southwest Florida vendors to put on an eco-friendly photo shoot, featuring some amazing vendors who have eco policies in place, or who will work with eco-friendly packages. The goal of Wed Perfect is to provide full-service wedding and event planning to the eco-conscious bride, and to show that you can have an amazing “green” wedding without compromising style or vision. We chose the Naples Botanical Garden as our location, as they provide many organic and eco-friendly services to the community. The immense beauty of the location was ideal to create the perfect, natural backdrop for this shoot. In this photo shoot, we illustrated two looks for the modern bride. In one look, we showed a classic, eco-friendly look. This look featured natural colors such as white, ivory, sage green, pale pink and the like. This look is for that one might gravitate towards for a traditional green wedding. The second look was a modern, glamorous look. This look utilized the same white and ivory as before but was then complemented by a deep eggplant purple and various shades of green (from artichoke to acid). This look utilized most of the same materials and vendors as the first look, and was used to demonstrate that one can utilize all eco-friendly materials but still have a modern, high-style look to their wedding.

Photography: Luminaire Foto / Photo Shoot Venue: Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida / Event Planning: Wed Perfect / Floral Design: Signature Florals / Cinematography: The Water’s Edge / Wedding Cake: Mason’s Bakery / Specialty Foods: Chocolate Dreams and Wishes / Invitations: Wiregrass Weddings / Lighting: O’Ryan Sound and Lighting / Linens + Coverings: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental / Equipment Rentals: Embellish High Style Party Rentals + Niche Event Rentals / Strapless Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Tie the Knot Bridal / Long-Sleeved Wedding Dress: Vintage via Love that Dress / Makeup: Hope Artistry + Salon Tease / Tuxedo + Men’s Attire: Charlotte Formal / Personal Styling: Jet Set Wed

I’m in the midst of a serious case of wedding envy and I am not afraid to admit it.  That’s because I know full well that each and every one of you are about to feel the exact same way.  The reason?  This ever-so darling Parrish affair captured by Aaron Bornfleth, which is literally boasting one crazy gorgeous moment after another all set against one of the prettiest backyards in the entire state.  Oh, and that masterpiece of a cake by The Cake Zone?  Amazing.  Click here for so much more.

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From Aaron Bornfleth… I was truly inspired by Ashley and David’s wedding held on her family’s estate on the river in the tiny town of Parrish, Florida (just south of Tampa). So many wonderful details — bottled maple syrup from the Dave’s family’s acreage in Massachusetts given as party favors, rustic latticework framing portraits of passed away loved ones, a stunning cake that was simply perfect for the occasion, hollowed-out birch lanterns floating in the pool, a live band, and a bonfire late at the end of the night (complete with s’mores and hotdogs). All of the special touches complemented one another and evoked the easy and warm feeling of home.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Bornfleth / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Family Estate in Parrish, Florida / Wedding Planning + Coordination: Sable Perrin / Floral Design: Tim Perrin / Catering: Chef Doug Hitchings of Fun With Food Catering / Wedding Cake: The Cake Zone / Band: Big Daddy / Guest Sign-In Tree Artwork: DIY by the Groom’s Mother / Lighting: Affairs in the Air / Wedding Dress: Liancarlo / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Magical and humbling. Two words that perfectly capture the mystery of weddings and they’re just how this Bride described her ceremony location in beautiful Cellon Oak Park. Magical in every way from the breathtaking bouquets from FiftyFlowers to all of the vintage touches (including hand-sewn bridesmaids’ dresses!) from this DIY-savvy bride. And humbling in that, under Florida’s most magnificent and largest oak tree, two sweethearts were wed surrounded by love and support from family and friends who all pitched in to make this wedding the prettiest of pretties. And you can see so much more from Julie Cate Photography in the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… After Scott proposed, I began looking through wedding blogs for inspiration. All I knew immediately is that I didn’t want a typical, run of the mill wedding. I didn’t want anything formal or stuffy, and I wanted everyone to have a good time. I fell in love with the idea of getting married under a giant live oak tree after seeing a picture online. One of the things I love most about Florida is seeing all the gorgeous trees we have here, draped in Spanish moss. Something about standing under these huge oaks with curtains of moss feels magical and humbling. The problem is that most of them are either right beside a road or in someone’s yard. After an extensive search, I finally found the perfect place: the Cellon Oak. It just happens to be the biggest live oak tree in Florida and less than 30 minutes from my house. And since it’s on public land, it was also free! My vision for the rest of the decor really centered around the tree and my vintage, tea-length dress. I pictured using elements of tree bark, wild-looking plants and moss contrasted against more feminine, vintage-inspired elements such as lace and pearls. Scott actually got really involved in the decor at this point. He came up with the idea for the table centerpieces and built them — and eventually put live fish in them! I was skeptical about this, but he knows his stuff when it comes to aquariums, and thankfully they all made it home alive.

