Florida Weddings

I’m a lover of all things beautiful blooms, so when I first laid my eyes on this darling South Palm Beach affair captured by the amazing Jessica Lorren Organic Photography, I could barely contain my glee.  Yes, this English garden-themed soiree is boasting some of the most gorgeous florals I have ever seen created by J Morgan Flowers… and from the vibrant bouquets to the lovely centerpieces, it’s almost too pretty to believe.  Plus, when you add to that a lovely traditional setting and an uber-sweet bride and groom, it all makes for one very pretty Monday.  So, say hello to this fabulous new week and join me in the gallery for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From J Morgan Flowers… From the moment I first met the bride,  Anna, it was friendship at first sight. She exuded fun, laughter and love. As you can see from the photos its impossible not to find her smile contagious!!

Coming from the Ukraine in her teens she had always dreamed of an English garden wedding, full of colors, smells and playful just like her and her Groom, Brad. We created her English garden using peonies, garden roses, ranaculus, hydrangeas, hanging amarnthus, stock, hydrangeas and curly willow wisping throughout.

The chuppah for the traditional Jewish ceremony was created using curly willow draped in a mix of the chosen flowers.

Being the fun couple that they are they let their bridesmaids pick dresses in their favorite color. The flower girl traveled from the Ukraine and only spoke Russian…but nonetheless was the hit of the party and captured everyones heart.

Jessica Lorren was able to capture these moments perfectly and I am sure “The Klines” will always treasure this day!

Floral Design + Decor: J Morgan Flowers / Wedding Photography: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography / Wedding Venue: Mizner Country Club / Hair: Art of Hair / Make-up: Team Beauti / Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Tuxedo: Calvin Klein / Band: Beth and Command Performance / Wedding Videography: Senderey

Happy, happy Friday, lovelies!  It’s been a fabulous week of inspiration here on SMP Florida and what better way to welcome in the weekend than with this elegant Miami affair by Virtuous Creations Inc.?  Literally overflowing with pretty pink and orange hues, this beautiful backyard fête is all about the glamorous details… and we are loving the lakeside ceremony, crystal-embellished vases and uber-gorgeous blooms.  Thankfully, Studio Andy Photography was on hand to capture every moment, so you can start your weekend off in style.  Join me in the gallery for more! 

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Virtuous Creations Inc.… This wedding took place on 11-11-11 at a private home in beautiful Miami, Florida. The bride and groom choose this date because of it’s epic symbolism. The wedding colors orange and pink displayed the bride’s personality bold and beautiful. The ceremony and reception were both outside under the beautiful radiance of the sunset. The gazebo overlayed with orange fabric billowed in the cool breeze as the guests sat in gold chiavari chairs with pink chair pads. The bride wanted to make sure that her wedding showed her chic side, so she stayed with the traditional flower choice of roses. The roses color of orange were enhanced by flower spray and hot pink roses were chosen so that the color would stand out. The bride and groom shared an intimate ceremony with 100 of their closet family and friends. The bride’s attention to color detailed was made relevant through her floral, table linens, chairs, and custom candy favor boutique.

The wedding reception displayed cylinders adorned with two tone diamond wrap in fuchsia pink and clear diamond. Instead of table numbers, table names were given and guests were able to read words that are important in a marriage. The tables also displayed pink satin napkins with a custom designed napkins rings. Orange pintuck taffeta linens with a rose ball in as the centerpiece. As day turned into night guests danced the night away under the cool Miami night sky. The couples logo lights up the floor and candles are lit to add a more intimate feel to the night. To add a little hint of bling, chandeliers were placed right above the sweetheart table. The crystals glistened in the light to add to the brides elegant appeal. Guests were fed buffet style and danced the night away. The bride and groom now live happily ever after!

Wedding Photography: Studio Andy Photography / Floral Design, Event Planning + Design: Virtuous Creations Inc. / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Residence

We are bringing you an extra special mid-week dose of inspiration!  We’ve combed through our main page posts and found a few of our Florida favorites.  We know you’ll love them just as much as we do and find so much to inspire you for your own Florida fête.

First up is a Vero Beach beauty that brings beach chic to a whole new level.  The dream duo of Bellafare and Leigh Miller Photography made all the pretty possible and we couldn’t be more pleased!

Let’s travel up the coast to this cheerful Jacksonville wedding by Nate Henderson with a rainbow of colors to brighten up your day.

Red Fly Studio brought along a whopping package of wow with this whimsically modern Apalachicola wedding!

And finally a beyond beautiful Sanibel Island affair by Wed Perfect bursting with elegant and romantic details.

We’ve traveled all across the great sunshine state to bring you some of the best of the best!  Make sure you visit each gallery to get your fill of inspiration!

