Kali and Hayden
Gasparilla Inn
“I envisioned a design that embraced the natural beauty of Florida and the venue, while pulling in vibrant colors and inspiration from a garden party. Our wedding was very cheerful and colorful. We incorporated pinks, oranges, blues, and greens to highlight my love of color!” -The Bride
Kali and Hayden’s elegant Boca Grande wedding was a chic and colorful soiree that embraced summery florals, custom watercolor illustrations, and the couple’s love of golf. The bride and groom exchanged vows on a pristine green lawn before hosting their closest friends and family in a luxurious tented reception.
“I envisioned a design that embraced the natural beauty of Florida and the venue, while pulling in vibrant colors and inspiration from a garden party,” the bride shared. “Our wedding was very cheerful and colorful. We incorporated pinks, oranges, blues, and greens to highlight my love of color!”
The Dallas bride turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay to provide local insights and wedding inspiration while planning her nuptials from a distance.
“I loved reading Marry Me Tampa Bay for wedding inspiration and ideas,” the bride revealed.
Kali bride spent many family vacations in the sunshine state and knew that the pictureque Boca Grande island would be an ideal setting for their 190-guest May celebration, especially since her grandfather lived a short distance away.
“When I took Hayden to Boca Grande for the first time, I was so happy he loved it just as much as I did. We love the small town feel and very laid-back casual atmosphere. We love to drive around the island in the golf cart and explore with our dog. We are both so happy there, we knew it would be a perfect place,” the bride detailed. “All of these reasons contributed to our decision to get married there, but we more importantly chose it because of my 94 year old Grandpa. It is hard for him to travel these days, and as my last living grandparent, it was really important to us that he was in attendance. He was so happy we chose to get married just a drive down the road from him, he also said grace at dinner which was amazing.”
The bride’s sister, a talented artist, created the graphics that appeared throughout the paper goods and decor. Each design spoke to the location or couple in a meaningful way that felt unique and personal to their celebration.
“My sister, Kristin, did all of the custom watercolor artwork that we were able to incorporate into our design for the weekend,” Kali beamed. “She painted our crest, which was used on the printed materials and our circular bar, as well as the artwork of our dog on a golf cart, which appeared on cocktail napkins and bucket hats that we’re handed out during dancing, along with a map of the island for the invitations and welcome bags.”
The pair prioritized the entertainment and menu to create a memorable and lively atmosphere for their out-of-town guests. As a nod to the tropical Florida location and their love of fresh seafood, a beautiful raw bar boat display created a striking focal point for the cocktail hour.
“The most important elements for us were the band and the food! Dancing was very important to both of us! We spent a lot of time finding the perfect band and they exceeded our expectations.” the bride raved. “We also both love cocktail hour; it is our favorite part of every wedding. We both love oysters, so we had a seafood station in a wooden boat which was amazing! We made sure to take our photos prior to the ceremony so that we were able to actually enjoy the duration of cocktail hour.”
The entire day was filled with several highlights, from the walking down the aisle to the reception reveal, that have become core memories for Kali.
“I was so ready to see Hayden on our wedding day, and our first look was so memorable and special. It was so perfect to take time just the two of us to soak it all in,” the bride reminisced. “Walking down the aisle with my dad was also so memorable and special, it wasa moment that I will never forget. Walking into our tent for our first dance was also one of the most fun moments of the entire day!”
The Proposal:
Hayden told me that we were going to a Masters watch party (I love the Masters!) over Masters Weekend in April in Dallas. On our way to the “watch party,” he pulled over at a beautiful park and asked me to go on a walk with him. At that moment, I knew he was proposing! Hayden had set up flowers and champagne at an overlook in the park. After he proposed, my siblings came out from hiding (they were taking photos and videos of the proposal). We drank champagne and then headed to a party with all of our family and friends to celebrate at my parent’s home.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Italy! We flew into Rome and spent two nights there, then we headed South to Positano for three nights. Then we went to Ischia, an island near Capri, to the most tranquil and relaxing hotel, The Mezzatorre. After the Amalfi Coast, we had a long travel day to Lake Como, but it was worth it
We chose to honeymoon in Italy because we wanted a place where we could have a balance of relaxing and activities, amazing food, romance, and a place that neither of us had never been. It was perfect!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
I had my bachelorette at Rough Creek Lodge, a few hours outside of Dallas. Rough Creek was the perfect venue for my bachelorette weekend because they have so much to offer! Once we arrived, we had so many activities at our disposal and did not have to leave the property. With a larger group of 24 girls, it made it so easy being at Rough Creek! We had a spa day, pool day, went horseback riding on the property grounds, played pickleball, went on long nature walks, a pajama party dinner, firepit, had an amazing dinner at the fine dining restaurant, went on a hayride around the ranch, and played putt putt. It was so fun being able to spend quality time with all of my friends and family from all stages of my life.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I envisioned a design that embraced the natural beauty of Florida and the venue, while pulling in vibrant colors and inspiration from a garden party.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations and how?
The Gasparilla Inn, Cornelia Zaiss, The Hit Factory Band, Boca Blooms and Ella Events Co. All of our vendors were truly amazing, but they all really made personal connections with Hayden and I and made our day flow so seamlessly.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Enjoy the process! Wedding planning can be stressful with so many decisions, but it is truly such a special season of life. Spend time with your fiance during the wedding planning process and make the most of every moment together! Hire amazing vendors that you trust.