Sewing clothing is my biggest passion, so I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate this somehow. I was way too afraid of making my own dress, so I consulted with my bridesmaids and received permission to make theirs. Then, when I couldn’t find the fabric I needed, I decided to dye the fabric as well. I tend to go overboard like that. I liked the look of mismatched dresses that all have something in common. All of the dresses were different shades of coral designed to give a gradient effect when the girls stood together. I actually ran out of time (I was finishing up the second dress one week before my wedding!) and had to buy the last dress. I was disappointed at the time, but it was the best decision I could have made. The dresses wound up looking just like I wanted, and my girls looked lovely in them!

Our wedding was truly a labor of love, with all of our friends and family pitching in make the day special. I discovered just how creative my husband can be, and we learned how to work together effectively as a team. I spent so much time stressing about this day, but it turned out to be so much better than I’d even hoped for. Everyone was laughing and smiling and dancing through the night (even my family!). In the end, all of our hard work was worth it.

Wedding Photography: Julie Cate Photography / Ceremony: Cellon Oak Park near Lacrosse, Florida / Reception: Alachua Woman’s Club in Alachua, Florida / Flowers: FiftyFlowers / Wedding Cake: A Friend / Music: A Friend / Wedding Dress: Vintage / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Two Hand-Made by the Bride + One Purchased / Men’s Suits: Macy’s

You might not find math class particularly romantic, but if you ask this darling duo, they’ll tell you it most definitely is.  That’s because math class just so happens to be the very place these two met – and after falling head over heels amongst equations and common denominators, the rest was seriously sweet (+ seriously cute) history.  Kelian Photography snapped up their amazing e-shoot and it’s as awesome as you thought it would be.  See so much more right here.

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From Kelian Photography… Aron and Wendy exude joy and love for each other. They fell for each other in math class and and have been in love ever since, and Aron recently proposed to Wendy on a cruise ship at sunset. They brought their own signs that represented their cute style. These photos were taken at Royal Poinciana Chapel on Palm Beach Island. With its scenic Intracoastal Waterway and magnificent 125-year-old tree, this was a perfect place to capture a beautiful engagement shoot.

Photography: Kelian Photography / Location: The Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Florida

When the ever-amazing Posh Parties & Paper sent along this breathtaking Palm Beach affair, we had a little party.  A virtual dance party.  Because when a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown teams up with fab paper goods from Smock Paper and oh-so-perfect images from Nancy Cohn and Abby Ross of Lauren + Abby Photography, it’s a day that deserves a serious celebration.  One that is happening right here.right now in the full gallery.  Join us there for all of the pretty.

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From Posh Parties & Paper… Vassilia and Josh wanted an intimate wedding with 80 of their closest friends and family, and this was the perfect place. They didn’t even let the rain get in their way — the whole courtyard and cocktail area was tented, which made it even more intimate and beautiful. Their “theme” was Palm Beach retro, and from the vessels the centerpieces were in to Vassilia’s dress and hairstyle, the wedding truly had some retro elements. Vassilia also wanted to personalize some elements of the event to really make it special, and there was no better place to do this than moving away from a traditional guest book. We found a vintage dictionary and provided markers, stamps, etc. The guests had to find a word in the dictionary, circle it and sign by it. It made a great interactive guest book and perfect coffee table book for Vassilia and Josh to cherish at home forever.

