Wedding

Luxurious Dusty Blue Sarasota Wedding | Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Maddie and Chase's waterfront Sarasota wedding was a whimsy-filled event centered around flowers, photos, and music. The garden-inspired affair featured florals suspended from the ceiling, a chic white dance floor, and a surprise gender reveal.

“I would describe our theme as whimsical and romantic. Both myself and Chase are romantics by nature, so we wanted the design of the wedding to match our relationship,” the bride shared. “For our color scheme, we chose dusty blue, gold, and white. Not only is blue both of our favorite colors, but we thought it would tie in beautifully with the water and really bring out the whimsical theme we were going for.”

As Maddie began to plan March event, she turned to wedding planning websites like Marry Me Tampa Bay to guide her in selecting an experienced wedding planner. MDP Events' repertoire of Sarasota-area soirees made them the ideal choice for her springtime celebration.

“The first thing we did was hire a wedding planner. I really looked for someone who understood my vision for the day and could help me stay organized and on track. I believe your wedding planner should feel like your friend, after all, you will be talking to them nearly every day!” Maddie revealed. “I used both Marry Me Tampa Bay and The Knot and found MDP Events. I knew after one five-minute conversation that I wanted to work with the owner Lauren Gertz. She completely grasped the theme we were going for and added so many amazing ideas that took our day to the next level. We had countless people tell us our wedding was the best they'd ever been to, and honestly, we owe it all to her.”

The reception florals from Botanica International Design Studio took center stage as they draped across the all-white dance floor and head table, bringing in the whimsical atmosphere the couple wanted to create.

“Flowers were one of the most important aspects of creating our romantic/whimsical design, so we spent a lot of time choosing a florist. We wanted a large floral arch for the ceremony, so we looked at the previous work of some recommended florists and fell in love with Botanica International Design Studio,” the bride gushed. “Botanica was amazing to work with. They created a personalized wedding board with all the different blooms they would use to bring our vision to life, and it was a dream.” 

To highlight the romantic ambiance, a harpist from Breezin' Entertainment played during the outdoor ceremony, while their DJ transitioned the evening into a high-energy celebration for the 130 guests.

“We wanted our reception to be a giant party. So of course, music was also at the top of our list. In selecting a DJ, we looked for someone who would keep everyone on the dance floor but who was also a great MC that could keep everything moving according to schedule,” Maddie detailed. “Breezin' Entertainment was a very easy choice to make. They checked all of our boxes right off the bat. We always knew we wanted a harpist for the ceremony and a DJ for the reception/cocktail hour. Breezin' had a package that included both, as well as videos of each DJ so you can select which one you feel would be best for your day. We went with DJ Jose, and he was phenomenal!”

The biggest surprise of the night was the gender reveal during the cake cutting. The expecting South Tampa couple celebrated their upcoming special arrival with everyone attending.

“One of the most memorable aspects of the day was our cake cutting, as it was also our gender reveal! We are expecting our first baby, and that is how we found out we are having a baby girl! Doing our gender reveal at the wedding made it quite unique!” the bride beamed. “However, the ceremony holds such a special place in our hearts. That first kiss as husband and wife, and hearing them announce us as Mr. and Mrs. Ierna are moments I will never forget.”

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Waterfront Sarasota Wedding Venue Overlooking Water
Romantic Pastel Light Dusty Blue Floral Wedding Invitation Suite
Romanic Pastel Light Dusty Blue Engagement and Wedding Ring Box | Pear Cut Engagement Ring with Halo
Ivory Lace Spaghetti Strap Mermaid Wedding Dress
White Spray Roses, White Garden Rose, Eucalyptus, and Blue Delphinium Bridal Wedding Bouquet | Sarasota Florist Botanica Design Studio

The Proposal:
On May 7th Chase proposed while we were on vacation in Cancun. He planned an incredible dinner where we were seated at a private table over the water and had a 5-course meal. We had musicians playing music just for us and watching fireworks over the water. After dinner, Chase went to “ask for a box” (he was giving the waiter his phone and asking him to record the proposal). He walked back over, sat down, and told me how much he loved me, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was everything I'd ever dreamed it would be. 

Bridal Party Attire Ideas for Spring Garden Wedding | Matching Dusty Blue Bridesmaids Wedding Dresses | White Rose and Blue Delphinium Bouquets | Sarasota Florist Botanica International Design Studio
Bridal Party Attire Ideas for Spring Garden Wedding | Matching Dusty Blue Bridesmaids Dresses | Groomsmen Light Gray Suit
Romantic Bride and Groom Veil Wedding Portrait
Outdoor Spring Wedding Ceremony Garden Inspiration | White and Greenery Floral Arch and Aisle Floral Arrangements | Sarasota Florist Botanica International Design Studio
Outdoor Nature Inspired Spring Wedding Ceremony | White and Greenery Floral Arch | Sarasota Florist Botanica International Design Studio
White and Greenery Spring Garden Floral Ceremony Arch | Romantic Bride and Groom Wedding Portrait | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio

What did you look for in a wedding planner?

The first thing we did was hire a wedding planner. I really looked for someone who understood my vision for the day and could help me stay organized and on track. I believe your wedding planner should feel like your friend, after all, you will be talking to them nearly every day!

