Florida Weddings

This Michigan couple had enough of snow and cold weather, so they ran away to Florida and had their dreamy, beachy engagement session captured by Naomi Chokr Photography — a perfect idea for chasing those winter chills. If you can’t get enough, don’t worry because there’s plenty more gorgeousness in the gallery!

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From Naomi Chokr Photography… Liz describes herself as shy and awkward in front of the camera. She also describes her fiance as camera-shy. This comes as a surprise to anyone that knows them both because Liz and Chris are two very outgoing and funny people. So this engagement session along the gorgeous, powder-soft, white beach of Longboat Key showed another side to their personalities. Both Liz and Chris were very playful during the entire shoot. She owns a local store in town called INfluence, and I was very excited to see what she was going to wear that day. Her dress was gorgeous and perfect for the occasion.

They both wanted to make sure that their engagement session was shot at a beach. Both are originally from Michigan, and they wanted to make sure their save-the-dates to their family and friends get everyone excited about their trip to sunny Florida for their wedding.

Photography: Naomi Chokr Photography / Venue: Longboat Key Club in Sarasota, Florida / Dress: INfluence

Sometimes a pretty, little wedding comes along and just sweeps you right off your feet and this, my friends, is that wedding. Full of sweet touches like baby’s breath bouquets and all white flowers, it’s fresh, it’s clean and it’s oh so pretty! Stephanie A Smith Photography captured each and every beautiful detail and there’s lots more to see right here!

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From Stephanie A Smith Photography… I loved this wedding. I loved this couple. I loved it all! Lets first begin with Kristin and her bridesmaids getting ready in the penthouse of the Hyatt. What a beautiful view of downtown Sarasota, and hanging her dress up from the ceiling lights made it feel like it was floating in the clouds. I loved the color of her bridesmaids dresses. The light gray/lavender went perfectly with the baby’s breath bouquets. I really loved Kristin and Kevin’s first look. Her face is priceless. Kristin is just so full of happiness and smiles, especially when Kevin is around. This was an amazing day filled with beautiful details and moments. I felt so fortunate to have been a part of it.

Wedding Photography: Stephanie A Smith Photography / Wedding Venue: Hyatt Regency Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida / Floral Design: Victoria Blooms / Wedding Cake: Pastries By Design / DJ: Fitz Otis / Wedding Dress: Oleg Cassini / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

Get ready SMPers, because we’ve got one seriously stunning wedding coming at you this morning! Sent into us by the uber talented Kt Crabb Photography, this wedding is guaranteed to inspire you for days. It’s simple, it’s elegant, and it’s got the prettiest florals we ever did see! Oh, and did we mention their super sweet (pun intended!) favors? LOVE it! See all the rest right here in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Joe and I met at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Louisiana State University. I was on the swim team and Joe was on the football team. The Lord opened the door for our paths to cross, and after dating for four years, we knew we were to spend forever together. While visiting Joe in Virginia, where he worked after graduation, he proposed on a surprise romantic dinner cruise on the Potomac River. After graduating from LSU, I moved back to Sarasota, Florida, to work and plan the wedding of my dreams. We knew we wanted to have the ceremony at Sarasota Baptist Church, and after living in Louisiana the past four years, I wanted a venue that reminded me of the many beautiful plantation homes. After searching almost every venue available, my dad suggested we look at The Field Club, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The former winter home of the Fields (of Marshall Fields retail stores) proved to be the setting I was looking for. With its 18th century Spanish villa style, front gatehouse, lush landscaped grounds and setting on Sarasota Bay, the venue was more than I could have dreamed of.

Joe and I wanted a ” first look” in order to pray together and have a quiet moment with just the two of us before the day began. The courtyard of the Field Club was the perfect setting for this! When entering the church, the guests were asked to “sign” the guest book by leaving a fingerprint on our fingerprint tree. I had printed and tied our program booklets together with satin ribbon that matched the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen ties. The church was decorated with soft florals, draped pews, a photo display, candlelit lanterns and a beautifully elegant floral-covered arch.

The Field Club is known for its amazing food, and we knew after one meeting we were in good hands. Along with the club’s specialties, we included Cajun dishes of jambalaya and Cajun chicken pasta to our menu. We had a buffet dinner so that our guests could mingle and socialize throughout the night. The timing was perfectly orchestrated by The Field Club staff, and the food was delicious. After our cake tasting with Thompson Cakes, we couldn’t narrow it down to just one flavor, so each layer of our wedding cake was a different delicious flavor. I surprised Joe with a chocolate LSU groom’s cake and display, which included his helmet, senior game football and various pictures of him in his uniform. We also had a dessert bar and ice cream sundae station. Who doesn’t love cake and ice cream!? Our favors were one of my favorite DIY details of the wedding. We filled small jars with fresh Florida orange blossom honey and decorated them with burlap, twine and a small message tag to guests.

