Florida Weddings

It doesn’t get much better than a Monday morning all wrapped up in a fabulous ballroom affair, especially when that fabulous ballroom affair is boasting a sophisticated black and white color palette, one seriously gorgeous Miami setting, breathtaking florals by Petal Productions and a plethora of swoon-worthy images by Gregory Paul Photography.  Plus, with each and every amazing moment planned and coordinated by JCG Events, LLC, there’s no end in sight to all of this pretty… and that makes for a very fine Monday, indeed.  So, join me in the gallery for every last ounce of lovely and then stay tuned for an amazing video by BlueShore Productions below!

Erase every last one of your Monday morning blues with this beyond fabulous film by BlueShore Productions!  Enjoy!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From JCG Events, LLC… The Epic Hotel is an enchanting venue nestled in downtown Miami with breathtaking views of the Miami city skyline. When Stephanie and Kenneth first approached us they already had their venue and a few of their vendors in place but needed help in bringing their vision for their wedding day to life. We facilitated this process by putting together an inspiration board for them. The venue was the source of this inspiration; the existing wall covered in mother of pearl and the ceiling made up of glass sphere light fixtures hanging in different shapes and sizes. With some amber uplights on this wall we created instantly a beautiful warm shimmering glow to the room.

As guests began to arrive a table that contained deliciously scrumptious candy apples greeted them. The candy apples served both as favors and escort cards. Petal Productions assisted in executing our vision by creating four different all white floral centerpieces for the tables. To add a touch of black and interest to the room some of the arrangements were placed in black vases. The table numbers were photos of their beloved dogs that had the numbers incorporated around them by using Photoshop. The cake was a design created inspired by the custom letter pressed invitations designed by Smashing Cards. The gorgeous invitations included a design of gradient champagne colored dots that were made to incorporate the glass globe lights from the venue. The calligraphy script balanced the dot pattern by conveying a soft and romantic invitation with yet a modern feel. The invitations were wrapped with a champagne ribbon and custom monogram and enclosed in a black envelope addressed in white calligraphy and a collection of vintage stamps. The menu cards and program were created in the same design as the invitation to tie everything together. The menu cards were circle cut to fit perfectly below the glass- beaded chargers.

Guests danced the night away with the help of Mike Sipe Entertainment’s DJ Live concept that consists of a DJ accompanied with various artists, saxophone, percussionist and singer to create a live entertainment experience. The entire wedding was beautifully captured by Gregory Paul of Gregory Paul Photography and Blue Shore Productions video.

Wedding Planning + Coordination: Jessica Masi of JCG Events, LLC / Wedding Photography: Gregory Paul Photography / Wedding Venue: Epic Hotel / Floral Design: Petal Productions / DJ Live: Mike Sipe Entertainment, Events & Productions / Wedding Cinematography: BlueShore Productions / Stationery: Smashing Cards / Wedding Cake: Divine Delicacies / Hair + Make-up: Nikol Johnson of Fresh Beauty Studio / Favors & Escort Cards: California Caramel Company / Table Numbers: Doggy Studio and Boutique

Good Morning, SMP Florida and a happy Friday to you!  We’re sending you off into the weekend sunset with a bundle of gorgeous inspiration, all courtesy of this traditional ballroom stunner and the oh-so-talented Captured Photography by Jenny.  You’ll be picking your jaws right up off the floor when you take in every last ounce of this fabulous affair, including the gorgeous purple hues, stunning bridesmaid gowns and beyond lovely calla lily bouquets by Feel the Flowers.  Not to mention one very happy (and very adorable) bride and groom.  Yes, this is just the pretty we needed to start the weekend off right and there’s even more in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… I went to school for interior design. So naturally when it came to my wedding, I wanted to design and do everything myself (Thank God my mom insisted on a florist and day-of coordinator though, because it was a lot of work!).  The wedding colors and what the reception space conveyed were really important to me; I wanted the richness of purple for September, and I knew that I absolutely had to have my favorite flowers involved.. calla lilies (white and colored) and green cymbidium orchids.  The idea of an outdoor wedding, being around nature and rich texture, banyan trees and moss specifically, was so romantic to me, but we decided on an indoor wedding (which turned out to be a good decision.. since it poured most of our wedding day). I still wanted to reflect the romance of nature into the decor, while still keeping the look classy and modern. So that is how we came up with the centerpieces for the reception tables.

Andres and I are all about having fun and making sure that others are as well… so there were a few things we wanted to incorporate that would be really fun and unique.  A phenomenal band was an absolute must! We are both huge candy fiends, so I decided to make a Sweets Table a priority. We also had a late night station (and flip-flops) for those who partied with us until late with different treats, hamburgers, pizza, and fries.  We had a photo booth for all to enjoy as well.  We were also supposed to light wish lanterns with close family and friends and send them off into the sky.. but the weather did not permit.  As my sister/matron of honor put it, I pretty much wanted a carnival for a wedding.. something to keep everyone entertained and wondering what’s next!

I’m all about DIY and making things unique, so I couldn’t help but design and make as much as possible myself (until I ran out of time and had to prioritize)!  A custom wedding dress and a custom party dress for myself, and custom dresses for my bridesmaids.  I’m all about the little things; since we are big wine drinkers, we made corks into place card and table number holders.  I love flowers and hearts, though so cliché, so they had to be done well; my aunt painted three fabulous heart pieces for Andres and I, and had smaller ones gicleed as the favors.  I designed, hand-made, and bedazzled my own invitations and programs out of individual wall covering samples.  I also DIYed the sweets table, made items like my ring bearer pillow, and customized and bedazzled items like the flower girl basket, bottles of bubbles, and so forth. Thankfully I had a few volunteer helpers along the way, and a day-of coordinator to make sure that everything got to where it needed to be! All and all the day was incredible!

