Outdoor Sarasota Wedding | Ca' d'Zan Ringling Museum Wedding
Jessica and John's love for travel inspired their outdoor Sarasota wedding.
“John and I have done a lot of traveling throughout Europe, so we wanted a wedding venue that reflected the elegant European look and feel,” the bride explained. “Since we are such travelers, I was able to get more creative with the guest sign-in table. I incorporated vintage suitcases for guests to put the cards and gifts in. Instead of a traditional guestbook, we opted for a large globe for everyone to sign because ‘love makes the world go round'!”
To complement their European inspired wedding venue, the Sarasota bride and groom chose a soft color palette.
“The colors and Italian design elements set the overall tone for our wedding as one of elegance,” Jessica stated. “I wanted a romantic, elegant and classic feel to match the venue. I wanted to keep the color scheme close to the colors of the Ca' d'Zan: soft blush pinks and whites with touches of gold.
Since the couple lived in Tampa, they decided to hire an experienced Sarasota wedding planner.
“We wanted a wedding planner who had been in the business for a really long time, who knew the area and had great relationships with local vendors,” Jessica explained. “I can't give Nicole and the NK Productions team enough praise. They went above and beyond for us. Sometimes I felt like they were planning the entire event with me, even though we only booked them for ‘day of' coordinating.”
To provide their guests with a memorable experience and to capture a special moment from their wedding day, the bride and groom hired a live artist for the reception.
“John and I both have a love for art, design and travel. Our venue is also a renowned art museum, so we brought in a live wedding painter to capture our first dance on canvas,” Jessica beamed. “Guests were blown away and really enjoyed seeing the painter create a live work of art.”
The Proposal:
John proposed on Key Biscayne in Miami. We were staying at the Ritz Carlton for a special surprise weekend getaway, and he proposed while we were walking on the hotel’s private beach overlooking the ocean. We took a walk to watch the sunset and that’s when he got down on one knee and popped the question. Following the proposal, there was a hotel server with a bottle of champagne waiting for us.
How would you describe your theme and colors?
While I wouldn’t say our wedding had a specific theme, I was very particular with the colors. I wanted a romantic, elegant and classic feel to match the venue. I wanted to keep the color scheme close to the colors of the Ca' d'Zan: soft blush pinks and whites with touches of gold. The colors and Italian design elements set the overall tone for our wedding as one of elegance and understatement.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted a wedding planner who had been in the business for a really long time, who knew the area and had great relationships with local vendors. Since we are not very familiar with Sarasota, that was most important to us.
I can't give Nicole and the NK Productions team enough praise. They went above and beyond for us. They took a great deal of the stress away, helped with so many details and were very prompt with responding to all of my question. Sometimes I felt like they were planning the entire event with me, even though we only booked them for “day of” coordinating.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Your wedding day will go by so fast. During the reception, take a moment and go for an intimate walk away from the guests, just the two of you. The day is all about you and your spouse, so it’s important not to forget that.
Also, if you prepare yourself that some things do go wrong (something inevitably will), you’re more likely to realize how trivial it all seems compared to how fantastic the day was overall.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Ca' d'Zan Ringling Museum
Photographer: Still55 Photography
Videographer: Visions Unlimited Video Productions
Planner: NK Productions *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Flowers by Fudgie
Caterer: Mattison's Restaurant and Catering
Linen Rentals: Linens By The Sea
Tent: US Tent Rentals
Lighting: Affairs In The Air
Cake: Cakes by Ron
DJ: DJ Fresh
Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Music: Alafia String Quartet
Officiant: Rabbi Gary Klein
Invitations: Invitation Consultants
Transportation: Patriot Limo and Sarasota Trolley
Hair & Makeup: Fresh Salon
Live Event Painter: Wed on Canvas
Photobooth: Be Glam Photo Booth