I used both Marry Me Tampa Bay and The Knot and found MDP Events. I knew after one five-minute conversation that I wanted to work with the owner Lauren Gertz. She completely grasped the theme we were going for and added so many amazing ideas that took our day to the next level. Lauren and I discussed our ideas for the wedding, and she put together a list of recommendations for all other vendors. She provided about 3-6 amazing options for each category, and from there I was able to narrow down and choose. We had countless people tell us our wedding was the best they'd ever been to, and honestly, we owe it all to her.”

Waterfront Garden Inspired Florida Wedding | Sarasota Venue Marie Selby Gardens
Waterfront Garden Inspired Florida Wedding | Sarasota Planner MDP Events | Venue Marie Selby Gardens

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Because I was expecting, we decided to take a mini-honeymoon locally. We spent the week in St. Augustine and have our big honeymoon planned in Bora Bora. 

Where did you go on your bachelorette?
My bridal party planned a post-baby bachelorette party in the Bahamas next year! Atlantis is my favorite vacation spot so they chose to go there.

Elegant Reception Decor Ideas | Romantic Indoor White and Gold Spring Wedding Reception with Gold Chiavari Chairs and White Ceiling Drapery with Hanging Floral Arrangements | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio | Venue Marie Selby Gardens
Reception Decor Ideas | Romantic Indoor White and Gold Spring Wedding Reception with Gold Chiavari Chairs and White Ceiling Drapery with Hanging Floral Arrangements and Garden Inspired Sweetheart Table | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio | Venue Marie Selby Gardens
Reception Decor Ideas | Romantic Indoor White and Gold Spring Wedding Reception with Gold Chiavari Chairs and White Ceiling Drapery with Hanging Floral Arrangements and Garden Inspired Sweetheart Table | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio | Venue Marie Selby Gardens
Reception Decor Ideas | Romantic Indoor White and Gold Spring Wedding Reception with Gold Chiavari Chairs and White Ceiling Drapery with Hanging Floral Arrangements and Garden Inspired Sweetheart Table | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio | Venue Marie Selby Gardens

What was your wedding floral inspiration?

Flowers were one of the most important aspects of creating our romantic/whimsical design, so we spent a lot of time choosing a florist. We wanted a large floral arch for the ceremony, so we looked at the previous work of some recommended florists and fell in love with Botanica International Design Studio. Botanica was amazing to work with. They created a personalized wedding board with all the different blooms they would use to bring our vision to life, and it was a dream.

Blue Taper Candle with Painted Acrylic Wedding Reception Name Place Cards and Gold Decor with White Centerpieces | Elegant Reception Inspiration | Florist Botanica International Design Studio
Elegant Reception Decor Ideas | Romantic Indoor White and Gold Spring Wedding Reception with Gold Chiavari Chairs and White Ceiling Drapery with Hanging Floral Arrangements | Sarasota Wedding Planner MDP Events | Florist Botanica International Design Studio | Venue Marie Selby Gardens
Whimsical Sweetheart Head Table with Blue Linen and White and Green Floral Arrangements | Tampa Bay DJ Breezin' Entertainment | Florist Botanica International Design Studio

What was your wedding theme?  

Whimsical and romantic. Both myself and Chase are romantics by nature, so we wanted the design of the wedding to match our relationship. The three most important things to me were the flowers, the pictures, and the music. Those were the vendors we focused on first, and I couldn't have been happier with how all three turned out!

What were your colors?  

Dusty blue, gold, and white. Not only is blue both of our favorite colors, but we thought it would tie in beautifully with the water and really bring out the whimsical theme we were going for. 

Candlelit Gold Wedding Table Setting with Gold Chargers and Flatware and Greenery Centerpiece | Romantic Classic Reception Decor Ideas
Candlelit Gold Wedding Table Setting with Gold Chargers and Flatware and Greenery Centerpiece | Romantic Classic Reception Decor Ideas
Classic Gold and White Wedding Reception Inspiration with Ceiling Draping, Chandeliers, and White Dance Floor
Four-tiered White Geometric Wedding Cake with Cascading Flowers
Bride and Groom First Dance | Sarasota DJ Breezin' Entertainment

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?

We wanted our reception to be a giant party. So of course, music was also at the top of our list. In selecting a DJ, we looked for someone who would keep everyone on the dance floor but who was also a great MC that could keep everything moving according to schedule.

Breezin' Entertainment was a very easy choice to make. They checked all of our boxes right off the bat. We always knew we wanted a harpist for the ceremony and a DJ for the reception/cocktail hour. Breezin' had a package that included both, as well as videos of each DJ so you can select which one you feel would be best for your day. We went with DJ Jose, and he was phenomenal!

Personalized Neon Wedding Sign
Blue Classic Just Married Vintage Getaway Car

Which vendors exceeded your expectation?
We had the most amazing team of vendors. I wouldn't change one single thing about our wedding day, and I believe each and every person involved was so important in making it perfect. The vendors that stood out the most were our planner Lauren with MDP Events, our beloved photographers, and our florist Botanica International Design Studio

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
My best advice is to just enjoy every moment. It is so easy to get overwhelmed, and there are so many decisions to be made it can feel like a second job, but don't lose sight of the big picture! At the end of it all, you will be married to the love of your life. Just have fun with it, and plan the wedding of YOUR dreams, no one else's!

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Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Vendor Credits

 

Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros

Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.