Wedding Photography: Captured Photography by Jenny / Wedding Ceremony Venue: St. Hugh Catholic Church / Wedding Reception Venue + Catering: Coral Gables Country Club / Floral Design: Feel the Flowers, Gio Vidal / Linens: Contempo Linens, Max Rivadeneira / Wedding Dress: Allegria’s Bridal / Men’s Tuxedos: Mr. Tux / Wedding Cake: Cake Designs by Edda + Ana Paz / Wedding Coordinator: Gio Vidal / Wedding Hair: Reina of Beauty Essence / Wedding Make-up: Michella Powery / Band: The Headliners

There’s so much to love about this charming Vero Beach soiree, I am not even sure where to begin.  For starters, there’s the ADORABLE newlyweds, who were set up by the Mother of the Groom.  Yep, they are that adorable.  Then there’s the breathtaking seaside location, gorgeous blooms by Hutchinson’s Floral, one very stunning wedding gown and a fabulous reception filled with comfort foods (including a grilled cheese station and taco bar).  Seriously.  Awesome.  And when you add to the mix the beyond brilliant images by Angel Gray Photography, I can barely contain myself.  Yes, I am most definitely head over heels for this lovely fête… and I am certain you will be, too.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Derek and I met a few years ago after being set-up by an unusual matchmaker…his mom. After three years of dating long distance, we couldn’t have been more excited to get married. I am from a small town in East Texas and he grew up in Charlotte, N.C., but we knew we wanted to get married in Vero Beach, FL. Derek and I wanted to have a full weekend of celebrations and provide a mini beach vacation for all of our guests.

All of our guests would be traveling from all over the US to be a part of the wedding, so it was important for the wedding to have a “Florida” feel. Since the wedding was in July, we knew it would be too hot to have a beach wedding. I was so excited when we found The Moorings Club, the perfect venue that overlooked the water and a small beach. I worked with Lynn from Hutchinson’s Florist to create flower arrangements that would also bring the beach feel inside.

The photography and food were the most important details. To me, food really sets the tone for the wedding, so we did things a little differently. We decided on “comfort” food and all of Derek and my favorite foods (which is a lot). I chose the fresh fruit bar, seafood bar and build your own grilled cheese station. Derek wanted a nacho bar, slider station, mashed potato bar, and Sundae station. Derek loves ice cream and not a huge fan of cake, so it was only fitting that Derek have an ice cream sundae bar instead of the traditional groom’s cake. Thanks to the help of all of our fabulous vendors, the wedding was our perfect dream wedding. It was everything I had imagined it would be.

From Angel Gray Photography… What I really must do first is introduce you to Sarah and Derek. She was living in Charlotte and he was in Kentucky.  She was coaching cheerleading on the side (her day job is in corporate events) and became friends with his mom -a teacher.  He was working in venture capital but coming home to NC frequently to visit with his dad who was ill. His mom kept mentioning Sarah but he wasn’t really in the mood for a first date. But his mom wasn’t in the mood to give up. Before Derek’s dad passed away she had the chance to point Sarah out and say, “Wouldn’t she be great for Derek?”  You see his mom fell in love with Sarah first. She’s that kind of girl.

So Derek asked Sarah out; they had pizza and talked.  Then the restaurant began to close and they kept talking – and never looked back.  About two years later he crashed her girls weekend in Austin TX in order to propose; of course the girls were in on it, he knew Sarah would enjoy celebrating among friends – he’s that kind of guy.

Wedding Photography: Angel Gray Photography / Wedding Reception Location: The Moorings Club / Prep Location: Costa d’Este / Wedding Cake: Sweet Creations / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via Hayden Olivia Bridal Boutique / Wedding Invitations: Lynlee & Co / Wedding Band: City Lights / Floral Design: Hutchinson’s Floral

I swear couples are just getting cuter and cuter by the day. Y’all are seriously adorable out there and creative to boot! It’s is so fun to see darling duos partner up with rock star vendors like Rising Moon Films to make their entire wedding experience from engagement ring to wedding ring a completely personal experience. This little save the date video is the perfect example – so go ahead and take a look and prepare to have your socks charmed off!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/12191394 601 338]

From Rising Moon Films…Mary had been a BIG Disney fan since she was a little girl, and it was always a dream of hers to visit Disney World one day. Her dream finally came true in 2008 when Paul took her to Disney World to celebrate her 26th birthday, and it was every bit as magical as she thought it would be as a child. After getting engaged a year later, and in the midst of planning their wedding, Mary stumbled upon a photo of a Disney bride being whisked away in a carriage. The lightbulb went off and she immediately began researching Disney as a possible wedding location, and shortly after called Paul with the news, “I know where we can get married!” And the rest is history.

These Toronto natives were planning a destination wedding from far, far away, so Mary came up with the awesome idea of creating a Save-the-Date film to share with their invited guests as a way to get them excited for their super fantastic Disney destination wedding!  When she first contacted us with the idea, we were psyched! After speaking with Mary and Paul about their vision, we knew we wanted to come up with something outside the box. Mary and Paul are more fun, happy-go-lucky than romantic, lovey-dovey, so they wanted something that showcased their personalities more than just shots of them walking around, holding hands and smooching. Since more than half of their wedding guests had never been to Disney, they also wanted their film to show how fun their Disney wedding was going to be, and get their family and friends excited about spending time at the magical place that Mary had fallen in love with. In Mary’s own words, “we thought that it would be fun to maybe shoot a sort of engagement style, come to our Disney wedding because it’s going to be awesome, I mean, just look at this video!”

Cinematography: Rising Moon Films

We’re loving this shabby chic, milk glass, crochet doily toting photo shoot by Vitalic Photo. There are so many adorable and steal worthy ideas in here that it’s pretty much impossible to pick a favorite. The cute as can be mini pies along with the sweet little mini pendants have seriously melted my heart and I may just have to infuse those puppies into my upcoming baby shower. Hint, hint, friends and family! But really, this is just beyond pretty. Click here for even more!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Vitalic Photo…We have always wanted to do an inspiration shoot… mainly because after being wedding photographers after our own weddings had taken place, we always seem to think, “If we only knew then what we know now.”  We love weddings of course and the idea of styling a shoot based on our own tastes seemed like so much fun.  We started with my collection of white hobnail pieces and my mother’s china collection.  We wanted a look that was rustic, vintage, pretty and with a little flair.  The colors we chose are soft and pretty and the location is of historic value.  It is the former ranch of Waldo E. Sexton, a true pioneer in our area.

