As 2018 came to a close our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team was excited to bring Joy and Craig’s blush and gold beach wedding vision to life.
 
Their Lido Beach Resort wedding on Sarasota’s Lido Key was an amazing reflection of their love for each other. 
 
Joy and Craig chose not to see each other prior to their wedding ceremony on the resort’s private white sand beach. 
 
Joy took some time in her suite for some wedding portraits and to take in the gulf views and their wedding ceremony space below.
 
The bride carried a handtied bridal bouquet of white peonies, roses and ranunculus accented by dusty miller; the perfect accent to her white lace wedding gown.
 
Joy, escorted by her youngest son, made her way to the waterfront wedding ceremony where Craig and their guests waited for her arrival.
 
The ceremony space was marked with a blond wood wedding structure with a covering of flowers in white and shades of pale pink. The ground in front of the structure had two large gold tone garden urns filled with filled with flowers, which was repurposed after the wedding ceremony to flank the sweetheart table.
 
After exchanging their wedding vows the couple exited to “Marry You” by Bruno Mars and spent some time together taking some beautiful wedding portraits on the Sarasota beach.
 
The couple and their wedding guests made their way to the resorts’ Royal Palm Ballroom. The space was dressed in soft lighting with gold ballroom chairs, gold rimmed charger plates and gold votive candles.
 
The room was accented in in soft pink linen with matching napkins and centerpieces of pink and white flowers.
 
One of our favorite details was their sweetheart table with an asymmetric floral centerpiece, fabric chair treatments and lighting that made it appear to be floating.
 
The reception included some touching speeches, amazing food and dancing and the night ended with delicious wedding cake, desserts and chocolate dipped strawberries.
 

Casey and Matthew were awesome for our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team to work with. Early in the planning of their Sarasota wedding we asked each of them about some of their favorite things.
 
We love doing this as it gives us a lot of insight into the couples and personality and often gives us details that inspire design elements.
 
Imagine our surprise when Casey responded that she loved Florida oranges, so we took that idea and ran with it.
 
The day began with breakfast and then hair and makeup for the ladies.  The guys relaxed and started getting ready a little later in the morning. All of the special details were arranged to be photographed prior to the couple heading to the Ringling for their first look while our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team worked with the wedding professionals on preparations for the wedding ceremony and reception.
 
Casey wore a beautiful form fitting gown with a sweetheart neckline and a little touch of shimmer.  Matthew wore a light grey suit with an open collared white shirt. His boutonniere was made with floral details found in Casey’s bouquet.
 
Casey carried a loose, textural bouquet of succulents, dusty miller, and dramatic bursts of orange and white.
 
Their uniquely designed waterfront wedding ceremony combined unlikely elements for a beach wedding. The combination of sunshine, sand, water and rattan fans were balanced against a random selection of dark wood dining room chairs, a wispy curly willow arch to mark the aisleway and a dark wood wedding arbor swagged with lush greenery and white hydrangea and roses.
 
Their waterside wedding ceremony incorporated a sand ceremony and an exchange of vows witnessed by family and friends. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour and an outdoor reception in a grove of palms, under a canopy of market lights.
 
The reception repurposed the incredible wooden farmhouse dining chairs paired with a soft creamy linen, wicker charger plates and a light sage colored napkin. The focal point of the table were beautiful low centerpieces in wooden boxes that overflowed with greenery, white flowers and Florida oranges.
 
The orange theme continued into their wedding cake which combines white, orange and blush flowers with brightly colored oranges.

​Clare and Sebastian’s early afternoon wedding at St. Martha’s Catholic Church was the start of a beautiful Sarasota wedding day with our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team.
 
Clare wore a light flowing wedding gown and carried a stunning bouquet of bright pink peonies, white and antique pink roses, wax flower, dusty miller and flowering branches.
 
Both Clare and Sebastian looked lovingly at each other and nothing could wipe away their ear-to-ear smiles.
 
An early afternoon wedding ceremony left time for guests to relax and enjoy their afternoon in downtown Sarasota while the couple and their wedding party made their way to the incredible Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for an afternoon of mazing wedding photographs.
 
The botanical gardens created unique and interesting backdrop for some amazing wedding photos with their wedding party.
 