Wedding Photography: Nancy Cohn of Nancy Cohn Photography + Abby Ross of Lauren + Abby Photography / Wedding Venue: The Brazilian Court in Palm Beach, Florida / Event Planning: Posh Parties & Paper / Floral Design: Xquisite Events / Wedding Invitations: Smock Paper / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo

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Okay, so Florida may not have the type of winters we have up here in New England, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have gorgeous winter inspired weddings. And if you’re on board with a romantic winter wedding filled with pretty whites and pale shades of blue, then you’re going to love Kristina Grimm Photography‘s outdoor photo shoot. It’s a vintage chic winter wonderland picnic and it’s all right here in the full gallery. 

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From Kristina Grimm Photography… Winter is my favorite time of year. We don’t get much winter in Florida, but I wanted to create a Florida, outdoor, winter-inspired shoot. The Boys Youth Ranch was the perfect setting for a Florida winter afternoon. This weather lately made such a perfect afternoon to create just that look we needed. With a little elbow grease and late nights of hammering, painting, staining and sewing, our idea was a success.

Photography: Kristina Grimm Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: Wekiwa State Park Boys Youth Ranch in Apopka, Florida / Floral Design: Fairbanks Florist / Cinematography: Imprint Cinema / Wedding Cake: Everything Cake / Invitations: Dogwood Blossom Stationery / Furniture: Custom by Kristina Grimm Photography / Wedding Dress: Made by the Bride’s Mother-in-Law / Hair + Makeup: Marigold Scott

When choosing the perfect place to capture your engagement session, it just doesn’t get much better than the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.  All vintage fabulous and drop-dead gorgeous, this Miami location is a literal wonderland of pretty picture taking –  and this stunning shoot snapped up by Peachy Keen Photography is all the proof we need.  It’s a beyond gorgeous couple meets bundles of oh-so-chic style meets a fun-filled picnic in the gardens – and it’s all sitting pretty in the full gallery.  Join me there for more.

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From Peachy Keen Photography… Jason popped the question to Jessica at the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. They are tying the knot January 2013 at an old schoolhouse in Davie, Florida, and are going for a vintage feel, so, they thought it fit to inject a vintage flair to their engagement session and to have it at Vizcaya, where they got engaged.

Photography: Peachy Keen Photography / Venue: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida

There really is nothing like seeing a gorgeous wedding come to life. And for all you brides out there that are still on the fence about whether or not to hire a videographer, one quick glance at this pretty film from Delack Media Group and your mind will be made up instantly! It’s romantic, fun and oh-so-sweet. Enjoy!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/53689628?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&badge=0&color=ffedc2 600 338]

From Delack Media Group… This was a Venezuelan wedding at the Delray Beach Golf Club. It featured beautiful scenery and a story that will make your heart melt.

Wedding Cinematography: Delack Media Group / Wedding Venue: Delray Beach Golf Club in Delray Beach, Florida

I’m quite certain that I’m not doing this next wedding justice. That I’m not really cracking the code for how to present them in a way that truly sings. But. The saving grace is that I’m not really sure anyone could. Because the photographs by our talented friend KT Merry are so beautiful, they deserve to be hung on the wall of a perfect home, devoured by everyone that passes. So I beg of you, take some time to pore over the gallery and really bask in the all out gorgeousness tucked inside of each and every photograph. You might need to carve out a few hours though because each image is a little work of art. A little piece of wedding perfection.

From the Bride… Our story begins in Miami on New Year’s Eve 2006. I lived in Boston and Danny lived in Miami. I decided to ring in the New Year with some friends on South Beach. That evening, we both ended up at a mutual friend’s place to celebrate. The instant we met, there was a definite spark. We spent the entire evening getting to know each other on the balcony, and when everyone left to go home, he stayed and we talked on the balcony until the sun came up the next morning. I conveniently missed my flight the next day so I could stay in Miami and spend some more time with him, and we ended up spending the next two days with each other. The next six years were a whirlwind of phone calls and travelling as we pursued a long distance relationship. He was in Atlanta and Florida finishing up his medical training to be a Nephrologist. I was in New York finishing my medical training to become a Neonatolgist. We travelled to over 25 cities and flew more than 300,000 miles to see each other. So, when we got engaged, we definitely wanted to have a destination wedding, and we knew Miami would be the perfect setting as it was the place we first met and fell in love.