As the reception and dancing came to an end our guests were escorted to The Field Club’s dock located on Sarasota Bay. We were showered with rose petals and well wishes as we made our way to the get-away boat. It was a romantic moonlit boat ride to the Ritz, where we spent our first night as husband and wife before leaving for our dream honeymoon in Bora Bora. Being surrounded by our closest friends and family on our special day was such an incredible blessing! I couldn’t have imagined the day being any sweeter. Kt Crabb, our photographer, was excellent in capturing the beauty of the location, the mood of the day and the wonderful details!

Wedding Photography: Kt Crabb Photography / Second Shooter: Molliner Photography / Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida / Reception: The Field Club in Sarasota, Florida / Floral Design: Bee Ridge Florist / Wedding Day Coordination: Stoney Dvornik / Wedding Cinematography: Corey Woosley / Wedding Cake: Thompson Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Write-On Sarasota / Ceremony Décor: Artistry in Elegance / DJ: Kelly Shires / Transportation: Bee Ridge Limo / Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal via The White Closet Co. / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jasmine Bridal via Something Blue Bridal Boutique / Men’s Attire: Sacino’s Formalwear

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, but rain on your wedding day? Pretty much the best thing ever. The sense of warmth creates an ambiance of cozy love that is impossible to emulate. It brings the focus of the day on the closeness of the bond you’re building. And, if I may say so, it makes for some pretty darn amazing images. K&K Photography, LLC can attest to that. They were on hand at this pretty, rainy day wedding and the result was a gallery full of magic.

Click here to see the entire pretty wedding in the gallery!

Josh and I have known each other for nearly 20 years, since high school, but only reconnected 3 years ago. Since most of our family and friends still live in our hometown in Ohio, we knew that an Ohio-wedding would be much larger than what we were envisioning. We instead decided to celebrate with our closest family and friends in our current home state of Florida, knowing that our guests would appreciate the chance to soak up the Florida sun! We envisioned a romantic, candlelit evening wedding, where our guests could appreciate the beauty of the Gulf Coast at sunset, without being right on the beach. We fell in love with the Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota from the moment we laid eyes on it. The charm and character of this waterfront estate created such an intimate setting for our wedding. And the fact that the original estate owner was an Ohioan made it feel even more like a perfect fit.

All of the elements we incorporated into the wedding helped add to the ambiance of the evening, even the unexpected rain that day ended up creating a romantic backdrop during the ceremony! For all of the planning that led up to the wedding day, we still never expected just how touched and emotional we would be during the ceremony. Saying our vows in front of our family and friends, who had traveled so far to celebrate with us, was the best experience of our lives. We knew that the day would seem surreal, and we wanted to try and capture as much of the emotion and love of that day in our pictures. K&K Photography far exceeded our expectations, and has given us memories that we can look back on and re-live over the years. The day was filled with fun, love, and laughter, and we are so grateful to everyone that helped create such a special day for us.

Photography: K&K Photography, LLC / Flowers: Dana Dineen Floral Design / Event Planning: Beth Carrick, Flawless Occasions / Ceremony Location: Powel Crosley Estate / Reception Location: Powel Crosley Estate / Catering: Good Food Catering / Rentals: US Tent Rental / Audio Visual: The Production Crew AV Productions / Officiant: John from A Perfect Witness

Diva Productions sent a film our way that so perfectly captures the feel of Florida. It’s the kind of elegance found in the backdrop of the  Ca’ d’Zan Mansion and the pitch perfect stylings of Keren Lifrak Weddings & Special Events that will leave you wanting to throw a glamorous party of your own. From the images by Vue Photography to the film that makes you want to dance, dance, dance, this is an old world glamour fest and you can see even more snapshots from the day right here!

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Diva Productions… There are few places in this world I truly consider magical, but the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion on the grounds of the Ringling Museum is one of them. I grew up in this part of Florida, and can remember visiting the Ringling compound as child. For a little girl with a wild imagination, it was heaven. I can’t tell you how thrilled we were when Keren Lifrak contacted us about filming Ashley and Jaime’s big day. For me, it was a dream come true. Jaime and Ashley are one of the kindest couples we’ve ever worked with. They were so excited about their big day, and the idea of combining their love of life with backdrop of the Ringling for their wedding film? Bliss.

Wedding Cinematography: Diva Productions / Wedding Photography: Vue Photography / Wedding Venue: Ca’ d’Zan Mansion at John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida / Event Design + Planning Keren Lifrak of Keren Lifrak Weddings & Special Events / Floral Design: Flourish Event & Floral Design / Officiant: Danny Bilyeu / Catering: Michael’s On East / Wedding Cake: Pastries by Design / Wedding Invitations + Program Design: Dragonfly Custom Design / Band: Clint Wiley’s None Other / Lighting: Bay Stage Lighting / Linens: Connie Duglin Linens / Photo Booth: Cat Pennenga Photography / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via The Collection / Bride’s Reception Dress: Stephen Yearick via The Collection / Hair: D. Cole Hair Design / Makeup: Andie Sleeman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wtoo / Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