Guested were welcomed to the botanical gardens and the cocktail reception by the sounds of a solo saxophone before making their way inside for the wedding reception.
 
Tables were adorned with a mix of low centerpieces of soft white and pink florals alternated with taller centerpieces of flowering branches with hanging candles.
 
Welcome speeches by Sebastian’s parents and Clare’s father were followed by salad service and some easy listening music.  The music lead to toasts by the best man, the groom’s bothers and the maid of honor.
 
After dinner and the parent dances, the band kept the dance floor filled which lead to a night of exuberant dancing. 
 
“Pour Some Sugar On Me” was the perfect song choice as the couple cut their breathtaking four tiered pink, white and gold wedding cake embellished with flower branches made of sugar.
 
The ear-to-ear smiles that began during Clare and Sebastian’s wedding ceremony continued through the celebrations during their reception and ended  as the couple said good-bye to their guests.
 
Congratulations, we wish you a lifetime filled with those smiles.

Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning Team had an amazing time working with Kaitlin, Justin and their families on this beautiful wedding at The Field Club located in South Sarasota on Roberts Bay.
 
The Field Club is a Spanish villa built in 1927 by Stanley Field who was nephew of department store magnate Marshall Field. 
 
The club is on the National register of Historic Places, the perfect location for this beautiful wedding in shades of pink and white.
 
The couple was married on the lawn of the club that provided beautiful waterfront views. Dark wood chairs were draped with garlands of greenery and a friend played guitar for the wedding ceremony. Kaitlin made her entrance to “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beatles.
 
Justin could barely hold back tears as he watched Kaitlin approach the rustic wooden arch that was draped in greenery with pink and white roses.
 
While the family and wedding party took time for some photos, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception on the Lagoon Terrace and Living Room, which included cheese and antipasto tables. 
 
An amazing evening of dinner and dancing followed the ceremony and photos. Guests dined at tables draped in soft pink linens with gold charger plates layered with napkins and custom menu cards. The center of each tablescape held gold candlesticks with thick pillar candles and were surrounded by small vases of pink and white roses.
 
After Kaitlin and Justin cut their three-tiered wedding cake, guests enjoyed a scrumptious dessert bar that was a very important detail for the couple. A table inside the Commodores Room was draped in sparkling linen and filled with mini cupcakes, donut holes, macaroons, assorted candies, cookies brownies and tarts.
 
To end this dream wedding the couple escaped under a shower of sparklers and sailed off across the bay enjoying champagne under the stars.
 
Congratulations Kaitlin and Justin, we are glad you had the wedding of your dreams.

The incredible Armature Works is a mixed-use industrial space in the Tampa Heights neighborhood of Tampa. It was the perfect location for Amanda and Gustavo’s wedding. 
 
Our Jennifer Matteo Events Planning team worked with the couple to merge the rustic, industrial charm of the former trolley shed into the glamourous wedding of Amanda’s dream.
 
Their morning began with breakfast at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina.  After breakfast was hair and makeup for the ladies followed by photographs for the individual wedding parties along the marina.
 
Amanda looked ultra-chic in her contemporary lace wedding gown with a high neckline and cap sleeves. Her dazzling tiara and rhinestone encrusted pumps completed the look. 
 
The bride’s lush bouquet was made of white garden roses, white stock, lemon leaf and seeded eucalyptus, similar to the bouquets of her bridal party that shimmered in their gold bridesmaid’s gowns.
 
The wedding party was transported to Rooftop 220 for the wedding ceremony that took place on the outdoor rooftop garden space with waterfront views of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa.
 
After exchanging their wedding vows, guests enjoyed the cocktail reception while the wedding party had a few fun wedding photos taken along the river.  Following the cocktail reception, everyone made their way to “The Theater” a second floor event space with exposed brick, original flooring and wood truss loft ceilings.
 
The space was transformed using hundreds of pillar candles in shimmering glass cylinders, a towering plant wall with the couple’s name and wedding date, and luxurious white floral centerpieces floating on gold risers.
 
Gold beaded glass charger plates held custom menu cards describing the scrumptious dinner. A salad of Baby Greens and Seasonal Berries, Candied Pecans, Feta Cheese and a Berry Vinaigrette.
 
