Blair and Joseph's Longboat Key destination wedding combined romantic shades of soft pink and white, coastal-inspired woven lanterns, and an abundance of candlelight. The bride and groom exchanged vows on the pristine white sand of the island before celebrating with their friends and family with an outdoor lawn reception.
“My wedding theme was romantic coastal chic. We had rattan lanterns, votives, and chargers. I've always loved rattan,” the bride shared. “Our colors were shades of pink, white, and gold. Pink is my favorite color. Our ceremony was on the beach, so I wanted to incorporate colors that complement the white sand.”
The Philadelphia bride relied on Marry Me Tampa Bay's plentiful advice articles to guide her through the planning process for her November nuptials.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay for wedding advice and inspiration,” the bride revealed. “I found great articles on setting a wedding budget, the benefits of hiring a wedding planner, and hair/makeup trial tips.”
With the bride's parents residing in the area and Joseph having popped the question nearby, the couple knew the Sunshine State would be the perfect setting for a 127-guest celebration. Throughout their stay at The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Blair and Joseph were constantly impressed with the beautiful property, attentive staff, and stellar service.
“I've always known that I didn't want to get married in a church or a ballroom; I really wanted an outdoor wedding with a coastal chic theme. We chose The Resort at Longboat Key Club because we were blown away during our initial tour. Their service was out of this world,” Blair raved. “Our Event Manager, Gwen Paseka, was absolutely amazing. She was so responsive and attentive to our needs throughout the entire process. Guests raved about the food, and the portions were generous! I cannot say enough good things about Longboat Key Club.”
Since she was coordinating from a distance, the bride understood the importance of working with a local wedding planner, and her experience with Riley Gersch at Elegant Affairs By Design was effortless and enjoyable from start to finish.
“I wanted a wedding planner who I clicked with and someone who understood my vision. I chose Elegant Affairs by Design because I immediately connected with Riley. She was the most down-to-earth and genuine wedding planner I interviewed. Their services were outstanding,” the bride beamed. “Riley was always so responsive; she always respectfully offered her opinion, helped me source vendors and negotiate on our behalf, and was such a great support throughout the whole process. I truly feel like I gained a friend.”
The pair created a sentimental celebration through a personalized ceremony and reception that included their friends and family in meaningful experiences.
“Our ceremony was very personal; we wrote our own vows, and Joseph's brother was our officiant. It was truly a special day because my 94-year-old grandfather was able to attend and walk down the aisle. He's always said that it's been his life goal to see his grandchildren get married,” Blair reminisced. “In honor of Joseph's Italian heritage, we kicked off our reception to That's Amore and invited guests to join us on the dance floor.”
The bridesmaids donned assorted long gowns in various shades of blush and dusty pink. Blair turned to the expert artists at Femme Akoi Beauty Studio to enhance their natural beauty and have them camera-ready for the wedding day.
“I hired Femme Akoi for my bridal party hair and makeup because I wanted an all-inclusive company that could provide both hair and makeup services; I didn't want to source different vendors for each,” the bride detailed. “I thought they did a great job! My girls were all pleased with how they looked.”
The newlyweds kept their guests at top of mind when crafting their Florida wedding experience. The menu, music, and quality time with loved ones became the top priority.
“Our wedding was unique because it was a destination wedding. The guest experience was very important to us since so many flew in for the weekend. We knew we wanted a welcome party the night before, a great band, and great food,” Blair revealed. “We really hoped guests could escape the November cold up north and create a weekend full of memories.”
Looking back, sharing intimate moments with her bridesmaids and making a lifelong commitment to her new groom will forever stand out in Blair's mind.
“Getting ready that morning and the ceremony itself were the most memorable moments of the day. There was so much anticipation and excitement while I was getting ready with my bridesmaids, and the ceremony was memorable because Joseph and I read our personal vows. It was such a special moment and will forever be engraved in my memory,” the bride reminisced.
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I hired Femme Akoi Beauty Studioi for my bridal party hair and makeup because I wanted an all-inclusive company that could provide both hair and makeup services; I didn't want to source different vendors for each. I thought they did a great job! My girls were all pleased with how they looked.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Charleston, South Carolina. I loved the charm of the area and wanted to go somewhere fun but not too wild.
The Proposal:
Joseph and I were visiting my parents in Sarasota over Memorial Day weekend. We had dinner plans that night, but we all decided to grab a drink beforehand at a tiki bar. Joseph asked me to go for a walk through Bayfront Park afterward, and he proposed right along the water.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I wanted a wedding planner who I clicked with and someone who understood my vision. I chose Elegant Affairs by Design because I immediately connected with Riley Gersch.
She was the most down-to-earth and genuine wedding planner I interviewed. Their services were outstanding. Riley was always so responsive; she always respectfully offered her opinion, helped me source vendors and negotiate on our behalf, and was such a great support throughout the whole process. I truly feel like I gained a friend.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I've always known that I didn't want to get married in a church or a ballroom; I really wanted an outdoor wedding with a coastal chic theme.
We chose The Resort at Longboat Key Club because we were blown away during our initial tour. Their service was out of this world.
Our Event Manager, Gwen Paseka, was absolutely amazing. She was so responsive and attentive to our needs throughout the entire process. Guests raved about the food, and the portions were generous! I cannot say enough good things about Longboat Key Club.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Maui and Kona, Hawaii. Neither of us had been there before, and I wanted to go to a tropical destination where I could truly relax. Hawaii was incredible, and I can't wait to go back!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
My wedding theme was romantic coastal chic. We had rattan lanterns, votives, and chargers. I've always loved rattan.
What were your colors?
Our colors were shades of pink, white, and gold. Pink is my favorite color. Our ceremony was on the beach, so I wanted to incorporate colors that complement the white sand.
“I've always known that I didn't want to get married in a church or a ballroom; I really wanted an outdoor wedding with a coastal chic theme. We chose The Resort at Longboat Key Club because we were blown away during our initial tour. Their service was out of this world. Our Event Manager, Gwen Paseka, was absolutely amazing. She was so responsive and attentive to our needs throughout the entire process. Guests raved about the food, and the portions were generous! I cannot say enough good things about Longboat Key Club.”
-The Bride
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Trust your gut and let go! I spent so much time worrying about the small details, but on the day of our wedding, I didn't even notice any of them!
