MacKenzie and Donald
Lido Beach Resort
“Our wedding design was inspired by a blend of boho charm and timeless elegance. We incorporated natural elements like rattan accents and lush greenery to create a warm, garden-inspired atmosphere, while keeping the overall look refined and classy.
Our wedding colors were navy blue and a soft rose pink, a palette that complemented the beach and ocean setting while still feeling romantic, elegant, and timeless.” -The Bride
FEATURING
MacKenzie and Donald’s elegant, Sarasota wedding blended boho-inspired details with a romantic beachfront setting. The bride and groom exchanged vows on the white sand overlooking the Gulf before moving indoors for a reception featuring rattan accents, patterned linens, candlelight, and arrangements of white florals and lush greenery. Their March destination wedding brought 90 guests to Florida to experience the picturesque coastal setting and celebrate alongside the couple.
“We live in Fenton, Michigan, and chose to get married at Lido Beach, Florida, because it reflects our love for the ocean, the beauty of nature, and the relaxed, meaningful atmosphere we wanted for our special day,” the bride shared. “What made our wedding truly unique was that, even though it was a destination wedding, it still felt like home. We were very intentional about every detail and wanted each part of the day to have meaning and purpose. The most personal detail was our seating chart. Instead of simply assigning seats, we wrote a handwritten letter to every guest.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“We hosted a joint bachelor and bachelorette party in Michigan with all of our friends. We rented a party bus and spent the night downtown Brighton, which made it easy for everyone to stay together and enjoy the night without worrying about driving or logistics. We chose this setup because we wanted something fun, simple, and social that let all of our closest friends celebrate with us in one place. It ended up being the perfect one-night celebration—just what we needed.
We spent our honeymoon on Anna Maria Island, Florida. It was close to our wedding venue and let us stay somewhere that already felt special and familiar. We spent our days relaxing on the beach and enjoying time on the boat along the Intracoastal, which made it the perfect mix of relaxation and celebration. We also loved that many of our guests were from out of town and stayed in the same area for a vacation after the wedding, so it felt like the celebration continued even after the big day. It was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the start of married life.”
The Proposal
“Donald proposed on his family farm under a tree that sits in the middle of their bean field. It was a meaningful spot for us because we had spent time there together on past visits and dates. The moment was intimate and personal, with just the two of us there while his sister secretly hid behind a tractor and captured photos of the proposal. It was simple, heartfelt, and perfectly reflected our relationship.”
From The Photographer
“The love between MacKenzie and Donald was magical! They couldn’t take their eyes off of each other all night! The venue they chose is set up perfectly for a Florida beach wedding: clear ocean water, white sand, and blue skies made a great backdrop.”
-Will DeCosta, Iyrus Weddings
The Photography and Videography
Iyrus Weddings
“When searching for a wedding photo and video team, we wanted someone who was not only talented but also personable and organized. We wanted a team that felt both professional and approachable.
We chose Iyrus Weddings because Will DeCosta immediately stood out. His work spoke for itself, but what really set him apart was how intentional he was about getting to know us and understanding the flow of our day.
On the wedding day, his presence was steady and helpful without ever feeling intrusive. He naturally stepped in to keep things moving and made the whole experience feel smooth and stress-free. My husband said Will was the kind of person you would want to ‘have a beer with.’ Overall, the experience felt seamless from beginning to end, and we were very happy with our choice.”
Most Memorable Moment
“One of the most memorable moments of our wedding was when our photographer took us back down to the beach for sunset photos. It was such a peaceful break in the day and gave us a chance to step away and just take everything in together. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, with the soft sunset light creating the most beautiful backdrop. Every shot felt intentional, from the angles to how the colors, lighting, and ocean backdrop all came together. It was such a special moment of just the two of us, and the photos captured not only how everything looked, but how it felt. It ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of the entire day.”
The Inspiration
“Our wedding design blended boho charm and timeless elegance. We incorporated natural elements like rattan accents and lush greenery to create a warm, garden-inspired atmosphere, while keeping the overall look refined and classy. The white and green florals added a fresh, romantic feel that perfectly balanced the organic textures with a clean, elegant aesthetic. We chose this style because it felt like a beautiful reflection of our personalities—relaxed, natural, and sophisticated.
