Florida Weddings

When tying the knot in Florida, it really doesn’t get any better than The Keys. Gorgeous, tropical waters and vistas so beautiful you’d think they are fake make for the ultimate backdrop for your I Do’s. And this cute couple knew right away that Islamorada would make for one unforgettable day. Jensen Larson Photography captured all the pretty, pretty details of their day and there’s a whole lot more right here in the full gallery.

Don’t miss this amazing film by Sea Glass Productions!

Orlando couple Jaimie and Dennis made several trips to the Florida Keys throughout their relationship, and each time they visited, they felt a deeper connection to the islands. With its amazing views and beautiful grounds, where orchids literally grow on trees, The Caribbean Resort in Islamorada, made the perfect setting for their oceanfront March wedding. Not wanting to compete with the natural beauty of the location, the couple chose a simple palette of primarily black and white. Kelly Fowler the wedding planner and floral designer used all white flowers (roses, hydrangeas and carnations) for both the ceremony and reception. To tie in the vivid color of the surrounding waters, splashes of teal were added. Darcy Sang of Pearl Beach Paperie created a custom symbol incorporating that color scheme and the couple’s initials, which was used on the save-the-dates, invitations and programs. The symbol was even extended to the hand-painted baggo boards played on near the pool throughout the weekend.

Jaimie’s mother contributed her creative talents on many details. She made the numerous signs that were used around the property to help guests find their way. She also constructed the ribbon wands that were used to celebrate as the bride, groom and wedding party recessed. A really special gift to Jaimie was her practice bouquet, which her mother assembled with hair ribbons Jaimie wore as a child, ribbon from her parents’ wedding album, bows from her sister’s wedding, her brother’s wedding and her bridal shower.

Two signature drinks were developed to be passed during cocktail hour. The groom’s signature cocktail, the “Alligator Reef,” was named for its greenish hue and incorporated key lime juice.  The bride’s signature drink was a delicious martini dubbed the “Aisle-a-morada.” The bar also offered striped paper straws and DIY drink flags. Since the couple is commonly referred to as “JaimDen” by their closest friends, and because the groom’s favorite beer is Heineken, the bride devised a clever way to pay homage to both with the “Jaimden” koozies that were given. Perhaps the most impressive offering in the bar area was the cigar roller, who hand-rolled cigars for guests throughout the evening. It was a perfect fit for the tropical location.

The jewelry worn at the wedding told many stories. Jaimie was given a cameo and pearls, which were wrapped around her bouquet as she walked down the aisle. The  cameo belonged to Jaimie’s grandmother and has been worn by each of her granddaughters on their wedding day. The pearls were Dennis’ grandmother’s, and at Jaimie’s bridal shower, Dennis’ mom gave them to Jaimie. The bride wore the diamond earrings given to her by the groom that morning and he wore the Islamorada map cuff links she gave to him. The photo booth was constructed with fabric by Jaimie’s mother and hung between two palm trees.

The couple, who met at the University of Central Florida (UCF), rounded up their fellow alumni who attended the reception for a group shot signing the UCF letters to be submitted to their alumni association. The UCF connection also came into play with the groom’s cake, which Jaimie had made by friend and fellow alumni, Kyle Rivera of Happy Eatings.  

Wedding Photography: Jensen Larson Photography / Wedding Venue: The Caribbean Resort in Islamorada, Florida / Wedding Planning: Kelly Fowler of Just Save The Date / Floral Design + Decor: Just Save The Date / Wedding Cinematography: Sea Glass Productions / Catering + Cigar Rolling: Hugh’s Catering / Wedding Cake: Publix / Groom’s Cake: Happy Eatings / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Darcy Sang of Pearl Beach Paperie / Ceremony Music: Sir Cedrick / Reception Music: MB Entertainment / Lighting + Rentals: Florida Keys Party Rentals / Photo Booth Props: Party Goodies / Wedding Dress: Rivini “Almata” via Solutions Bridal / Makeup: Beauty Boutique and The Glam Squad / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Belt: DIY by the Bride / Groom’s Cufflinks: Tomato Made / Men’s Shoes: Kino Sandal Factory

Get ready to say “hello” to one of those weddings that will take your breath away. Everything, and I mean everything, from this tasteful Tampa wedding by Chris Cornwell Photographer radiates style and grace. My jaw dropped when I first laid eyes on this couples stunning ceremony at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and exquisite Mona’s Floral Creations. There are so many more images to lust over in the full gallery here.

From Chris Cornwell Photographer… Hidden in a paper bag was another paper bag. It was blue — Tiffany blue to be precise. Whatever it was, it was undeniably special. Ashley is special. To James. She is everything to him and he knew it the first evening they spent together. Little surprises might as well be James’ trademark. He always has something planned, something well-thought out — from their travels together to their engagement at Central Park. And on May 5, another little surprise was in a little blue bag. It was a token of his love and written on the note, “Together Forever.”

Wedding Photography: Chris Cornwell Photographer / Second Shooters: Khaled Mosli of Kismis Ink Photography + Cat Cornwell (cornwellcat@aol.com) / Ceremony: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida / Reception: Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa Florida / Floral Design: Karla of Mona’s Floral Creations / Wedding Day Coordination: Jennifer Burkle + Natalie Codella of Burkle Events / Catering: Aramark + Glazer Children’s Museum / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Laurie Cinelli of A Piece of Cake / Wedding Stationery, Monogram, Tent Cards + Signs: Diane Berube Tampa Calligraphy (813-854-6100) / Linens, Table Decor + Milk Glass: Bess Combs, The Mother of the Bride / DJ: DJ Heist a.k.a. Joe Faucy (813-449-5298) / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Jon’s Bridal / Alterations + Hair Piece: Hugh Nguyen (727-744-8095) / Bride’s Shoes: Guess / Hair: Amanda Rourke of Salon Lofts (813-419-7992) / Makeup: Mariel Fritscher (504-402-4742) / Men’s Tuxedos: Sacino’s Formalwear

Pure genius. If you were curious what pure wedded genius looks like, you are about to find out. It’s one part fab florals from J Morgan Flowers, one part a-freaking-mazing photography from Michelle March Photography, and one part vintage Hemmingway chic, complete with a bride and groom with impeccable style. Throw a puppy into the mix, and you’ve got a whole gallery of pure wedded genius.

After a year of thinking about practically every setting; loft in Manahttan, beach club in the Bahamas, boutique hotel in Europe, the Patent office in DC, a picnic in Central Park, and the list goes on; Clayton rediscovered an old favorite, The Sundy House in Delray Beach, FL.  It was a perfect mix of everything we wanted: intimate, vintage 1920/1930s, unique, on-site cottages and close to where I grew up and where my parents still live.

