Carissa and Josh
“We didn’t follow a traditional theme, but instead drew inspiration from our love of travel and beach vacations. Our color palette featured soft creams, warm wood tones, and abundant greenery, creating a natural and effortless foundation inspired by the surrounding landscape. We accented the design with touches of blue, Josh’s favorite color, which I kept as a surprise for him until the big day. It was a subtle but meaningful detail that made the celebration feel deeply personal.”
-The Bride
FEATURING
Carissa and Josh’s romantic Sarasota wedding transformed The Resort at Longboat Key Club into an elegant coastal celebration for 100 guests on a beautiful January day. The bride and groom exchanged vows during a breathtaking Florida beachfront ceremony overlooking the Gulf, framed by lush white florals and natural greenery, before guests transitioned into a sailcloth tent reception filled with layered wood tables, candlelight, soft neutral tones, and subtle blue accents inspired by the ocean.
“We wanted our wedding to feel like a shared getaway with the people we love; relaxed, joyful, and full of effortless coastal energy. From the colors to the atmosphere, everything was designed to reflect the ocean’s calm, paired with the excitement of being somewhere special together,” the bride shared. “One of our guiding ideas for the day was wanting everyone to quite literally ‘dip their toes in the sand.’ It was important to us that our guests felt fully immersed in the experience and truly present in the moment. I, along with our bridesmaids and several guests who opted in, walked through the ceremony barefoot, which created such a special, grounding experience and perfectly captured the relaxed, intimate atmosphere we hoped to create.”
Hair Inspiration
Adore Bridal
“My goal was to feel like the best version of myself with a natural, effortless look that enhanced my features. I wanted my makeup and overall style to feel timeless, while also feeling comfortable and true to who I am.
We chose Adore Bridal for hair services based on our planners’ recommendation and their beautiful work on Instagram. Their team was professional, attentive, and made the entire experience feel seamless and stress-free.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I hosted my bachelorette party in Austin, and we planned the entire trip around seeing Weezer live. My sisters and I have always loved their music, so it felt like the perfect way to celebrate. The concert was absolutely epic, and it made the weekend even more special. My maid of honor also surprised us with a thoughtful itinerary for exploring the city, which turned the trip into a fun and unforgettable mini-vacation for all of us.
We spent our honeymoon in Bora Bora, which had always been a dream destination for me because of its breathtaking scenery, turquoise waters, and peaceful island atmosphere. While Josh and I love to travel, this trip was especially meaningful because it was our first time learning to SCUBA together, one of Josh’s bucket list items. Staying at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort allowed us to enjoy a luxurious setting while also earning our SCUBA and Open Water Diver certifications. It became our first underwater adventure as husband and wife and an unforgettable way to begin this new chapter.”
The Proposal
“While celebrating a family vacation in Florence, Italy, Josh completely surprised me with the most romantic proposal. On a rooftop terrace overlooking the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, he asked me to marry him. With tears in my eyes, I said yes as the entire terrace applauded and our family joined us to celebrate. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
The Venue
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
“It really came down to finding the perfect beach. We wanted a setting that felt serene, meaningful, and true to who we are, where the natural beauty of the ocean could be the focal point of the day.
Josh and I live in Tampa, but the location of our wedding has special meaning for his family. They’ve spent every Fourth of July at The Resort at Longboat Key Club since he was young, so it has always been a place filled with memories. When we started talking about a beach wedding, my future in-laws took me there to tour the property, and I was completely stunned by the beauty of the island and resort. In that moment, I knew it was exactly where we were meant to get married.
We chose The Resort at Longboat Key Club because it felt incredibly special to celebrate our wedding in a place that has been such a meaningful part of Josh’s family history. Being able to add our own chapter to those memories meant so much to us. From start to finish, their service was truly exceptional. Every detail was handled with care and professionalism, and we felt supported and taken care of throughout the entire day.”
The Design
“Simplicity and elegance guided many of our design choices. My creative side showed up in the layered linens and décor details, while Josh’s favorite color, blue, became our signature accent among soft neutrals. Our personalities really came through in the food—we’re both food lovers, so curating the menu was a highlight. From cocktail hour to dinner and even our late-night donuts and pizza, every bite was thoughtfully chosen.
We didn’t follow a traditional theme, but instead drew inspiration from our love of travel and beach vacations. We wanted our wedding to feel like a shared getaway with the people we love; relaxed, joyful, and full of effortless coastal energy. From the colors to the atmosphere, everything was designed to reflect the ocean’s calm, paired with the excitement of being somewhere special together. Our color palette featured soft creams, warm wood tones, and abundant greenery, creating a natural and effortless foundation inspired by the surrounding landscape. We accented the design with touches of blue, Josh’s favorite color, which I kept as a surprise for him until the big day. It was a subtle but meaningful detail that made the celebration feel deeply personal.”
The Experience
“The most important element was honoring the deep connection we share with our family and friends, who truly mean everything to us. We wanted each chapter of the day to evoke emotion and feel thoughtfully designed. Hosting our entire celebration on the beach was especially meaningful, as it is where we feel most ourselves. Sharing that space allowed our guests to experience the calm, joy, and love that the ocean represents to us.
Our wedding felt unique because it blended heartfelt intention with unforgettable spontaneity. We wanted our loved ones to feel the joy we experience every day together. While every detail was meaningful, our after-party became truly extraordinary when, by pure chance, our DJ’s friend—a phenomenal saxophonist- joined in and turned the celebration into a full-scale, high-energy performance. With pizza, donuts, and nonstop dancing, the night reached a level we never could have planned, and it remains one of our favorite memories.”
Most Memorable Moments
“Walking down the aisle to the sound of a song my late grandmother Rita loved is a moment I will always hold close to my heart. Seeing Josh’s smile and feeling her presence with me made it incredibly emotional and meaningful. Our first kiss was just as special, and dancing the night away with our family and friends was the perfect ending to such a beautiful day. It was a day that reminded us how lucky we are to be surrounded by so much love.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Several of our vendors truly went above and beyond, but our planning team at Swanky Soiree was exceptional from start to finish. They were by our side every step of the way on our wedding day, making sure everything ran smoothly and on schedule. Whether it was helping our family and wedding party or answering last-minute questions, they handled it all seamlessly. We received countless compliments from guests about how kind, organized, and professional they were.
Our florist, Lily Bella Floral, brought my vision to life in the most beautiful way. From our first meeting, she immediately understood my style and knew exactly how to execute it. Seeing everything come together was incredibly emotional, and it truly brought tears to my eyes. Our DJ, DJ Dayve, created an unforgettable atmosphere. We knew he would be amazing from our first meeting, but on our wedding day, he completely exceeded our expectations. He kept everyone on the dance floor all night and brought so much energy and joy to the celebration. Finally, my makeup artist, Hannah, made my sisters and me feel absolutely beautiful. Everyone loved their makeup, and we all felt confident and radiant. She has such a special talent for making people feel their best, and that meant so much to me on such an important day.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Take time to soak in the day together and don’t overthink every detail. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when you simply pause, breathe, and enjoy being married to your best friend.
