Amanda and Chris’ Sarasota wedding embodied a whimsical garden fairytale with serene views of the water, rustic decor, and a pale pink and green succulent color palette.
“When searching for inspiration on Pinterest, most of the ideas I pinned, fell under the categories of floral, romantic, and bohemian weddings,” the bride explained. “I really liked the emphasis on florals and greenery in these themes and felt like our celebration perfectly captured what we were going for!”
MORE: SARASOTA WEDDING INSPIRATION
Wanting to highlight the true beauty of their hometown, the bride and groom chose a location that captured both the historical charm and natural elegance of Sarasota.
“Chris and I both really enjoy nature and being outdoors. Our venue featured two outdoor ceremony locations, both including beautiful views of Sarasota Bay. From the gorgeous moss-covered oak trees to the peaceful areas, we were able to spend some time together away from the day’s festivities,” the bride shared. “We wanted the night to be full of love, happiness, and fun. It was the one time in our lives where everyone we love most in the world was in the same place.”
Always imagining the day in which they would tie the knot, Amanda couldn’t wait to finally walk down the aisle to Florence and The Machine.
“The ceremony was what I looked forward to the most. Chris and I had been together for over seven years, and we were so excited to finally become husband and wife,” the bride beamed. “It was also very important to us that our guests had a good time as well. We made sure that the music was going all night, and that there was plenty of food for everyone to enjoy. Overall, the night was completely unforgettable thanks to all of our amazing friends and family!”
With so many blissful moments from their charming garden celebration, the bride will always remember the first time she saw Chris.
“Our first look was such a beautiful moment because it was private, intimate, and the first time we had seen each other in our wedding attire. I was so excited for Chris to see me in my gown, and I could not wait to see how handsome he looked in his tux,” the Amanda reminisced. “In this moment, I was able to fully relax and enjoy the evening that was ahead of us.”
The Proposal:
Chris proposed on his 30th birthday weekend. After a weekend of celebrating, he asked me if I would like to go to Picnic Island Park, hang our hammock, and watch the sunset. This was something that we did often on Sundays. As we were there, we were talking about how much fun we had had that weekend and reminiscing about our favorite parts. Chris suggested that we should start to pack up but wanted to get our dog, Ada, some water first. He came back over to me and helped me out of the hammock. Once I was out, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so surprised and absolutely elated! We called family and close friends that evening to share our exciting news.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
When searching for inspiration on Pinterest, most of the ideas I pinned fell under the categories of floral, romantic, and bohemian weddings. I really liked the emphasis on florals and greenery in these themes and felt like our celebration perfectly captured what we were going for.
What were your colors?
We chose a pale pink and green, succulent color scheme. I chose these because succulents are my favorite plants, and I wanted to incorporate them into our floral arrangements.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Enjoy the process and most of all the wedding day. It goes by so fast!
Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Photographer: Cat Pennenga Photography
Day of Coordinator: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning
Florist: Victoria Blooms
Caterer: Michael’s on East
Cake: Cakes by Ron
DJ: TLS Entertainment
Officiant: Hunter Carroll
Invitations: Minted
Dress: Wtoo by Watters
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Lulus
Hair: Muse Salon & Spa (Sarasota)
Makeup: Lera Juno and Jenna Mleczkowski
Lighting: Affairs in the Air
Menus: Write On Sarasota