Thanks to the help of our fabulous wedding planner Amen Pawar-LaRosa, we found the Bath Club. After a few minutes into our visit, we looked at each other and knew that this would be the place we would be married. It was the perfect blend of traditional and modern and our decorator Al from Blooming Design and Events transformed the venue into the most elegant and ethereal space. It turned out to be the most magical night of our lives, and it was all captured so perfectly thanks to our talented photographer KT Merry.

From Amen of Pawar, Inc… Planning Tanvi and Danny’s wedding was a magical experience. They are an outstanding couple with a deep and special bond. Tanvi and Danny’s vision for the wedding was a relaxed chic resort experience. We created this feeling by having a Mexican themed welcome party poolside to kick-off the weekend. It was a perfect balmy Florida night at Eden Roc, Miami Beach. Guests sipped on refreshing margaritas (Tanvi’s mother’s favorite), nibbled on scrumptious Mexican flare cuisine and danced the night way under tinkling market lights strung across the pool. The guests’ comfort was of utmost importance for Tanvi and Danny so they opted for a later Hindu ceremony, which gave their guests time to enjoy the day at the beach. The wedding events were held at The Bath Club, Miami. As guests entered the foyer to the ceremony they were greeted by enchanting sounds of sitar player and crisp artisan waters infused with mint and lemon. The bride and groom’s passion for traveling resonated throughout the wedding with modern and romantic décor. Tanvi and Danny added personal touches by using a Texas University and Miami University Jenga guest book, naming each table was with the couple’s favorite destinations and a fun photo booth with travel themed props.

Wedding Photography: KT Merry Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bath Club in Miami Beach, Florida / Wedding Planning: Amen Pawar-Larosa of Pawar, Inc. / Floral Design: Blooming Events International / Wedding Catering: Aaron’s Catering / Music: Dheer Lashkari / Bride’s Reception Dress: Tarun Tahiliani / Hair + Makeup: Pretty Suite, Inc. / Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss 

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I am convinced that magic just drips from Spanish moss trees. That and a whole lot of prettiness. Now when you pair that magic prettiness with the talent of Brooke Images, and a wedding as classically perfect as this one – you officially have a feature that will have you oohing and ahhing until the very last image in the full gallery. Beautiful scenery, beautiful photography and a beautiful wedding – what more can you ask for, really? See it all right here.

From Ashley of Brooke Images… Lisa and Evan’s wedding took place on September 1, 2012 in Amelia Island, Florida.  Lisa loves spanish moss, so we chose to do their first look and the majority of the formal photos under the beautiful Spanish moss that walkers landing provided. Destination Planning did an awesome job with the reception.  They set up the the tables family-style, spanning almost the whole length of the reception room…so gorgeous!!   Above the tables they installed rustic chandeliers.  I especially loved the place setting with each named written in calligraphy on paper doilies.

Wedding Photography: Brooke Images /  Venue : Amelia Island Plantation in Amelia Island, Florida / Wedding Decor + Design: Destination Planning / Catering: The Amelia Island Club / Wedding Cake: Chez Lezan Bakery Company / Wedding Programs: DH Fitzgerald / Golf Cart: Amelia’s Wheels  / Music: Haywire / Wedding Dress: Martina Liana via Fabulous Bridal / Wedding Dress Belt: Augusta Jones via Fabulous Bridal / Bride’s Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane via Nordstrom / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor / Hair: Images Hair Salon / Makeup: Kimtasha / Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Flower Girl + Junior Bridal Attendant Dresses: J.Crew / Ring Bearer Pillow: PTThreads

When a wedding is bursting with as much happiness as this one is, you can’t help but love every last second.  Love that it’s chock-full of gorgeous details styled to perfection by John Gandy Events, beautiful blooms from Designs By Darin and moment after love-filled moment with one of the cutest duos you will ever meet.  And you’ll also love the gallery of amazing images from Red Fly Studio, because this, my friends, is a one-stop shop for some serious pretty.  Join me there for more.

