Alexandra and Christian’s romantic Sarasota wedding featured a sophisticated palette, lush white florals, and an abundance of glowing candlelight, creating an enchanting and intimate atmosphere.

“We wanted to create a more romantic feel, which is why we incorporated so many candles into the decor,” the bride shared. “Our colors—black, white, and dusty rose—were inspired by the shades featured in my ceremony dress.”

With deep family ties to the area and cherished childhood memories at their wedding venue, Alexandra and Christian knew there was no better place to host their Florida destination wedding and relied on Marry Me Tampa Bay for vendor recommendations.

“We live in Naples and have family in the Sarasota area. My family also vacationed at the Lido Beach Resort when I was younger,” the bride explained. “Many of our vendors were on the preferred vendor list by our venue as well as featured by Marry Me Tampa Bay. It was a great resource to compare several vendors and venues.”

The 84-guest ceremony took place on the pristine white sands, with the shimmering Gulf of Mexico providing a breathtaking waterfront backdrop. The pair exchanged vows before elegantly arranged white pedestals adorned with glass cylinders filled with floating candles and delicate white florals. Alexandra wore a strapless Vera Wang gown with a sweetheart neckline and a flowing tulle ballgown silhouette, accentuated by a tan satin ribbon at the waist that tied into a beautiful bow in the back. Her hair cascaded in long, romantic waves, completing her ethereal look.

As the evening unfolded, Limelight Photography captured every moment and expertly documented the day’s magic.

“We were looking for a photographer that also included the little details of the day,” the bride revealed. “I chose Limelight Photography based on reviews and their portfolio. Limelight exceeded my expectations, and I still get endless compliments on the photos.”

“Alexandra and Christian’s wedding was nothing short of magical, and these photos speak volumes about the beauty of their day,” Dafne Spencer of Limelight Photography added. “One of my absolute favorite elements was their sunset ceremony. It’s so rare to capture a moment where the natural world collaborates so perfectly with the emotion of the day. The colors of the sunset painted the sky in soft amber and gold, creating an almost otherworldly backdrop as they exchanged vows.”

Some of the most striking images of the evening featured the couple’s romantic dip kiss against the glowing horizon, as well as the bride standing amidst the twinkling candlelit aisle.

“The candles added such a warm, intimate ambiance, transforming the scene into a fairytale come to life,” Dafne reflected. “Capturing the interplay of light, love, and celebration felt like a dream come true. Being a part of Alexandra and Christian’s wedding day was an absolute honor, and I’m thrilled to share these cherished moments through Limelight Photography’s lens.”

The romantic ambiance carried seamlessly from the beach ceremony into the reception space, where candlelight continued to play a central role in the décor. Soft purple uplighting illuminated the reception and cast a romantic glow. Long tables draped in crisp white linens were adorned with countless floating candles, creating a warm and intimate ambiance. At the heart of the celebration, Alexandra and Christian sat at a beautifully styled sweetheart table, dressed in floor-length white linens and surrounded by cascading white florals. Various glass cylinders of different heights, each holding floating candles, added to the enchanting atmosphere. The breathtaking florals and candlelit décor, expertly designed by Beneva Weddings, beautifully brought the couple’s vision to life.

“I looked for someone who could provide both candles and flowers,” the bride shared. “I chose Beneva Weddings because of their great expectation and their ability to provide large arrangements. The white roses were beautiful, especially for my bouquet and sweetheart table.”

The floral inspiration centered around white roses and a modern, candlelit design. To bring this vision to life, Beneva Weddings incorporated hydrangeas, playa blanca roses, polar star roses, bleached ruscus, and delicate spray roses, beautifully complementing the warm glow of candlelight that filled the reception space.

“The focal point of the evening remained the sweetheart table with a cascading floral garland. Alex’s vision stayed consistent: clean, white, ambient,” Corona Pardue, Director of Weddings & Events at Beneva Weddings explained.

The bride and groom infused their wedding with personal touches that made the day uniquely their own.

“We carefully selected much of the music played during the cocktail hour and reception to reflect our style. Having someone close to us officiate was also important, and my brother was the perfect choice. Our guests traveled from several different countries, and with Christian’s Colombian heritage, we incorporated Spanish into various details throughout the celebration to make everyone feel at home,” the bride reminisced. “We wanted to do something unique, so we decided to have our first toast with champagne at the end of the ceremony. We had never seen this done before, especially on the beach, and it made the moment even more special.”

The Proposal:
I knew Christian had already spoken with my dad. He had officially asked when it was just the two of us at our place.

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We’ll be vacationing in Europe this fall. We’ve been there before, but we’re excited to explore even more places.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We were looking for a photographer that also included the little details of the day. I chose Limelight Photography based on reviews and their portfolio. Limelight exceeded my expectations, and I still get endless compliments on the photos.

What did you look for in a wedding florist?
I looked for someone who could provide both candles and flowers. I chose Beneva Weddings because of their great expectation and their ability to provide large arrangements. The white roses were beautiful, especially for my bouquet and sweetheart table.