21 May 2013

Golf Course Engagement: Amy & Ryan in Palm Beach

posted by Laura in Engagement Sessions

We love, love, LOVE hearing from brides and grooms, especially when they send us their adorable engagement sessions! Amy and Ryan spent a fun day with their photographer, Alexi Shields, on a gorgeous Palm Beach golf course... and here are the sunny, happy results.

With Ryan being a writer for the Golf Channel, golf is a huge part of his and Amy's life together; they've even had to schedule their wedding plans around the PGA tour season! Amy grew up at the beach, so the Palm Beach Par 3 - a beautiful golf course right on the ocean - seemed the perfect fit for both their personalities. Bright, fun and airy photos were the goal, and they got exactly what they hoped for.

Amy and Ryan met as undergrads attending the University of Georgia; they were friends for about three years before Ryan "nervously" asked Amy on a date. After that date, says Amy, "We never looked back."

I ADORE the sweet story of their engagement, as told by the bride-to-be (and edited by the writer groom):
Ryan took me to this event called the Taste of Winter Park. We both love food and wine, so this was a can't-miss event. I was having an amazing time, eating and drinking almost everything in sight. But Ryan didn't eat very much. If you know him, that's odd. Very odd. He's a human garbage disposal. But I didn't think much of it; after all, I was too busy enjoying myself! After I was completely full, Ryan walked me over to a rose garden, not far from where the event was going on. He told me that he had gotten me dessert, and that I should wait there so he could bring it to me. I thought, "Dessert? I'm completely full!" Sure enough, a few moments later, he brought over a box of cupcakes that spelled out "Will You Marry Me?" with a gorgeous ring inside!

I asked Amy to share what she loves about her man: "I love everything about Ryan. His ability to make me laugh in any situation, his talent, his drive, his love for me and my family, and his willingness to watch HGTV even when the Braves are on."

And what Ryan loves about his lady: "I love that she's a perfect complement, an eminently compatible partner. Funny, smart, beautiful, ambitious, crafty, kind, adventurous, caring, warm. A better half, truly."
(Yup, these always make me weepy!)

The two will be tying the knot at the Delray Beach Club this November; Amy tells us that they've having a blast planning all their fun details. Congrats, you two! We can't wait to see how it turns out!

LOCATION/VENDOR INFORMATION:

Location: Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course | Photography: Alexi Shields Photography

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20 May 2013

Vintage Backyard Wedding: Valerie & Alan in Plantation

posted by Laura in Real Weddings

I fell for this couple pretty much immediately: Florida girl falls in love with Alaska and moves there; meets Alaska boy and falls head over heels for him. A few years later, they come back to the sunshine state for an intimate, vintage-inspired backyard wedding... captured by Elevation 9 Photography and planned to perfection by one of our Faves, Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning. What's not to love?

Valerie and Alan set a February date for their wedding, so coming back to Florida's winter weather was an easy decision. According to Valerie, the location was also a way to bring their families closer together: "By having the wedding in Florida, I was able to share a little part of me with Alan's family. I also had family traveling from Colombia, so Florida seemed like a nice 'middle point'. My mom's backyard was the perfect venue because we both wanted something intimate and small. I think the final guest count was around 45. My mother was so excited to be able to have it there too, so I was happy to see HER happy."

The two share many interests and hobbies, which sounds pretty key for living in Alaska. As Valerie tells us:
We both enjoy fishing and camping in the summer time and being active together. We also just have a deep love for Alaska... not many people can live up here and stay for the SUPER long winters, but I think we have such a strong bond and relationship that those 8 months are very tolerable without getting cabin fever. I love that he is funny and caring and loves to take care of me. He says he loves the fact that I am learning to be 'Alaskan' and he loves that there are so many things I like doing that he also enjoys doing... it makes those activities even more fun because we are sharing them with each other.

We were pretty excited when Valerie told us that she followed Floridian Weddings during her planning! You know we're giving her a huge virtual high five for choosing Sugar(ed) to coordinate every detail. From Valerie: Planning was a breeze with Miranda. I was so worried because we were planning the wedding 5,000 miles away. I felt that with Miranda, I had zero things to worry about. I flew to Florida to go dress shopping back in May of 2012 so Miranda and I met up for the first time. She had appointments with vendors lined up for me while I was down there, which was perfect! I was literally able to book my major vendors while I was down there. We used Pinterest to communicate ideas and put together an inspiration board.