When a wedding from Simply Bloom Photography makes an appearance in our inbox, we know without fail our adoration for all things beautiful is about to skyrocket. These ladies have a way of capturing a day that takes a veiled kiss or dining under a sea of strung cafe lights and kicks it up a few notches on the gorgeous scale. And so today we are doing high kicks and cheers all around because this gem held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is all ours to devour and it is packed to the gills with fresh, organic details. One word: MAGIC. See so much more from the day right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Nate’s from Kentucky and I’m from Transylvania. We met while I was teaching and getting my masters in Italian in Florida. We live in Los Angeles, while I’m getting my PhD, far from both of our families who live in Florida and Kentucky. Initially, we were going to have a very small wedding in Italy with immediate family only, but there are so many people that we love and wanted to be a part of our wedding day. We ultimately decided to get married in Sarasota, Florida where my family lives. We chose Marie Selby Botanical Gardens not only for its sweeping coastal views, but also for its stunning banyan trees. It’s a place where land meets water and sky to create a quiet magic at sunset.

We knew the most important thing for us was simply getting married. We wanted to make sure, however, that our family and friends would enjoy themselves. As a result, we invested in the food and soulful entertainment by Jonathan Cortez to keep our 70 guests bopping and rolling until the end. Phil Mancini, of Michael’s on East, was instrumental to helping us realize our vision, as well as Roger, of the Naked Florist. Because we were planning our wedding from the West Coast, while I was working on my PhD and Nate beginning a new job, we trusted them to bring our pictures alive into a unified vision. We focused a large portion of the budget on the photography because we believe in passing down art.

For our wedding, we combined the elements that move us most. We wanted the design to be organic, dreamlike, and classic. The core of the design inspiration came from our various travels: Florentine marbleized paper, a brass flaming heart cachette, and a silver cake cutter that my mother saved and brought with us when we fled under Communism for America. My bridesmaids (a.k.a. champs) helped me glitter walnuts and glue them to beds of moss. They served as party favors and décor. Combining our histories, Nate and I created an Italian and Hungarian influenced Southern wedding. As a result, we chose an intimate sit down dinner at two, long Italian-style tables lit by mercury glass tealights and bistro string lights. We hoped for an Old-world feel amongst the sinewy trees.

Some of the best moments of the day were the ceremony, which my former professor graciously officiated, and our first dance. Our friends came out from behind the tree and encircled us with sparklers. With all that we’ve been through, while dancing to our song under the moon and moss moving in the breeze, I cried my heart out in Nate’s arms. And I can’t stress how important it is to allow yourself to have faith that things will work out. It RAINED between the salad and entrée for a few minutes, and somehow, it brought people closer and helped them to laugh and relax. We have the rain and the people we love to thank for a breathtaking moment.

Wedding Photography: Simply Bloom Photography / Wedding Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida / Floral Design: The Naked Florist Event & Floral Design Studio / Catering: Michael’s On East / DJ: Jonathan Cortez (813-476-3134) / Lighting: Affairs in the Air / Bride’s Headpiece: Jennifer Behr / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Hair: Gina Lane of Salon Excel / Makeup: Carey of Warpaint by Carey (warpaintbycarey@gmail.com)

The Ca’ d’Zan Mansion.  A breathtaking Italian-inspired masterpiece overlooking the pristine waters of the Sarasota Bay.  In other words, the perfect place to say “I Do.”  And when you combine this Floridian paradise with a stop-you-in-your-tracks affair boasting a vibrant purple color scheme and the world’s most gorgeous bride and groom, well… it’s pure, unadulterated joy.  Thank goodness Andi Diamond Photography was on hand to capture every ounce of amazing, because this is a traditional soiree that deserves your full and undivided attention.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Oh, and we’re not done yet.  We have one very amazing film from In Motion Video Productions to add even more pretty to your day. Enjoy!

From the Bride… To say that I had my dream wedding is an understatement. In my eyes, there was no place like the Ca’ d’Zan to get married. Before I even knew that Thomas existed, I envisioned marrying the love of my life beneath the banyan trees at this gorgeous 1924 mansion on the bay in the town where I had grown up. Our day was that and so much more.

We wanted the venue to be the main design focus of the wedding. We kept the décor simple so as to not distract from the breathtaking surroundings (and to keep our dream wedding affordable, as we were paying for it ourselves!). Our inspiration for our color scheme, amethyst, peridot and aquamarine, came from the gemstone colors in the stained glass windows flanking every wall of the building. The style that we were going for: classy elegant with a hint of vintage and a lot of fun!