The entrée that followed was a duet of the Armature Works Signature 60 Spice Chicken paired with Grilled Chateau Steaks and a Pinot Noir Demi Glaze accompanies by Butternut Squash Risotto, Honey Glazed Carrots and Green Beans.
 
A four-tiered wedding cake embellished with ruffles, gold brushed flowers and intricate lace piping was the perfect dessert; followed by an evening of toasts and dancing.
 
Congratulations Amanda and Gustavo; we were excited that we were able to design that chic wedding with little touches of glitz and glamour you envisioned.

The wedding day began at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota with onsite hair and makeup services for Meghan and her wedding party, and our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team was with them right from the start.
 
A little later in the day the bridal party and Cliff and his groomsmen enjoyed some lunch prior to getting ready for photos.
 
Their wedding guests began their Sarasota wedding weekend with a fabulous welcome box. In addition to the essentials of Tylenol and sunscreen, the box also included a Florida shaped cookie, local Jai Alai IPA, snacks, a timeline, transportation arrangements as well as list of local eateries and attractions.
 
Meghan looked stunning in an off-white tulle gown with a modern lace bodice; the deep plunging neckline, illusion sides and shimmering threads were magnificent.
 
Cliff and the groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos paired with some interesting socks for a little fun.
 
The wedding parties were transported in limousines to St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Longboat Key for the couple’s wedding ceremony.
 
Following the wedding ceremony and some family photographs, everyone was transported to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota for an evening of dinner and dancing in the spectacular gardens.
 
Meghan and Cliff’s beautifully dressed dogs joined them for a few photos prior to the wedding reception.
 
The evening began with the couple’s first dance and parent dances under a canopy of mature trees and sparkling market lights.
 
Guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner at long rectangular tables draped in soft pink satin linen. Rows of rectangular mirrored boxes filled the tables. The containers overflowed with flowers in shades of cream, pale and antique pink with touches of soft lavender.  
 
Glass charger plates layered with knotted grey napkins complimented individual glass bubble place card holders, mirrored table numbers and votive candles in mercury glass.
 
A towering five-tiered, rose and white marbled wedding cake was accented with a cascade of antique pink and cream roses. Guests were also blown away with the Auburn University War Eagles grooms cake and autographed football.
 
Guests danced the night away, enjoyed a photobooth and wrapped up the night with fresh pizza and some chocolate chip cookies for the road.
 
What a fabulous wedding for a sweet couple. 
 
Thank you to all of the vendors responsible for Meghan and Cliff’s Sarasota wedding!

​Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team loved getting to know Hannah and Zach, learning about their love of horses and weaving their story throughout their wedding day activities.
 
They both have a lifelong love of horses and met through a horseback riding trainer, who was their best man. They trained at separate facilities for nearly ten years and didn’t really become friends until Spring of 2015.
 
Their love of horseshows brought them together so it was a fitting theme for their wedding day.
 
Hannah looked breathtaking as she entered Church of St Patrick in Sarasota in her organza ballgown with a modern applique bodice and sweetheart neckline.  Their entrance was framed with an arch overflowing with white hydrangea and the aisle was lined with tall urns filled with flowers in white, golden creams and lush eucalyptus.
 
Her bridal party wore hunter green; a color that was paired with burgundy and gold and carried throughout the wedding.  Zach and the groomsmen wore classic black vested tuxedos accented with fun argyle socks.
 
Following their wedding ceremony, the couple headed off to The Ringling Museum in a vintage white Porsche convertible for an evening of dinner and dancing.
 
While preparations began for their wedding reception Hannah and Zach’s first dance was at sunset overlooking Sarasota Bay.
 
The terrace was set with a combination of rectangular rustic wood tables and round tables draped in hunter green linen. 
 
The tables were set with elegant gold rimmed stemware, beautiful ornately banded china and burgundy and cream centerpieces in gold urns.  The urns helped balance the ornate with the rustic equestrian elements that included saddles with floral blankets on either side of their elegantly appointed sweetheart table.
 
Guests wrote notes in fabric swatches which would be sewn together after the wedding to create a beautiful heirloom quilt. Each guest found a golden horseshoe at their place setting and warm pashminas for an evening under the stars.
 