We decided from the start that we wanted a small wedding, one where we could spend time talking to everyone and still have time for each other.  The Sundy House was amazing at coordinating all our vendors and keeping us on schedule, which was great, since we only ended up with 5 months of planning (too much time spent daydreaming).  We chose our vendors carefully and were thrilled with how our vision and their styles mixed perfectly to create our not overly thematic, Old Florida, Hemmingway-esque, evening, garden party wedding.  

The day of was surprisingly effortless!  Once we woke up on Sunday, everything was taken care of and Clayton, our family, wedding party and I just enjoyed eachother’s company in our respective cottages and waited for I Do’s.  Our ceremony was personal and touching, our vows were handwritten, the first dance (“If You Were the Only Girl in the World” – a chart topper in 1916) was beautiful and dinner was delicious.  I only wish it lasted longer!

Photography: Michelle March Photography / Floral Design: J Morgan Flowers / Venue: The Sundy House / Hair & Makeup: Beauty by MJ / Bridal Gown: White by Vera Wang at David’s Bridal / Shoes: Nine West / Stationery: GoGoSnap / Tuxedo: J.Crew / Entertainment: Ted Knight’s Smallest Big Band at A Little Knight Music / Cinematography: Michael Burgos Films / Bride’s Veil: Bridal Veil Falls / Engagement Ring: Israel Rose

I’m a serious lover of all things rustic chic – and when you throw a fabulous barn into the mix, I’ve been known to go a little crazy.  So, when I first spotted this drop dead gorgeous Jacksonville wedding, well… I fell head over heels in 5 seconds flat.  The glorious DIY details, stunning Monique Lhuillier and pretty blue hues are all kinds of fabulous… and the beautiful images snapped up by Jamie Fender Photography? Swoon, swoon, swoon.  See so much more of the day right here.

From the Bride… Our ceremony and reception took place at The Keeler Property in Jacksonville, Florida. It was the very first (and last) venue we visited, and I knew within the first few minutes that it would be the perfect place for a wedding full of rustic elegance. I come from a crafty family who loves DIY projects, so we added as many handmade personal touches as we could. Some of my favorites: my mom and I jarred our homemade strawberry jam while a wonderful family friend made and jarred his famous blueberry BBQ sauce, which we offered as wedding favors. My Dad hand-crafted planters for foliage that were dispersed throughout the property, as well as cake and pie stands for the dessert table. We even brewed our very own beer for the wedding. The brewing sessions were an engagement gift from a group of close friends and family members. The process of brewing, bottling and labeling was one of the highlights of the planning process leading up to the wedding.

A very dear, long-time family friend helped us exchange vows on the covered bridge where fresh herbs and mason jars lined the window frames. White blossoms and crisp greenery truly complemented the natural beauty of the day. The different shades of blue were gorgeous on the girls, and the boys looked dapper in their khaki linen suits. The cool colors and the flowing fabrics fit our laid-back lifestyle, as well as the rustic outdoorsy setting. After the ceremony, a short stroll across the bridge led to the barn, the band kicked off the party, and the guests had their first chance to sample our home brew and feast on a buffet of mouthwatering BBQ. It was the perfect night, and we truly could not have asked for anything more.

Wedding Photography: Jamie Fender Photography / Wedding Venue: The Keeler Property in Jacksonville, Florida / Floral Design: Floriade Florist / Catering: Blue Water Bay / Wedding Cake: Publix / Band: Freudian Slip / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Hair + Makeup: Heather Linero + Vanessa Bennett / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein

I admit it.  When it comes to crafty projects, I’m not exactly talented.  In fact, I am fairly certain absolutely certain I am all together missing the DIY gene.  So, when I first laid my eyes on this breathtaking Cape San Blas affair by Tana Photography, well… I was equal parts giddy and uber-impressed.  Literally overflowing with one amazing detail after another, it’s moment after moment lovingly crafted by the stunning bride and groom, plus family and friends.  Or as we like to call it, DIY perfection.  Click here for more.

From the Bride… Our families lived on opposite sides of the country — my family in Georgia and my finance’s in Idaho. The distance made selecting a wedding location difficult at first — until I realized the location could be just as special as the day itself. As a little girl, my family vacationed every year in a secluded area of Florida known as the Forgotten Coast. I have countless memories of the area, from collecting seashells on the beach to capturing fireflies at night.  I wanted to share those memories with my fiancé and his family, so we chose Cape San Blas, Florida, as the location. Then I realized I only had eight months to plan a wedding 2,380 away. The entire wedding was made up of many DIY projects and was a labor of love for my family and friends. The location of the wedding is naturally beautiful, so we tried to keep everything simple and chose colors to play off the surroundings. We focused on shades of blue, cream, and brown, and used touches of jute and burlap. I collected and hand-made many wedding day items ahead of time in Idaho. Once we were in Florida for the wedding, my sister and I went to all the surrounding antique shops and other stores to find a few remaining things — old antique crates for the dessert table, fresh salt water taffy, and anything else we just had to have while shopping. My sister found a vintage suitcase, and we filled it with sentimental memorabilia from my husband and I while growing up, including our Georgia and Idaho license plates, which we used in our engagement pictures. My dad’s girlfriend helped us create our guestbook: a giant USA map for our guests to pin “where they call home.”

On a previous trip to Cape San Blas, my sister collected all the driftwood, shells, and blue mason jars for our centerpieces. We hand-painted oyster shells with the table numbers. The edges of the burlap table runners were cut and shredded to soften the look, and a few of the runners also had the lace that matched the signs that hung from our head table chairs. I’d made the “Mr.” and “Mrs.” chair signs weeks before the wedding. They were easy to create with burlap, jute, letter stencils, white acrylic paint, lace and pearl garland, and a hot glue gun. I glued jute to the backs of each sign so they could be tied onto the chairs, but they could be sewed together as well. The save-the-dates and invitations were designed by a friend, and the day-of programs and menus I printed out on card stock, cut and tied together with jute. We borrowed apothecary jars for the salt-water taffy on our favor table, and hand-painted signs directing guests to the beach ceremony, reception and the evening bonfire. Our dessert bar was the work of friends — one made the cupcakes, and another brought Derby Pie (it was Derby Day after all.) I made cheesecakes the day before. The favors we gave were chocolate Idaho bars, made by my dad’s neighbor in Atlanta. We served my uncle’s “secret” margarita recipe as our signature cocktail, alongside sangria, peach iced tea and ginger lemonade. The Cinco de Mayo sign on the drink bar was made by staining card stock with coffee grinds, then stenciling on letters and attaching the letters to the jute with hot glue. My mom, with a few helpers, arranged all of our flowers, bouquets and boutonnieres using simple baby’s breath, ranunculus, thistle, statice, limonium, delphinium and bouvardia flowers. She drilled the shells and then attached them to my bouquet with wig wire. My stepfather built a huge bonfire on the beach for our after-party, complete with a s’mores station and fireworks.

