Rose and Kevin's Sarasota wedding featured a stunning lakefront outdoor ceremony with glamorous country club reception featuring the Pantone color of the year, violet.
“We wanted our wedding to be romantic and elegant, with a whimsical feel to it,” Rose gushed. “I love the traditional aspects, so we kept as much tradition as we could while still giving me the glamorous, country club wedding I’ve always wanted. I love a lot of whites and golds, and I really wanted the violet color to pop.”
MORE: PURPLE WEDDING INSPIRATION
The Bradenton bride wanted to keep her wedding local so the majority of their family and friends could come to celebrate their big day and read Marry Me Tampa Bay for inspiration and vendor recommendations.
“I found Marry Me Tampa Bay looking for new ideas to incorporate in our wedding and researching vendors even more. I read reviews and blogs for months before deciding on who to use,” the bride explained. “Marry Me Tampa Bay definitely helped me, by seeing real weddings and how different things looked and turned out for their weddings. I wanted to make sure we had the best vendor team for our wedding and I did not miss anything planning-wise.”
Focusing on giving their guests a great time and keep their feet on the dance floor, the couple hired Sarasota wedding DJ Grant Hemond & Associates.
“Kevin and I really enjoy going out for dinner and drinks, dancing and enjoying one another. We wanted that same ‘good time’ vibe to transfer into our wedding and all of our guests to have a good time and really enjoy themselves!” Rose shared. “We hired Grant Hemond because all of our vendors recommended them, and they really kept the party going! We told them we wanted fun music and to keep the dance floor full, and they delivered!”
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The bride went all out to make her wedding unique and to bring her and Kevin's personalities together throughout the entire event. From learning calligraphy to designing the program materials, Rose ensured that their wedding day was a true representation of them.
“I wanted that grand, elegant wedding, but did not want to pay for it. I learned calligraphy for our wedding and all of our save-the-dates and invitations were mailed in my gold inked calligraphy. I designed and made the program fans for our ceremony, all of the gold foil signs and our seating chart design and calligraphy,” the bride explained. I really enjoyed learning calligraphy and learning my crafting DIY side to add the personality and charm to our wedding.”
Looking back, the bride shared that her most memorable moment from their wedding day was during the ceremony.
“I was so excited to finally be marrying Kevin. It seemed like such a long-time planning, and the day was finally here and everything was perfect. I walked down a staircase, and when I saw my groom standing there, I couldn’t help but wave and laugh. During the ceremony, we customized everything to us so during it I was so engaged and really felt every vow we made to each other. It was really special and I smile every time I think of it,” Rose reminisced.
The Proposal:
Kevin and I were in Chicago for vacation. I would like to say I knew it was coming, but when there were no fancy dinner plans or romantic outings, I had given up on the idea and planned our vacation as normal. So on the beautiful, sunny day in May, we walked to the Bean in Millennium Park, and I was looking at how stunning it was there. The Chicago skyline is breathtaking especially there on the water of Lake Michigan. I had my back to Kevin, and when I turned around he was on one knee asking “Shannon Rose will you marry me?” In which, I screamed “ARE YOU SERIOUS??!” and freaked out. Of course I said “Yes!” and that was and will forever be the best vacation I have ever had!
How would you describe your theme?
We wanted our wedding to be romantic, elegant, with a whimsical feel to it. I love the traditional aspects as well, so we kept as much tradition as we could while still giving me the glamorous, country club wedding I’ve always wanted.
What were your colors?
I have always loved the color purple and have always been obsessed with weddings. Once Kevin proposed (or maybe slightly before he did), I already knew exactly what I wanted. I love a lot of whites and golds, and I really wanted my purple to pop. I did not want a lot of purple because there are so many different shades and I knew that would stress me out. My bridesmaids dresses and flowers were my only pop of purple and it was perfect. The flowers were a mix of purples: eggplants, lilacs, burgundy’s and whites. The ballroom had white sequins overlays with clear glass gold beaded chargers on the tables. The family tables had garland runners down the middle with candles to set the romantic mood, and the rounds had a mixture of high and low centerpieces. The twinkling lights with the drapes in the ceiling around the chandelier and behind the head table were perfect.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
Kevin and I really enjoy going out for dinner and drinks, dancing and enjoying one another. We wanted that same ‘good time’ vibe to transfer into our wedding and all of our guests to have a good time and really enjoy themselves!
I want to learn more about DJ/Lighting services from Grant Hemond & Associates.
We hired Grant Hemond & Associates because all of our vendors recommended them, and they really kept the party going! We told them we wanted fun music and to keep the dance floor full, and they delivered!”
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Do your research, read articles, and once the day comes be in the moment and remember why you have been planning everything for this day – not for the likes on social media, but to marry your best friend/soul mate.
Ceremony/Reception Venue and Caterer: Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
Photographer: K&K Photography
Videographer: Brogen Productions
Florist: Oh Darling Events
Draping: Affairs in the Air
Photo Booth: Venice Photo Booth
Cake: Cakes by Ron
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Dress: Calla Blanche
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine B2
Hair & Makeup: Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup
Cocktail Hour Music: Paradies Ensemble
Cigar Roller: Covadonga Cigars
Geofilter: SnazzyMango, Etsy
Ceremony Wine Box: Blue Fire Engraving, Etsy