Photography + Styling: Vitalic Photo / Flowers: Pink Pelican Florist / Cake: Frosting / Headpiece: Woomi Pyo / Invitations: Blackberry Graphics / Banner + Boutonnière: and Bear

When I first laid eyes on this Vero Beach wedding, there was no going back. It was a head-over-heels, love at first sight kind of moment and totally convinced me that having your wedding day designed and planned by Bellafare is like receiving a golden ticket to the most gorgeous wedding on the planet. And then they went ahead and added the fabulous Leigh Miller Photography into the mix and let me tell you, that lady can take an amazing picture.  This number is about as beautiful as you can possibly get with a bride that is jaw droppingly gorg and a backdrop that screams beach chic. You are going to wish you could move right into this seaside fête. Oh and don’t forget to click here for more.

Click here to see the FULL wedding!

From Bellafare… Drew and Kristin are high school sweethearts who met in Maryland, but have called New York City their home for the past 5 years. Kristin is the co-founder of Bellafare, a boutique event and wedding planning company, and Drew is a fashion and documentary photographer. Drew and Kristin fell in love during a summer on the Chesapeake Bay, where Drew spent many summers with his family. They dated for nine years before Drew whisked Kristin away for a surprise engagement in Paris. When it came time to plan the wedding, choosing their date was easy, as it fell close to their 10 year anniversary of being together.

Kristin and Drew wanted a laid back, yet sophisticated and modern aesthetic. They have always wanted a destination wedding and felt that the Windsor in Vero Beach, Florida was the perfect backdrop for their chic beachside affair. The ceremony took place at the Windsor’s “Town Hall” whose sea foam and white facade perfectly complimented the reception decor. Following the ceremony, the newly married couple drove away in a golf cart to the Beach Club, where the reception was held. Upon arrival to the poolside cocktail area, guests sipped on speciality cocktails named after the couple’s favorite places – the “Manhattan Mojito” and “Bay Breeze.” They also had a chance to peruse the beer bar, providing a selection of the couple’s favorite microbrews.

The escort cards were placed on a long table flanked by sea glass and vintage apothecary jars with white blooms. As guests were invited to the reception area during sunset, the dance floor was surrounded by square tables topped with gray rattan linens, white flowers, floating candles, and various coral and sea urchin pieces. They dined on an asparagus and goat cheese tartlet, miso glazed sea bass, and enjoyed sweet treats from the all white dessert bar. Guests danced late into the night while listening to Motown and top 40 hits before saying farewell to Kristin and Drew as they embarked on their Italian honeymoon.

Planning + Design: Bellafare / Venue + Catering: Windsor / Photography: Leigh Miller Photography / Flowers: Hutchinson’s Floral Artistry / Ceremony music: Deron Baker / Cocktail music: Cocobean Productions / DJ: Carlos Sarli / Wedding dress: Sarah Seven, Additions custom designed by the bride and Cotton Bride / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids Dresses: Two Birds / Groom’s Attire: J.Crew

If you have to be up and at em this Monday morning, you might as well be swooning over this engagement session inspired by the most adorable movie of all time – The Notebook. Who doesn’t adore that movie? This couple is just as adorable as the film they were inspired by, and the images from Thompson Photography Group make for timeless keepsakes. So go ahead and make your Monday that much sweeter by swooning the day away in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Thompson Photography Group…Vanessa and Eddie wanted to do a 1940’s Notebook inspired Engagement Session. Vanessa coordinated all the outfits and had her hair and makeup perfect! We arranged for the 1940 Ford Pickup to be there along with the canoe.

Photographer: Thompson Photography Group

We’ve reached the end of yet another lovely week here on Style Me Pretty Florida and we thought we’d send you off to your weekend festivities with a bundle of pretty inspiration, courtesy of this fabulous Vero Beach soiree and the geniuses of Vitalic Photo.  Boasting one gorgeous detail after another, including beautiful orchid-filled florals by Thallo, a breathtaking ocean view and one seriously stunning gown, this beach chic meets modern affair is the perfect start to a perfect weekend.  So, join me in the gallery for every ounce of pretty and then stay tuned for another special treat from Vitalic Photo below! (Hint: It’s an amazing video!)

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And now for one last dose of pretty from Vitalic Photo before the weekend!  Enjoy!

From Vitalic Photo... We knew from meeting Sara + Robert at their engagement session that their wedding would be quite a stylish affair, and we were right. This could be one of the best dressed bridal parties we’ve seen. The ceremony overlooked the ocean on the most beautiful afternoon and their touching vows were memorable – Rob recited lyrics to one of his favorite Dave Matthews songs. Sara carried white cymbidium orchids and miniature callas and the groom wore a miniature calla, accented with ornithoglum and a green hypericum berry “button.”  The reception decor was inspired by clean lines, modern details and the seaside venue. The floral palette continued with blossoms in shades of white and green, including hydrangea, miniature callas, supergreen garden roses, cymbidium orchids, escimo roses and amaryllis from Holland. Modern glass vases were filled with polished marble to add texture and another layer of white. The custom linen, provided by Thallo, was in white pin-tuck. Tablescapes in the adjoining dining area added elevation to the space via sandblasted manzanita, lowered into tall glass cylinders, accented with cymbidium orchids.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Vitalic Photo / Floral Design: Thallo / Wedding Venue: Vero Beach Hotel & Spa / Cupcakes: Frosting Cupcakes / Entertainment: Class Act Productions

This wedding is so gorgeous and delicious looking with its sorbet inspired color palette that it’s totally making me crave some sort of yummy treat right about now. I mean, really, how could it not with it’s pretty, pretty hues and out of this world florals. Choreographed Events handled the planning and may I just say that they hit this one out of the park! It’s romantic, flirty and fun all wrapped into one beautiful day and thank goodness that Binaryflips Photography was there to capture all the details! Still craving more? Head on over the the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride…Paul and I met five years ago through a mutual friend at a work happy hour. We instantly hit it off and exchanged numbers at the end of the night. A few days later Paul called me and asked if I wanted to go to dinner at a local sushi place (my favorite!) I accepted, not yet realizing I had met the love of my life. In the past five years  we’ve been each other’s best friends and partners in crime. We are always by each other’s side, especially because Paul is always working on a project, and I am usually right there handing him his tools. Paul proposed on February 13, 2010 in the middle of a 7-mile run.  We had been training together for our first half-marathon and Paul proposed on the last training run before the big race. It was all caught on camera!

