Courtney and Elias’ waterfront Sarasota wedding was an autumnal affair filled with warm earth tones, chic flowers, and stunning views. The couple exchanged vows overlooking the bay before dining and dancing with their closest friends and family in an al fresco reception.

“We wanted our wedding to be romantic, warm and intimate. We decided on the theme with the help of our wedding planner and by searching for wedding inspiration that we felt reflected us as a couple,” the bride shared. “Our colors included peach, sage green, crimson, and other neutral shades like tan and sandy brown. We love warm colors and chose shades that reflected our vibe as a couple and based off of the fall season, as well as to complement the wedding venue.” 

The Indiana couple chose to host their 118-guest Florida destination wedding where their love story began.

“We wanted to get married In Florida because that’s where we met and it’s one of our favorite places,” Courtney revealed. “We also loved the idea of an open-view, waterfront wedding without sand. The Powel Crosley was the perfect place!”

Courtney relied on the stylish inventory from A Chair Affair to help transform the property into a chic reception space. Copper linens added warmth to the reception space, and clear Chiavari chairs added a modern touch for the September soiree. Gold rimmed glass chargers and gold flatware elevated the place settings with a touch of luxurious sparkle. While the pair curated an enchanting atmosphere through selective decor and flora, they prioritized their guests above all else, ensuring plenty of quality time with those who came together to celebrate their marriage.

“We wanted to make sure the timeline allowed us to enjoy each other and our guests,” the bride detailed. “We wanted a lengthy reception and some time during cocktail hour to interact with our family and friends that had traveled to celebrate us.”

A few key moments stood out most to the bride and groom, including exchanging ‘I do’s, spending time on the dance floor, and watching the sun cast colors across the sky as it sunk into the bay.

“Our most memorable moment was exchanging our vows with each other and appreciating the beautiful sunset at cocktail hour,” Courtney reminisced. “We also really enjoyed dancing with the other married couples and sharing a dance with Elias’s grandparents who have been married for 50+ years.”

The Proposal:
Elias planned the most perfect surprise proposal at a local park we used to frequently walk when we were dating. He told me we were going on a date at a nice restaurant that day, so I got dressed up. A few hours later on the way to the restaurant, he asked if we could stop at “our spot” at Eagle Creek Park; which was five minutes from the restaurant. We walked to our favorite spot, a little boat dock with a water view, and once I realized what was happening, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.

After I said yes and he placed the ring on my finger, I turned around to see a photographer walking towards us and catching my animated reactions as I noticed his family who had flown in from Florida, my family who lived in Indianapolis, and other close friends and relatives were running towards us with enthusiasm. After plenty of hugs and photos, we went to the restaurant where our date night was planned and shared a special celebration dinner with our loved ones. It was everything I’d hoped for. 

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
St. Lucía. We love vacationing in the Caribbean and St.Lucia seemed like the perfect place to go.