My favorite moment from the day — that’s tough! Maybe it was seeing the emotion in Thomas’s face as I walked down the aisle, being so engulfed in one another during our ceremony that we didn’t hear a word that the priest said or notice my niece practicing her twirls at our feet, or maybe it was our first dance, feeling like we were the only ones in the room even with 145 pairs of eyes focused on us. I guess the bottom line is it was knowing without question that we had said “I do” to the one God had intended for each of us. I loved seeing how it all came together and feeling that it was truly how I had envisioned it. I remember the moment when we stepped onto the  reception on the terrace and thinking, “WOW!” It was absolutely beautiful! A gorgeous spring night, the sun setting on the water, the uplighting on the stunning building, the colors coming together, the centerpieces lit — and that cake! The cake was my favorite detail of the day. I loved the pearls and rhinestones, and the lace that she piped onto the layers that matched my dress perfectly — and it was it delicious! My favorite self-created detail was actually created by my mom: our family’s homemade ice cream that I grew up eating at every special event and holiday with our family. My mom made gallons of it to serve ice cream with our wedding cake. It was a way to add a personal touch to the day while having that ice cream present in another of my most special memories.

Wedding Photography: Andi Diamond Photography / Wedding Venue: Ca’ d’Zan Mansion / Floral Design, Rentals + Uplighting: Bee Ridge Florist / Wedding Cinematography: In Motion Video Productions / Catering: Nellie’s Deli / Bakery: Pastries By Design / Wedding Dress: CB Couture via Sarasota Brides & Formalwear + Custom Design Alterations / Makeup: Michele Renee / Bridesmaid Dresses: All Brides 2 Be

When backyard elegance meets a seriously stylish couple and it’s all captured by Justin DeMutiis Photography, my friends –  that is prettiness defined. It’s a trifecta of wedding blogger bliss, and when this adorable duo’s engagement session just happens to be on the SMP Florida blog at this VERY moment – you officially have one very pretty Tuesday morning. Of course, there is even more of this fab Florida fête to take in – so be sure to stop on by the full gallery of images for even more pretty!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Justin DeMutiis Photography… Katie and Erick met while they were out one night with their friends in Tampa. Katie was wearing a blinking Jagermeister necklace she’d received at an Oktoberfest party earlier in the evening, and Erick decided it was his job to approach her to tell her how ridiculous it looked. Katie, not used to anyone telling her she’d made a fashion accessory faux pas, was taken aback by his bold honesty. They went on their first date five days later and have been together ever since!

The couple got engaged on Valentine’s weekend 2011. Erick whisked Katie away to a surprise romantic dinner at one of his favorite beachside restaurants in Clearwater. They had such a wonderful meal that Katie didn’t think the night could have been any more perfect …until Erick surprised her with the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.

Wedding Photography: Justin DeMutiis of Justin DeMutiis Photography / Wedding Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida / Wedding Planning: Barbie Tilman of Bumblebee Weddings & Events / Floral Design: Stephanie Prenatt of FH Weddings & Events / Catering: Kelly Mason of Fete Catering (941-552-0151) / Ceremony Musicians: Bella Musica / DJ: Josh Walther of Inspire Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Olga’s Bridal Boutique / Hair: Tammy Gamso of The Finishing Touches (941-920-1784) / Makeup: Katie Firestone (The Bride — ktfab79@gmail.com) / Headpiece: Tessa Kim

We have had a few of Jessica Lorren’s weddings cross our SMP path as of late (like this Miami number!), and each time the photographs completely blow us away. They’re wildly romantic in that dreamy, film camera sort of way and always with a cool Floridian vibe. This beauty takes the cake in the vintage category and the Bride? Beyond adorable. Check out the FULL gallery for so much more followed by a sweet little ending in the form of a film by Tampa Wonderworks Films.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My mom’s family is all from the south, so it was imperative for me to have my southern roots added into the wedding while still incorporating ourselves into the mix. We both wanted a good and memorable meal. The food we picked was purely delicious country food. Randy loves country-fried steak, shrimp and grits and collard greens, and I can’t go very long without having a meal consisting of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese! Along with an amazing cake, we also had pies for our wedding! Everything from melt in your mouth pecan pie to peanut butter cream pie. Our signature drink was a spiked sweet tea, which was heavenly! Our colors were gray, pink and yellow. My lovely bridesmaids wore dresses from J.Crew, paired with pink Jackie cardigans, also from J.Crew. Our bouquets were filled with white and yellow daisies and roses.

My sweet family helped me out so much. My grandmother made doilies, which my mother-in-law and sister-in-law glued onto old mason jars and turned into beautiful lanterns by adding a candle. They also turned old picture frames into fun chalkboards. Since Randy and I both love to read (I received my bachelors in English and British literature, and I am a English teacher), I wanted the wedding to reflect that aspect of our personalities. My mother and I spent months going to consignment shops looking for old vintage books that he and I adore to display at the reception. Etsy also became my new best friend. A few things I loved about our wedding that we felt made it special were the sunglasses wedding favor, the rockin’ American flag corn hole board, the karaoke machine and the vows Randy and I wrote for each other.

