Ashley and Ryan’s Sarasota garden wedding featured a romantic evening set in the beautiful outdoor setting. Luxurious textures of velvet, metallic gold, and soft blues complemented the natural beauty of the venue.
“We got married in a botanical garden, so we needed a color scheme that would go well with lots of greenery,” the bride explained. “Our wedding theme was coastal rustic, think pops of blue with greenery everywhere. We kept the rest of the wedding simple and classic with white table cloths, gold place settings, and simple greenery for the centerpieces.”
The Sarasota bride read Marry Me Tampa Bay to spark ideas for her greenery-inspired Spring theme.
“I read the blog to get inspiration!” the bride beamed. “I live in the beautiful city of Sarasota, along with about 85% of our guests so it was an easy choice when thinking about where to get married. It was absolutely perfect, as is the weather in March in Florida. My husband and I are both very simple people with an intimate group of family and friends who pretty much all already know each other from living in Sarasota. We kept everything light and simple, and it ended up being perfectly intimate which is exactly what we wanted!”
As Ashley curated the perfect vendor team, she sought out a month-of coordinator to help make her 90-guest affair unforgettable. Anna Taylor, owner and lead planner of Taylored Affairs, knew how to navigate planning a wedding during a pandemic.
“I wanted a wedding planner who had a good reputation and was very organized,” Ashley explained. “Anna was supposed to plan my cousin’s wedding that got unfortunately moved due to COVID-19, but my cousin was still very impressed with her throughout their limited interactions. We ended up having to downsize our wedding (even after sending out save-the-dates), but it ended up being the most special and intimate group of people. I could not recommend Taylored Affairs more. Anna was extremely organized, responsive, and kind throughout the entire process. I truly don’t know how I would have gotten through my day without her.”
Both the bride and groom prioritized having a lively dance floor. To set the atmosphere for their entertaining eventing, the couple relied on the stellar reputation of Grant Hemond & Associates to bring the party.
“For me, my top three elements were: good food, good drinks, and a wild dance floor (I may or may not have done the worm in my wedding dress),” the bride joked. “We wanted someone reliable who had a good reputation. Our DJ did an amazing job and was very easy to communicate with prior to and during the wedding. We had a thirty-minute call a few weeks before the wedding, which allowed us to meet our DJ and communicate our wants and needs.”
As Ashley gazed back on the memories from her garden wedding, it was the ceremony that brought tears to everyone’s eyes that made a lasting impression.
“Our most memorable moments were the vows. Ryan’s made everyone cry,” the bride reminisced. “The first dances as my dad cried the entire dance, and the speeches also had many tears there.”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We went to Sedona, Arizona. Most of my bridesmaids live on the West coast, so I wanted to find a place that was convenient for them. I also wanted a bachelorette that was very low-key and had plenty of outdoor activities.
The Proposal:
We were moving back to our hometown, Sarasota, and closing on our first house that we purchased together. After we got the keys and finalized the closing, we went to the house for the first time as homeowners. When I walked in the front door there were balloons, flowers, and champagne everywhere. I figured it was just a surprise congratulation for closing on the house, but when I turned around Ryan was down on one knee with a ring in his hand. It was so special and I was completely surprised.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I wanted someone who had a good reputation and was very organized.
Anna, the owner of Taylored Affairs, was supposed to plan my cousin’s wedding that got unfortunately moved due to COVID-19, but my cousin was still very impressed with her throughout their limited interactions. We ended up having to downsize our wedding (even after sending out save-the-dates), but it ended up being the most special and intimate group of people. I could not recommend Taylored Affairs more. Anna was extremely organized, responsive, and kind throughout the entire process. I truly don’t know how I would have gotten through my day without her.”
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, California. We initially planned to go to Sweden, but those plans got deterred due to the pandemic. It was absolutely perfect and felt very “us” with lots of hiking, biking, and outdoor activities.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Coastal rustic. think pops of blue with greenery everywhere. We got married in a botanical garden, so I knew we needed a color scheme that would go well with lots of greenery.
What were your colors and why did you choose them?
Our color ‘pop’ was blue, but we kept the rest of the wedding simple and classic with white table cloths, gold place settings, and simple greenery for the centerpieces.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My planner and my photographer! They both made our day so special and memorable.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
For me, my top three elements were: good food, good drinks, and a wild dance floor (I may or may not have done the worm in my wedding dress)! We wanted a DJ who was reliable and who had a good reputation.
Grant Hemond & Associates did an amazing job and were very easy to communicate with prior to and during the wedding. We had a thirty-minute call a few weeks before the wedding, which allowed us to meet our DJ and communicate our wants and needs.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Find what is important to you two as a couple, not your mother, mother-in-law, or your friends. You want to remember the day as your day, and you want to make sure the outcome feels like it represents you.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Photographer: Christine Wozz Photography
Planner: Taylored Affairs *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Ivy & Vine Floral Design
Caterer: Michael’s on East
Cake: Frosted Cakes by Nicola
DJ: Grant Hemond & Assoc. *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Barb Lancer
Invitations: Truly Engaging by MagnetStreet
Transportation: Siesta Trolley
Dress Designer: Essense of Australia
Shoe Designer: Mago Sisters
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Show Me Your Mumu
Hair & Makeup: Lovestruck Beauty Co., Madison Fenner Hair & Bridal
Rehearsal Dinner: Screaming Goat Taqueria
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.