A moment that brought me to tears was when the groom’s mother gave us an old Florida license plate. The card said, “Where Georgia and Idaho become one.” Some of my other favorite things from the wedding day were dancing with my dad (he took months of dance lessons to get ready!), laughing all throughout the ceremony with my husband, the fabulous food, walking down the aisle to piano music my mother recorded for our special day, listening to my husband’s niece sing during our ceremony, my bridesmaids rating the groomsmen’s behinds while taking pictures, the awesome “Super Moon” that rose over the water and actually being able to talk to every one of our guests. My absolute favorite part of the day was how during the ceremony, before he was allowed to, my soon-to-be husband kept asking if he could kiss me yet.

Wedding Photography: Tana Photography / Wedding Location: A Beach in Cape San Blas, Florida / Event Consulting: Soiree / Floral Design: The Bride’s Mother / Officiant + DJ: Dennis Rader / Catering: Dine by Design Catering LLC / Rentals: Panache Tent + Event / Paper Fans: BHLDN / Favors: Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory / Wedding Dress: White by Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka + Ugg / Bride’s Accessories: Kevia + Nordstrom / Bride’ Perfume: Feerie by Van Cleef & Arpels / Bride’s Rings: Tiffany & Co. / Makeup: Gabrielle Marcantonio for Bobbi Brown / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Victoria’s Secret / Bridesmaids’ Bracelets: Amrita Singh / Groomsmen’s Suits: J.Crew / Groomsmen’s Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider / Men’s Ties: Countess Mara / Father of the Bride’s Suit: Tommy Hilfiger

Good morning, SMPers.  Are you ready to have your hearts captured in every.which.way?  Well, then… let me introduce you to this darling Orlando duo.  Not only are they one of the happiest (+ gorgeous) sweethearts we’ve ever had the privilege to meet, their beyond amazing proposal story will leave you seriously speechless… and their stunning engagement session captured by KT Crabb Photography will literally make your day.  One light-filled image after another, the world’s cutest duo and LOVE as far as the eyes can see.  Amazing.  Click here for more.

From KT Crabb Photography… These two began as young friends in high school and remained friends all through college. A change of heart took place and they realized they simply wouldn’t want to continue life without one another in it. They even managed a long-distance relationship with Myles in East Asia and Dee in Australia. Thank goodness for video chat! While that time was long and hard, they made sure to take their vacation time together in Thailand. Myles, knowing they would be landing in the same airport, took a flight that arrived just before Dee’s. He placed himself outside her gate with a sign in hand, music playing and red carpet leading to him. As Dee left the gate, she threw her arms around and Myles revealed the remainder of the sign saying, “Will you marry me?” What a great way to start a vacation! While planning their wedding, they knew they wanted their photos to be fun and classy with displaying the “City Beautiful” as their backdrop.

Photography: KT Crabb Photography / Location: Orlando, Florida

Oh sweet southern charm, there really isn’t anything like you. As someone that grew up in the heart of such southern goodness, my heart always does an extra flutter when I come across sweet soirees like this one by Mi Amore Foto. It’s like a little piece of heaven complete with warm breezes, bow ties, and all the sweet simplicity the south takes pride in. It’s charm, it’s style, it’s tradition – and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

From Mi Amore Foto… This wedding in Tallahassee was as southern as you can get. The bouquets and centerpieces were gardenias that smelled like heaven. The bride’s cousin made all three of the wedding cakes. Shrimp and grits, succotash and watermelon salad were just some of the home-style dishes they served. Jessica’s dad grew huge ferns on his farm and brought them in for the ceremony. They bought an old bed spring from Thomasville, Georgia, and clipped vintage post cards to it — the same cards they had sent out for their RSVPs. Jessica is not only in medical school, she is also an amazingly talented writer and the programs were written as a five-act play. The whole wedding was just so warm and beautiful, and Nate couldn’t have been more in awe when Jessica walked up behind them during their first look. I was totally smitten with this couple and their charm. 

Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto / Wedding Venue: Goodwood Museum & Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida / Wedding Planning: Karen Skilling + Sheila Melton / Floral Design: Ram Singletary of Singletary’s Flowers and Gifts / Catering: LaGran Saunders /Wedding Cake: Olivia Scarborough + Julia Ruskin (The Bride’s Cousin & Friend) / Bartending: Chris Geib of On the Rocks Bartending / Wedding Invitations + Save-the-Dates: Rock Paper Scissors / Wedding Calligraphy + Programs: Judy Lecke / Band: Crystal Clear Band / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Second Dress: Chris Hanna

Your Wednesday morning is about to get a whole lot prettier thanks to this gorgeous Vero Beach wedding sent into us by the oh-so-lovely and talented Andi Mans Photography! Filled to the brim with bright pops of green and purple, (to match the gorgeous stained glass windows) this wedding is all about simple touches that go a long way. And we’re all about those! Click here for even more!

From Andi Mans Photography… I was very honored to play a role in Talyn and Joe’s wedding! I had such a good time with them when I shot their engagement session here in Orlando last year and was super excited to capture the big day in Vero Beach. The day started out pretty rainy and stayed that way! Talyn was the most easy-going and beautiful bride about it and kept on joking through out the day, “Andi, did you stop the wind and rain outside”? Haha, I wish!! We had planned on having the ceremony outdoors near the water, but Mother Nature had other ideas so we ended up moving the ceremony inside. I love small intimate weddings — they have such a sense of personal emotion. Even though the weather wasn’t as perfect as we all had hoped for, it didn’t stop me from capturing these two love birds on their fabulous wedding day at the gorgeous Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. Congratulations you two! By the way … how amazing is the bridal bouquet? Talyn creates them!

Wedding Photography: Andi Mans Photography / Wedding Venue: Vero Beach Hotel & Spa in Vero Beach, Florida / Floral Design: Pink Pelican Florist / Bride’s Bouquet: DIY / Wedding Cake: Paul of Casericco Cakes (Now Closed) / Wedding Dress: Galina Signature / Hair: Michael of White Orchid Spa

There’s just something about a charming outdoor soiree that gets me every.single.time and this fabulous Postcard Inn affair has my heart jumping right out of my chest.  A marriage of sweet vintage details, uber-romantic moments and a courtyard filled to the brim with sparkly lights and chandeliers, it’s whimsical perfection meets an al fresco paradise.  Thank goodness Lauren Piper Photography was on hand to capture all of the pretty, because I seriously can’t wait to spend my day in the gallery.  Join me there for more.