For me, the most important decision I had to make concerning the wedding was picking our photographer, but ironically, it was also the easiest. As soon as I saw Jessica Lorren’s work, I was floored. She takes images that look like they are from fairy tales. There is something so dreamy and whimsical about her photography that makes you want so much to be a part of it. Not only is she totally talented and professional, she is such a great person. When I couldn’t decide between two wedding dresses, she took the time to give me the pros of each dress. I mean, who could ask for more? I have to admit, even without all these wonderful details that made our wedding so perfect, all we wanted at the end of the day was a wedding surrounded by our friends and family in which we would get to honor and praise God for all He had given us. We wanted to make a promise to each other for everyone we love and know to witness. I am so thankful to have these people in my life and to have a groom who was involved with every detail and a family who brought my dream wedding to life. Besides the day being the definition of perfect, it was so much fun! I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding or husband!

Wedding Photography: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography / Wedding Venue: The Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida / Floral Design: Flowers by Edie / Wedding Cinematography: Tampa Wonderworks Films / Catering: Manatee Technical Institute / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Ron / Music: Sword Sounds / Doilies: The Bride’s Grandmother / Lanterns + Chalkboards: The Groom’s Mother & Sister / Wedding Dress: Allure Couture via Something Blue Boutique / Shoes: Vera Wang / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Hair: Salon Salon (941-953-5548) / Makeup: Enna/Anne / Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse

I’ve been obsessing over this gorgeous Sarasota wedding captured by Stephanie A Smith Photography all.morning.long… and once you take a look at all of the lovely details that make up this wonderful affair, you’ll be right there with me.  Set amongst a literal garden paradise (my new favorite venue) and boasting one of the most breathtaking ceremony spaces I have ever seen, there just aren’t enough words to describe my love for this darling day.  Yep, I could spend hours upon hours wrapped up in the gorgeous florals by Beneva Flowers and the vibrant green, orange and blue hues.  Join me, won’t you?

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Stephanie A Smith Photography… I’m sure Kyle and Justin have also thought this, but I have literally been waiting all year for their wedding day. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is such a gorgeous venue. Acres of lush trees, and flowers that surround the Sarasota Bay. You couldn’t ask for a better location to get married. Coming down from D.C. for their big day all Kyle wanted was a sun shining day. And even though it rained a little the morning of, the skies cleared for a PERFECT afternoon wedding. Kyle and Justin chose to say their “I do’s” under the big Banyan tree. Besides the gorgeous setting and perfect weather,  I think one of the key things I remember about this wedding was how in love these two were with one another. Justin couldn’t stop staring at his beautiful bride, and he got teary eyed when she walked down the aisle. The little looks they gave each other were so endearing and natural. All these elements combined created for a magical day.

Wedding Photography: Stephanie A Smith Photography / Photography Assistant: Blue Lane Studios / Flowers: Beneva Flowers / Catering: Sarasota Catering Company / Event Planning: Cari McDowell of Sarasota Catering Company / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca / Men’s Attire: JoS A. Bank / Hair + Makeup: The Michelle Renee Hair & Makeup Artist Group / DJ: Jay Goodley Entertainment

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

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

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

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

We’re jumping head first into a whole lot of gorgeous this morning, all thanks to Stonehouse Events & More, Inc. and this oh-so-lovely Sarasota affair.  Trust me, there can be no better way to start the day than with each and every fabulous detail of this classic fête, complete with beautiful blooms by Redman Steele Florist, a stunning wedding gown and an uber-romantic candle-lined aisle.  And just when you think it can’t get any prettier, that gorgeous color palette of red, pink and royal blue literally pops out of every amazing moment with its awesomeness.  Carrie Wildes Photography captured an entire gallery full of pretty, pretty images, so there is much more lovely just waiting to be adored.  You should definitely join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Stonehouse Events & More, Inc.… Lorraine Myers and Matt Grisham’s wedding was full of unique details!  They had a fabulous puzzle guest book; which the guests really enjoyed!  The bride loved Hosta leaves and used them in the invitations and the ceremony!   The bride handled all of her day-of stationery items, like her program that she made to work as a fan, the holders for the rose petals that were thrown by the guests as they were pronounced husband and wife, the unique menu cards, and table numbers. She even painted the Mr. and Mrs. on the back of their chairs.

Because of the gorgeous location, the Powell Crosely Estate was the perfect setting for their wedding, which took place on January 16, 2011.  The bride didn’t want the wedding to feel like winter so we used her wedding colors to create an intimate and romantic setting full of candles!  It was a very warm and inviting space that allowed everyone to enjoy every minute together!