Unearthed Vintage supplied all the lovely vintage pieces for the day, and it's pretty obvious that the bride got everything she had dreamed of: It's so difficult to pick one favorite detail because everything was so awesome. I did love the church pews so much during our ceremony (I had to BEG Alan to say yes to them... he was eventually really happy that he said yes to them because he loved them too). I also loooooooved our chandelier over our sweetheart table. The decor was out of this world! It was seriously everything that I had dreamed about. It was cute when Alan said in his speech during the reception "This seriously looks like everything Val had told me about, its incredible!

Valerie also shared a few of her favorite moments...

One of my favorite moments was hearing my husband say his vows to me in Spanish so that my family from Colombia could understand him. I loved it so much! I also thought the garter toss was hilarious. Alan came out from the dark with sunglasses on and with "Danger Zone" playing in the background (his favorite movie is Top Gun). I honestly couldn't stop laughing.

Dancing with my mom was also on my top best moments of the night. I loved sharing such a special moment with my mom... apparently there wasn't a dry eye in the audience :) But, by far, my favorite moment was dancing with my husband for the first time under the lights. Nothing can ever top that!

Val's mother surprised the couples with some seriously hot reception entertainment - fire dancers!

As a special treat, we also have the gorgeous film captured by Michael Burgos...


Valerie wrapped up her story with something I really loved to hear: "Maybe we can inspire a bride out there just as your other brides in the past inspired me!" I think that's a given, Val! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful day with us!

VENUE/VENDOR INFORMATION:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Home in Plantation | Photography: Elevation 9 Photography | Event Design & Coordination: Sugar(ed) Event Design and Planning | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage | Cinematography: Michael Burgos Films | Floral Design: Love the Blooms | Catering: Hugh's Catering | Cakes: Sweeter Days Bake Shop | DJ: Avant DJs | Hair & Makeup: Art of Glam | Officiant: Eddie Rodriguez | Favors: Sweet Caroline Jams | Invitations: Rosie Day Design | Guestbook: Custom Chalk

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17 May 2013

Friday Fresh Squeeze

posted by Laura in Updates & Roundups

Happy Friday, all! I've been (more than) a little under the weather this week, but I'm on the mend just in time for the weekend. Whew! Summer weather has arrived, couples are tying the knot each weekend, and we're seeing SO much lovely from our fab Florida vendors... it doesn't get much better than that. Enjoy the Squeeze!

DIY wedding reception quiz cards from floridianweddings.com

Photography by Floridian Weddings

I geeked out a little over the DIY backyard wedding we featured this week, and the sweet personality quiz story that Kristin shared with us. (If you haven't seen that sweet wedding yet, make sure to go take a peek!) I thought back to my childhood, when all those silly quizzes were so popular... and got really nostalgic. Wouldn't this be a fun little table activity for your guests during a reception? I'm sharing the how-to after the squeeze!

WHAT WE'RE LOVING THIS WEEK

I'm not sure it gets much prettier than this stunning Key West soiree captured by Jessica Lorren and coordinated by Just Save the Date!

How adorable is this 40's inspired inspiration shoot? Loving the gingham program fans from one of our faves, Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio.

These bright colors and pretty florals are making me so happy.

Vintagey goodness, a beautiful park venue, and so many of our talented guide members! Love.

Pretty couple, pretty park, pretty pictures... they had me at 'fireman'.

Green and white are so natural and beautiful together.

Total pink and gold beach gorgeousness.

Beer tasting during your engagement session - why not, right?

Dying to try this pretty painted tablecloth DIY.

And now for something geeky (I can't help myself)!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SPONSOR

We're welcoming Terreign into our sponsor family, and I'm pretty excited about it because I know you will love their handmade, natural, globally-inspired jewelry. Make sure to check out the bridal look we put together featuring two of their beautiful, beachy pieces!

AND NOW, THE HOW-TO:

Whether you call it a table game or an ice-breaker, I think it's fun to have something for guests to do in between courses or funky dance moves. You can just pile these little cards up in the middle, supply a few pencils (perhaps in your wedding colors?) and you're done.

DIY wedding reception quiz cards from floridianweddings.com

Photography by Floridian Weddings

Each question is on the front, with a space below for you to pencil in your response; just flip it over for the interpretation. The topics are all simple and silly, but sure to make people think and discuss with those seated next to them.

DIY wedding reception quiz cards from floridianweddings.com

Photography by Floridian Weddings

Want these for your reception? I've wrapped up the cards into ready-to-print file for you - just print them, double-sided, onto card stock and cut inside the crop lines.

GET THE RECEPTION QUIZ CARDS

Happy Friday!

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