From Lauren Piper Photography… Finley and Jonathan chose to get married at the truly unique and beautiful Postcard Inn. They went with a whimsical, old-world theme with such things as an old typewriter, a cigar roller, an accordion player and wish lanterns. The ceremony was gorgeous, and so was the bride — her veil seemed to go on for days. The bridesmaids held bouquets of wildflowers and wore dresses in different, coordinating colors. Even with the 150 person guest list, the reception felt very intimate because the only lighting came from lanterns and lights strung throughout the trees in the courtyard. The night was filled with love, laughter and plenty of dancing. At the very end of the night, the wish lanterns were lit on the beach and released by all who attended this very special day. Upon their release, everyone was asked to say a wish for the bride and groom. It was such a wonderful experience photographing this beautiful wedding. Thank you, Fin and Jon, for allowing me to be a part of your special day!!

Wedding Photography: Lauren Piper Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach, Florida / Floral Design: Redman Steele / Wedding Cinematography: Christopher Zaluski / Accordion Player: Dave Maggio (727-804-5325) / DJ: Grant Hermond and Associates / Cigar Rolling: Wallace Reyes of Gonzalez Habano Cigar Company / Rug + Dance Floor Rental: Coast to Coast Event Rentals / Wedding Dress: Anna Maier Ulla-Maija

Lots of love, a little sugar, and bushels of lemons. That is what Wings of Glory Photography started with, and taking help from a phenomenal team of vendors, including Dogwood Blossom Stationery and VOWS Wedding & Event Planning, she ended up with the most adorable, and could not be more perfect for summer, lemonade inspiration shoot. On a hot summer day like today, we totally die. It’s perfect wrapped up in a mason jar, and it’s all right here for your viewing pleasure in the gallery!

All that gorgeous was all wrapped up in a film from Lucid Productions, LLC.

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From Wings of Glory Photography … I am beyond excited to share this bright & colorful photo shoot! All of the unique details and DIY projects made this not only fun to shoot but inspiring! All of the vendors involved are extremely passionate hard workers that helped this dream shoot become a reality.

Several DIY projects went into making this shoot unique and fun! We ran into problems finding shoes, hair pieces and accessories to go with the color scheme and theme of this shoot. So we decided to take matters in our own hands and get creative! The brides shoes were initially brown and grey, We purchased paint and burlap material to make burlap flowers on both shoes. With Pinterest tips for “how to make fabric flowers’ the shoes came to life! We well in love with the burlap flowers so much we decided to make a hair piece to match!

Another problem we ran into was finding yellow suspenders, so using the same technique as the shoes, We painted them! No one even noticed come photo shoot day! And who can forget the lemonade stand! We built, stained and painted ourselves!

We wanted to incorporate the lemons and mason jars in a unique way, so we added a lemon peel into the boutonniere! When it came to the mason jars, we knew that something different needed to be done, of course who could have a Lemonade stand with out mason jars, but who would of thought that mason jars would make such cute ‘Mr & Mrs.” cake toppers? We felt it gave an appealing twist!

We got inspiration from several online resources but the main source was of course, Pinterest! Especially the idea of the cute & very yummy pink popcorn!

The location was shot at the gorgeous Shingle Creek Park. The historical barns and buildings dated back to 1912. Adding a vintage theme to this Lemonade stand shoot wrapped it all together nicely!

The vision for this shoot was to create something fun, bright and creative that all brides can appeal to and actually achieve for themselves on their wedding day!

Photography: Wings Of Glory Photography / Stationary: Dogwood Blossom Stationery / Planner & Organizer: VOWS Wedding & Event Planning / Videography: Lucid Productions LLC / Hair & Make up Artist: Bring out the beauty in you / Pastry Chef: Wendy Woo Cakes / Florist: The Flower Lady / Vintage furniture rentals: Weddings by 2 Plus Hue

One part beach chic, one part classic and all parts seriously fabulous, this stunning Clearwater soiree is about to turn your Monday into the prettiest day you’ve ever had.  It’s an ode to the traditional with dashing men in bow ties, a sophisticated color palette and a ball gown that will literally take your breath away – and it’s all set against an uber-romantic seaside location with beautiful images by Stephanie A. Smith Photography.  Prepare for a day of gorgeous, SMPers and join me in the gallery for more.

From Stephanie A. Smith Photography… I so enjoyed being a part of Devon and Mike’s wedding. It was classy and beautiful, just like the two of them. I loved Devon’s soft-colored flowers, her gorgeous dress, and the bow ties and suspenders on Mike and his groomsmen. And then of course the vintage MG, which is part of Devon’s dad’s personal car collection, as the gift table. So many special elements made their day quite an elegant occasion.

Wedding Photography: Stephanie A. Smith Photography / Photography Assistant: Blue Lane Studios / Wedding Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater, Florida / Floral Design + Decor: conceptBAIT / Wedding Cake: Publix / Music: Grant Hemond and Associates / Wedding Dress: White One by Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Nina + Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Flower Girls’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Tuxedo: Joseph Abboud

From the very first moment I laid my eyes on this glorious Miami affair, I was done for.  Yep, hook, line and sinker FINISHED.  Because, this wedding, this traditional stunner held at the Thalatta Estate?  It’s flawless.  From the glamorous Old Hollywood vibe to the breathtaking DIY details to the stop-you-in-your-tracks images captured by Michelle March Photography, it will 100%, without a doubt, leave you speechless.  Ready for a day of non-stop lovely?  Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

Oh, and we’re not done yet.  We have a breathtaking film from Michael Burgos Films to send you off into the weekend.  Enjoy!

From Michelle March Photography… Yeni and Peter Pinto’s wedding was truly spectacular. It was reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour meets South Beach. From the vintage-inspired lace gown to the classic getaway car, you felt as though you had been transported to another era. The men looked amazing in their suspenders and bow-ties, and the ladies were so elegant in their blue, tea-length dresses. The couple danced to Frank Sinatra under the countless glass bubble lights (which they put up themselves). So much of what made part of this special day was made by the couple and their loving families. You would have never guessed it! The entire event was so romantic…

Wedding Photography: Michelle March Photography / Ceremony: St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Miami Beach, Florida / Reception, Catering, Music + Wedding Day Coordination: Thalatta Estate in Miami, Florida / Wedding Planning + Decor: DIY by the Bride, Groom + Their Families / Wedding Cinematography: Michael Burgos Films / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Hair + Makeup: Christina Vidal

One thing I know for certain – you are going to LOVE this wedding.  The vibrant pops of orange, the mind-blowing bouquets crafted by Flowers by Edie and the stunning reception held under that breathtaking canopy of trees at the Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast… it’s pure perfection.  Not to mention those glorious images captured by the amazing Divine Light Photography.  They snapped up every last joyous moment… and filled our gallery with some serious happy.  Join me there for more.