I am just swooning over this engagement session by Bella Chic Photography.  It doesn’t get much more adorable than a vintage picnic for two complete with balloons.  Plus I’m secretly coveting this bride-to-be’s outfit.  This is such a simple and sweet way to dress up an engagement shoot and have a little bit of fun while you’re at it.  See it all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Bella Chic Photography…Adrianne & Derrick wanted two things for their engagement session: vintage and picnic; so we went to an old, run-down, U-Pick Farm in Southern Florida and the location worked out perfectly. The tall green grass, the old Cola bottles, the vintage picnic basket & the colorful balloons and flowers gave the perfect aesthetic to their beautiful shoot!

Photography: Brittany Elaine Purscell of Bella Chic Photography

Just like visions of sugarplums, another week of stunningly pretty soirees has danced right on by. I suppose when surrounded by such lovely affairs all week long, time is bound to fly by as it does. Lucky for us, we have a breathtaking Florida engagement session from Love Tif to send us off into our weekend right. Enjoy it, and then meet me back here Monday morning for another wonder-filled week! xoxo

Photography by Love Tif. Click here for more!

The week at a pretty, pretty glance:

a cute as a button couple in an Atlanta highlight film
a modern Marie Antoinette inspiration shoot from San Jose
a beautiful Canadian soiree with a romantic, vintage ambiance
a lovely bride whom we love in this Connecticut wedding
an extraordinarily fresh engagement sesh a la San Dimas
a rustic glam California fête of two high school sweethearts
a perfect Washington D.C. affair filled with sweet + rustic deets
a sweet, sweet southern soiree in a North Carolina train station
a gorgeous and oh-so-luxe Charleston manor wedding

Three of our very favorite links from around the web:

a perfect Christmas wedding color palette we’d love to see come true via The Sweetest Occasion
a perfect Sex and the City proposal in the city of Carrie, Miranda, Sam, and Charlotte via Perfect Bound
a GORGeous bit of snowed-in winter wedding inspiration via Green Wedding Shoes

I have fallen madly in love with a pretty, pretty shade of teal blue… and when you take a look at the lovely bridesmaid dresses below, trust me, you will, too.  Even better, when you add this uber-fabulous color to a stunning soiree such as this Jacksonville affair by Agnes Lopez Photography, well, it’s almost too good to be true.  From the lovely florals to the beyond gorgeous bride and groom, I am one seriously smitten blogger.  I’ll definitely be spending my weekend wrapped up in all of this pretty… and you should join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Agnes Lopez Photography… Ashleigh and Jeremy were married in an indoor ceremony at The River Club. Ashleigh looked absolutely gorgeous and together she and Jeremy make an amazing couple. Monica Da Silva and Chad Alger performed at the reception, offering their take on an Adele song for the first dance. It was such a beautiful moment.

Wedding Photography: Agnes Lopez Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception: The River Club / Floral Design: Gardners of Ortega / Jewelry: Ellie Bing / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid / Music: Monica Da Silva

There’s nothing quite like a fabulous soiree to put a smile on your face… and today’s stunning affair by Kt Crabb Photography will leave you grinning from ear to ear for the rest of your Wednesday.  Set on the lawn of the gorgeous Cypress Grove Estate House, this classic fête is overflowing with charming French-inspired details and vibrant pink hues.  Not to mention one very stunning bride in one very fabulous gown… with sleeves.  Swoon.  I think it’s definitely time for that morning coffee break.  Join me in the gallery for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kt Crabb Photography… “She… they… they have just waited so long for this day to arrive. It’s finally here!” Carly’s mother said with a glimmer of a tear in her eye.  She sat watching her daughter fix the finishing touches to her dress. “Sigh, it’s here.” She said one more time. Carly and Paul have waited for this day for quite some time. They didn’t actually know each other until God orchestrated their meeting. “The timing was just perfect and when you know… you just know they’re the one.” Carly explained with a smile on her face during their engagement session.

The day prior, it poured. Absolute cats and dogs. Regardless of sunshine or not, this outdoor, classic French inspired wedding would still happen. They would still get married. As I met up with Carly and her bridesmaids that morning, the sun decided to show itself along with the brilliant blue sky. What a beautiful day it turned out to be.

Wedding Photography: Kt Crabb Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Cypress Grove Estate House

There is just something so wonderful about a black tie soiree – don’t you agree? Handsome groomsmen lined up looking dapper and elegant maids in long flowing gowns – it’s hard not to feel a bit fancy with such a fabulous dress code. Well, this gorgeous gala by Jessica Lorren Organic Photography will have you feeling fancy after just looking at the pretty images. It’s classic elegance at its finest, and there is even more in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We live in New York City, but we’d always dreamed of having our wedding at the Boca Resort, where took a romantic weekend trip a few years ago. From then on, it became one of our favorite places. There is just something magical about the resort. We wanted the style of our wedding to be classic and elegant — see: our black bridesmaid’s dresses and tuxes – but also unstuffy (see: beers under the Banyon trees during our photo session!)

