Better Together - November 19, 2018

The phrase Better Together came from the custom gold cake topper of Shereen and Justin’s Sarasota wedding at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. You can see how much in love they are and our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team loved being part of their day.
 
For the ladies, their day started at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota with a bite to eat and some time together getting ready for the wedding later that afternoon. The guys day began in a private residence and some time to hang out and relax.
 
Midafternoon the couple and their wedding parties arrived at the botanical gardens for some final preparations and some pre-ceremony wedding photos.
 
Shereen looked stunning in her crystal embellished lace wedding gown with cap sleeves and sweetheart neckline. We love her choice of incredible Badgley Mischka wedding shoes with crystal accents.
 
After a very touching first look and some time for photographs, the couple exchanged their wedding vows under a canopy of mature trees, Spanish moss and a shimmering crystal chandelier.
 
Justin barely held back tears as Shereen made her way down the aisle to the song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
 
After exchanging wedding vows, rings and lighting a unity candle, the couple and their guests enjoyed a light cocktail reception before heading indoors for an evening of dinner and dancing.
 
The reception was set with floor length linens in a soft warm tone, dressed with white lanterns, flickering candles and arrangements of greenery and blossoms of cream and soft pink. The tablescape paired perfectly with light pink napkins, a custom menu card and vintage inspired off white charger plates.
 
After their first dance and a few touching toasts, Shereen and Justin along with their family and friends dined on an incredible dinner that included:
 
Roasted Garlic and Herb Rubbed Chateau of Beef with Roasted Shallot Butter and Blackened Grouper with Fruit Chutney.
 
Guest loved the adorable succulents the couple chose as a wedding favor, with the sign “Let Love Grow”, displayed next to a jar for guests to share their best date night suggestions.
 
The evening concluded with a delicious three-tiered amaretto wedding cake with Samoa filling and Shereen and Jason’s grand exit under a shower of sparklers.
 
Congratulations Shereen and Jason, we wish you a lifetime that is absolutely better together!

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Sarasota Wedding Planner: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning
Sarasota Hotel Rooms: Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Sarasota Wedding Venue: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Wedding Photographer: Alisia Thompson Photography
Sarasota Caterer: Michael’s Events and Catering
Lighting and Draping: Affairs in the Air
DJ + MC: TLS Entertainment
Florist: Victoria Blooms
Wedding Cake: Cakes by Ron
Hair and Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne + Co
Officiant: Chuck Carter