From the Bride… After not being able to sleep all night, I got up in the morning so excited to start the day! All of my bridesmaids and I stayed at the B&B and were served a beautiful breakfast in the morning. After that, we lounged around and slowly began getting ready. My parents, David’s parents and all of their friends set up everything, from the chandeliers hanging in the oaks to the centerpieces on the tables. As the time to go the the church got closer, my nerves really started to kick in. Once at the church I couldn’t keep from shaking with excitement. The ceremony was perfect — once I was up at the altar with David, I felt so calm. Once the reception began, the night seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, we were heading down the dock to get on the boat to leave.

Wedding Photography: Divine Light Photography / Ceremony: First United Methodist Church of Palmetto in Palmetto, Florida / Reception: Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast in Palmetto, Florida / Centerpiece Flowers: King’s Wholesale + Arranged by the Bride & Groom / Bouquets: Flowers by Edie / Catering: Premiere Catering / Wedding Cake: Mr. Cheesecake and More / DJ: Black Tie DJs / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: Stein Mart / Hair: Alice McClary of Cutting Edge Salon / Makeup: Lili’s Weddings

Well, if this isn’t the prettiest little wedding I’ve seen all day! Cheery sunflowers, mix-matched bridesmaids in tones of grey and a bride and groom so utterly in love make for one simply gorgeous event as seen through the lens of JulieCate Photography.  Be sure to read this adorable bride’s heartfelt wedding day story after you’ve taken a good long stroll through the full gallery!

From the Bride… A little after 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th, the love of my life married me. In front of our family and friends, we cried, laughed, prayed, said some words that are now our vows, and BEST of all — kissed. It was the best day of my life. The day started with me and my gals getting ready and joking about funny memories over a few cocktails. On the other side of town, there was a group of men who stumbled into an Irish bar and after awhile, one of the me, decided it was time for him to get married. One trolley ride later, that man was waiting inside a church wondering where a certain girl was and what she was doing. Me, the certain girl, was doing the finishing touches of my makeup and hugging my dad, awaiting my walk down the aisle. Finally, I made it down the aisle and stood next to my fiance. Twenty three minutes later, I was standing next to my husband. Then, the church bell rang, and then the fun really began! Our guests took a ride in a trolley while listening to an amazing fiddle player, and then they arrived at The Florida House Inn. The night was followed with A LOT of dancing, good food and great drinks. At one point in the night, I was standing on the stage, while our band’s fiddler played “Devil Went Down to Georgia” with his fiddle in between my legs.  If this sounds crazy to you — you had to be there! At the end of the night, my husband and I left the reception with all of our friends and family cheering as we drove away. The rest of our life then began — which of course started with us eating everything in sight — because we were, by that time, completely starving. All the advice we received before the wedding about taking time to eat at our reception was clearly a fail. Honestly, I don’t even remember being hungry that day — until I finally sat down in our hotel. Anyway, at the end of everything, I wouldn’t have changed a thing — my wedding really was my fairytale that came true. And everyday since continues to be the best day of my life. :)

Wedding Photography: JulieCate Photography / Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida / Reception + Floral Design: The Florida House Inn in Fernandina Beach, Florida / Transportation: Amelia Island Trolleys / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Bride’s Shoes: Elehandmade / Hair: Anjeza Durollari / Makeup: Simply Makeup Artists / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale

There’s nothing quite like the breathtaking crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico to set the stage for your Big Day… well, that and the oh-so-talented team at URBANcoast.  Together they make one VERY fabulous combination of wedding goodness – and this gorgeous Clearwater soiree is the perfect example of what I am talking about.  A beautiful blue and green color palette, a stunning ceremony setting and seaside chic every which way you turn.  Paul Johnson Photography captured all of the love-filled moments… and the gallery?  Chock-full of amazing.  Join me there for more.

From the Bride… We gravitated to each other through a series of events that can only be described as serendipitous. Tyler and I both attended Florida State University and had mutual friends but never were never aware of each others’ future importance to our lives. Fate, otherwise known as my best friend Kristen, brought us back together a few years later when I was in nursing school at the University of Florida. Shortly after we started dating, Tyler’s job required him to take a six-month stint in London. In the midst of his time overseas, he told me couldn’t stand to be away from me any longer and decided to fly me to Europe. We spent a week jet-setting between London, Paris and the Netherlands for my birthday. Sipping Bordeaux in front of the Eiffel tower with the man of my dreams was one of the most romantic moments of my life — that is, until we locked eyes on our wedding day. 

I wanted to capture our personality in our wedding style and was able to successfully do that with the help of Soosie and Brittany’s team at URBANcoast. After a year of planning and countless meetings, URBANcoast and my florist Dana Dineen brought my lifelong vision to life. The end result was absolutely flawless. The ceremony took place on a grassy area surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees. Our altar piece was a piece of furniture from our home, and its shelves were filled with large coral pieces, finger sponges, and oyster shell votives — a very thoughtful wedding gift from the girls at URBANcoast. The entry to our aisle was framed with custom-made stands and shabby-chic lanterns adorned with coral and spider mums. Our reception was illuminated with aqua back-lighting and the soft glow of candlelight. Atop the tables were floating votives over submerged coral branches and sea fans. The centerpieces were without a doubt the most unique piece of our wedding. Dana’s team custom-made distressed wooden risers that created the perfect base for our coral reef creation. Small floating votives hid beneath the driftwood and sea life. The dessert table was one of my favorite things, as we are avid macaron lovers. The cake had alternating tiers of key lime and banana bread cake and was supported by white chocolate sand dollars, all of which were surrounded by plates overflowing with our favorite macarons. Glass orbs filled with sea grass and flowers hung from all of the chandeliers, which were covered with sea grape leaves and sea fans.

After the ceremony, Paul and Mecheal Johnson took us out to the beach for some post-ceremony photographs. It was our first moment “alone” as a married couple, and it couldn’t have been more serene. The sun was beginning to set, the sea breeze was gently blowing through the sea oats and dunes, and we were able to take in everything after our whirlwind of a day. When we were walking through the dunes, I stepped, barefoot, in a sand spur patch. I was rendered defenseless and couldn’t move without stepping on more spurs. Without hesitation, my chivalrous husband whisked me up and carried me through the sand dunes. Paul captured the moment perfectly.