Daniel and I met in college, and we both love live music and a rocking party. One of the best moments for us was when our maid of honor Chrissy’s dad, Pat Cullinan, joined the band to play rhythm guitar on one of our favorite songs, The AllmanBrothers’ “Blue Sky.” Our goal for the reception was to bring a backyard party into the Cathedral Room, with greenery and bunches of Michelle’s favorite flower, the hydrangea. We ended up breaking out boas and maracas and hopping on stage with the band — we wouldn’t have had it any other way!

Venue + Catering: Boca Raton Resort & Club / Event Design: Boca by Design / Wedding Dress: Christos / Belt: Amsale / Groom’s Tuxedo: Custom, Giliberto Designs / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Wedding Photography: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography / Entertainment: Soul Survivors Band / Hair + Make-up: Salon Margrit

When it comes to capturing beautiful moments, Simply Bloom Photography LLC takes the cake and this Florida wedding just might be the most romantic little gem ever. An Affair to Remember designed and styled a sea of pastel prettiness from vintage chic paper goods to an all white candy bar and scrumdidlyumptious milkshakes to wash it all down. Seriously, if there was an award for The Cutest Wedding We Ever Did See, this would surely be the Winner. See the full gallery of gorgeous here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From An Affair to Remember…Nicole and Chris’s classy affair was a one of a kind wedding. We loved this wedding from the stripped awning brought into the Lake Mary Events Center to the “Home Cooked” style food of milkshakes, mini cheeseburgers, and mac + cheese that was served at the reception. This wedding was all in the details..the simple, organic baby’s breath centerpieces, drink flags, all white candy bar and tables filled with baby’s breath. We just love the simplicity of this wedding.

Wedding Coordination: An Affair to Remember / Ceremony + Reception Location: Lake Mary Events Center / Catering: Arthur’s / Wedding Photography: Simply Bloom Photography LLC / Band: Paul Vesco Band / Floral Design: Carly Ane’s / Officiant: Jan Jones / Wedding Cake: Belladonna / Transportation: VIP Transportation / Rentals: Suzanne Nichols / Ceremony Music: Strings & Things / Hair + Make-up: Patricia LeJeune / Chairs: A Chair Affair

There’s so much to love about this sweet, beach side affair but I think my favorite part has got to be the relaxed and fun loving spirit of the bride and groom. They rehearsed nothing and just let their wedding day unfold organically and for that, I give them major props! Lucky for them they have talented family members who helped out with everything from the centerpieces to the bride’s accessories. Vitalic Photo captured all the special moments and details and there’s so much more in the full gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…From the beginning we knew we wanted our wedding to be very intimate and stress-free. I promised I wouldn’t allow myself to obsess over every detail, instead I decided to focus on the meaning of that day. At the end, everything turned out perfect! Our venue, Costa d’Este Beach Resort, was wonderful and their staff was so attentive.

Luckily for us, our families were excited to get involved and help with all of our ideas. My creative sister designed and handmade our invitations, guestbook and seating chart. She also made my accessories for that day— three Swarovski crystal hairpins and earrings made out of rose quartz, a known symbol for love. The night before the wedding, my mom, my sister and I worked together on the centerpieces, bouquets, and boutonnieres, which had the natural look that I wanted. My mother-in-law, Donald’s aunt, and my cousin baked and prepared traditional Peruvian and Chilean cakes and sweets for our dessert table. We thought it would be fun to bring our backgrounds together through the “sweet” part of the meal plus, we knew it would add a cozy homemade feel to our celebration. The sky cooperated too, and it held off the rain, allowing us to have a brief but emotional beach ceremony.

I walked down the aisle barefoot to one of my favorite Dave Matthews Band tunes played on an acoustic guitar by one of the groomsmen, who’s our best friend and my dear sister’s other half. I felt so lucky that day! I was marrying the love of my life and best friend for eleven years, while surrounded by people who were truly glad to be there—many of whom traveled from overseas and other states to join us on our special day. Happiness and love were in the air; we had fun, spent time with all of our guests, and most importantly: we did things our way. We didn’t rehearse a thing, neither did we follow traditional wedding protocol; we simply enjoyed the moment and it rocked!

Venue + Catering: Costa d’Este Beach Resort / Wedding Photography: Vitalic Photo / Flowers: DIY / Accessories: DIY by Bride’s Sister (Dani Makes) / Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom Made / Groom’s Attire: Michael Kors / Hair: Lindsay Naffziger Hairstylist / Make-up: Cindy Goetz