I always knew I wanted to get married in Sarasota, Florida. I fell in love with it years ago at the same time my parents did on a vacation from our home in New England. It’s a beautiful city with lots of art and culture, and it overlooks the Sarasota Bay. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in the world. For my wedding I wanted a romantic garden theme, and the Marie Selby Gardens was the perfect place. We were married under the Schimmel Wedding Pavilion on the lawn, with the beautiful views of the bay behind us. The lawn is flanked by giant banyan trees and an abundance of flowers. Guests arrived through a tunnel of hanging roots and vines with hand painted signs directing the way. The color scheme for our wedding was coral, peach and ivory. The bridesmaids dresses were coral and the florist captured the perfect combination of color for our bouquets. The aisle was lined with rose petals, and globes filled with fresh flowers hung on Sheppard’s hooks at every other row.

We chose the beautiful newly renovated Sarasota Yacht Club for our reception. It was truly breathtaking with its high ceilings, large glass sculptures, and its views of the marina from the floor to ceiling windows in the ballroom. We welcomed guests with a cocktail hour featuring our “Kelley Cocktail” (pink grapefruit juice and vodka with basil) that played along with the color scheme and passed hors d’oeuvres. Each place setting was set with silver chargers and alternating peach and coral napkins folded to include a menu. We chose to alternate high and low flower arrangements and placed votives on each table to fill the ballroom with candle light after the sunset. We provided candy favors for our guests in our color scheme displayed in elegant apothecary jars. We ate, drank, toasted and danced the night away. At one point I made sure to stop and look around. It was hard to believe the day had finally arrived and was going so quickly. As they say, it really does go by so fast!

Photography : Binaryflips Photography / Ceremony: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens / Reception: Sarasota Yacht Club / Planning: Maria Brady of Choreographed Events / Flowers: Bee Ridge Florist / Makeup: Eri Vincent / Hair: Ana Molinari Salon / Limo: Prime Time Limo / Ceremony Music: Palm Strings Quartet / Reception Music: The Ignighters from Jay Goodley Entertainment / Lighting: Affairs in the Air / Cake: Pastries by Design

Rustic elegance has certainly been enjoying its moment in the sun recently and you know that we love a little downhome goodness.  We especially adore when the country chic look gets all dolled up with a little modern flair.  This gorgeous shoot by Modern Events and Captured Photography by Jenny is a super fun, flirty and feminine take on the typical barn bash.  Not only did this Miami dream team perfectly blend the two styles but also made every detail easy to recreate and easy on the wallet.  See each glamourous goodie in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

And we also have a super special treat for you today! A DIY flower tutorial from Ever After Floral Design!

Ever wonder if you could be your own florist? Just take these easy steps to make your very own centerpiece. You can use these as guests table centerpieces, alter arrangements or to add a special touch to a dinner party. Enjoy!

Step 1 {Gather your Materials}

For this design we used all white flowers, you can use any color you choose. The vase can also be switched out for any shape or size. Just keep in mind the bigger the vase opening the more flowers you need.

Tall Cylinder with a 5” Opening
A pair of Garden Shears
5 White Hydrangeas
5 White Calla Lilies
3 Curly Willow Branches, Feel Free to use feathers or any other type of branch

Step 2 {Prep Your Flowers}

Since we always begin with the base of the arrangement which in this case is hydrangeas we will prep them first. It’s easy like in a rose a hydrangea has leaves down the stem. Just peal back from the bottom up until you have 2 or 3 leaves left. You could remove all the leaves but as a first time florist it may be easier to leave a few for support. Then you are going to cut the stems of all of your hydrangeas at a diagonal 5 inches from the bottom. This will help the stem absorb more water and removes any portion of the stem that maybe rotting. You might want to hold the flower next to the vase to determine the length you snip. Make sure to allow the flowers bloom to sit on the edge of the vase. Keep in mind if you choose a shorter vase you need to cut the stem shorter. As for the Calla lilies because we want them tall we won’t cut more than 2-3 inches off the bottom.

Step 3 {Begin assembly}

Always try to arrange all of the same flower at once and build upward. Starting with the hydrangeas as the base (closes to the rim of the vase) create a cluster. Then place your calla lilies in the center of the hydrangeas and either arrange low or tall to your liking. Lastly you will place the branches in the center of the calla lilies as the tallest. As you put the branches in some of the calla lilies may shift, so you will need to adjust once the branches are in.

Step 4 {Enjoy}

Now that you assembled the flowers your arrangement should be complete. Remember to get creative and don’t be afraid of color. You can always mix and match flowers and colors however you choose. The easiest way to create your own arrangement if you’re not visual is to use inspirations from blogs like this one. Once you find something you like try to replicate it, you will be your own florist in no time!

Tip from a Professional Florist: Please keep in mind that, arrangements like this one, although fun and easy to make, take several days to duplicate enough for an actual party and need to be stored in a walk-in cooler. I always advise if you want to put a special touch on your own wedding flowers keep it simple and create just your sweet hearts table and leave the rest to a professional. No bride ever wants thorns in her fingers on her wedding day!

From Helen at Modern Events:

When we began to come up with a design concept for this we wanted something that was easy for other brides to duplicate. Our design team along with Jenny from Captured Photography began their search for a couple that was truly in love and that would photograph well. Once we got to know them and the love they shared the design began to bloom from there.

Knowing the bride loves shades of pink and the groom was an outdoorsy kind of guy we picked our color scheme and venue from their inspirations. The beautiful private barn home with on site chapel provided a wonderful backdrop. The most important part of designing any event is to think outside of the box. By choosing a venue that doesn’t look native to the area you can create an ambiance for your guests they have never experienced before. Most people would never guess Miami for the home of this venue.