Wedding Planner: Stonehouse Events & More, Inc. / Wedding Photography: Carrie Wildes Photography / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Powel Crosley Estate / Caterer: Fete Catering / Linens: BBJ Linen / Wedding Cake: Pastries by Design / Floral Design: Redman Steele Florist / DJ: Inspire Entertainment / Make-up Artist: Colours by Linny / Day-of Stationery: The Bride

We love, love, love when we come across a gorgeous indoor wedding. With our inbox overflowing with one outdoor affair after another, sometimes the perfect ballroom fête is just what the doctor ordered. Aaron Bornfleth captured this Florida beauty and it’s positively bursting with an amazing combo of white florals and the perfect cobalt blue accents crafted by La Vie en Rose and coordination by Confetti Events + Weddings. Be sure to pop on over to the gallery for a whole lot more gorgeous!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Aaron Bornfleth…Sarah is the type of girl that entrusts red lips to her makeup artist only. And I get it, I do, bold red lips and fair skin is like playing a violin in public, it’s very obvious to everyone if you make a mistake. Everything Sarah planned was just like that, thoughtful, deliberate, and done-the-right-way-or-not-at-all.  That’s who she is. And then I met Chad.

Chad is a irreverent ride of laughs, dancing and drinking with friends, facial hair, and sudden and disarming congeniality. And he really, really loves Sarah. To see the two of them together is like watching a chemical reaction. Sarah lights ups, loosens up, and belly laughs with a raise of Chad’s eyebrow. I’ve never seen chemistry quite like it. It’s like they are each the one and only catalyst for the other, and it’s awesome to watch.

Sarah and Chad held a gorgeous indoor banquet table style feast. We were just smitten with the elegant centerpieces, and the chic loungers scattered near the bar for the guests to chill on. I couldn’t resist borrowing one for some dramatic evening photos.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Bornfleth / Design Concept + Production, Floral Design, Lighting + Lounge Pieces: La Vie en Rose / Wedding Planning + Day-of-Coordination: Jamie Billings of Confetti Events + Weddings / Hair: Holly Nazario of Collective Creations / Make-up: Jess Waldrop / Catering: Good Food Catering / Entertainment: Inspire Entertainment / Venue: Powel Crosley Estate 

It’s another lovely Monday morning here on Style Me Pretty Florida and this gorgeous Sarasota wedding by mandy & me studio was well worth the two day wait.  Trust me, these nuptials are filled with so many beautiful details, I am not even sure where to begin.  Golden bird cages, vintage china, DIY flowers, lace tablecloths… It’s pretty much a wedding dream come true for little ol’ me and the only thing that could have made it better is having received an invite.  So, you definitely know where I’ll be… In the gallery!  Join me there for even more pretty!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From mandy & me studio… Based on the continuous communication we had with Lindsay, we knew we were in for a treat on their wedding day. They were married on May 12th, 2011. We loved everything about this amazing wedding, the details that were put together by friends and family, the emotions were high, the Cypress staff was amazing. It was a special day and we are glad that we were part of it. It was a day packed with emotions, energy and love.

Wedding Photography: mandy & me studio / Floral & Event Design: The Bride and Family  / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Cypress Bed and Breakfast / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal

I was so struck by the beauty of this bride that I had a difficult time focusing on all the details.  When I finally came to my senses I realized the stunning sensation that is this Florida destination wedding by Binaryflips Photography. I am in love with the little lanterns that the bridesmaids are holding in lieu of bouquets.  Can we please see this more often?  They are like pretty fairies lighting the way for the sweet couple.  Then there is the rest of the decor all created by the bride and her mother.  Eighty hand-crafted lanterns, and a slew of other little details, later a wildly elegant, classic, Moroccan-inspired, vintage masterpiece was born.  Everything is just divine and you can see it all right here!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… I come from a wedding planning background.  I was the social event and wedding coordinator at the Hilton and Westin- I know weddings, and this one was finally about me, so it had to be perfect.  I was determined to have my twist on all the wedding details.  Of course, the venue was first and foremost.  My parents gave me the cash and I immediately composed an excel budget spreadsheet- a girls gotta know her limits!  Since I was little,  I have always been a budgeter.  Now, I had a decent budget, but I still had a hard time putting thousands and thousands of dollars into one night.  My solution was to buy pieces that we now use in our new house!  Reduce, reuse, recycle, right??

First and foremost, we (I) had to find an amazing venue.  Since I grew up in Massachusetts and David in West Virginia; it was easy to decide on a destination wedding.  My parents have had a house in Sarasota for about 5 years.  My wedding assistant and I had been drooling over this amazing location for months.  I got engaged on Friday, and I had an appointment to see the infamous Ringling Museum on Sunday.  We toured the grounds and I was instantly in love.  The manager brought us into the Ca’ d’Zan (House of John – the Ringling Family Mansion).  I instantly knew that the vintage, Moroccan architect would influence my decor, but when we saw the “priceless” chandelier  inside the Mansion – my mom started to cry! That sealed the deal.

The chandelier became the inspiration of the reception.  I am happy to say, my mom and I are responsible for all the decor for the reception.  We hand painted and “bejeweled” Moroccan lantern centerpieces with Swavorski crystals to bind our inspirations.  We made all 80 lanterns- it was a 5 step process and took 6 months!  I love the classic look of champagne and ivory, and I thought this was a perfect color scheme to “class up” the funky twist.  I didn’t want flowers at all, I feel like they are a waste of money because they die 6 hours later!  I wanted my bridesmaids to be able to take a piece of the wedding home with them!  To me, flowers are the expected centerpiece, and I wanted something fresh- enter lanterns for centerpieces and bridesmaids.  I compromised with my mom and carried a small bouquet and our florist created fabulous altar pieces that were so me!