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From Red Fly Studio… Afton and Layne had such a lovely southern wedding. Loving friends and family traveled from far and close to see this sweet couple get married. They picked the perfect southern venue for their wedding; Goodwood has so many pretty spots for photos that we could have kept these two all day. One of the things we loved about Afton and Layne was they were so excited to get married. You can just tell back their faces how happy the are. We loved so much about their wedding: the suits, the dresses, the ceremony under the gorgeous oaks, the neat details at the reception. And we loved their bobble head cake topper! The reception was so fun; Afton and Layne could really cut a rug. Congrats, you two!

Wedding Photography: Red Fly Studio / Wedding Venue: Goodwood Museum & Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida / Event Design + Planning: John Gandy Events / Floral Design: Designs By Darin / Officiant: Sara Michaels of Saramonies with HeART / Catering: Catering Capers / Wedding Cake: The Cake Shop / DJ: GT Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones

What do you get when you combine the urban landscape of fabulous Fort Lauderdale, two seriously stunning sweethearts and an adorable pooch named Becca?  You get one downright gorgeous e-session snapped in picture perfect images by Becca Borge Photography.  One that brightens every last second of your Friday morning with a plethora of beautiful moments and an entire gallery of amazing.  Oh, and I mentioned the puppy, right?  See so much more right here. 

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From Becca Borge Photography… This modern couple (the bride is Geri, and the groom is Ariel) is getting married at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami this coming February. They wanted an urban setting, and I loved how they incorporated reds and blues and even their dog named Becca. It was fun finding the red brick wall in downtown Fort Lauderdale to work with, and we ended our session at the top of an empty parking garage as the sun was setting. I love the colors, casualness and fun of this shoot.

Photography: Becca Borge Photography / Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

It’s time to talk about adorable couples.  Adorable couples who tie the knot in uber-beautiful weddings planned and designed by Wed Perfect – to be exact.  Because today’s stunning Naples wedding?  Well, it happens to feature just such a couple, plus beautiful blooms from Signature Florals, vibrant paper lanterns and a whole lot of happy-filled romance.  The always amazing Audrey Snow Photography captured all of the pretty and it’s a glorious joining of cultures that will quickly move atop your favorites list.  See so much more right here.

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From Wed Perfect… The wedding of Yael and Ignatious (Iggy) Low took place on Sunday, September 30th, 2012 at the stunning Naples Botanical Garden here in Southwest Florida. From the moment I met Yael, my fabulous bride, almost a year ago, I knew this wedding was going to be a BLAST to plan and would be chock full of deeply personal details, amazing cultural significance and a deep respect for both the bride’s and groom’s family heritages and nature in itself. The bride is Egyptian and Jewish in religion, the groom is Asian, and it was important to them that we pulled both cultures into the wedding to celebrate and respect both sides. There are so many details and nods to each culture through every portion of the weddding: from the tea ceremony the couple did with their parents earlier in the day, the handmade chuppah, yarmulkes, Ketubah/Kiddish Cup and smashing of the glass, the hand-painted parasols, the hand fans for each guest favor, the abundance of red and white paper lanterns, and all of the fabulous pops of red in the floral through the design of the entire day. Also helped that every one of them was GORGEOUS! It was even a full moon that weekend, as well as the weekend of the Chinese Moon Festival, which the bride and groom respected by serving little “moon cakes” along with the wedding cake and giving a speech to explain it. The mix of cultures in this wedding is, in itself, just stunning, and the personal touches we designed for these clients really took the entire wedding to a new level. The bride’s deep love of nature is what brought us to the lush landscape of the Naples Botanical Garden and the overall DIY look of the reception design. During the planning and design process, I worked out with Yael that she wanted to really “extend” the look of the gardens through the design, which worked well with the fabulous florals designed with Sue at Signature Florals.

