Meghan and Joseph
The Powel Crosley Estate
“Our wedding design was inspired by vibrant spring colors, romantic florals, and a joyful, airy aesthetic that felt both elegant and full of life. I wanted the day to feel colorful and celebratory while still remaining timeless. The venue’s architecture paired beautifully with the pinks, pastels, and fresh spring palette we chose. We chose pinks and bright spring colors to reflect the joyful feeling we wanted for the day. They were romantic, fun, and perfectly complemented the estate’s warm architecture and waterfront setting.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Meghan and Joseph’s waterfront Sarasota wedding was filled with colorful springtime flora, shades of bright pink and blush, romantic candlelight, and elegant gold details that elevated the tablescapes. The bride and groom hosted their 140 treasured guests in an outdoor May celebration overlooking the Bay. The atmosphere felt truly magical with sparkling water views, a fiery sunset sky, and dancing under a canopy of twinkling string lights.
“The most memorable moment was our ceremony under the archway at the Powel Crosley Estate as the string quartet played and the water sparkled behind us—it felt magical and emotional in a way I’ll never forget,” the bride reminisced. “Dancing the night away under the lights with all the people we love was another moment that stands out. It felt like the perfect celebration of everything leading up to that day.”
The Proposal
“Joe proposed during a weekend getaway in South Carolina, where we stayed in a charming treehouse (@theforestryhouse). He woke me up early and took me to Pretty Place Chapel for sunrise, and proposed in front of the standing cross as the sun rose behind us. Afterward, he surprised me with a day at the Biltmore Estate, where we celebrated with wine and spent the day soaking in every moment.”
The Details
“Our wedding felt unique because we incorporated several personal and playful touches that truly reflected us. Instead of a traditional cake, we served gelato from a gelato cart, and I let my bridesmaids choose their own dresses in different shades and patterns of pink, creating a beautifully mismatched spring look that everyone felt confident in.
Our ceremony took place under the iconic archway with a chandelier above us, and guests tossed flower petals as we exited. Every detail—from the florals to the music to the energy of the reception—felt intentional and true to our vision.
We also did a fun bottle-service–style group entrance for the bridal party, complete with cardboard cutouts of our pets so they could be part of the celebration. One of my favorite surprises was arranging for my dog to show up during photos in a tiny suit, which completely surprised my husband and created some of the sweetest memories of the day.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I hosted my bachelorette party on a cruise to the Dominican Republic. I was in grad school at the time, and cruising made it easy to plan something fun, relaxing, and memorable without the stress of complicated travel logistics.
We spent our honeymoon traveling through Italy and Greece. We explored the Dolomites, Florence, and Milan before flying to Athens for a Mediterranean cruise. We chose this trip because Joe had never been to Europe, and we wanted to experience an unforgettable adventure together—one that blended breathtaking scenery, amazing food, rich history, and relaxing time as newlyweds.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay throughout the planning process, especially for inspiration. Browsing real weddings helped me shape the overall aesthetic, explore color palettes, and get ideas for design elements. It also helped me understand how different vendors worked together within local venues.”
The Inspiration
“Our wedding design was inspired by vibrant spring colors, romantic florals, and a joyful, airy aesthetic that felt both elegant and full of life. I wanted the day to feel colorful and celebratory while still remaining timeless. The venue’s architecture paired beautifully with the pinks, pastels, and fresh spring palette we chose. We chose pinks and bright spring colors to reflect the joyful feeling we wanted for the day. They were romantic, fun, and perfectly complemented the estate’s warm architecture and waterfront setting.
We incorporated our personalities by creating an atmosphere that felt joyful, romantic, and authentic to who we are. We focused on the guest experience. The most important elements were the ambiance, music, florals, photography and videography, and the creation of a heartfelt ceremony followed by an unforgettable celebration. We wanted the day to feel beautiful, emotional, and full of energy from start to finish. The result was elegant but relaxed, reflecting the way we love to spend time together.”
The Photography & Videography
Iyrus Weddings
“I looked for a team that could capture emotion, movement, and natural beauty in a timeless way. It was important to find photographers and videographers who made couples feel comfortable, worked seamlessly on the wedding day, and produced work that felt warm and authentic.
I hired Iyrus Weddings because their work felt artistic, cinematic, and emotionally rich. They have a gift for capturing candid moments and the true feeling of a wedding day. Their professionalism was exceptional from start to finish, and they delivered our sneak peeks in such a timely manner, which meant the world to us. They made us feel comfortable, guided us without ever feeling pressured, and their final work far exceeded anything we imagined.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Iyrus Weddings exceeded our expectations with their professionalism, artistry, and ability to capture our day so beautifully.
Precious Moments Events was incredible in keeping the entire day organized and stress-free. Design by Schell created florals that were beyond stunning, and our content creator, Wedding Tales Co., captured behind-the-scenes moments and memories that we treasure so much.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Trust your vendors and choose people whose work genuinely resonates with you. Tampa Bay has an incredible network of talented professionals, and once you find a team you love, the planning process becomes so much easier.
Focus on how you want your wedding to feel rather than getting caught up in perfection—the emotions and atmosphere are what you’ll remember forever.
