Sujatha and Sanjiv were amazing to work with, and this wedding was truly one for the books. 
 
The couple resides in Canada and when you are trying to plan a wedding long distance in Sarasota, it can be a bit of a challenge; but our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team made it work. 
 
When Sujatha came to us and discussed her ideas, we knew we wanted to incorporate a lot of brilliant colors and really bring out the couple’s Indian heritage on their wedding day.
 
You will see that their reception design was nothing short of breathtaking. 
 
Their outdoor Sarasota wedding reception, at Mote Marine Laboratory, was designed to be a feast for the senses. 
 
The design incorporated layers of color and texture at every level of the reception space. Red brick floors were a base for an oversized white dance floor with crystal chandeliers floating above.
 
The dancefloor was surrounded by round tables draped in spectacular purple, fuchsia and hot pink linens.  Sparkling elements of gold were brought in through gold chiavari chairs, gold flatware, gold banded china and tall gold toned vases.
 
The vases cascaded with fuchsia and oranges roses and incorporated burgundy hanging amaranthus and thistle for texture.
 
A spectacular long head table sat at the head of the dance floor, the focal point being two high backed tufted chairs with colorful embroidered pillows. The table was set against a plant wall surrounded by trees and an explosion of brilliantly colored flowers.
 
Stunning details filled the entire space; colorful custom menu cards detailed the traditional Indian cuisine. Individual cupcakes and a beautiful wedding cake were adorned with brightly colored, hand piped henna designs from the Mehndi. 
 
One of the most spectacular elements was this custom designed elephant groom’s cake with a little surprise for the groom. #RollTide
 
Congratulations Sujatha and Sanjiv, we know you loved this design as much as we loved creating it for you.

Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team really loved working with Maria and Charles on this stunning holiday wedding at the Ringling’s Ca d’Zan.
 
Maria wanted a very passionate and fiery wedding (to match her personality). 
 
Being from Columbia, we wanted to emphasize that Maria’s culture was a big part of their wedding celebration.
 
From Charles’s custom designed suit combining a brilliant red jacket with a black shawl collar and classic black bow tie to Maria’s stunning strapless lace gown by Spanish designer, Pronovias; their personalities were showcased.
 
Maria carried a breathtaking, cascading bridal bouquet of red roses flown in from Columbia, which were utilized throughout  the wedding décor, deep burgundy amaranthus and glossy red anthurium for one of the most unique bouquets we have ever seen.
 
Their passion and fiery love for each other, her Latin heritage and for life were showcased in all of the little details that made this wedding such a show stopper.
 
From a red satin box filled with gold coins to the towering urns exploding with brilliant red flowers the outdoor wedding ceremony complimented the holiday décor and twinkling light of the Ringling.
 
The evening reception that followed combined deep ruby uplighting to accent the Ca d’Zan’s façade, deep red linen, and spectacular floral arrangements; with gold rimmed glasses and gold chivari chairs completing the tablescapes.
 
We wish much love and happiness to Maria and Charles; this day was not only a wedding, but an incredible reflection of your personalities and an experience for all of your guests. 

Chelsea and Chris are an awesome, fun, adventurous couple; they gave us a color palette and we were able work from those colors to bring their wedding day to life.
 
Chelsea’s bouquet of burgundy and cream with rich golden accents and ribbon mixed with eucalyptus and succulents stood out against her lace wedding gown with cascading organza ruffles.
 
Chris kept his look classic with a traditional black vested tuxedo with a notch collar and a simple white pocket square.
 
Their Sarasota wedding began at the beautiful Long Boat Island Chapel, located right off Sarasota Bay. The gazebo with its brick walkways and lush topical trees and gardens set the perfect backdrop for Chelsea and Chris’ outdoor wedding ceremony.
 
Soft violin music and a special presentation of their wedding rings set the stage for them to exchange their wedding vows.
 
Their rich colors were carried throughout their special day in the bridesmaid’s flowers, ceremony décor and elements of their wedding reception.
 
The outdoor wedding reception was hosted at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium; this waterfront location showcases everything that is special about Sarasota and her islands.
 
Chelsea and Chris are so in love and it really shows. They loved spending time alone and their amazing wedding images really capture their love for each other and the fun they have together.
 
They closed out their special night escaping in a vintage car, matching their color palate, of course.
 
Congratulations Chelsea and Chris, our team at Jennifer Matteo Event Planning loved creating the wedding of your dreams.

There are few places in Florida to host sunset weddings more breathtakingly beautiful than a rooftop wedding in Sarasota. 
 
Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team immediately knew that hosting Angelica and Jon’s wedding on the rooftop of the Westin Sarasota was the perfect location for a sunset wedding..
 
Their modern, custom designed wedding invitations set the tone of things to come with a touch of glam and a little accent of rose gold.
 
The resort’s rooftop pool deck with sweeping waterfront views was transformed for the couple’s wedding ceremony. They added chic and luxurious touches by including tall metal trumpet vases with cascading white phalaenopsis orchids that marked the aisle, while shimmering crystal chandeliers, clear ghost chairs, as well as an oversized white picture frame created a magnificent backdrop to exchange their vows.
 