The next step was dressing a table with linens that are beautiful, yet affordable. Most vendors carry a line of standard items, yet quarterly or twice a year they will design a new line of products. Catching that opportunity to customize a set of linens to match your vision will not only be affordable but unique to your event. The other great way to add a custom feel without blowing your budget is working with a boutique florist. Most small floral shops will sit down with you on a one on one basis and completely design your flowers to meet your needs. Make sure you take advantage of this easy way to add your special touch to your tablescape.

We also wanted to find a dress that reflected the softness of the pink used in her bouquet yet highlighting the bride’s strikingly beautiful features. Using a ruffled dress still gave us a pillow like feeling with the structured bodest that made the bride look flawless. Taking the same approach of soft curls for the hair and strong makeup we were able to keep the look consistent.

Photographer: Captured Photography by Jenny / Event Design: Modern Events / Venue: Estancia Culinaria / Makeup: SJ Makeup /Hair: Starlit Designs / Dress Designer: Zayas Bridal / Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design / Hair Accessory: The Crafty Chemist

Wow, if this isn’t the most romantic beach wedding I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is. The amazing images from Ryan Joseph Photographs literally have me wishing for a wedding so-over. Every little detail is so soft and elegant and totally SMP worthy thanks to the talents over at Table 6 Productions. In fact, we’re so in love with this beachy chic fete that we can’t decide what we love more…the gorgeous tablescapes or the amazing color palette of cornflower blue, mango and white! The whole wedding is simply gorgeous! Click here to see even more!

Click here for more beach romance!

From Shannon Wilson of Table 6 Productions: Melissa and Andrew wanted an elegant beachside affair.  We worked together to come up with a modern pallet of cornflower blue, mango, and white.  We wanted the event to boast a Florida flair without appearing beach casual.  So in other terms this wedding was beach-chic!!  With long feasting tables that ran down the Beach club at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, FL, to the amazing ceremony arch – they wanted their guests to feel like they were attending a formal ballroom wedding but on the beautiful white sandy beaches of the west coast of Florida.  We decided on mixing small elements and tall elements of florals that ran down each feasting table with custom menu cards, place cards, and white glove 4 course plated dinner.  The guests danced the night away to the amazing Clint Wiley band while they watched the sunset over the ocean with the gorgeous view of the gulf of Mexico.  The night didn’t end there, they continued the celebration downstairs inside the beach club for a spectacular late night “after glow” party!  Cheers and Kudos to Melissa and Andrew!!

Event Planner:  Shannon Wilson of Table 6 Productions / Photographer: Ryan Joseph Photographs / Videographer: Voila Cinematic / Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota / Cake: Cakes by Ron / Catering: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota / Florist: Redman Steele / Invitations: CECI New York / Rentals: US Tent Rentals / Hair: Salon West / Makeup: Brush Savvy / Music: Clint Wiley Band

In my next life, I’m definitely having a wedding just like this. Clean modern styling. Crisp white details. A crazy gorgeous gown with tiny little ruffles all in a row. And I’m going to look just like this bride. Because she’s stunning. Ridiculously stunning. KT Merry sent us this piece of white perfection and I’m pretty sure it’s going to skyrocket to the tippy top of your favorite wedding list. So as you devour each and every inch, make sure you save some for dessert…where there is even more goodness in our galleries.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Felipe and I were married on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  We were both born and raised in Miami and decided we wanted a Miami modern/urban wedding filled of gorgeous Downtown Miami city views.  After dating for 9 years I was ready to plan the wedding of our dreams and loved getting involved in every detail.  We were married in a Catholic church in the Coconut Grove area, St. Hugh. Finding the perfect reception venue was priority, our reception was at the Miami Tower, famous for its striking I.M. Pei design and an ever-changing exterior lighting scheme.  The Sky Lobby has an open feel with large columns and marble walls and floors, in keeping true to the beauty of the building, our colors were white, pewter and a touch of navy blue.  The cocktail area was on the Sky Terrace in the evening where you can see and feel the Miami skyline and it’s beauty.

Finding my photographer was equally important, KT Merry shared my vision of the day, capturing the moments, with the clean and timeless photos along with the Miami skyline at the Miami Viceroy Hotel, where the bridal party prepared for the day and in Downtown Miami for our reception.  My loved ones got all very involved in the details along with me and shared the excitement, one of my Men of Honor (brother Carlos) created the giveaway which was also the escort name card, we gave our guests navy blue Moleskine journals and printed spines in Pewter with our guest’s names and table numbers and our emblem.  The groom had his special touches as all men in the wedding party wore real bow ties and black leather slim Converse with matching argyle socks.  The wedding menu was designed by the bride and groom, printed by Timeless Impressions.  Our flowers were modern with tall arrangements all bunched together slanting opposite ways. The bridesmaids and I enjoyed many afternoons on the search for the perfect dress that we all loved and fit best, Jim Hjelm with matching clutches from J. Crew.  All the ladies in the bridal party had make-up done by a great friend of mine, Claud’s Makeup Corner.

Some of the special memories that were unforgettable during our wedding day was getting ready with my mother, bridesmaids and flower girls in the Miami Viceroy’s Party room which felt perfectly fit for a bride or princess, our “First Look” in a gorgeous white on white room, our first dances with dad, mom and our first dance as husband and wife, the humorous and loving toasts shared by each of our 2 brothers, who were our best men and men of honor and dancing the night away to the music played by the band Havana Soul.  Most of all what touched our hearts was the excitement, love and support of so many of our friends and family during our special day!  Special thanks to all who helped along the way including family, great friends and our fun and trustworthy vendors, we enjoyed getting to know each one of you throughout this life moment of ours!