Wedding Photography: Paul Johnson Photography / Wedding Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater, Florida / Event Planning + Paper Goods: URBANcoast / Floral Design: Dana Dineen Floral Design / Wedding Cake: A Better Cheesecake / Macarons: Cake City / Ceremony Music: Classern String Quartet / Reception Music: Sultans of Swing / Lighting: Bay Stage Lighting / Tableware: Panache / Photo Booth: Shutterbooth / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Hairpiece + Large Shell Mirror: Custom by Heather Kendall / Hair: Michael Angelo Hair Studio / Makeup: Shirley Gregory / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate via Bella Bridesmaid / Men’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank

When KT Merry‘s name pops up in our inboxes, we always do a little happy dance. OK…a big happy dance. Because we know when we take a peek at her images, prettiness will ensue. Timeless prettiness. Prettiness like this gorgeous Miami wedding. The type of wedding that makes you feel like you need to catch your breath after gawking at all the gorgeous images, and that ultimately leads to one literally breathtaking gallery of images!

From the Bride… We wanted to get married in South Florida, where we met and currently live. After visiting many venues, we immediately fell in love with Vizcaya, a historical estate on Biscayne Bay with gorgeous gardens and a lot of character. Throughout the planning process, we wanted to make sure we created a wedding that included as many personal touches as possible. In fact, even our wedding date was chosen for sentimental reasons — not only was it the weekend we met four years prior, but it was also my grandparents’ wedding anniversary. Our goal was for our family and friends to leave with the sense that they’d experienced a unique wedding that truly told the story of us. For instance, since both of us grew up spending family vacations along the water (Jeff at Siesta Key Beach and Lori at Lake Michigan), we held a sand ceremony, during which we blended sand from both beaches into one vase. We also tried to include personal details throughout the cocktail party, such as the vintage typewriter from the 1920’s, displayed next to the wedding weekend newspaper that written by the groom and handed to guests upon hotel check-in, symbolizing Jeff’s writing career. And we made sure our band, which we actually found at a bar, played the type of up-tempo anthems that our generation has come to love. In every way, from start to finish, our wedding was always about the personal touches.  nd ultimately, that’s what made our day feel so special when it was all over. We don’t look back and think about the storm clouds that popped up just before our ceremony was about to start, but about the experience that represented us so well and the celebration of the beginning of our married life together.

Wedding Photography: KT Merry / Wedding Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida / Floral Design, Lighting, Stage + Dance Floor: Parrish Designs / Catering: Bill Hansen Catering / Wedding Invitations: Smock via Arabesque of Naples / Place Cards: William Arthur via Sincerely Yours, Diane / Personalized Cocktail Napkins: Designed by the Bride & Groom via Sincerely Yours, Diane / Ceremony String Quartet: Monty Bloom Ensembles / Reception Band: Sekond Nature / Cigar Roller: Miami Tobacco Traders (305-445-0100) / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang via Ever After Miami / Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran via Boca Raton Bridal / Bride’s Ring: The Bride’s Maternal Grandmother / Bride’s Necklace + Earrings: Family Heirlooms Borrowed from the Bride’s Paternal Grandmother / Bride’s Bracelet: Ever After Miami / Hair: Andrea Alikaj (239-537-7210) / Makeup: Rachelle (954-260-5919) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: Kendra Scott / Groom’s Tuxedo, Bow Tie, Cummerbund + Pocket Square: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Tuxedo Stud Set: David Donahue

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If the first dreamy image from K & K Photography of the big, romantic bouquet of peonies from Botanica International Design Studio is any indication of the rest of this wedding (and OH it is) I don’t think I’d be going out on a limb by saying we are ALL in for a treat. With URBANcoast in charge of the rest of the decor, it was destined to be fabulous, but even with this all star team behind it all, we were still blown away. So plant your feet firmly and promise me you’ll visit the full gallery, because it is a pretty dream in every single image!

From the beautiful bride … Alex and I went to medical school in Tampa and Bradenton respectively. We met when my best friend Michelle invited me to a party to celebrate the end of the third year of medical school at a fun outdoor restaurant, Sail Pavilion in Tampa. Even though she didn’t have the idea in mind to set us up, she saw us talking at the bar and knew that I was developing a crush on Alex. She wasted no time in telling his best friend, Ben, who promptly told him. I could not have been more embarrassed. A few weeks later Michelle and I were planning to go to Tennessee for the Bonnaroo Music Festival and at the last minute, even though we had only spoken the one time at the bar, Alex took a leap of faith and decided to make the 10 hourr drive to the festival as well. He and Ben made 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hit the road following us to TN. We had a blast at the music festival and went on our first date a few days after returning to FL.

The proposal happened when I was least expecting it. Alex told me we were going to dinner with friends but were meeting them at Sail Pavilion beforehand. We ordered drinks and sat down. He began acting very nervous. He asked me if I knew what day it was and after thinking about it I realized it was one year ago to the day that we met at this same restaurant. He told me that he never anticipated all the wonderful moments that had come about in the past year of our relationship and asked me to marry him. I tearfully said yes! He pointed across the water to a nearby restaurant where our families were watching the whole proposal. It meant so much that he planned such a great surprise and knew that having our families present was important.

From URBANcoast … The wedding took on a beautiful Saturday in April right after a fresh rain. The hotel looked amazing as it boasted the greenest grass and most luscious flowers. The bridal party arrived in style in a traditional Trolley. Lisa in a breathtaking Kenneth pool gown with full skirt was the epitome of a beautiful, natural bride. Ever the fun couple they lead the way to the reception in coordinating sunglasses with “Lisa and Alex’s Wedding” printed on the sides.

The cocktail hour décor was quietly elegant. Small vintage mercury glass vessels filled with babies breath and peonies adorned the tables covered in simple ivory linens. Large mercury glass vases illuminated with candlelight helping the guests find their place cards. The bar had all of the couples favorite cocktails along with fun koozies and straws to make them special.

The curtains opened to let the guests enter the reception room and you could hear the oohs and ahhs all the way down the hall. The dance floor was strategically placed under the enormous custom Chihuly chandelier. The guest tables displayed two different types of floral arrangements. Giant babies breath spheres were placed atop vintage silver vases creating a romantic atmosphere. Low arrangements of large peonies, ranunculus, and roses filled mercury glass vessels to add a bit of spring to the reception. Every table had a collection of mercury glass candlesticks and votives at varying heights to bathe the room in candlelight. The mother of the bride spent 6 months collecting the mercury glass! The giant “U” shaped head table held the babies breath arrangements, mercury glass, and a swag of greenery, babies breath, and peonies that went the length of the table.

The reception wasn’t complete until the white shoes came out. A tradtion that started at the Father of the Bride’s birthday. 2 Blues Brothers brought out a suitcase with 2 pairs of large white mens dress shoes. The bride promplty flug off her wedding shoes and slipped on a pair. The father of the bride followed soot. The shoes allow the wearer to dance wildly! After a few moments the groom joined his wife and as time went on the whole wedding had taken their turn in the wild shoes! It was a beautiful wedding where the couple surrounded by family, friends, and faith celebrated their love.

