The Friday Fresh Squeeze

Well, it's been a little over a week since we started this lil' shindig, and we're having a blast. Many thanks to all of you for the support, tweets and link love, and we can't wait to share with you all the Floridian loveliness we have in store. We'd really, really love your comments, suggestions and feedback as we move along, so please share!

Today we're kicking off what will be our regular Friday feature: the Friday Fresh Squeeze, a mix of what we've done for the week and what we've seen and hearted out there in the blogosphere. And, since we're just now meeting many of you, we threw in a few fun facts about us. Enjoy, and see you next week!

What we're loving this week...

{photo by Nancy Cohn Photography via Wedding Blog by the Breakers}

Wouldn't this be a perfect honeymoon getaway?

Don't know how we missed this over-the-top amazing engagement party at the Breakers - quite the soiree!

The bow, the bridesmaids dresses, in love with this wedding.

What a great August promotion.

Don't forget to enter to feel "styled and pretty" on your big day!

Driving away in a rolls Royce, a limo, a bentley.....an old Chrysler we love

... and a little more about us

Why start a wedding blog about South Florida?

Rebecca: After moving to Fort Lauderdale a little over a year ago I was so surprised when searching for wedding blogs and vendors in the area that I couldn't find one site that featured stylish and modern advice for Brides in the area. In other states you have sites like Green Wedding Shoes, District Weddings, Charlottesville Weddings, and Brooklyn Bride that feature mostly locally handpicked vendors with a stylish edge. I knew there were brides looking for this, and that these vendors were out there - they needed someone to post them on a site and share their work in a beautiful way. Being a new "Floridian" I was excited to search for vendors and ideas and share them with the South Florida world. While Florida is a pretty big state and you have many different styles from St. Petersburg to the Keys, I live in this area and wanted to have the option to see venues, sample bakeries, meet vendors in person and experience what South Florida brides are looking for.

Laura: I've been in South Florida since high school, leaving the area to attend college in Gainesville but returning afterwards to work and build a life here. In 2008, when I started planning my own wedding, it was tough to find the vendors and venues that fit our sense of style and the feel we wanted for the event. Because my husband's family is located in the northeast, we wound up getting married in Manhattan, but I think the decision was also partially based on the inspiration and resources that were available to us there versus (what I thought was) the lack of them here. I didn't know know it then, but I could have planned the perfect weekend here in South Florida with stylish, creative and unique vendors that understood my vision. My goal as an editor for Floridian Weddings is to provide the sort of guide this area has been missing.

Favorite South Florida venue you would want to get married at:

Rebecca: Ooooo, hard question! There are some lovely places in the area! Florida has beaches and palm trees, but also some beautiful private homes and hotels on the water, hard to pick. I have to say I am so in LOVE with Islamorada and would love to have an Engagement Party {hint hint to my Beau} under the stars with strings and strings of lights outside at Morada Bay. For a reception venue: Miami Botanical Gardens, the Flagler Museum, Villa 221 in Miami.

Laura: If I had a do-over, I'd love to have a cozy, intimate party courtesy of Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court, or to set up long dinner tables and then dance under the stars in the Bonnet House courtyard.

Five blogs on your MUST READ list:

Rebecca: My Google reader is filled with inspirational blogs for weddings, food, fashion, travel and design, yes, it is filled! I can't read them all everyday but the few sites I make sure to read with over my morning cup of joe are: Camille Styles, SMP Florida is new and featuring beautiful Real Weddings, Elements of Style for some fashion inspiration, Oh Happy Day and Southern Weddings. {selecting only 5, oooo, that was hard}

Laura: I don't get nearly enough time as I would wish to read them, but my faves for general inspiration: 100 Layer Cake, Design*Sponge, Snippet & Ink, Hostess with the Mostess and Making it Lovely.

Color palette you're loving right now for a Florida Wedding:

Laura: I'm really into bright, saturated color right now... I'd love something cheery and pattern-filled in shades of mango, lime and bright lemony yellow.

Reception menu must-haves:

Rebecca: At my wedding I would LOVE {with a big heart around} a prosecco bar and an Ice Cream Truck! I would love both, please.

Laura: I'd have to have an entire menu of gastro-pub inspired small plates like pork tacos, tamales, thick cut potato chips and soup shooters. Yum!

A flip flop or a high heel?

Rebecca: I know, it is Florida, its hot and there are many weddings on the beach, however, I still say a high heel, change into the flip flop later ladies!

Laura: Well, I am a Florida girl - I'll say flip-flops (but cute ones)!

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