Sydney and Ryan
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
“Our inspiration was classic and timeless design. I wanted our wedding to feel elegant, intentional, and romantic as something we could look back on in 20 years and still love it just as much. We focused on soft, refined details that felt elevated without being over the top. We chose green, white, and black as our wedding colors to keep everything timeless, clean, and classic. The palette felt elegant and sophisticated without being trendy.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Sydney and Ryan’s classic Sarasota wedding, welcoming 120 guests for a long-awaited Florida spring celebration following their Paris elopement. A timeless black, white, and green palette shaped the day’s design, carried through lush white florals, layered greenery, and clean, structured styling throughout the ceremony and reception. Meaningful moments such as family members taking on special roles, a poem the couple wrote and shared, and a gelato cart honoring Sydney’s late father added depth and intention to the celebration.
“I’m very traditional and detail-oriented, so I designed most of the decor and overall aesthetic,” the bride shared. “Ryan is the creative one, so he added playful, personal touches like our heart-shaped flower arch for the seating chart, our specialty cocktails, a curated reception playlist, and thoughtful gifts for everyone. It was the perfect balance of both of us!”
The Bach Party and Honeymoon
“My bachelorette party was in Michigan and had a ‘camp’ theme! I’m pretty laid back, so I wanted something cozy, outdoorsy, and centered around quality time with my closest friends before marrying the love of my life.
Our honeymoon began in Paris, where we eloped, and continued through Tuscany, Venice, and Rome. We both love Italian food and wanted a romantic, once-in-a-lifetime trip filled with beauty, history, and incredible food!”
The Planning
MDP Events
“We wanted someone thoughtful, creative, and supportive—someone who could take our ideas and help us curate a day that felt authentic.
We hired Lauren Gertz Bisbee at MDP Events because of her calm, thoughtful approach and her ability to bring our vision to life with such care and detail. She was so patient and truly made the entire process seamless and stress-free.”
From the Planner:
“Sydney and Ryan’s wedding was a chic and romantic celebration that blended whimsy with timeless elegance. Their ceremony featured an acrylic chuppah adorned with baby’s breath and white roses, creating a dreamy focal point beneath lush greenery. Personal touches made the day truly special, from their beloved dog Oliver walking down the aisle to Ryan’s grandmother delighting guests as a ‘flower grandma.’ Guests enjoyed a candlelit cocktail hour surrounded by lush blooms before entering the reception, where Lily Bella Floral transformed the space with abundant florals and glowing candlelight. Every thoughtful detail reflected Sydney and Ryan’s vision of a wedding that was not only beautiful, but deeply personal.”
-Lauren Gertz Bisbee, Owner and Planner at MDP Events
The Proposal
“Ryan proposed in our favorite city, Boulder, Colorado, beside an alpine lake in the mountains with our dog. It was quiet, intimate, and absolutely perfect.”
The Details
“We currently live in Denver, Colorado, but both grew up in Florida. We chose Sarasota because it was a beautiful and central location for our family and friends. It truly felt like the perfect blend of elegance and familiarity. After two hurricanes forced us to postpone our Sarasota celebration, we eloped in Paris—the city where we fell in love and said ‘I do’ for the first time. It made our Sarasota wedding even more meaningful because it felt like a full-circle moment surrounded by everyone we love.
I’m very traditional and detail-oriented, so I designed most of the decor and overall aesthetic. Ryan is the creative one, so he added playful, personal touches like our heart-shaped flower arch for the seating chart, our specialty cocktails, a curated reception playlist, and thoughtful gifts for everyone. It was the perfect balance of both of us!
Our wedding was unique because it beautifully intertwined sentiment and celebration. Between Ryan’s grandmas walking down the aisle as our flower girls, our personalized poem, the gelato cart tribute to my dad, and the heart-shaped floral arch, every detail reflected our story and personalities. It felt deeply personal while still being timeless and elegant!”
The Design
“Our inspiration was classic and timeless design. I wanted our wedding to feel elegant, intentional, and romantic as something we could look back on in 20 years and still love it just as much. We focused on soft, refined details that felt elevated without being over the top.
We chose green, white, and black as our wedding colors to keep everything timeless, clean, and classic. The palette felt elegant and sophisticated without being trendy.”
Most Memorable Moments
“Our ceremony was the most meaningful part! We wanted it to reflect our love story and include the people who shaped our lives. For the reception, our biggest goal was to make it a huge celebration with all of our favorite people on the dance floor!
During our ceremony, we read aloud a poem we wrote to each other about an ‘invisible string’ that’s connected us throughout our lives—it was emotional, personal, and so special. Another incredibly memorable moment was our first dance. We had rehearsed it for six months beforehand, and choosing 18 by One Direction made it even more meaningful since we fell in love at that age.”
The DJ
Graingertainment
“We wanted someone who could read the room, keep the energy high, and make the dance floor feel alive all night long! Graingertainment was incredible!
Our DJ, Alex, brought the perfect energy and kept the dance floor packed from the first song to the last.”
The Dessert
Cafe Ala Carte & The Gelato Carte
“My late father loved chocolate gelato, so we wanted to honor him in a sweet and meaningful way with The Gelato Carte. It became such a special late-night treat that our guests loved, and it made us feel like he was part of the celebration.
Cafe Ala Carte was amazing! They offered a wide range of delicious flavors and were a fun, memorable addition to the evening.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our photographers, Matlock & Kelly, completely exceeded our expectations. They captured not only the big moments but also the smallest, most sentimental details that meant so much to us. Our DJ also went above and beyond to make the reception unforgettable!
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Don’t lose sight of what truly matters! Your love and the people celebrating it. Focus on meaningful details that reflect you, and trust your vendors to handle the rest. The day goes by so quickly, so take moments to pause, breathe, and soak it all in.