The ceremony took place on a beautiful lawn lakeside at the gardens. Guests then enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the gardens structure called “The Labrynth,” which is a circular walkway that is meant to provide tranquility and answers to any longing questions of the heart. Just perfect for a wedding! After the cocktails, the guests made there way to the Asian-themed garden, where we had the rest of the reception. The escort card display was a favorite of mine. DM Paper Designs created cute cards with the same gorgeous bird pattern from the couple’s invitations. I utilized this amazing stone structure that the Asian Gardens has right at the entrance and strung up the cards within the structure using hemp twine and these adorable little clips the bride collected. Another of my favorite details was the handmade cake topper on the huge cupcake tower. The reception began with traditional introductions, first dances and toasts, and of course the hora, which every guest participated in … I’ve never seen a happier group dancing the hora before! Cater Masters provided a yummy meal that was Asian-inspired as well, and DJ Ceron kept things running so smoothly through dinner, before finally moving the entire party to one last area within the gardens to dance the night away!

This wedding was a super special one for everyone involved. I personally just fell in love with this couple, who have been together for so very long and support one another so well. Anyone who meets them can just tell they are going to be together forever. It is wonderful to have a couple that really “gets it” and focuses the planning on the true meaning of a wedding. It is about celebrating the true love between the couple getting married, with friends and family and truly coming together in an event that speaks to who you are as a couple. We managed to capture Yael and Iggy everywhere in the details of this wedding, and I am so pleased to have been a part of it!

Wedding Photography: Audrey Snow Photography / Wedding Venue: Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, Florida / Wedding Design + Planning: Jennifer Dube of Wed Perfect / Floral Design: Sue Bain of Signature Florals / Officiant: Rabbi Wolf, A Family Friend / Wedding Cinematography: Eric Lu, A Friend of the Bride & Groom / Catering: Cater Masters / Cupcakes: Grace & Shelly’s Cupcakes / Wedding Invitations, Table Numbers + Place Cards: DM Paper Designs / DJ: DJ Chris Ceron / Lighting: O’Ryan Lighting and Sound / Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via For The Bride / Hair + Makeup: Sir Daniel + David Frohmberg of Faces by Frohmberg

Sometimes you meet the love of your life when you least expect it.  Like in 6th grade.  Sure, you may not realize it at the time (you are eleven after all), but years later – after you’ve fallen head over heels in love and tied the knot in one seriously gorgeous St. Peterburg wedding – it will rank high among the best love stories EVER here on SMP.  Need proof?  Well, take a gander at this adorable duo, who first laid eyes on each other way back in middle school and said “I Do” in a traditional fête boasting beautiful blooms by Botanica International Design Studio and an entire gallery of glorious images from Jason Mize Photography.  See them all here.

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And a beautiful film from Voila Cinematic that will take your breath away.  Guaranteed.

From the Bride… Since the day we first met in sixth grade, Garrett has had a crush on me … But little did I know, it would take him seven whole years to muster up the courage to tell me.  He finally asked me out the month that we graduated high school in 2005. On November 24, 2010 all of my dreams came true when Garrett proposed at Discovery Cove, a place I had been wanting to go since we began dating five years earlier. When we got engaged, we hadn’t talked specifically about what type of wedding we wanted. What we did know was that we wanted it to be a celebration of our love, our amazing family and our wonderful friends. Finding a place large enough to hold everyone was our first step, and so the planning began. Our first focus was on choosing our absolutely gorgeous venue. We fell in love with The Vinoy in St. Petersberg in its entirety — the history, the architecture, and, of course, the stunning Chihuly chandelier in the Grand Ballroom. We knew we wanted to allow the beauty of Grand Ballroom to shine through, so we chose a soft, classic color palette with vintage touches. Grand floral arrangements in myriad containers (designed by the ever-so-talented Botanica International) graced the tables accompanied by a mix of unique soft gold and silver charges. These elements, combined with the candlelight’s soft amber glow, created an absolutely gorgeous and classic ambiance in the room. 

