Kelsey and Greg
“Our wedding style was romantic, elegant, and timeless, inspired by New England coastal beauty and heartfelt traditions. Blue and white created a fresh, romantic atmosphere that highlighted the natural beauty of our venue.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Kelsey and Greg’s romantic Sarasota wedding was a timeless blue-and-white celebration inspired by the charm of the New England coast. The Tampa couple welcomed 154 guests in October to the waterfront resort where Greg grew up vacationing, weaving in Jewish traditions beneath a lush hydrangea chuppah, a family rice toss nearly 100 years in the making, and personal touches from start to finish.
“Our wedding day felt like a beautiful reflection of our journey, one filled with intention, emotion, and overwhelming love. From the gentle ocean breeze to the meaningful traditions woven throughout the ceremony, every moment felt deeply personal,” the bride revealed. “Celebrating our marriage in a place that holds so much history for us, surrounded by family and friends who have walked alongside us, made the day unforgettable. It was not just a celebration of our love, but of the paths that led us there and the future we are so excited to build together.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“We found our vendors through extensive online research, using wedding websites, blogs, and reviews to build our shortlist. We then interviewed or corresponded with each vendor to ensure their experience, style, and capabilities aligned with our vision. If they felt like the right fit, offered fair value, and had consistently strong recent reviews, we moved forward with confidence.
Marry Me Tampa Bay was a valuable resource throughout our wedding planning process. It introduced us to talented local vendors and provided inspiration through real weddings and editorial features. Having a trusted local resource made the planning process feel more approachable and gave us confidence in the decisions we made along the way.”
The Proposal
“Greg proposed during a breathtaking sunset sailboat ride. It was intimate, romantic, and perfectly us—a moment we will treasure for the rest of our lives.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I hosted my bachelorette party in the Rosemary Beach area. It was the perfect destination for a girls’ getaway. With its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and charming coastal atmosphere, it offered the ideal mix of relaxation and fun. We spent the weekend enjoying the scenery, soaking up the sun, and making unforgettable memories together before the wedding.
Greg and I just returned from our honeymoon in the Greek Islands, and it was everything we had hoped for. We chose Greece because it offered the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. We spent our days soaking in the breathtaking scenery, enjoying the beautiful beaches, exploring charming villages, and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.”
The Most Memorable Moment
“The most special part of our wedding day was standing together, taking it all in, and realizing how much love surrounded us. Seeing our families and closest friends gathered in one place, most of whom had supported us from the very beginning, was incredibly emotional. It was a day filled with joyful tears, meaningful glances, and quiet moments of gratitude we will never forget.”
The Experience
“Honoring our heritage and family traditions was incredibly important to us. Before the ceremony, my aunt and uncle tossed rice over us in celebration—using the very same rice that was tossed over my grandparents nearly 100 years ago at their wedding. Those grains were preserved and later used at my aunt and uncle’s wedding, as well as at my cousins’ weddings, making it a powerful symbol of continuity, love, and family history. We also incorporated several Jewish traditions to honor Greg’s faith, including being married beneath a stunning chuppah adorned with lush hydrangeas. The chuppah represents the home we will build together—open on all sides to welcome loved ones and symbolizing hospitality, the support of family, and our commitment to a shared life.
We incorporated our personalities into the wedding through thoughtful details that reflected who we are as a couple. We both have an eye for detail and a love for personalization, so we enjoyed creating a celebration that felt uniquely ours. We were intentional about selecting every song played throughout the ceremony, reception, and after-party to create the perfect atmosphere and tell our story through music. We added personal touches throughout the weekend with custom details including koozies, cups, matchbooks, coasters, fans, signage, kippahs, golf balls, napkins, cocktail stirrers, chocolates, and more. We also incorporated some of our favorite foods, from comforting classics to local seafood, giving our guests a taste of the things we love. Finally, we invested heavily in our florals to create the romantic atmosphere we envisioned, and the result was truly magical. Each element was carefully chosen to enhance the guest experience and create a cohesive celebration that felt elegant, fun, and true to us.”
The Inspiration
“Our wedding style was romantic, elegant, and timeless, inspired by New England coastal beauty and heartfelt traditions. We envisioned a day that felt refined yet warm, blending classic details with personal touches that reflected our journey and the love we share.
Our wedding colors were blue and white. We wanted a palette that felt timeless, elegant, and classic. Inspired by the charm of the New England coast, the colors complemented our vision of a sophisticated coastal celebration. Blue and white created a fresh, romantic atmosphere that highlighted the natural beauty of our venue while giving the entire weekend a cohesive and effortlessly elegant feel.”
The Venue
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
“It was important to us to find a location with beautiful natural surroundings, versatile spaces for both the ceremony and reception, and an atmosphere that felt warm and inviting for our guests. We also wanted a venue where we could host all of our wedding weekend festivities in one place—from the welcome party and guest room block to the ceremony, reception, after-party, and farewell brunch. Creating a seamless experience for our family and friends was a top priority, and we loved the idea of everyone being able to celebrate together throughout the entire weekend. We wanted the venue to feel like a destination getaway while still being close to home for us and many of our loved ones.
After touring several venues, we kept finding our way back to The Resort at Longboat Key Club. For Greg, the resort holds a lifetime of cherished memories. He grew up vacationing there and couldn’t wait to share such a meaningful place with me early in our relationship. Over time, it became just as special to me. It’s where I first met Greg’s parents, where we exchanged our first ‘I love you,’ and where we’ve spent countless holidays together surrounded by friends and family. Choosing this venue felt like coming home, and we were beyond excited to share our little slice of paradise with the people we love most.
The resort’s event planners were exceptional. They were always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and offer reassurance, and they were especially present and attentive throughout our entire wedding weekend. While careful planning is essential, flawless execution is what truly makes an event unforgettable. Every member of the resort team went above and beyond, and it was clear that excellence extends across every department, not just a few individuals. What impressed us most was the genuine care and personalized attention shown to us, our families, and our guests. There was always someone ready to help with anything we needed, making the entire experience feel effortless, seamless, and truly special.”
The Special Effects
Tampa Bay DJ Company
“One of our biggest priorities for our wedding day was spending as much time on the dance floor as possible. It’s not every day that you get all of your family and friends in one place, so we wanted to make the most of every second and celebrate together. What better way to get everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor than with fog cannons and cold sparks?
The fog cannons and cold sparks provided by Tampa Bay DJ Company took the energy of the reception to another level. They made those big moments on the dance floor feel even more exciting and created such a fun, unforgettable atmosphere. We loved how they added that extra wow factor while bringing everyone together. Looking back, those moments are some of our favorite memories from the night, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing!”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our wedding planner, Lauren Gertz of MDP Events, exceeded every expectation. She and her team were always one step ahead, anticipating every detail, solving problems before we even noticed them, and going above and beyond throughout the entire weekend, even assisting with events outside of her responsibility. Her expertise made everything feel effortless.
Victoria Blooms and her team were equally incredible. The lush, romantic florals transformed the venue into something truly magical and exceeded our expectations. We received countless compliments, and the designs were everything we had envisioned.
What advice would you give to other Sarasota couples?
Focus on what truly matters and let everything else fall into place. The day goes by faster than you can imagine, so take intentional moments to pause, breathe, and be present with each other.
The memories you create together and the love you feel are far more important than any detail. One of the best decisions we made was to stick together the entire night, so we could share the same memories and experience every moment side by side.