Happy Monday SMPers! I hope you had the loveliest of long weekends and are refreshed and ready to conquer yet another week of pretty! I can’t think of a better way to start the week long pretty parade than with this lovely wedding by Pezz Photo. With the simple elegance of a backyard affair that we all love so much and a Bride planned every little detail, this is a DIY wedding executed to perfection. Want to see more? Of course you do, so head on over to the full gallery of images for even more pretty!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Pezz Photo…When Elizabeth and DJ first set out to plan their wedding, they met with a wedding planner who declared that every wedding detail should shout, “that’s so them.”  Elizabeth wholeheartedly agreed and right then and there made the decision to hire the best person for the job: herself. To encapsulate all the adventures of their ten-year relationship, complete with two close families and a group of shared, childhood best friends who had the dream of growing old together living next door on a cul-de-sac, Elizabeth knew that no one but herself could pull off the ultimate “that’s so them” wedding. And “so them” it was – with Elizabeth running the show no detail was left untouched and no opportunity to incorporate an adventure or favorite thing of the couple was missed. The 85 person wedding was held in the bride’s family’s backyard in the couple’s hometown of Sarasota, Florida. The lush and intimate venue set the stage for what would become wedding’s unofficial theme of “relaxed backyard elegance.”  In the months leading up to the wedding, Elizabeth and DJ easily tackled the standard wedding details: caterer (www.mattisons.com), wine list, guest transportation (of course it had to be the Sarasota Trolley) and the DJ. But other matters took more careful planning.

A lover of all things paper and pretty, invitations were a top priority for the bride. She commissioned the artistic talent of Christine Elizabeth Van Duyn of cevd.com to create a custom letterpress invitation suite in a palate of pinks, tans, gold and creams.  Christine created a personalized monogram with subtle reference to the couple’s nicknames “Bear” and “Lizard” bestowed on them by their friends. Addresses were beautifully hand-penned by Elizabeth and topped off with vintage stamps found on The Paper Nickel to give guests a tease of what the wedding had in store. The wedding itself featured unique accents special to the couple to give the wedding a personalized and one-of-a-kind touch.

Ceremony music was provided by the bride’s “second mom” on guitar, the ceremony officiant was the groom’s aunt, the wedding cake was made by the bride’s uncle and a late night dessert spread was created by the couple’s friends. And to the entire wedding party’s delight, the groom’s mother baked hundreds of her famed chocolate chip cookies for the special occasion.  Bridesmaids wore dresses of their own choosing in colors complementary to the invite’s color scheme, a bridesmaid (accompanied by her mom and sister) sang the couple’s favorite Jack Johnson song during the ceremony, and guests dined family style at two long feasting tables underneath lighted trees.

The breathtaking table setup – complete with antique glass vases from store shopping trips with bridesmaids, succulent centerpieces handpicked from a local flower market, the bride’s grandmother’s china at the head tables, and rose wine bottles used as table markers (an idea lovingly “borrowed” from this Style Me Pretty post) – played host for an amazing dinner of shared fare, heartwarming toasts and even the presentation of a photo of the couple’s first date during their senior year of high school.

The only guest absent from the wedding was the couple’s beloved pup, a rambunctious chocolate lab who threatened to spend the entire wedding in the pool and on guest’s laps.  But to everyone’s delight, Anna was incorporated into the wedding in several dress-saving ways, including an illustration of her in the couple’s wedding monogram and as the “welcome chalkboard,” (www.chalkink.com) which served as the wedding’s first impression. The evening ended with guests filling in around the pool to dance under the twinkling lights to a playlist picked by them (the couple set up a music request on their wedding website!), which guaranteed a packed dance floor. After pulling guests off the dance floor and watching guests stash chocolate chip cookies into suit pockets, guests packed on to the Sarasota Trolley for a quick drive to the couple’s favorite bar. Complete in wedding attire, the celebration continued well into the night thanks to the bar’s signature drink “the village idiot.”

Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Residence / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Groom’s Suit: Z by Zegna / Make-up: Colours by Linny / Hair: Elena Joseph / Wedding Photography: Amy Pezzicara of Pezz Photo / Assistant Photographer: Michelle Fader / Stationery Design: cevd {custom invitation studio} / Vintage Stamps: The Paper Nickel / Catering: Mattison’s / Floral Design: Lynne Pitts Hamilton of The Finishing Touch / Wedding Cake: Bride’s Uncle / Desserts: Brides’s Uncle + Couple’s Friends / Day-of Coordination: Bride’s Friend / Lighting: Affairs in the Air / Transportation: Siesta Trolley / Officiant: Groom’s Aunt / Seating Chart Chalkboard: RevivedVintage / Dog Chalkboard: Chalk Ink / DJ: DJ Al Garcia

To keep you distracted from all the lovely Thanksgiving smells currently floating through your home, we thought we would share a beyond lovely fête filled with fabulous fall hues by Vitalic Photo. Complete with a whole lotta love and warm, cozy tones – it just feels fitting to feature it on such a festive day. There is more pretty where this came from, so if you need even more distractions – spend some time in the full gallery of gorgeous!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

How about one more pretty little distraction? This film of their pretty day by Key Moment Films should do the trick!

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From Vitalic Photo…Emily + Brandon’s wedding had true sentimental value at Christ by the Sea Church because Emily’s parents were married there over 25 years ago! Their ceremony was meaningful and was followed by an intimate reception at Grand Harbor Golf Club. Emily exudes a sense of grace and Brandon is simply a southern gentleman. Having met less than a year ago, they knew they were meant for each other and didn’t waste much time being apart. The perfect October weather and the adorable autumn details made us fall in love with their wedding, and with them.

