Christine & Jared - A Boho Beachfront Wedding

When they began planning the couple knew they wanted a beachfront wedding, with natural and earthy elements incorporated throughout. Both Florida natives, the couple met in Gainesville while attending the University of Florida. Their love of spending time together at the beach or on their boat, and ultimately getting engaged on a balcony overlooking the ocean at The Grand Plaza Hotel, inspired their choice for a beach location. To create a relaxed, boho environment at the Tradewinds Resort, blue and green sea glass colors were accented with neutral hues found in driftwood and white shells. The most special and unique pieces were the cake toppers which once belonged to the groom’s great great great uncle.

Elegantly styled in colors inspired by the beach, the couple look stunning against the water at sunset.

The bride wore a strapless, lace, mermaid style gown perfect for a beachfront affair.

Soft yet glamorous makeup in neutral colors complimented the bride’s attire.

The bride carried a bouquet of blue, green, and white hydrangea accented with greenery and starfish elements.

Starfish details were also found throughout other floral arrangements like boutonnieres, and as escort card displays at the reception.

To keep her hair tidy in any breezes coming in off the water the bride wore a style featuring a beautiful low updo.

Bridesmaids popped next to the bride in their strapless azure gowns.

Program fans were offered to guests as a fun way to keep cool.

A vintage dresser was converted into a “shoe valet” for guests to kick off their shoes and grab a pair of flip flops for the beachfront ceremony.

Fedoras were offered to guests at the shoe valet, along with brushes to dust the sand off before heading to the reception.

Along the ceremony aisle, lanterns and driftwood sat beside guest chairs.

The stunning couple looking elated as they are received by loved ones after the ceremony.

The couple were married beneath a natural wood ceremony arch adorned with neutral flowers, lanterns, and chiffon drapery.

Nautical details and lanterns decorated the escort card display table.

Starfish escort cards sat perched in delicate wood boxes.

The reception was held in the event pavilion, fully draped with chiffon drapery from the ceiling and along the walls and completed with uplighting throughout in blue hues.

Burlap table runners on blue linens were set along feasting tables adorned with centerpieces of driftwood and accented with succulents, shells, soft candle light, and lanterns.

The cake toppers that sat atop this adorable polka dotted cake have a very unique story: Years ago a cargo ship laden with cupie dolls sank off of the Florida Keys. For years beach goers found arms, legs, and heads of the dolls. But when a pair were found in perfect condition they were gifted to the groom’s great great great uncle, who was a lighthouse keeper in Key West, and his wife. The dolls made their first appearance on a family wedding cake in 1921, and since have adorned the tops of wedding cakes throughout the groom’s entire extended family, ultimately ending up on his own.

The incredible team that made it all possible include:

Venue & Catering: Tradewinds Resort St. Pete Beach

Hair & Makeup: Destiny and Light

DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates

Cake: Publix Greenwise

Linens: Connie Duglin Linens

Florist: Braun’s Fine Flowers

Photography: Lifelong Photography Studio

TRENDSETTING - A Coastal Chic Styled Shoot on Anna Maria Island

The Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club is one of many resorts in the Autograph Collection hotels, which are specially designed to be unique to their locations. The Waterline on Anna Maria Island was designed with an emphasis on island life and elegant coastal chic vibes. So this styled shoot incorporates the cool, laidback attributes of living on an island with the upscale, chic details of the luxury Autograph Collection resort. Shades of ivory and ocean blues were accented with natural seaside greenery, nautical elements like driftwood, and pops of pearlescent shells throughout.

The resort, which offers activities like kayak and bicycle rentals, provides a beautiful backdrop for photos in the setting Florida sun.

Fun invitations, with elegant script writing, in a range of shades of cobalt, dusty-blue, sage green, and ivory create a watery motif that perfectly sets the tone for this elegant beach wedding.

A beaded dress with delicate straps and light accessories are the perfect compliment to the natural beauty of this island wedding.

The bride and bridesmaids enjoy mimosas while wrapped in fluffy hotel robes.

The gentlemen relax at the bar before the ceremony begins.

Navy suits with pops of grey and ivory perfectly accent this waterside affair.

The bridesmaids wore short, striped dresses to incorporate a fun and relaxed searsucker vibe.

Fun, beachy elements, like nautical rope and barnacles, were used as decor and fun props for photos.

A seaside ceremony between palm trees, took place in front of a chiffon draped arch with complimentary floral arrangements.

Glassine envelopes, printed with the program, were filled with ivory rose petals and handed out during the ceremony to use during the send off of the couple.

Silver lanterns and ivory florals, with pops of blue and green, lined the aisle.

The bride’s bouquet was kept simple and sophisticated with all ivory roses, greenery, and mother of pearl branches to resemble shells.

The couple are showered in rose petals as they’re received by guests for the first time as husband and wife.

Escort cards, that were made to resemble mother-of-pearl shells, were displayed above a driftwood table.

Soft blue and white burlap linens were paired with clusters of florals and candle light, on tables overlooking the waterfront pool, during cocktail hour.