Family and friends dined on an elegant six-course tasting menu that included whimsical touches like artistically presented Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Paella, and bite-sized sweet treats.
 
The clean, chic design and elegant details continued throughout the rooftop wedding reception with unique, understated table linen, floating candles, custom menu cards, and subtle touches to bring in rose gold accents.
 
We are sure that this stylish rooftop wedding with its chic, modern, elegant décor and touches of rose gold indeed checked the boxes on all of the Angelica and Jon’s wedding wishes.
 
Congratulations, Angelica and Jon, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Elegant in its simplicity, Erin and Amir’s Sarasota rooftop wedding was held earlier this year at Morton’s Gourmet Market .
 
Setting the tone for the wedding were these navy blue and white custom wedding invitations created with a clean contemporary design with touches of rose gold.  
 
Erin chose a beautiful satin A-Line gown with a full skirt by BHLDN with a deep V neckline, strappy back and sheer illusion side panels. Breathtaking rose satin peep-toe pumps with an oversized bow and crystal embellishment by Badgley Mischka were the perfect accent to this simple yet elegant gown.
 
Amir looked sharp in a retro inspired navy blue tuxedo with a black satin notch collar. Amir is the owner of Sarasota’s The Diamond Vault and he made sure they both had the perfect but understated jewelry for their special day. A tiny shark pin, simple pocket square and wristwatch accented his classic look.
 
Guests gathered on the Sarasota rooftop for an intimate wedding ceremony, officiated by a close family friend.  A beautiful modern, copper wedding arch, a custom piece created by our in-house designer Matthew Matteo, was accented with an asymmetrical arrangement of seeded eucalyptus and dotted with white roses, tulips and wax flowers to create a unique focal point.
 
Following the ceremony, the photographer took some relaxed photos of Amir and Erin in the market and downtown Sarasota.  The couple enjoyed a gourmet dinner and night of dancing on the rooftop under a canopy of market lights.
 
Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team wishes Erin and Amir a lifetime of happiness!

Julia and Brian's Spring wedding at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was simply stunning.  They wanted a timeless elegance balanced with earthy neutral tones that complimented their ballroom and overlooked Sarasota Bay.  

With views to die for, the guests enjoyed their marriage ceremony under the wedding oak. Afterwards, cocktail hour was enjoyed on the Bay Lawn while the sun set.

For the reception, lighting was a key element with pin lighting around the room to showcase the oversized curly willow branches and soft draping that brought oh-so much romance to the room!

With a color palette of neutral blues, ivory and sage, this wedding was modern, yet timeless and surely a day the bride and groom will look back on as they grow their family (they are expecting #2 shortly!) and life together!

Nathaly called me with a panic in her voice this past May and said, "I can't find my planner," and so our relationship began!

​With only a month to plan with them, Nathaly and Angad quickly became one of my all time favorite couples.  

From our first meeting I could immediately tell that not only did they love one another, they ADORED each other. The way they looked at one another was captivating and I wanted to make their two-day wedding something really special.  

Angad and his family are Sikh, which has a separate set of traditions than South Indian cultures. This was my first wedding in this tradition and I learned so much!

There were horses, henna, parades, dancing and an outpouring of love. Although we were blending cultures (Nathaly's family is from Columbia) everyone was ready to celebrate and welcome new members to their international family!

I was so excited to style and plan this wedding! Deanna is self proclaimed "ranchy" (whatever that means) but she was FAR from the ranch on her wedding day!

She was the most beautiful bride, with a handsome groom to match!  

I have to admit, when she asked for deer antlers and pheasant feathers I was a little unsure how I was going to pull it off - but after her inspiration board was complete we were all so excited!

Her father gathered antlers from his past hunting trips to enhance the florals, which looked stunning by the way - don't be scared!!

I just simply adore doing things differently - and I am so thankful for all of my amazing brides who give me a design challenge!  

Ben and Rachael were an amazing couple to work with! I loved every minute of planning their super-styled and oh so boho wedding!  

Rachael wanted to get married at her childhood home - Shadow Oaks located on a quiet road just outside of Sarasota, Fl.  

On the first (of many) site visits, I fell in love! From the winding driveway that led to the home to the mossy oak trees, it was purely enchanting!

Florals were definitely a focus, so instead of draping or an arbor, we took the tree that Rachel used to play in and adorned it with hundreds of blooms. The light hit it perfectly for their ceremony - and the vintage car wasn't a bad touch either!

Cocktail hour was held on the back patio, and guests were welcomed with "Sister's Sangria" - a family favorite!  

Dining was under the cover of a beautiful oak canopy, dressed with crystal chandeliers. The couple opted for a family style dinner, which really added to the family atmosphere of the evening!

They danced the night away with those closest to them - and said goodbye with a kiss under fireworks.  

It could not have been a more perfect beginning for this very special couple.  I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to know them, design for them and be a part of their story!