From the Groom…Emily was born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida.  She grew up on all things citrus and all things country.  Her mom is to credit for her sweet charm and caring spirit, and her dad is to credit for her ability to shoot guns and love of citrus fruit. I am convinced Emily is the most beautiful thing that I will behold in this life.  Her beauty is inexhaustible, and I am blessed beyond my deserving to spend a lifetime discovering it to new depths.  She is the beauty that I have always longed to pursue and so much more.  Words utterly fail to describe my affection towards her.  Her beauty has captivated my heart and enchanted my soul. She is my treasure and my chosen, and I am excited beyond words to spend a lifetime loving.

From the Bride…Brandon was born and raised in Lilburn (not to be confused with Wilburn), GA.  He holds great pride for the state of Georgia and Chick Fil-A and believes no other state (or restaurant) compares.  He is a southern gentleman who truly knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.  He is no stranger to opening restaurant doors, using words like “beautiful” and “captivating” to describe me, opening car doors, writing me love letters, opening doors to the mall, saying funny things just to see me smile, opening doors to the supermarket, stopping me in the midst of something just to give me a long hug and opening lots and lots of doors.  He has won my heart with his patient demeanor and sweet spirit.  His smile and southern twang make my heart melt.  I didn’t know the depth of love I could feel for another until I met Brandon; I’m excited to grow in our relationship and spend everyday with my best friend.

Wedding Photography: Vitalic Photo / Wedding Videography: Key Moment Films / Day-of Coordination: Lara’s Theme / Ceremony Location: Christ by the Sea Church / Reception Location: Grand Harbor / Flowers: Monti’s Flower Market

This DIY wedding is almost too cute for words! I love all the unique touches they created to make their day special and memorable from the homemade signs directing guests to the sweet, fabric flowers carried by the bridesmaids and bride. And the film by Nathan Willis Wedding Films set to a fun remake of Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” is so fun and upbeat, you can’t help but watch with a huge grin on your face!

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From Nathan Willis Wedding Films…This wedding is one of the most unique weddings I’ve ever been to. From the snake skin cowboy boots worn by the groomsmen to the handmade fabric flowers, nothing about this wedding was normal, but it was absolutely perfect. The couple got married in Lake City, FL at a Methodist church that was built in the early 1800’s. The couple then had a huge dance party reception in their backyard that was loads of fun.

Wedding Videography: Nathan Willis Wedding Films

It just dawned on us here at the SMP office that we haven’t taken you for a local blog tour in quite sometime and with thousands of you traveling this week to visit family for some serious turkey time, we couldn’t help but hop on the pre Thanksgiving travel bandwagon…Join us for a mini tour, won’t you? First up is this elegant and classic indoor fete by Robyn Rachel Photography and we’re all a tad bit jealous that we weren’t on the guest list for this one. Click here for the entire affair!

Moving on to a fun and festive Florida DIY beach bash by Dorothy Gautreaux Photography. Our local wedding blogs truly have something for everyone and you don’t have to be getting married in that state to steal all the swoon worthy inspirations! See the full post here.

We’re rounding out our mini tour with this stunning Aruba destination wedding by Alexandra Meseke Photography. The gold Gucci wedges, the deep blue bridesmaids dresses, and one cute flamingo all add up to one fabulous soiree. See the rest right here!

And just in case you’ve been living under a wedding rock, we have a fab line up of ten local blogs in California, New York, Florida, Texas, Destination, Illinois, Australia, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Canada guaranteed to inspire you for days, with many more to come.

Do It Yourself’ers take note – because this DIY seaside soiree by Dorothy Gautreaux Photography has style for miles and heart for even more miles. You can see it through each of the gorgeous sunshine-infused images, and you can feel it in the bride’s description. It’s intimate, it’s got a whole lotta personality and there is even more to see in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We did everything ourselves as far as the decor (with the exception of the flowers). We went to thrift store and garage sales to find the vintage plates and all the bottles. We took multiple trips to Joann’s fabrics to get the fabric for the banners and the altar. Jonathan stained and distressed the 3 pieces of wood that made up our altar as well. We bought one huge bolt of the antique-y blue fabric and cut it into squares for the table cloth and napkins. This was a particularly daunting task because we had to fray the edges of all those napkins and table cloths! The invitations were difficult too, because we stamped each envelope individually…same goes for the save the dates, which we decided to do on sand dollars and make them into ornaments, seeing how everyone received them around the holidays. All of the shells and coral were found at local shell shacks along with the vintage Florida post cards we used for invitations.We were going for a vintage-y ship wreck feel deriving inspiration from shell shacks, ship wrecks, and vintage pieces. I also browsed a lot of wedding blogs and design magazines.

My advice is to do exactly what you want, and if you cant afford it do it yourself. The DIY stuff seems like it would be a lot of work…and it is, but it is a labor of love. I have fabulous memories if spending time with my mother and girlfriends and brothers making all the decor. If you have a vision, stick to it. For example, Jonathan and I really wanted to have our food served family style so it would feel like a family dinner. People tried to tell us it would be easier to do a buffet, but the thought of it made us cringe. It ended up being so lovely to watch all our friends and family pass each other food and engage with one another.