White linens with sheer overlays in varying textures and patterns, were paired with pops of blue and silver in the ballroom.

Silver candelabras that resembled painted driftwood were set against pearlescent shells and dusty blue greenery.

Lanterns and florals transferred from the ceremony adorned some of the tables.

The silver chargers set with blue napkins, and elegant script menus brought a hint of watercolor to the neutral tables.

A dessert display boasted a coastal-inspired three tiered cake, cupcakes, cake pops, macarons, and handmade marshmallows, accented with nautical displays like wood trays, rope, and seaglass.

Cake pops the color of ocean foam were accented with metallic gold and ivory sugar roses. Sweet coastal chic!

The incredible team of wedding professionals who created this shoot include:

Venue: The Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club of the Autograph Collection Hotels

Photographer: Stephanie Smith Photography

Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi

Wedding Dress: Isabel O’Neil Bridal

Florist: Arlene Floral Designer

Stationary: The Southern Wedding Belle’s

Linens: Connie Duglin Linen

Cake & Desserts: Trudy Melissa Cakes

Videography: VH Video

Rentals: US Tent

Liz and Leo - A Timeless Beachfront Wedding in Clearwater

Liz and Leo knew two things when they started planning their Clearwater Beach wedding; it needed to have amazing food, and it had to have incredible live music (in honor of the couple's many concerts attended together), including the best Hora anyone has ever witnessed. Liz had event planning experience through her work with the American Heart Association, so details were very important to her (and there were plenty of beautiful and personal touches throughout the event). Guests enjoyed hosted poolside cabanas the afternoon of the wedding, and a jazz trio during a cocktail hour complete with a raw bar and a 4-tier cake made entirely of cheese! Leo's Argentinian background inspired a true party vibe for the reception, keeping the dance floor packed all night until the after-party in the hotel suite.

Clearwater beach and a Florida sunset provided the perfect backdrop for romantic portraits.

From the first impressions of receiving elegant pocket-style custom invitations, guests knew they were in for a special celebration.

The bride’s bouquet consisted of roses, hydrangea, anemones, lisianthus (in honor of the bride ‘Liz’), and eucalyptus.

To keep things simple and sophisticated the bride chose matching bouquets of ivory florals with greenery to subtly pop against the bridesmaids’ charcoal dresses.

Timeless elements like this natural bouquet and the bride’s mikado, slightly off-the-shoulder dress were a stunning addition to the classic details of the ceremony and reception.

The groom wore a sharp three piece suit in complimenting shades of charcoal with pops of ivory details.

The groom signing the beautiful Ketubah, which outlines the promises he makes to his new wife.

The ceremony was an evening celebration on the lawn overlooking the ocean.

Lush arrangements of floral and greenery complimented the natural beauty of the ceremony space on Clearwater Beach.

Pre-ceremony champagne cocktails and popcorn, with toppings like truffle salt and white cheddar, were displayed for guests as they found their seats on the lawn.

The “blushing bride” champagne cocktails were served with pre-ceremony snacks.

The stunning vine-clad chuppah, which symbolizes the home the couple will build together, was a stunning focal pooint set against the fading sunset before the evening ceremony began.

Beneath the chuppah, the couple exchanged vows in a traditional Jewish ceremony, lit by a canopy of bistro lights.

The reception featured feasting tables adorned with neutral linens, lush florals, delicate candles, and French country chairs.

Floral arrangements included plenty of greenery for a natural element, and an abundance of candlelight for a romantic effect.

Glass charger plates were layered with linens in shades of grey and white.

A mix of towering florals and candlelight with the natural color scheme created a perfect blend of sophistication and simplicity.

Fun bubble favors were passed out before the reception.

The wedding party showered the dance floor in bubbles during the first dance.

The couple’s first dance as husband and wife was shared with their 250 guests, most of whom traveled from across the country and even across continents to attend.

The live band played an epic Hora that lasted a full 20 minutes!…

…and ended with the bride and groom crowd surfing!

During dinner guests enjoyed plated surf & turf of Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail, finished with wedding cake in chocolate, vanilla, and dulce de leche flavors.

The couple shared the first piece of their gorgeous cake and a kiss!

Guests enjoyed a late night snack of chicken tenders or grilled brie and strawberry sandwiches, with mini cupcake favors to take away as they departed. Talk about a wedding fit for a foodie!

And of course no wedding photos on Clearwater Beach would be complete without the famous pirate ship at sunset!

The incredible collection of wedding pros who created this gorgeous event include:

• Venue & Catering: Opal Sands, Clearwater Beach

• Photographer: Andi Diamond Photography

• Floral Design: FH Weddings & Events

• Entertainment: DeLeon Entertainment

• Chairs & Chargers: A Chair Affair

• Staging: Coast to Coast Event Rentals

• Linens: Connie Duglin Linen

• Videography: VH Video

• Stationery: Oh My Designs

• Cake: Corey’s Bakery

• Bridal Gown & Bridesmaid Dresses: The White Closet Co.

• Suit: Bespoke & Co.

• Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio