Christina and Grant’s luxurious Sarasota wedding combined a soft and romantic palette and an abundance of lush flora at their historic waterfront venue. Guests enjoyed waterfront views during the ceremony before dining al fresco at feasting tables along the façade of their ornate mansion venue.
“Our color scheme included shades of pinks, purples, gold, and cream. They complimented perfectly!” Christina beamed. “The theme was romantic and dreamy with lots of color and florals. We used the stained glass on the Ca’ d’Zan as inspiration for our color choice on the florals, and I wanted something that exuded romance with a bit of decadence and lots of flowers.”
The St. Petersburg couple set the tone for their wedding starting with the very first impression their guests received, which meant custom invitations.
“I wanted to tie it into the colors of the wedding, the Ringling Museum, and Ca’d’Zan. We pulled the shape and design from the Ca’d’Zan windows as the opening of the invitation, and then we pulled colors from the windows as the different cards within the invitation,” Christina explained. “A+P Design Co. did an amazing job on our invitations!”
To personalize their wedding day, the couple made reflected their heritage and faith in their nuptials, and their culture into their reception entertainment.
“Our faith in God brought us together to meet and fall in love,” the bride revealed. “We incorporated my Syrian Orthodox/Middle Eastern roots and our non-denominational Christian faith into the ceremony. We had an electric violin during cocktail hour, a belly dancer during dinner, and an Arabic Band and DJ during the reception!
Searching for a wedding cake artist to create their sugary confection, Christina selected the creative team at The Artistic Whisk to bring her unique vision to life.
“We envisioned a delicious and beautiful creation. Our inspiration was the same as the floral and décor, and The Artistic Whisk nailed it! I love Jovana and her team!” the bride gushed. “I wanted something different that exuded romance and flowers and what better than a cake bursting open with flowers? Our flavors were Earl Grey Lavender with Raspberry, which was so perfect, delicious, and dreamy.”
Along with their exchange of vows, Christina recalls one of her favorite memories of the day was an intimate moment when the pair stole away for time alone to soak in their wedding day experience.
“Our ceremony was unforgettable and at the end of the night we snuck off to look at the water and just savor the moment!” the bride reminisced.
What was your wedding invitation inspiration?
I wanted to tie it into the colors of the wedding, the Ringling museum, and Ca’d’Zan. We pulled the shape and design from the Ca’ d’Zan windows as the opening of the invitation, and then we pulled colors from the windows as the different cards within the invitation. A+P Design Co. did an amazing job on our invitations!
The Proposal:
Grant proposed on a beautiful January day in St. Pete. He had the ring on him for over a week and then decided that every moment is the perfect moment when you’re with the one. He proposed in the kitchen on a Saturday afternoon and totally took me by surprise!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Antigua, Hermitage Bay
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Rhode Island, originally it was supposed to be the Bahamas, but a hurricane hit!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
The theme was romantic and dreamy with lots of color and florals. We used the stained glass on the Ca’ d’Zan as inspiration for our color choice on the florals. I wanted something that exuded romance with a bit of decadence and lots of flowers.
What were your colors?
Our color scheme included shades of pinks, purples, gold, and cream. They complemented perfectly!
What did you look for in a wedding cake bakery?
We envisioned a delicious and beautiful creation. Our inspiration was the same as the floral and décor, and The Artistic Whisk nailed it! I love Jovana and her team! I wanted something different that exuded romance and flowers and what better than a cake bursting open with flowers? Our flavors were Earl Grey Lavender with Raspberry, which was so perfect, delicious, and dreamy.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Ca’d’Zan/The Ringling Museum
Photographer: Sam Hurd Photography
Videographer: Voila Cinematic
Planner: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning
Florist: Tailored Twig
Caterer: Parkshore Grill
Rentals: So Staged
Cake: The Artistic Whisk *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Entertainment: Jade Strings | Kamil Hadad Band
Officiant: Tim Whipple | Father John Couki
Invitations: A+P Design Co. *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Transportation: SRQ Services
Dress Shop and Designer: Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection | Galia Lahav
Shoe Designer: Christina Louboutin
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Nordstorm | Adrianna Papell
Hair & Makeup: Rachel Designs
Rehearsal Dinner: Sage
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.