Ceremony Venue: St. Hugh / Reception Venue: Miami Tower / Wedding Photography: KT Merry Photography / Stationery + Invitations: Timeless Impressions / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang via Ever After Miami / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm via Daisy Tarsi / Clutches: J.Crew / Flowers: Flowers by Gerardo / Make-up: Claud’s Makeup Corner / Band: Havana Soul / DJ: DJ Ubi/ Flower Girl Dresses: David’s Bridal

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KT Merry Photography

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Welcome back to yet another fabulous week here at SMP Florida. We’ve got quite a pretty, little gem for all of you today and the best part is that it’s mostly DIY which means you can infuse your day with sweet details just like the ones you see here! This bride and groom were on a budget and knew that meant lots and lots of DIY projects. They made everything from the signs to the sweet-as-can-be stationary, to the cupcake bar and the favor boxes! Oh, and they even did the fabulous florals with soft touches of cotton! K and K Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty details and as always, there’s so much more in the gallery!

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From the bride…We met in Colorado and got married last fall in Winter Park, Fl just outside Orlando. The ceremony and reception took place in this beautiful venue inspired by the Spanish missions. I fell in love with the place because its is not a typical Florida venue. It was a very small and intimate wedding, about 30 of our closest friends and family members. it was definitely a DIY wedding, we paid for the wedding ourselves (both my parents are deceased), so we were on a tight budget. But at the end we had everything we wanted in our wedding for less than $20,000. My husband made all the wooden signs, I made all the stationary, bouquets and flower arrangements, cupcake bar, candies for favor boxes. We had a ceremony outdoors, then a cocktail hour and a dinner and dancing reception. We served an Italian menu, family style, mini ice cream cones and for a late night snack, french fries.

“A wedding without any buzz, is a wedding that never was…” How adorable is that little phrase that graced the details of this adorable Florida fête with a subtle bee theme?! Correct answer: Be-YOND adorbs. If this sweet as can bee (sorry I had to) wedding captured by Esther Louise Photography got any cuter I think it would be illegal! Inspired by sweet citrus and honey, the entire affair is just downright darling, and you can see what all the buzz is about the full gallery!

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From the Bride…My husband Josh and I love living in Tallahassee, Florida, but decided on my “Old Florida” hometown of Stuart for a wedding in the same church where my parents were married. Sharing this experience with loved ones within the same church walls was an incredibly special opportunity. We selected the Mansion at Tuckahoe for a distinctive reception backdrop for our day in May. One of the most historically significant sites in Florida, the mansion is surrounded by oaks, sable palms and a riverfront boardwalk, offering beautiful photo locations. It provided a breathtaking canvas for details selected to compliment its understated elegance.

For our Methodist ceremony, Josh and I changed it up a bit with “Clair de Lune” by Debussy as our prelude and “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven for the processional. It was special to have my brother read selected verses from 1 PETER, Chapters 1, 3, 4, & 5. The verses savor and elevate the message of love and were handpicked by my mom. The best men each participated in passing the wedding ring down to Josh, and my maids of honor each passed down my bouquet, creating a humorous-yet-meaningful moment in the ceremony. Josh and I then traveled to the reception in a vintage Jaguar generously loaned by a local car collector.

At the reception, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and live guitarist on the patio. The first and second-floor patios were sprinkled with pub tables with white linens tied with gold sashes to accommodate the breeze. Covered lanterns with electric candles made perfect wind-proof centerpieces for the outdoor tables, each accented with a few lemons. We had two separate bars, one for cocktails and one for beer and wine. This economical decision allowed us to more easily return unopened supplies. The groom is a huge beer fan, so we added select beers from Cigar City Brewing Company in Tampa, Florida, in addition to more mainstream options. Cocktail hour included passed appetizers and our signature drink, the Tom Collins (another lemony twist), with stirrers handmade using craft sticks, hot glue and small yellow ribbons. Custom neoprene koozies were a hit with guests wanting a warm hand and cold beverage. Each had the tagline, “A wedding without any buzz is a wedding that never was.” Our lemon wedding cake was made by a dear family friend. She decorated the cake to reflect the mansion’s ornate railings, and if you looked closely, you could see our initials in the design. Bird cake toppers from Etsy were embellished with a bow tie and veil to mimic our wedding attire.

Looking back, I am blown away by how well our photographer captured the day without intruding on special moments. Josh and I felt completely at ease with Esther. Along with our photographer, hiring an experienced bridal consultant proved valuable to my amazing mother and me. I could focus on having fun with my husband and guests knowing the event details were in Anna Marie’s capable hands.

Wedding Photography: Esther Louise Photography / Bridal Consultant: Anna Marie Wintercorn of Elegant Weddings and Events / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Vocelles, The Bridal Shoppe / Bride’s Earrings + Bracelet: Haute Bride via Vocelles, The Bridal Shoppe / Bridal Party Hair: Deidra Marcus Salon & Spa / Make-up: Donyell Parrish-Suarez / Bridal Party Dresses: Jenny Yoo via Vocelles, The Bridal Shoppe / Men’s Jackets: Nic’s Toggery / Men’s Pants: European Fashions / Men’s Ties: Southern Proper / Band: The Passions Band / Flowers + Centerpieces: Country Club Florist / Catering: Chantal’s Par Avion, Inc. / Bartending: Roy’s Liquors & Fine Wines / Custom Koozies: Clothesline /  Rentals + Linens: Premier Party Rentals / Graphic Design: Christy Jennings Creative / Printing: Karmanos Printing / Candy: Stained Glass Candy Company / Venue: Mansion at Tuckahoe

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I can’t think of a lovelier way to start the morning than with this fabulous Alys Beach affair by Jacqueline Ward Images.  No, I can not.  In fact, I think I’ll begin and end my day with this beach chic stunner and its breathtaking views, beautiful blooms by Myrtie Blue and the casual, yet elegant details filling every inch of gorgeous space.  All planned to absolute perfection by Fete Weddings & Events, my Thursday is looking prettier by the minute.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… We knew we wanted to have a beach wedding because my husband’s sister and brother-in-law had just finished building a second home in Alys Beach.  We visited once while we were still dating and fell in love with the emerald coast!  Mike proposed to me on 1/1/10 on the same beach we were married on. We wanted to use the private beach for the ceremony and their house for the reception.  We chose a simple and modern style to the wedding day and to keep the guest list intimate (45 people).   We chose all white flowers because we like the simplicity and thought it was a nice contrast to all the beautiful tones of the beach and reception location.  The colors of the wedding were white, teal and chocolate.