My favorite memory of our wedding is the few minutes directly after we walked back down the aisle. We stopped close to the dunes and embraced each other and all of the emotions poured out. I remember turning around to hug my best friends and family and the tears of joy just wouldn’t stop. Also, an enormous flock of birds flew above us in a flying V formation. It. Was. Epic.

Wedding Photography: Dorothy Gautreaux Photography / Catering: Salt Water Cowboys / Floral Design: 57 Treasury / Groom’s Tux: J.Crew / Wedding Dress: Low’s Bridal / Cakes: Nothing Bundt Cakes / Make-up: Chanel

I have one very serious case of shoe envy this morning and it’s all thanks to a pretty pair of fabulous (plus sparkly) flower-adorned heels.  Yes, I am in love.  Even better, they happen to be just one part of a Sarasota affair simply brimming with darling details, including gorgeous blooms by MMD Events, beautiful bridesmaid frocks and a vintage meets French countryside theme.  Swoon.  Thankfully, Pezz Photo was on hand to capture every last ounce of pretty… and that means an entire day of gallery gazing for me.  So, join me there for even more lovely and then stay tuned for an amazing video from Tampa Wonderworks Films below!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

And just when you thought you couldn’t adore this wedding any more than you already do, we have one very fabulous film from Tampa Wonderworks Films to make you fall even more in love.  Enjoy!

From Pezz Photo… Paige and Matt were all about the details with a touch of whimsy. Their French Countryside wedding took place in June at the historic, waterfront Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida.  As guests arrived, they were greeted with the Old Ball and Chain Gazette whose headline read, “You Made It!”.  This newspaper was created by the bride and groom outlining the day’s events along with hilarious bios of the wedding party.

For the ceremony a variety of vintage mix-matched chairs and church pews were incorporated into the estates natural beauty. Above the bride and groom hung a simple yet lovely garland of ivy and tree fern.  The ceremony furniture was then transitioned around the property for a non-traditional reception.

Adding on the uniqueness of this event, guests who grew moustaches for the wedding were treated as VIPs all night.  Dark mahogany bars with bakers racks and artisan breads added to the French countryside feel. In lieu of a traditional photo booth the bride and groom opted for a vintage set-up of a small dresser which held an instant camera, a scrap book, and a chalkboard as a back drop for personalized messages.  As the sun set a pre-arranged fireworks display kicked off the party as a surprise to the bride and groom.

Wedding Photography: Amy Pezzicara of Pezz Photo / Second Shooters: Stephanie Smith + Michelle Fader / Wedding Venue: Powel Crosley Estate / Event Coordination: Elan Event Studio / Floral Design + Décor: MMD Events / Vintage Furniture Rentals + Specialty Bars: I Heart Vintage via MMD Events / Chiavari Chair + Table Rentals: Signature Event Rentals / Wedding Cinematography: Tampa Wonderworks Films / Paper Products: Seaside Invitations / Catering: Good Food Catering / Linens: Connie Duglin + Cloth Connection + BBJ Linens / Wedding Invitations: Oblation Papers & Press / Fireworks: Creative Pyrotechnics / Croquembouche: Small Batch Bakery / Favors: Blue Bottle Coffee / Music: Breezin’ Entertainment

Nautical chic is a popular choice along the beautiful Florida coast and, if the gorgeous seaside soirees we’ve seen on SMP Florida are any indication, the look won’t be going out of style any time soon.  Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning is one of my favorite vendors to come out of the sunshine state and I love their twist on this already lovable look.  It’s a glamorously modern underwater fairytale with chic metallic touches and fun florals with tillandsia and succulents tucked in.  Click here to see all the details!

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From Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning…When the South Florida based creative trio of Becca Borge Photography, Hide and Seek Floral Design and Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning came together (at Starbucks, of course!), we decided to try a fresh approach to the wedding inspiration shoot.  Our idea was to take the classic South Florida beachfront hotel wedding and give it a modern and chic twist.  The theme became ‘Ocean Glamour,’ with a focus on stormy ocean hues, shimmery metallics and florals that evoked the textures of an underwater garden.

Our beautiful “bride” and her handsome “groom” were a recently married couple who are clearly head-over-heels for each other.  You could feel the love oozing into the room as they stared into each other’s eyes!  We chose an amazing dress from Ivy and Aster; the sweet eyelet fabric gave it a ‘beachy’ vibe while the glamorous neckline and floral accessories took the look beyond the sand.  The bride’s already amazing eyes were enhanced with smoky purples and the rest of her face was lightly bronzed, her hair gently waved to reflect an evening after the beach.  The groom kept it casual but chic with a simple black suit and white shirt, open at the collar.