We decided on a progressive buffet instead of the traditional sit down.  My family always entertained and we never served a full meal, we would just have loads of appetizers and we would snack all day and all night!  It only seemed right to have a similar flow on our wedding night.  This allowed for all of our guests to socialize and mingle, and eat whenever they wanted to!

In memory of David’s late father, we  tried to add an antique vibe to the entire weekend.  David’s father recently passed away, and he was the biggest antiquer and historian I had ever met.  Since our favorite place in Sarasota is Sarasota Architectural Salvage, and every weekend we when visited, we would stop by to check out the store, and say hi to all the employees (yes, we befriended them).  Most of the decor we bought came from this shop!  We mentioned the idea in passing about having the rehearsal there, and Jesse (the owner) was willing to give it a try!  We felt like this was such an amazing tribute to David’s father, the perfect way to include him in our weekend.

Every detail had so much meaning to us in some way or another. From the vintage glove I wore at the ceremony (that was my great great grandmothers) to the perfect cupcakes, late night sliders and gelato, this wedding screamed “David and Kendra.”  I was so thankful our family and friends really captured the significance of it all.  It would not have been possible without my mother, she is equally responsible for this greatness.

To date, this is the best experience I have ever been a part of.  I am sad I don’t do wedding planning any longer, but I do love my free weekends!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Ringling Museum of Art / Wedding Photography: Binaryflips Photography / Table Decor: Sarasota Architectural Salvage / Florist: Garden of Eden / Wedding Cake: Wonder Cake Creations / Hair & Makeup: Ana Molinari Salon / Wedding Dress: Oleg Cassini via Lord & Taylor / Bridesmaid Dresses: B2 Jasmine / Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Pour la Victoire / Bridesmaid Necklaces: The Bride + Mother of the Bride + All Things Tinsel / Bride’s Shoe Clips & Bridesmaid Hair Facinators: Friend of the Bride / Bride’s Jewelry: Reflections in Gold / Wedding Invitations:  By Invitation Only / DJ: Good Times Entertainment / Transportation: Sarasota Trolley / Catering: Treviso / Rentals: Linens by the Sea / Day of Coordination: Melissa Fallis

This Florida wedding by Jessica Lorren Organic Photography can be summed up in one word – fun.  Crazy, colorful, nerdy, fun!  Ok, that’s a few more words but each and every one of them so fitting!  Throw in the fact that almost all the details were either handmade by the couple and their families (the amazing ceremony bookcase was built by the bride’s grandfather!) or independent vendors found on Etsy and you have a stellar, hand-crafted event.  Are you sticking to just a couple colors or are you incorporating all the colors of the rainbow?  Click here to see even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… For our wedding, we wanted everyone to have a good time and for it to feel like our wedding. We wanted it to be unique and reflective of our personalities. Both Wyatt and I are self-proclaimed nerds who love books and reading. I love teacups and anything old with a story. We took these loves and created decorations that would be memorable and very Katie and Wyatt. I collected teacups and books from any and every source I could: thrift stores, antique stores, book stores, even my own personal collection. We were able to give our guests a unique gift as well: they took the books and teacups home with them! The bookshelves that my grandfather made for me a few years ago became the perfect backdrop for our wedding: tying together the decor and giving a unique twist to the idea of an arbor or an altar.

Another important aspect of the decor for me was color. I didn’t have any specific colors in mind, I just knew I wanted all of them. I gave my bridesmaids specific colors and told them to pick any dress they wanted. I chose the flowers in my bouquet based on whatever had the brightest colors. Peacock feathers showed up a few times in the decor because of the beautiful jewel tone we could incorporate. Using silk and paper flowers in the teacups meant I could use whatever colors I could find. I wanted the day to have as much bright and happy colors as possible. I am extremely grateful for Jessica Lorren’s beautiful photography: she captured all of the details I wanted to remember and many I would not have remembered. Now I have our entire day captured in stunningly beautiful photographs.

Most of the wedding was handmade by myself, my friends and family, or people on Etsy. I tried to get as many details as I could handmade by talented people: the flower-girl dresses and wands, boutonnieres, my jewelry and hair accessories, photo booth chalkboard, and jewels for the cake all came from Esty.  My amazing grandmother handmade my veil, many people put together teacups or the garland, my best friend Sarah made us our beautiful and fun cakes, my grandfather made our bookshelves and garland, my mom’s cousin put together all of the paper goods, my best friend’s dad drove us away in his boat, even the groomsmen helped by putting the decorations in arrangements on the tables! The handmade element was extremely important to me because I knew everything we used was made with love and hard work.