This was my second marriage and my husband’s first marriage.  My daughter, Esther Soriano, is in some of the pictures.  She’s 4 1/2 and was the flower girl.  She sat in the first row during the ceremony and we included her by having my husband say a vow directly to her just before we exchanged our rings.  It said: “Esther, I wasn’t there when you took your first steps, but I promise you that I will continue to love and support you in every step that you take in your life.  This necklace is a symbol of that promise to you. ”

I did several DIY projects.  The biggest labor of love were our invitations that I made 100% from scratch.  The other DIY project I really enjoyed were little “tears of joy” tissue packets.  We used those in place of programs since it was a very simple ceremony that lasted about 20 minutes. The groom’s sister has a courtyard area with a pool and we used a wall behind the pool to display a slideshow to music that I put together and we displayed just before our first dance.

Our cake was one area I was particularly proud of.  We didn’t have it in the budget to have a really expensive cake and had trouble finding a reliable cake vendor.  I kept joking with my husband that I was going to order a Publix sheet cake if the quote for the cake was more than my dress cost.  Well, after our cake baker flaked on us, I pulled up the Publix website and realized their bakery did do cakes and deliver them.  My wedding planner gave them the design I wanted and had them frost it and then I had my florist add the fresh flowers to my cake.  It was a huge cost savings over purchasing a cake from a person who specializes in wedding cakes, but it was absolutely delicious and everyone raved about the cake.

The mustang in several of the photos belongs to my husband’s brother and sister-in-law.  They have pictures in the car from when they were married 25 years ago.  They kept the car for many years and recently restored it.  We felt very honored to use it on our wedding day!

Wedding Photography: Jacqueline Ward Images / Wedding Planning: Christina Gillon of Fete Weddings & Events / Catering: Dine by Design Catering / Florist + Lighting: Brian Watson of Myrtie Blue / Wedding Ceremony Location: Alys Beach / Wedding Reception Location: Private Residence / Officiant: Mike Young / Wedding Dress: Mon Cheri via Running of the Brides Event

There’s nothing quite like a rustic chic soiree to cure those mid-week blues and this stunning Cross Creek Ranch affair is just what the doctor ordered and more with its gorgeous yellow and gray hues, breathtaking ceremony space and stunning bride and groom.  Plus, the favors are mason jars filled with trail mix and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I l.o.v.e that.  It’s a good thing that Caroline & Evan Photography was on hand to capture each and every amazing moment (Did I mention the bonfire with s’mores?), because I have some serious swooning to do.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty!

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From the Bride… Girl from upstate NY marries boy from the South. A rustic ranch wedding in the spring, with BBQ and trail mix served in mason jars, was in order for us when saying, “I DO!”  We named the tables after places that meant something to us and made round escort cards that hung on a clothesline for guests to find their tables. The ring bearer/flower girl are brother and sister but not quite old enough to walk the aisle and sit still so we used a wagon to pull them in and still include them! We also incorporated birds where we could (as you can see on the invite and cupcakes, as well as walking down the aisle).  For fun, we had horseshoes, a bonfire with s’mores, dancing and also a photo booth with props.

Wedding Photography: Caroline & Evan Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Cross Creek Ranch / Wedding Design: Emilee Rumore of Cross Creek Ranch / Day-of Coordination: Nancy Spooner of Cross Creek Ranch / Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo / Hair: Perfections Salon / Make-up: Destiny & Light / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Cupcakes: Alessi Bakery / Catering: Hungry Harry’s BBQ / Bouquets: Eve’s Florist / Yellow Clutches: Jenna Lou Designs / Favor Tags on Mason Jars: The Ruffly Owl

There’s a whole lot of pretty, pretty details to adore in this charming Naples soiree by Aaron Bornfleth and from the the gorgeous gray and yellow color scheme to the beautiful blooms by Elaine Boucher and that fabulous feathered hair piece, I am completely smitten with each and every one.  But, what I am loving most of all is the adorable bride and groom and their beyond amazing wedding day story, which you most definitely need to/have to read below ASAP.  (Hint: The groom’s present to his lovely bride-to-be is gonna make you cry some seriously happy tears.)  And when you are done soaking in all of that lovely, there’s even more to smile about in the gallery, so be sure to join me there!

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From Aaron Bornfleth… Just before their wedding, Emily gets a present, delivered by her maid of honor, Andrea, from Josh, her very soon to be husband. His present to her (gonna be hard to imagine how he’ll ever top this one), was a journal he kept “to my future wife.”  She never knew he was writing it.  The first entry, June 2nd, 2009.  Their first date?  One month later.

Emily and Josh’s wedding was a real honor to shoot because Josh’s mother, Andrea is a photographer herself, and not a bad one at that. She helped them find me. And when I met her at the rehearsal dinner (that the family generously invited Casey and I to), she was all smiling eyes, gratitude, pride and a bubble of giddiness.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Bornfleth / Makeup: MAC / Wedding Reception Location + Catering: Quail West Country Club / Wedding Videography: Christina + James of InMotion Video Productions / Entertainment: Scott + Tina Dean of A Sound Choice Entertainment / Flowers: Elaine Boucher

This St. Petersburg pretty by Gina Leigh Photography is just the thing to make my morning feel fabulously elegant – even as I sit here in yoga pants, sans makeup. It is just beyond tasteful and timeless, and it fully motivates me to get a little more glam on this Monday morning. Maybe I’ll drink my coffee out of my prettiest mug or put on something pretty or actually wear my hair down – whatever the case, I know for certain I will be keeping the glam going in the full gallery of images!

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From Gina Leigh Photography…Christina is Filipino and Pete is Greek which made for an amazing blending of cultures at the wedding!  The ceremony was at a beautiful Catholic church – St. Mary’s, and the BEAUTIFUL reception was in the historic Renaissance Vinoy’s Grand Ballroom in St. Petersburg, Florida.

A few notable details included the Jimmy Choo shoes, Anne Barge dress, the incredible Chihuly blown glass sculpture chandelier in the ballroom, and the TOMS that the bridesmaids were given as a gift which they wore during the reception.