Photography: K & K Photography / Event Design and Printed Materials: URBANcoast / Florals: Botanica International Design Studio / Linens: Linens by the Sea / Chiavari Chairs: PKS Rentals / DJ: Ben Daniele, Grant Hemmond and Associates / Transportation: Jolley Trolley / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Cake & Lighting: The Renaissance Vinoy / Brides Attire: Solutions Bridal / Brides Shoes: Kate Spade

You know what’s better than a sunny Monday morning?  A sunny Monday morning spent swooning over bundles upon bundles of beyond gorgeous inspiration, all courtesy of the ever-amazing Flora + Fauna and Forever Sacred Events.  Yep, that’s right.  An entire day of styled session goodness lies before us and we have a fab vintage vibe and downright beautiful blooms by The Floral Emporium II to thank.  A warm summer day, clear blue skies and PRETTY as far as the eye can see?  Yes, please.  Click here for more.

From Flora + Fauna… The Museum, which was previously known as the Koger Gallery, was an art gallery from the mid-1960s until 2001. Sadly, in 2001, The Koger Gallery was abandoned and stood alone for over ten years. However, it was recently renovated and opened to the public. The Museum is filled with amazing architecture and accented with local artwork from Florida. We appreciate that this new wedding venue has history; we absolutely loved photographing this styled session in The Museum.

Photography: Jenn + Derrek Sullivan of Flora + Fauna / Photo Shoot Venue: The Museum in Jacksonville, Florida / Event Planning + Design: Cheryl Abbott of Forever Sacred Events / Floral Design: The Floral Emporium II / Cupcakes: CamiCakes / Wedding Cake: The Cake Shop of San Jose / Wardrobe Styling: Michael McDaniel / Wedding Dresses: Ruche Bridal / Bride’s Hair Accessory: Southern Crossing Antique Mall / Hair: Natalie Restrepo of Makeup by Paulina Perez / Makeup: Cathee Molina of Hello Cathee + Makeup by Paulina Perez

There is something so, so sweet about this highlight film. Something that makes me want to watch it over and over again. Something that will make you smile from the very beginning to the very end, and then will make you press play just once (or twice) more. Blueshore Cinema got lucky with a gorgeous in love couple, and then worked their magic to make us all fall in love!

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You can say that Yascel and I were destined to meet. In December 2007, we both decided to go to a dinner club one Friday night after a long day at work. The owners of the dinner club were friends of mine and were sponsoring a teacher’s happy hour. So naturally both my co-workers and I decided to attend. As I walked towards the ladies room, I recognized Yacsel from a picture on my cousins MySpace page, out of all places right? We made eye contact and entered into a short conversation where we discussed our mutual friends. A few days later, I receive a request on MySpace from him. This started a short online courtship that led to a 4 year relationship where we realized we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I guess you can credit social networking for breaking the ice that first night.

My husband loves marine life and owns a 120 gallon salt water tank. His hobby is expanding and maintaining this tank. So, it didn’t surprised me that on July 4th, 2010, he preferred to be working on his tank instead of watching the fireworks outside. While he was working on it, he asks for my help in removing a fish that had become a nuisance eating his coral. He told me to hold a small fishing rod that was attached to a string buried in the sand. He told me to pull it up at the count of three and as I did, I uncovered my beautiful engagement ring. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.

Very soon after our engagement, we began planning the big day. We both had very different ideas and it took us some time to agree on how we wanted this day to unfold. We paid for the wedding ourselves, so it was difficult to develop a budget that would both give us the wedding of our dreams, without leaving us in a financial bind. So, we prioritized and allocated funds to what was most important to us and then found economic alternatives to those items that weren’t as important. In the end, it all worked out and we could not have been happier with the outcome.

I am an elementary school teacher and have worked in that capacity for the past 11 years. I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Reading. I also tutor on the side as an extra income on weekdays and teach enrichment classes on Saturdays. I was born in Cuba and my family immigrated to the United Stated in search for a better life. I’ve lived in the US since I was 3 years old. We are a very tight-knit group and family is very important to us.

Yacsel works for Federal Express and also owns a small company that wraps vehicles for advertising purposes. At the age of 10, his mother made the difficult decision to allow Yacsel to come to the United States to live with his father. Yacsel was her first-born and to this day she second guesses her choice. After one reunion 5 years later, Yacsel wasn’t able to go back and visit due to financial constraints.

It was important to us for Yacsel’s mother to be present the day of our wedding. We decided as a couple to start the process to bring his mother to the United States. A year before the wedding, we began all the necessary paperwork. It is a long and arduous process. We each saved more money and worked more hours. Every week we got news that she was one step closer in coming. After 16 years, Yacsel’s mother would get to not only embrace her son, but would also walk him down the aisle on his wedding day. Two weeks before the wedding, we received the most disappointing news. Yacsel’s mother was denied in her efforts to come the United States. We were all heartbroken, especially Yacsel . We vowed to have her in our thoughts but to do the very best we could to enjoy the beginning of our lives together.

I would say the highlight of our wedding was the best man’s toast. His idea was brilliant. He made Yacsel’s night even more monumental by including the one person he longed so much to be present on the day of his wedding, his beloved mother. At the conclusion of his toast, Yascel’s mother’s voice came over the sound equipment, speaking to us and giving us her blessing. It was a very special and emotional moment.

The decision to have the wedding at this particular venue was almost instant. From the moment I walked into the Starlight Room, in the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, I fell in love. I knew then I wanted my wedding reception to be there. The ceiling looks like a night sky. There are thousands of white lights that make it look like a sky filled with infinite stars. It was a romantic setting and that was exactly how I wanted my wedding to look and feel.

I had to work with the existing color scheme of the ballroom in order to choose a complimentary color scheme. I decided on Navy blue, Silver and White. My centerpieces along with the ceiling made the ballroom a romantic Starry Night. My flower arrangements, by Elegant Bodas, made an impact once you entered the ballroom. I had 16 centerpieces, all different in heights, with long clear beads hanging from the centerpieces. I chose navy blue pintuck table linens and silver chivari chairs.

During my religious ceremony, I incorporated la mantilla. La mantilla is a lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders used to unite the couple while the priest recites a prayer. This tradition is passed down from generation. We were given our mantilla as a gift and God willingly will be able to pass our mantilla down to our children. Since my grandmother was not present for my wedding I wore her wedding band as a symbol of my love and her presence on the day of my wedding.