After cutting an amazing seven-tiered wedding cake topped with a golden stallion, Hannah and Zach slipped away in Classic Mustang Convertible.
 
Thank you to the wedding professionals who brought Hannah and Zach’s wedding day to life.

Working with Jodi and Peter made our Jennifer Matteo Events Planning team smile. 
 
The tea party vibe of their wedding, blended with books and suitcases brought together a vintage feel with elements of world travel.
 
The 1916 Italian Renaissance Edson Keith Mansion, sitting on the banks of the Phillipi River with swaying palms and moss draped oak trees was the perfect setting for this couple’s Sarasota wedding.
 
Jodi looked amazing in her lace wedding gown with a sheer bodice that was adorned with modern lace appliques. She carried a handtied bridal bouquet of pink and peach tones with ranunculus, cottage roses, and peonies with touches of dusty miller and wax flower. 
 
Peter wore a classic dark suit with grey vest, a contrasting pale green patterned necktie, and a peach ranunculus boutonniere. Custom cufflinks with their wedding date were the prefect accessory.
 
After a first look and some photos together, the couple exchanged wedding vows under a canopy of oaks surrounded by family and friends. A beautiful sand ceremony incorporated their children and created a warm, loving family moment.
 
“Together We Make A Family” perfectly sums up this touching wedding ceremony. After some family photos everyone made their way indoors for the wedding reception.
 
The dining room was filled with elegant vintage touches that offset the long rustic wooden tables set with vintage china and tea cups. Long low floral centerpieces in the same flowers and greenery as Jodi’s bridal bouquet flowed down the center of each table.
 
A favorite detail was the couples sweetheart table; a vintage wooden side table draped with lush greenery, tea roses, tulips, succulents and rose gold votive candles. Elegant high back arm chairs with chalk board signs reading “Hers Forever” and “His Always” were a warm personal touch.
 
A library with dark wood shelves, old books, vintage suitcases and a world map as a guest book set the backdrop for tiered stands of delicious cookies and a two-tiered wedding cake wrapped with modern peach sugar roses.
 
Jodi and Peter’s wedding day was filled with elegant vintage décor and touching family moments. 
 
Congratulations, we wish you all a lifetime filled with love and happiness.

Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team enjoyed working with an amazing team of professionals to create a dream wedding for Beth and Matt.
 
When we say it was stunning from head to toe, we mean that literally. Beth had her wedding gown hand crafted for her beautiful outdoor wedding at Sarasota’s Marie Selby Gardens.
 
Beth’s wedding gown was very relaxed in its flowing design with simple spaghetti straps, a drop waist accented with a wide crystal belt. Her wedding bouquet was a beautiful explosion of greenery with ivy, ruscus, eucalyptus and succulents dotted with soft white ranunculus, veronica and white anemone.
 
The accent of lush greenery was used as the theme for the bouquets of the bridal party and the décor.
 
Matt and his groomsmen looked handsome in their tailored suits accented with soft grey neckties, checkered pocket squares and uniquely styled fishing fly boutonnieres.
 
Their simple elegant invitation suite was a classic yet modern design with accents of greenery.
 
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provided the perfect location for their wedding as well as some breathtaking décor. The abundance of banyan and oak trees, tropical foliage and rock formations blended with the rustic, yet sophisticated feel of the day.
 
After exchanging their vows, the couple wandered the gardens for some spectacular wedding photos and some time alone to reflect on the day.
 
The outdoor wedding reception took place under a canopy of trees glistening with twinkle lights and accented with white paper lanterns.  We created a warm and relaxed vibe by mixing long and round guest tables paired with a wooden country chair and soft white linen.
 
The décor was a mix of natural elements, meandering greenery in burnished metallic containers and soft pops of white floral as accents.
 
It is pretty amazing when one of our major focal points is also incredibly delicious. A banyan tree set the backdrop for Beth and Matt’s striking dessert display. Metallic cake stands, soft sage patterned linen and towering floral arrangements created the setting for unique bite sized sweets and their cake that was adorned with succulents.
 
From Beth’s gown to the boutonnières, custom menu cards and décor, no detail was overlooked and the day was absolutely a reflection of the bride and groom.
 
Congratulations Beth and Matt!