Our wedding colors were navy blue and a soft rose pink. The groomsmen wore navy blue, while the bridesmaids wore rose pink dresses. We chose these colors because we wanted a palette that complemented the beach and ocean setting while still feeling romantic, elegant, and timeless. The combination fit perfectly with our boho-garden-inspired theme and paired beautifully with our white and green florals. All of our floral arrangements featured white blooms and lush greenery, creating a fresh, natural look that tied everything together. We also wanted colors that would flatter everyone and photograph beautifully across a variety of skin tones, making them the perfect choice for our wedding day.”
The Details
“We wanted our wedding to feel personal and meaningful, so we incorporated several details that reflected who we are as a couple. Since we love playing cards together, we had guests sign a deck of cards instead of a traditional guest book. As a first-grade teacher, one of my favorite touches was having my students write what love meant to them and share marriage advice for us. We displayed their sweet responses as part of our table décor, and they became a special conversation piece for our guests.
The most personal detail was our seating chart. Instead of simply assigning seats, we wrote a handwritten letter to every guest. Each note shared a favorite memory, expressed our gratitude, and told them how much they mean to us. It took months to complete, but seeing our guests open and read their letters was one of the most memorable and rewarding moments of the day.
One of the most important elements of our wedding was honoring the loved ones who could not be there with us. My grandmother had recently passed away, and both of my husband’s grandparents had also passed, so it was very important to us to include a memory table dedicated to them. We displayed photos and special keepsakes to celebrate their lives and acknowledge the impact they had on us. That space let us feel their presence on such an important day and served as a meaningful reminder that they were still part of our celebration in spirit.”
The Entertainment
Tampa Bay DJ Company
“When looking for a wedding DJ, we wanted someone who would listen to our music preferences while also knowing how to read the crowd and keep the energy high all night. It was important to us that the reception felt like a true celebration, where guests would feel comfortable and excited to stay on the dance floor. Our DJ did an incredible job of keeping the party going from start to finish. The dance floor was packed all night with no downtime, and he maintained the energy even during slower songs. He balanced our requests with his own expertise perfectly, creating a fun, nonstop atmosphere that our guests are still talking about.
We chose Tampa Bay DJ Company because of Kevin’s strong reputation and the personal recommendations we received. He provided a detailed song list ahead of time, making it easy to communicate our preferences and feel confident that the music would match the vibe we wanted. My parents had also attended a wedding where Kevin was the DJ, and they were immediately impressed by his energy, professionalism, and ability to keep the night flowing smoothly. On our wedding day, he exceeded all expectations. Kevin did an amazing job emceeing the entire event, keeping guests engaged, informed, and excited from start to finish. From introductions and speeches to the cake cutting and dance floor, everything transitioned seamlessly. His presence brought so much energy to the room, and he played a huge role in making the reception feel fun, organized, and unforgettable. He truly was the best.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Swanky Soirée truly exceeded our expectations in every way. Stefanie was an absolute dream to work with and took care of every detail on the wedding day with such calm confidence and professionalism. She handled all the behind-the-scenes coordination so seamlessly that we never had to worry about a thing. Having her as our point person let us stay fully present and actually enjoy every moment of our day without stress or distraction. Looking back, hiring her was one of the best investments we made; she kept everything running smoothly and was truly the key to keeping the day organized, relaxed, and enjoyable from start to finish.
What advice would you give other Sarasota couples?
Focus your budget on the things that truly shape the guest experience and the memories you’ll keep forever. It’s easy to get caught up in smaller details, but things like extravagant guest favors often don’t have a lasting impact. Instead, we recommend being intentional about where your money goes and prioritizing quality food, photography, and vendors who help bring your vision to life.
We also found that being thoughtful about your guest list makes a big difference. You don’t need to invite everyone you know—sometimes a smaller, more intimate wedding allows you to truly connect with your guests and be more present throughout the day. In the end, choosing what matters most to you as a couple will make the experience feel more meaningful and enjoyable.”