We decided on two wedding favors for our wedding; One favor being edible. A silver box containing three LINDT truffles, white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate, tied with a navy blue ribbon. Our second favor became an instant hit, Snapshot Memories Photo Booth Entertainment. I provided some funny props and my guests enjoyed hours of picture snapping with friends and family. The best part was that my guests got to take a piece of my wedding home with them. I too received the best gift. I was given an album at the end of the night with a copy of everyone’s picture, as well as everyone’s heartfelt well wishes.

I want to thank ALL my vendors for making March 10, 2012 PERFECT! I especially want to thank two vendors in particular. First, my event planner Letty Gobel, for making the wedding process easy, and for being so patient with me. My event planner put me in contact with most of my amazing vendors. In particular, the most brilliant and skilled cinematographer on the planet, Jeremy Nelson from Blueshore Productions. Before even being engaged, I would watch trailers made by Blueshore Productions and would get lost in his films, almost as if I was the bride in every trailer. I know it sounds crazy but its true. That is just how skilled Jeremy and his team truly are. Film truly is such a vital medium, because if it wasn’t for film, Yacsel’s mother wouldn’t have the opportunity to see, and feel what she did when she viewed our wedding trailer in Cuba. By the way, June 17, 2012, after 16 years Yacsel was reunited with his mother in Cuba. When they arrived at his mother’s house, the first thing Yacsel did was play our wedding trailer for his mother to see. Words cannot express the emotion that mother felt viewing her son and daughter-in- law exchanging vows; and then as if the exchanging of vows weren’t enough, hearing her voice on the film, watching her son cry, made her realize that physically she wasn’t there but definitely spirituality she was.

Cinematography: Blueshore Productions / Photography: Gail Chatelain / Flowers: Elegant Bodas / Event Planning: LMG Events / Ceremony Location: Saint Francis de Sales / Reception Location: Miami Beach Resort and Spa – Starlight Room / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Shoes: White Satin Badgley Mischka / Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Fashion: Formal One Tuxedo / Any special jewelry: Bride’s grandmother’s wedding band

Stunning IS this wedding. Stunning is the gorgeous sunset on the Florida beach. Stunning is the breathtaking bride and her handsome groom. Stunning is a handful of amazing images from Ryan Joseph Photographs and a highlight film from Voila Cinematic. This entire affair from Table 6 Productions is beyond. And we’re still trying to catch our breath. Click here for more!

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Jonathan and I both studied abroad in Israel during our senior year of high school and even though we were there during different semesters, the friends I became close with were from the same high school as him and through them is how we originally met each other. It is through those same friends that our paths continued to cross throughout college (Jonathan attended the University of FL and I attended NYU but would run into him while visiting these same friends), life after college (birthdays, engagements, weddings) and 8 years later after a lot of running into each other, a friendship turned into something much much more. 

We knew we wanted a destination wedding so that everyone would feel they were on vacation together, but didn’t want to deal with passports or long flights. We also knew we really wanted to get married on the beach and had dreamt of having the entire wedding, from ceremony to reception, outdoors. So being from the Miami area (even though we have tons of beautiful beaches) we began looking at venues on the west coast of FL to give us the feeling of being far but near. A dear friend suggested we check out the Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach for its gorgeous pure white sand and warm laid back vibe. From the moment we entered the resort it felt magical, they had the perfect beach and gulf lawn to accommodate what we had envisioned and we both knew then we would be able to make our dream wedding a reality.

Saying our vows to each other was a surreal but extremely powerful moment. Wedding planning was incredibly fun and I felt extremely lucky that Jonathan was not only very supportive but also very involved when it came to a lot of the most important aspects, but at the end of the day the commitment we made to each other was what was most significant that day and to write them ourselves was something very personal and important to both of us. Alex, our videographer, incorporated them in our highlights in a way that truly told the story of our wedding day.

Music was a major inspiration and I like to think of our style as some form of hippie beach chic – we wanted to try and blend the laid back hippie aspects of our personalities with the elegance and beauty of a wedding day. That was the inspiration for leaving the grass as our dance floor, being barefoot for the ceremony and having the entire reception outside on the beach. We tried to use some out of the box ideas for seating and table numbers – The seating chart was done on a chalkboard (that our wedding planner’s husband was kind enough to build the week of the wedding!), he made sure to incorporate the little picture of the Airstream RV we used to own and for our massive ‘Royal Table’ as I like to call it, each person had an individual place card which our calligrapher hand wrote with their nickname on it, which was held in a wine cork. This theme carried through to the other table numbers being on bottles of wine. One of my best friends was amazing enough to buy a bunch of tiny frames and place various quotes about love in each one and had them spread out on each of the tables. We also had a basket full of peace and love flip flops for all of the women to change into since dancing in heels would certainly be an issue on the gulf lawn. Instead of a traditional guest book, we had everyone write notes and slip them into a vintage mailbox. It was also really important to us that we honor the memory of our grandparents that are no longer with us and pay tribute to the generations of loving marriages that came before ours, so on the same table as the mailbox, we bought various vintage looking frames and displayed pictures of each our grandparents on their wedding day next to our parents on their wedding day.

Jonathan and I are very big music lovers and often use our vacations to travel for concerts and we’ve done everything from camp in tents to rent RV’s (and then eventually owned and restored an Airstream), so we wanted to incorporate that major part of our lives into the wedding. We really felt strongly about trying to make sure our wedding really felt like us.

Our love of music and concerts was also the obvious inspiration for the Beatles cover band (The British Invasion) – we kept that as a surprise for all of our wedding guests and it was such a hit. It really brought every generation out on the dance floor, singing and dancing the night away. Throughout the wedding we also didn’t have your usual wedding songs played, we made sure that in between The Beatles our DJ played songs that meant something to us, everything from Dave Matthews and Coldplay to Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw.

There was a moment when Jonathan and I were the only ones on the dance floor and he just whispered to me, “look out there, they are all here for us.” And it was just one of those incredible moments where it hits you that this is your wedding day; you are surrounded by your closest family and friends and to have them all under the same roof (or stars in our case) happens only once. It gave us a moment to breathe that in together and Ryan Joseph, our unbelievable photographer, captured this moment in the photos.

Photography: Ryan Joseph Photographs / Cinematography: Voila Cinematic / Flowers: Redman Steele / Event Planning + Design: Table 6 Productions / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Sandpearl Resort / Invitations: Aventura Invitations, (305) 937-5555 / Calligraphy: Calligraphy Expressions / Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Dress Designer: Anna-Maier Ulla-Maija from Ever After / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston / Flower Girl: Us Angels / Jonathan’s suit: Hugo Boss / Cufflinks: Cartier / Band: The British Invasion / DJ: Ricky Vazquez