​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!

Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team, and all of the wedding professionals involved in Derek and Herman’s wedding were amazed by this electrifying couple and watching their wedding design unfold.
 
Both Derek and Herman asked for a wedding completely designed using only neutral colors. 
 
Our design team decided to go with black and white and this creation was anything but boring.   It was like no other wedding we have ever done. We took black and white to a whole new level using florals to create texture and balance while presenting them at varying levels to create interest.
 
The inclusion of lighting, lounge furniture, linen and unique and unexpected elements created intimate and romantic touches. From the organic elements in their stunning invitations and natural elements added to the centerpieces to create an organic display; no detail was over looked.
 
Derek and Herman looked smashing in their white tuxedo jackets with black satin shawl collar, vests and bow ties with matching white rose boutonnieres. 
 
A little white wood chapel set the stage for an elegant, understated intimate wedding ceremony, complete with a solo violinist. 
 
We transformed the outdoor reception space from open, grassy blank canvass into a dream wedding.
 
Guests were welcomed by an oversized black and white checkerboard patterned dancefloor surrounded by guest tables. The long tables were draped in white linen and layered with wide black runners that were adorned with uniquely textured vessels of flowers. The look was completed with textured black charger plates, wide banded china, black napkins and custom menu cards adorned with a single bloom.
 
Tucked into the corner was an elegantly appointed sweetheart table draped in black linen and a single elegant floral arrangement. The perfect vantage point to watch their guests enjoy the celebration.
 
Another amazing detail was their stark black wedding cake with white flowers, gold leaf and the words “love you more.”
 
The night ended with a kiss under a shower of sparklers surrounded by family and friends.
 
Congratulations Derek and Herman!

Our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team was honored to work with Katelyn and Mark on their recent Sarasota wedding.
 
You see Katelyn is a very talented wedding photographer, owner of Katelyn Prisco Photography and you most likely have seen her work on some previous blog posts.
 
When a wedding photographer gets married you know that the wedding will be unique, detailed and more than a little different. And this couple’s wedding was truly unique.
 
Dressed in a simple and elegant satin gown with a detailed lace back, Katelyn may have shed a few tears while reading a beautiful note from Mark. Her cascading bouquet and brilliant blue pumps were the perfect accessories.
 
Hosted in a design studios warehouse space, the wedding took on a cool industrial vibe with no florals, just unique touches of greenery. Beautiful textural succulents, thistle and cactus and monstera leaves added texture to the design.
 
They chose not to have a formal dinner, instead they set the stage for a fun and casual dining experience including ‘barbecue, brews and bad dance moves’ by sharing the perfect quote. 
 
“Food is everything. Food, Friends and Family: Those are the most important things in life!”
 
The menu that followed included two food trucks; the first offering yummy pulled pork, brisket, chicken and mac ‘n cheese and the second an assortment of yummy tacos.
 
“Dessert: because no great love story began with someone eating salad”
 
That about sums up the rest of the evening. Gourmet ice cream sandwiches and a food truck with donuts were a fun addition that had all the feels.
 
But, a beautiful bride with a donut bouquet is an absolute showstopper! 
 
Congratulations Katelyn and Mark! We had so much fun working with you.

Kim and Nick’s outdoor earthy, boho wedding was so much fun for our Jennifer Matteo Event Planning team to plan, style and to get really creative with. 
 
Kim kept it pretty simple, she asked for deep reds, candles and earthy elements to set the mood for her gusts. So Farm Tables were a must! 
 
They wanted to get married AT the beach but not ON the beach, so we found them the most amazing Sarasota wedding location, The Cottage on the Rocks. It sits on The Point of The Rocks in Siesta Key Florida, nestled away from all of the hustle and bustle.
 
This private location is just what they dreamed of and it is one of our favorite locations.
 
Kim chose a beautiful form fitting lace gown with a long sweeping train. Complimenting her gown, she wore a simple floral headband with a long sheer veil cascading down the back. She carried a lush bouquet of deep red ranunculus, red and white anemone, burgundy hanging amaranthus and seeded eucalyptus.
 
The couple met before the ceremony to exchange handwritten notes, without actually seeing each other.
 
The tone for the day had been set with an invitation ensemble in soft earthy tones. But the day also included unique, personalized elements like the custom labeled craft beers for each of Nick’s groomsmen.
 
Guests were welcomed to the beachside Siesta Key wedding ceremony with an elegant rustic welcome sign, wooden barrels and lanterns filled with candles. Dark wood chairs marked the ceremony space where guests were asked to unplug and turn off their phones and cameras.
 
Taking full advantage of the treelined waterfront space, we infused the beachfront with lanterns hanging from the trees, market lights and hundreds of candles. The bohemian styling included fabric runners, lush floral, mixed metals and rattan charger plates.
 
Congratulations Kim and Nick, your love of life and each other inspired us.
 
 
 

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.