Once the large items of the day were planned and in place, we turned our focus to the intimate details that would make our wedding uniquely ours. The “Something Blue” that was pinned beneath my gown was that of a small piece of patriotic fabric from one of my grandfather’s cherished patriotic clothing items. It made me feel near to him, as though my family in heaven was smiling down on us that day. My uncle carried the American Flag as part of our processional. I had personalized handkerchiefs embroidered with loving messages of gratitude for both of my parents. I shopped around for an assortment of vintage frames for both my handmade table numbers and my escort card table, which used the frames laying flat with the escort cards placed inside. I also collected vintage elements from various antique and home decor stores to complete the look of the escort card table as well the as candy buffet. My grandmother’s brooches adorned the cake, my bouquet and the bridesmaids’ dresses. Old photographs of our grandparents were placed lovingly on the escort card table to honor them and to add to our personal vintage touches. Lastly, among other details, a custom monogrammed dance floor cover by SHOWORKS pulled the beauty of the ballroom together seamlessly. Every element was designed as a personal touch to represent Garrett and I as we were united as one.

The ceremony was performed just before sunset on a cool Florida fall day. It was everything we had dreamed it would be and focused on the love Garrett and I have for each other. The reception was a celebration of our love for family and friends as our two lives came together as one. With the help of our family, friends and fabulous wedding professionals (especially our amazing photographer, Jason Mize), everything came together perfectly. It was more beautiful than anything we ever hoped for and far exceeded our expectations and imaginations.

Wedding Photography: Jason Mize Photography / Ceremony: The Tea Garden at Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida / Reception: Grand Ballroom at Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida / Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio / Wedding Cinematography: Voila Cinematic / Wedding Cake: Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club / Candy Table: Chic Sweets / Wedding Invitations: Carlson Craft / Programs, Menus, and Place Cards: Not From A Box / Music: DJ Fitz Otis of Jay Goodley Entertainment + John Demas & The Omega Project / Uplighting, Trees, + Custom Vinyl Dance Floor: SHOWORKS / Chairs: Signature Events by Design / Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Bride’s Shoes: Benjamin Adams

As you well know, we kind of have a thing for First Looks here at SMP.  And by “kind of have a thing,” I mean we go seriously gaga every time a dazzling image of a First Look comes our way.  So, when we spotted this bride rushing happily towards her groom, we were instantly smitten.  Because this is the kind of smile-inducing moment you just can’t get enough of – and that’s really no surprise, since their entire wedding captured by Pure Sugar Studios is a happy-fest from start to finish.  A Tuesday overflowing with joy and non-stop pretty?  Sign us up.  See it all here.

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From the Bride… For our overall wedding design, I looked a lot on Pinterest and wedding websites and just chose what I liked best. My mom had a big help in planning the wedding, I’m the baby of three girls, so she had plenty of practice with the last two! I woke up and got to take a long walk on the beach before I started to get ready. My sisters, mom and bridesmaids made the day so easy for me to relax and not have anything to worry about anything. I literally sat on the couch watching TV and waited to be told it was my turn for hair/make up and when to put on my dress. Josh and I had a blast with all our friends and family who were able to travel from all over the world to get there. We had friends from from Australia, relatives from Canada and guests from all over the US travel so far to make it to our special day. We were so happy to spend our wedding day with everyone who loves us and wanted to celebrate our new life together. 

My advice to other couples would be to hire a cinematographer. We decided not to but then regretted it at the last minute and ended up borrowing a video camera last minute so my brother-in-law video the ceremony and part of the party.   

Wedding Photography: Pure Sugar Studios / Wedding Venue + Catering: The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida / Floral Design: Liz Stewart Floral Design / Wedding Coordination: Nicole Wesseling / Officiant: Jeff Hessinger / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes (904-246-6408) / Wedding Invitations: Checkerboard via Write Impressions / Programs, Menus + Place Cards: Checkerboard + Carol Eugenio, The Bride’s Mother / Ceremony Music: Wehner Weddings / Reception Music: Kris Parnell of Footloose Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta via CC’s Boutique / Hair + Makeup: Paulina Perez / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff via CC’s Boutique / Men’s Attire: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse / Engagement Ring + Wedding Bands: International Diamond Center / Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Roy’s

If a small, intimate beach affair is how you’ve always envisioned your big day, play close attention my friends because we’ve got just the wedding to welcome you back from your long, holiday weekend. Picture white sandy beaches, your besties all in blue maxi dresses from Anthro and the prettiest all white flower bouquets. Now combine all that with images from Hello Miss Lovely and you’ve got yourself one heck of a pretty day. See even more here.