Ceremony Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church / Reception Location: Renaissance Vinoy / Wedding Planning: Events by Vanessa / Wedding Photography: Gina Leigh Photography / Flowers: Four Seasons Florals / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Malindy Elene Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Jewelry: Adorned / Invitations: William Arthur at Beach Papery & Gifts / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston via Bella Bridesmaids / Bridesmaid Shoes: TOMS via Nordstrom

We’ve got a pretty-pretty treat for all you Florida brides to be today! This elegant yet totally laid back (think Tommy Bahama pants and short sleeved shirts for the groomsmen) fete will have you begging for more gorgeous images from Mi Amore Foto. We’re loving the all white beautiful bouquet, the cool as a cucumber green dresses that the maids rocked, and the overall chic vibe of this day. Click here to see even more!

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From Mi Amore Foto…I no longer live in South Florida, but when I got the email from Megan and Joel I knew I had to photograph this wedding.  They were so gracious from the very beginning and I really felt like I was more a friend than a guest.  They were both so laid back and really just concentrated on each other, which is what every wedding should be about.  Megan had told me that she made her bridesmaids cute little monogrammed shirts to get ready in so that they didn’t have to be in their dresses the whole time I was photographing them.  I thought this was such a brilliant idea.  The girls were comfortable, yet still looked great for the getting ready pictures.  It was a way to keep it laid back, but appropriate at the same time.

They kept the feel very old Florida by keeping the groomsmen in casual Tommy Bahama slacks and short sleeve button up shirts.  If you’re going to get married in Florida, in July, then it’s a great idea to keep your wedding party cool.  The reception was great because it’s in a historic part of Delray Beach.  It was held at Old School Square, inside of the gymnasium.  The first time I photographed at this venue, when the couple told me the reception was going to be in the gym, red flags went up!  I was quickly delighted when I walked in and saw how absolutely adorable it was.  We also got to sneak away and got access to the theatre where they still have shows and plays.  We got some great shots of the two of them, all alone, dancing on the stage.  It was such a great venue and such a wonderful couple to work with.

Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl’s Dresses: Elegant Child Boutique / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Floral Design: So In Love With Flowers, Leslie Maloney / Wedding Cake: Sweet Art by Lucila / Caterer: VIP Catering / Groomsmen Attire: Tommy Bahama / Bride’s Make-up: Kelly DeMauro / Bride’s Hair: One Aveda / Band: Solid Gold / Officiant: Pastor Vincent Putnam / Ring Bearer’s Outfit: J.Crew / Reception Venue: Old School Square / Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto

If seersucker and pretty frocks by Lilly Pulitzer are on your faves list then you are in the exact right place.  Jemma Coleman Photography sent us a photo shoot inspired by Palm Beach and all things preppy with a pretty factor that is seriously through the roof. Add to that a color palette that has our hearts all a flutter and bright, scrumptious florals by Touch of Paradise and we have ourselves a Florida affair not to be forgotten. Be sure to stop by the gallery for a whole lot more!

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From Jemma Coleman Photography…A fashionable & tropical inspiration shoot set in the breezy beach town of Jupiter, FL – the theme is “Palm Beach Prep”. We were inspired by the classic preppy style of the ivy-league-ers and Nantucket northerners that call this place home in the colder months and who have therefore rubbed off on all we Southerners over the years so that we’ve come to embrace their style and sense of living and incorporate it into our own.

Starting with oh-so-preppy blue striped seersucker linens and white hemstitch napkins as a classic preppy base from Atlas Party Rentals, we added tropical & local florals by Touch of Paradise, bamboo furniture & napkin rings, traditional china, and delectable foods reminiscent of the northeast by Rockstar Catering. Rope silverware represents our connection to the ocean & sailing. Our delicious signature drink – aptly named the Nantucket Red featured southern grown blueberries and watermelon.

For attire, our priority was traditional preppy style with seaside flair! The groom wore Nantucket Red Polo Ralph Lauren trousers, a smart white shirt & vest from Nordstrom, Brooks Brothers bow tie (with adorable sea creatures!), and Johnston & Murphy deer-hide oxfords & belt. The bride modeled a gorgeous Amsale ballgown provided by Boca Raton Bridal, complete with useful pockets for a wonderfully classic look. The bridesmaids were decked out in Lilly Pulitzer (the original Palm Beach Prep!) dresses and shoes with eye-catching jewelry from fabulous Etsy artists. All three ladies had their hair “prepped” by amazing local hair stylist, Erin Frazee. Our adorable doggy modeled a Vineyard Vines leash and a collar by Etsy artist, Pecan Pie Puppies.

For dessert, our pastry chef, The Sugar Monkey, pulled off the most adorable assortment of treats and cookies featuring starfish & beautiful flowers made from sugar. The cake was a simple yet elegant piece of art bringing the theme inspiration together perfectly. We had an amazing paper suite designed for us by Make Merry featuring stripes and a coral motif all wrapped up in a bamboo paper belt and starfish to set it all off.

Shoot Styling + Photography: Jemma Coleman Photography / Linens, Tabletop, China, Glassware, Chairs + Utensils: Atlas Party Rental / Wedding Gown: Amsale via Boca Raton Bridal / Models: Wyatt Hoover, Lilly Marshall, Sarah McKenzie, Jessica Whitehead / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Sugar Monkey / Bridesmaid Dress + Shoes: Lilly Pulitzer / Florist + Table Decor: Touch of Paradise / Catering + Signature Drink: Rockstar Catering / Paper Suite: Make Merry / Hair + Make-up: Erin Frazee of Allagio Salon / Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy + Nordstrom / Starfish Hair Clips, Starfish Garter, Starfish Headband: Sand’n’Surf Creations / Lobstah Bracelets: Joolz Hayworth / Bride’s Shell Earrings: Definitely Different / Hand-beaded Necklaces: Governor’s Daughter / Starfish Boutonniere: Landlocked Mermaid / Bow-tie Dog Collar: Pecan Pie Puppies / Sea Creatures Dog Leash: Vineyard Vines