The day happened better than I could have imagined: we were surrounded by our family and friends, many of whom had helped with the wedding in some way, shape or form: my grandfather and father-in-law were the officiates, my aunt was the unofficial wedding planner, my sister and best friends were bridesmaids, my new nieces were flower girls, my young cousins were ring bearers and program ushers, my older cousins took photographs and manned our photo booth, our DJ was a family friend… it was truly a beautiful day of community, love and joy.

My favorite moments are too difficult to choose. Some of the best moments include walking down the aisle on my father’s arm and seeing everyone who had come to celebrate with us, Wyatt and I dancing our first dance, seeing my grandmother, mother and father all dance to the Twist, our dear friends dancing with us on the lawn, and seeing all the hard work and planning come together in a beautiful day.

Wedding Photography: Jessica Lorren Organic Photography / Wedding Cinematography: StarFruit Productions / Floral Design: The Flower Guys / Ceremony & Reception Location: The Powel Crosley Estate / Caterering: Sarasota Catering Company / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Bride’s Earrings: Bettina Johnson Jewelry / Boutonnieres: Scattered Stardust / Flower Girl Dresses: Boutique Mia / Flower Girl Wands: Finns & Flowers / Ring Bearer Bowties: Tiny Ties / Ring Bearer Suspenders: Zebra Duck Design / Bridesmaid Dresses: Modcloth + J.Crew + Ross / Bride’s Veil: Grandmother of the Bride / Paper Goods: Cousin of the Bride / Wedding Cakes: Friend of the Bride

This Sarasota wedding from Audrey Snow Photography is romantic. It is glamorous. It is personal. All in all, it is what little girls hope for when dreaming of their own someday wedding. This beautiful bride not only found her Prince Charming, but was able to have the wedding of her dreams at an estate seeped in grand style and history, fit for a fairy tail. And thanks to Audrey, our bride and groom have these gorgeous memories to share with their children and grandchildren one day. Make sure to check out even more in the gallery!

From Audrey…Anna and Dustin were married at the lovely Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, FL on 7.10.10. The estate has a distinctly Mediterranean feel which effortlessly gives guests the feeling of celebrating in another time and place altogether. It is absolutely perfect for any bride and groom with timeless style. The lacy detail on Anna’s gown paired with Dustin’s classic white linen suit were right at home here. Little pops of orange in the florals were a beautifully vibrant contrast to the elegant, more traditional navy that ruled the details from the table linens to the bridesmaids gowns. We particularly loved the cupcakes with their pattern-coded wrappers depicting each flavor within, not to mention their adorable love bird cupcake toppers!

Though it was a typically toasty South Florida day, wedding guests stayed comfortable in the shaded outdoor ceremony site and tented reception. Dinner was held under the tent and then after sunset, Anna and Dustin danced the night away with their guests under the bulb party lights that ran from the tent to the mansion. The lights gave the feeling of partying in an open air Italian piazza. From beginning to end, it was the loveliest of wedding celebrations!

If you, like me, need even more of this wedding, make sure to pop over to Audrey’s blog!

From our gorgeous bride…Most brides would say their wedding day was magical. As I began to plan my own, I feared that for one reason or another, mine would not end up that way. I love being creative, and I am a planner at heart. But at the same time, I did worry about every little detail. Dustin grounded me every day, reminding me of “the reason for the season.” Forgetting about the details, I realized those fears were silly. We were joining together, uniting as one, best friends committing our lives to each other, all while being surrounded by our closest family and friends. How could it not be magical?

We told ourselves one thing before we met at the aisle that day, remember to pause and soak it all in. Arm in arm with my dad, from across the room, or while dancing under a glow of lights, we stared into each others’ eyes, reminding one another to pause. Telling ourselves to capture the faces around us, feel the breeze, embrace the summer’s air, admire the glistening water and the swaying trees. I have never truly embraced the moments of a day more than on that day.

There are some memories that seem to come alive when I reminisce. I remember feeling more beautiful than I ever have in my life, and I imagine I may never feel that way again. My brothers teared up when they saw me for the first time in my dress. I will always remember that. I remember my mom looking beautiful. She wore a light blue shirt in the bridal room that made her glow. I remember laughing with my dad as a snake slithered in front of us on the sidewalk. I was in awe of the view as I walked down the aisle. Focusing in on Dustin as he stood in the center of it all, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Watching the sun set behind the water was bittersweet. It was breathtaking, all you would hope a Florida summer sunset would be, yet it meant that our day was that much closer to being over. I loved hearing the songs I requested and skipping through a sea of people to find Dustin. (He is the cutest dancer!) And there is just something special about seeing your parents laugh as they swing each other around the dance floor.

As I try to put into words my feelings from the day, I find it is impossible to fully express or summarize in any justified way. But in the end, and in the simplest way put, it was magical.

Photography: Audrey Snow Photography / Flowers: Beneva Flowers / Event Coordination: Nellie’s Catering / Ceremony Location: Powel Crosley Estate / Reception Location: Powel Crosley Estate