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From Hello Miss Lovely… This was a destination wedding for an amazing couple, Aubrey and Mickey. The wedding took place at the gorgeous, Alys Beach Resort in Alys Beach, Florida. Aubrey had a beautiful modern yet vintage wedding. She was inspired by this gorgeous, vintage, royal blue handkerchief that once belonged her grandmother. Aubrey and Mickey were both laid-back and so sweet! We were in the presence of true love. Aubrey’s bouquet and Mickey’s groomsmen’s boutonnieres were made by the one and only Bella Flora. Also, we can’t forget those bridesmaids’ dresses! Aubrey had her bridesmaids in blue maxi dresses by Anthropologie. After the ceremony we headed to Bentley’s in Rosemary Beach for the reception.  It was a lovely day and we are so honored to have been part of it. 

Photography: Autumn Beury + Amy Smith of Hello Miss Lovely / Ceremony: Alys Beach, Florida / Reception: Bentley’s in Rosemary Beach, Florida / Event Planning: Megan of Alys Beach / Floral Design: Bella Flora / Wedding Dress: Theia / Bride’s Veil: DIY by Donna Wingo, Her Mother / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Anthropologie

For those of you still feeling a little overstuffed from yesterday’s festivities (read: me), we have just the thing to put a pep in your step this lovely Friday morning.  And for those of you who didn’t indulge in pumpkin pie for hours upon end (read: not me), you’ll love it, too.  Because when some of Florida’s finest vendors come together for a vintage meets beach photo shoot, you can’t help but get excited. Especially when that shoot includes beautiful blooms from Jennifer Aquilia Events & Floral Design, your soon-to-be new favorite cake from Raphsodic Bakery and gorgeous images from Best Photography. See them all right here.

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In need of even more inspiration?  No worries – we have you totally covered.  Check out this amazing film of the shoot from Imprint Cinema. Enjoy!

From Best Photography… This romance-filled styled shoot was put together to provide inspiration for brides who are dreaming up a beach wedding with a chic, vintage style. We chose a lavender theme and created a vintage look with soft colors of mint and peach, distressed furniture for props and plenty of sweet, old-fashioned touches. Think milk glass, french lace, distressed wood and antique crystal. My favorite element of the shoot was the groom’s outfit, curated by Brothers and Craft. He wore a vintage newsboy hat, suspenders and a bow tie with a succulent boutonniere. For the florals, we chose classic and romantic anemones, earthy seeded eucalyptus and, of course fresh, lavender. The cocktail table was set up on an antique dresser with drawers full of iced clams, sweet goat cheese with figs and lavender-infused lemonade cocktails. The sweets table consisted of a gorgeous cake by Rhapsodic Bakery, Vanilla Lavender cupcakes and delicate macaroons. And favors were little jars of lavender-infused Florida honey, a heavenly combination for a chic beach wedding. Of course the essential element to any great photo is real love — and the fact that our models are a real-life couple made the shoot so romantic. Pair true love with a gorgeous Florida sunset, and you get a dreamy wedding.

Photography: Best Photography / Photo Shoot Location: Don Cesar Beach in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida / Event Design + Planning: Jennifer Aquilia Events & Floral Design + Josh & Rachel of Best Photography / Floral Design: Jennifer Aquilia Events & Floral Design / Cinematography: Imprint Cinema / Wedding Cake + Lavender Cupcakes: Raphsodic Bakery / Macarons: Le Macaron / Invitations: Grasshoppers and Gardenias / Butterfly Release: Butterfly Impressions / Vintage Furniture Rentals: Wish Vintage Rentals / Wedding Dress: Rivini “Lisette” (Spring 2013) via Solutions Bridal / Hair + Makeup: Lejeune Hair & Makeup Artistry / Groom’s Attire: Brothers and Craft / Model Bride: Kriss Pugh / Model Groom: Aven Pitt