We had originally planned to do most of the photo shoot outside in the gorgeous waterfront garden of The Pillars, a boutique hotel in Fort Lauderdale.  Unfortunately it rained (a lot!) that day, but it became a good lesson in choosing the right venue and making things work despite Mother Nature.  The hotel has a lovely little interior lounge area, both modern and glam at the same time, and it became the main backdrop for the shoot.  Rain is an obstacle that every bride who dreams of a garden wedding must plan for (especially in tropical South Florida) and this shows how important having a “Plan B” and picking a venue whose interior is compatible to the wedding style can be.

The clean white accents, upholstered furniture and romantic lighting lent themselves well to the ‘Ocean Glamour’ theme.  The fireplace and mantle became a fantastic backdrop for the wedding cake, an ombre fondant confection accented with a variety of succulents, evoking a garland of sea anemones.  Candlelight and mercury glass added evening-appropriate sparkle, while several sea urchin accents provided a literal ‘under the sea’ reference.  Hide and Seek did an amazing job of developing the concept that succulents and air plants could create a coral reef type feeling and further complimented the look by adding pops of color and texture with florals that evoked the feeling of sea life, including red protea, purple thistle and red kangaroo’s paw.  The ‘You are My Sunshine’ bride and groom chair hangings became a playful nod to the stormy weather outside, while Ocean Glamour brought a warm glow to the cozy Pillars lounge.

Wedding Dress + Accessories: Sasha’s Bridal Boutique / Linens + Chargers: Contempo Linen / Venue: The Pillars / Floral Design: Hide and Seek Design / Photography: Becca Borge Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning / Stationery (Invitations + Menu): Minted / Chair Signs + Placecards: Little Laws Prints / Hair + Make-up: Nilla from Academy of Glam / Wedding Cake: Creative Cake Factory + Hide and Seek Design

I’m such a complete and total sucker for white tulips so once I spotted this wedding and those dramatic centerpieces, I knew I would be gushing for hours. This pretty, little fete is one part elegant and one part shabby chic and I’m loving the pale green and yellow color combo that seems totally perfect for an outdoor Florida ceremony. Ashley Daniell Photography was there to capture all the sweet details, like those amazing floral displays by Missy Gunnels Flowers. Click here for even more!

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From Ashley Daniell Photography…Emily and Bob’s wedding was elegant, with some shabby chic thrown in, and just the right amount of Southern charm. They were married outside on the grass overlooking the lake at Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee, FL. Her color scheme was green and white with yellow accents. There were beautiful yellow rose petals lining the aisle and instead of programs Emily rented a large vintage framed chalkboard with all of the necessary information written on it. Two large white urns overflowing with hydrangeas and roses in shades of yellow & green sat on either side of the aisle and Emily provided fans for her guests to keep themselves cool(er) during the ceremony. During the cocktail hour there were passed appetizers and three different water options (plain, lemon, and cucumber). There was also a photo booth area set up with white wicker chairs and frames for guests to have fun. In true Tallahassee fashion, Emily and Bob entered their reception to the FSU war chant.

Wedding Photography: Ashley Daniell Photography / Floral Design: Missy Gunnels Flowers / Event Planning: Michelle Griggs, Weddings Unlimited / Ceremony + Reception Location: Golden Eagle Country Club / Invitations: Karmanos Printing / Wedding Dress: WToo via Vocelles – The Bridal Shoppe / Music: Greg Tish, GT Entertainment / Make-up: Randi Buchanan, Makeup As Art / Hair: Jennifer Breedlove, Kelly’s Cottage Hair Salon / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein via Belles N Beaus

This wedding is a category all its own, the title of which has been deemed Palm Beach Pretty. Imagine layers upon layers of palm trees, the ocean mere steps away and peonies galore courtesy of Xquisite Events. Heaven, right? It’s classic meets the seashore and Captured Photography by Jenny was there to photograph all the loveliness unfold at the Four Seasons. Who, might I add, is a venue that really knows its way around a great wedding. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, each and every gorgeous image. See it all here!

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From the Bride…When Kyle and I got engaged in November 2010, we knew we wanted to get married the following fall, but a lot of other issues were up in the air.  We live in New York City and my father had recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. He was going to need to have a bone marrow transplant in February. Since the recovery from this procedure is very long and difficult, we decided to have the wedding in Palm Beach, Florida. My parents live near by and we could maximize the chance that he would be able to be with us that day.  I am thrilled to report that he was there to walk me down the aisle and do our father-daughter dance, which made the day that much more incredible.

As for the wedding itself, we decided on the Four Seasons in Palm Beach for both the ceremony and the reception, and I am so glad we did.  It was a great choice for a wedding of our size—100 people—which felt like a lively and fun party, but still quite intimate.  We both love the water, so being able to say our “I Dos” at sunset overlooking the ocean was perfect.  Our tastes both run fairly classic and clean, and I wanted our wedding to reflect that. So, we chose to keep the decorations very simple so that they would be tasteful and compliment, but not overwhelm, the stunning location.

