Styled shoots help to dictate future trends by allowing designers, planners, and florists to showcase their creativity beyond what their clients' visions are. While pinks and blues are filling wedding Pinterest boards, Sarasota wedding planner MDP Events and florist Beneva Weddings joined together to showcase an updated look on pastel color palettes.
“Our theme was sage green with beautiful pops of bright gold and white. I've seen many weddings with themes of dusty blue or blush tones. I wanted to do something different yet still romantic, soft, and elegant to show the options of other incredible color tones. Many couples love the use of greenery, and this sage color palette shows the endless opportunity to bring green into your special day with more than just greenery in your florals,” Lauren Gertz, owner and lead planner of MDP Events, explained.
While sketching out the design for this inspiration shoot, Lauren considered a multi-faceted approach beyond just decor. With the innovation of the Sarasota wedding vendor community, the planner was able to execute a stunning visual of the joyfulness weddings are rooted in.
“My inspiration for this shoot was truly the color and the idea of showcasing various set-ups. Sage green is a gorgeous tone in any location, looks beautiful in photographs, and compliments anyone who is wearing it! We even have sage as one of our main colors for MDP Events!” the planner gushed. “I wanted to create various arrangements throughout the shoot to give couples fun and different, yet stunning ways to do a sweetheart table, head table, bar area, and entertainment for their guests.”
When searching for a location, the wedding planner chose a hidden gem within the Lakewood Ranch community, Esplanade Country Club. Lined with palm trees flowing in the tropical gulf breeze and the property features multiple indoor and outdoor locations, including a tented lawn overlooking the golf course.
To transcend the soft color palette theme, gorgeous shades of greenery were featured throughout the different spaces of the venue. Sarasota florist Beneva Weddings played a dynamic role in showcasing the organically natural beauty of Florida.
“Since dusty blue is super popular as an accent color, we wanted to change it up and showcase sage green. Eucalyptus is a beautiful sage green, and we really wanted to incorporate that into the design. We decided on an organic style with white blooms to pop against the greenery, with sage green tapers and gold rentals to tie the entire design together,” Nicole Hackel, Weddings and Events Coordinator, Beneva Weddings, explained. “The flowers included anemone, Playa Blanca roses, silver brunia, lisianthus, stock, larkspur, astrantia, veronica, silver dollar eucalyptus, and seeded eucalyptus. We definitely wanted to use unique blooms to fit in with the organic feel.”
To capture the details in multiple locations, Limelight Photography created a charming contrast against the natural scenery, making the all-white bounce house and curated balloon arch look polished yet ready for a party. A&P Design Co.‘s illustrious designs cohesively intertwined with the modern decor elements. While the live harpist and mobile bar add an extra layer of entertainment to the evening.
“The blooms popped against the beautiful scenery of Esplanade and added a little something extra to areas like the mobile bar, cake table, and sweetheart table,” Nicole gushed.
Truly Forever Bridal styled the bride with a look that created a showstopping moment. The fitted wedding dress highlighted romantic lace detailing while the illusion deep v-neckline was a beautiful balance of soft and sophisticated, yet easy to move and mingle in. Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup‘s effortlessly beautiful styling matched the bride's personality.
“Our models really brought the full vision to life with their chemistry and fun personalities. I loved how the shoot went from intimate and sentimental at the sweetheart table to fun and dance-filled at the bounce house, just like a wedding would be!” the planner exclaimed.
MDP Events' modern-day luxury-styled shoot that emphasized elegance with a touch of whimsy. With the color scheme centered around sage green, the all-star design team accentuated west Florida's paradise ambiance with a party experience.
“We designed this shoot to showcase a stunning color scheme outside of the trends that tell a story of a beautiful couple through multiple gorgeous set-ups. This shoot was a huge team of incredible vendors we compiled together to bring a vision of fun and laughter, love and beauty, and celebration,” Lauren shared. “I absolutely adored working with these vendors. There is truly nothing better as an event planner than collaborating with reliable, fun, kind, and hard-working colleagues. We love to work with amazing vendors to bring about a client's vision or help them find what their vision actually is!”
How would you describe your theme?
“Our theme was sage green with beautiful pops of bright gold and white. I've seen many weddings with themes of dusty blue or blush tones. I wanted to do something different yet still romantic, soft, and elegant to show the options of other incredible color tones.
Many couples love the use of greenery, and this sage color palette shows the endless opportunity to bring green into your special day with more than just greenery in your florals!” -Lauren Gertz, MDP Events
What was your floral inspiration?
“Since dusty blue is super popular as an accent color, we wanted to change it up and showcase sage green. Eucalyptus is a beautiful sage green, and we really wanted to incorporate that into the design. We decided on an organic style with white blooms to pop against the greenery, with sage green tapers and gold rentals to tie the entire design together.” –Nicole Hackel, Beneva Weddings
What type of flowers were included in the design?
The flowers included anemone, Playa Blanca roses, silver brunia, lisianthus, stock, larkspur, astrantia, veronica, silver dollar eucalyptus, and seeded eucalyptus. We definitely wanted to use unique blooms to fit in with the organic feel.
The blooms popped against the beautiful scenery of Esplanade and added a little something extra to areas like the mobile bar, cake table, and sweetheart table!
What was your inspiration for this shoot?
“My inspiration for this shoot was truly the color and the idea of showcasing various set-ups. It is a gorgeous tone in any location, looks beautiful in photographs, and compliments anyone who is wearing it!
I wanted to create various arrangements throughout the shoot to give couples fun and different, yet stunning ways to do a sweetheart table, head table, bar area, and entertainment for their guests.” -Lauren Gertz, MDP Events
“I loved how the shoot went from intimate and sentimental at the sweetheart table to fun and dance-filled at the bounce house, just like a wedding would be!”
Lauren Gertz, -MDP Events
Estimate Cost of this shoot for a wedding of 150: Catering: $150-$250/pp dependent on menu selections and bar services | Photography: $2,000-$4,000 | Videography: $2,000-$3,000 | Flowers: $10,000+, dependent on style per table and bridal party needs | Printed Materials: Beginning at $1,000 dependent on custom items and day-of printed materials *This estimate does not include all aspects of a wedding
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
*Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.