I have always loved the color combination of pink and grey, so that was an easy choice. I adore J. Crew, so it was the natural choice for bridesmaids dresses. My dress was an Amsale sample which I had a tailor alter to make it original.  We lowered the belt a little, and took in some material around the hips to change it from an A-line to a trumpet shape.

The weather was gorgeous, and as the sun was setting the clouds glowed pink, grey, and blue, which perfectly complimented our color scheme.  I wish I could take credit for that one, but we just got really lucky!  As for the ballroom, the Four Seasons offers some complimentary gold dinnerware and tablecloths, so we decided to just run with that and compliment that color with the same pink we used in the ceremony.  I told Xquisite Events that I wanted a look that was modern, elegant, and romantic, with tons of candlelight, and I thought it ended up looking beautiful.   The whole day was so wonderful, it’s hard to pick any favorite moment, but I loved the way our colors ended up looking against the backdrop of the ocean and the sunset.  Walking down the aisle with my dad, seeing all of the people I love in the world smiling at me, and then seeing Kyle waiting for me at the altar was probably the best moment of my life.

Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Venue, Catering + Wedding Cake: Four Seasons Palm Beach / Floral Design: Xquisite Events / Band: Rhythm / Hair: Fairytale Beauty / Ceremony Musicians: Elegant Musicians / Make-up: Shadows Makeup Artistry

Southern, vintage, garden wedding perfection. There really isn’t any other way to describe this sweet as can be soiree by Browne Photography. There are heartfelt details around every corner – from the flowers on the cake to the fact that gorgeous gown of the pretty as can be bride just happens to be her mother’s! How can you not love that she repurposed the gown of her mom’s to be her dream dress? It surely served that family well. The entire affair is equally as a lovely, and there is more in the full gallery of images!

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From Browne Photography…This wedding was in Port. St. Joe Florida. Maclain had a vision of a sweet southern garden party flair which definitely came through in the pictures. Maclain wore her mother’s beautiful wedding dress that her mother wore when she married her father. From the decorations, to the vintage car, her antique wedding dress and the rocking band it was everything she ever dreamed of.

From the Bride…Between wearing my mother’s wedding gown to arriving at our reception in a 1931 Model A, belonging to Wade’s grandfather, vintage was the feeling we envisioned for the day.  After a decade, my mother’s lost gown resurfaced less than a year before we got engaged.  I worked with Shior Bridal in Atlanta to modernize her early 80’s wedding dress (complete with ruffled sleeves) into a simple, strapless gown.  The veil was borrowed from one of my bridesmaids, Liz, to complete my simple, classic look.

We renovated Wade’s grandparent’s 1950s home last summer and it is our pride and joy!  Our yard is surrounded with huge camellia trees thanks to his grandmother’s hard work over the years.  We both marvel at the beautiful blossoms each season and wanted to incorporate them into our wedding. We found an artist on Etsy to handcraft paper replicas of our favorite blooms. The flowers were used on the wedding cake and now bring life to our china cabinet.  Wade owns every size cast iron skillet you can imagine.  Among many cast iron specialties, he makes delicious cornbread.  We gave his dry cornbread mix and recipe, in small paper bags with labels designed by my sister, to our guests. Wade also gave cast iron skillets to each of his groomsmen as a “thank you” gift! Wade had one request, his mother’s sour cream pound cake served with Georgia peaches.  His Mom made a special trip to South Georgia last summer for perfectly ripe peaches and then spent the weekend before the wedding baking her pound cake to serve 200 people.  The groom’s cake table was arranged with tiered cake stands filled with her pound cake and a glass bowl of peaches to be served with each piece.

Family friends hosted our reception at their classic southern home overlooking St. Joseph’s Bay. Their front yard is a lush garden and was perfect for the “vintage garden party” theme we were hoping to accomplish. We hung bistro lights and mason jars filled with tea lights through the trees in the courtyard to create a romantic glow after sunset.  The table flowers, in shades of white and green, were loosely arranged in borrowed silver pitchers and derby cups. The food presentation was also an important part of our “classic southern with a twist” decor.  Our caterer set up five tapas stations throughout the lawn under lighted pagoda tents to encourage social grazing. Huge floral arrangements overflowing with hydrangeas, garden roses, and blossoming cherry branches were the centerpieces of each food tent. The “southern” tent included macaroni and cheese served in mini Chinese take out boxes!

After we said our vows and were pronounced husband and wife, the congregation was asked to stand and join together in saying The Lord’s Prayer. As we held hands and bowed our heads with our backs to the church, we heard the ancient wood floors creaking under the feet of our family and friends as they prayed in unison. We could hear the people and the church itself. We were overcome by emotion realizing, at that moment, that The Lord’s Prayer has been said in that church for 200 years, but this time it was for us.

Catering + Floral Design: Provisions / Ceremony Location: Trinity Episcopal / Reception Location: Private Residence / Wedding Dress: Mother of the Bride’s / Alterations: Shior Bridal / Wedding Photography: Browne Photography