How did you and Allen meet?  

We met through my brother, Ahmad; the two of them played soccer together all through high school and college. We‘ve known each other for eight years now. I was still in pharmacy school when we began dating.

How did Allen ask you out?

He asked Ahmad if he could ask me out, and Ahmad was a protective brother at first, but eventually we did start dating. Soon after that, though, I had to move out of town, so we kept in touch throughout the year I was gone and saw each other on the weekends.

I’m originally from the Middle East, and I grew up both there and in Spain. Allen’s originally from Syracuse, NY, yet somehow we both ended up in the south. He was working at the time, and I was in pharmacy school. We’re from two different parts of the world, and we still ended up together. It felt meant to be.

What draws you to Allen?

He has this underlying sweetness to him, and the biggest heart. He is so kind. It’s hard to describe. He’s just the sweetest person, and he would do anything for me. We connect on a deeper level, where he sees me for who I am, and I see him for who he is. It sounds corny, but we just feel it. It’s right.

Where did he propose?

Two years ago we went on a trip with my parents to Seville, Spain (which is actually where my parents met and had their beautiful wedding). That’s where Allen proposed, in a romantic park. It was a complete surprise, and also very meaningful to me because my family was there to be a part of it.

Where was your wedding held?

We held the wedding at the Powel Crosley Estate. This was a destination wedding for us, but my parents have a home in Sarasota, and when I visited the Crosley, I found the Mediterranean style to be so beautiful and romantic. I picked it immediately.

Tell us a little about your vendors.

Our photographer was Andy Martin from AMP Photography. We had a casual interview, and I had seen some of his work. He was charismatic, and obviously really passionate about what he does. His motto is “Your love, my passion” and that’s exactly how it is. He’s very talented.

Catering was by Michaels on East, and they did a phenomenal job. From the appetizers and salads right down to the place settings, everything was amazing. We love lamb and were glad to have that option, as well as fish and beef options so everyone could have a choice.

What was the most difficult part of your wedding-planning process? And which part was the easiest? 

The most difficult part was probably the fact that I don’t live in Sarasota (although I would love to!). I had to Skype with some of the vendors, and that was a little difficult.

The easiest part? I just had so much fun with it! My mother and I were basically the wedding planners, and she’s really talented at that sort of thing. The wedding itself ended up just feeling like this amazing, fun dinner party, with a little ceremony in the mix. None of it was stressful for me. It was something I was looking forward to, something I was excited about. When it was over the next morning, I thought, “Oh man, I want to do this again!”

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?

My parents dedicated a beautiful, dramatic tango dance to Allen and I. It was to die for. Everyone’s jaws dropped. They also choreographed a waltz for our first dance.

The dancing allowed us to express the love we felt that day. That’s what was most memorable for me. And it was real dancing, not just swaying side to side. Most of my guests and friends would say the same thing. Even the vendors were having a great time. One person said they have been working at the Crosley Estate for more than 20 years and they’d never seen such amazing dancing.

Vendors:

Venue: The Powell Crosley Estate
Caterer: Michael’s on East
Cake: Pastries by Design
Photographer: AMP Photography (Andy Martin/Stephen Martin)
D.J.: Fitz Otis (Jay Goodley Entertainment)
Florist: Flowers by Fudgie
Lighting: Affairs in the Air
Makeup artist: Eri Vincent
Hair: Ana Molinari Salon
Spanish Flamenco Guitarist: Yusef Kabbani

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Yara Kabbani-Luton and Allen Luton appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

How did you and Irwin meet?

Irwin and I were introduced by his cousin Lauren, a sorority sister of mine at University of Florida. At the time, Irwin was studying at Florida State University and we were all home visiting Sarasota for the weekend. We met and instantly clicked. We spent the next six months going back and forth from Gainesville and Tallahassee before graduating and moving back to Sarasota.

How did Irwin propose?

I headed to the house Irwin and I were renovating for a meeting with our contractor to go over final move in procedures (or so I thought!). When I whipped my car around the corner, I noticed our contractor’s truck was nowhere to be found. I looked toward the front door and there was Irwin in a black suit holding a dozen red roses. He gave me a huge hug and kiss, then got down on one knee right there in the front yard of our new home and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. What a moment! I don’t think I even said “yes” because I was so excited. He then led me into the house for a “house warming gift.” The back door swung open and there were our family and closest friends, waiting to celebrate with us. It’s a day we will remember forever and that we still talk about all the time.

What makes Selby Gardens the perfect ceremony spot?

Selby Gardens has always been an iconic part of this beautiful city. I was never the girl who planned out every last detail of my wedding, but once we got engaged I knew that Selby was the perfect spot for us and our guests. We wanted to be somewhere near the water with plenty of natural beauty and old charm, and Selby was just that. We plan to visit the gardens every year on our anniversary and Irwin promises to push me around the place in my wheelchair someday!

Tell us about the planning process. How did you choose your vendors and what did they do for your wedding that was special?

I really wanted to make our wedding personal and unique, so every vendor I worked with knew that I wanted to put our own flair on that day. We have so many talented people in Sarasota, and I made a point to work locally as much as possible. Our vendors were all the best of the best. They made our dream wedding come true.

Any advice for future brides and grooms on their big day?

Don’t lose sight of the true meaning of your wedding. Try not to get caught up in the stress and planning, and always get back to what is the most important. Hiring a wedding planner makes all the difference in the world–my wedding day was stress-free and enjoyable. I knew everything was taken care of, so all I needed to do was soak in every last minute with my family and friends. Make decisions and choices that reflect your and your groom’s true style.

VENDORS:
Venue: Selby Gardens
Ceremony Stylist: Posh on Palm
Ceremony Coordinator: SRQtees Events
Flowers: Kathy Van Praag
Dress: Priscilla of Boston Platinum Collection
Dress Alterations: La Mariee
Bridesmaid Gowns: Bella Bridesmaid (Tampa)
Tuxes: Sacino’s Formalwear
Make up: Eri Vincent, Ana Molinari Salon
Hair: Salissa King, Sea Spa Salon (Edgartown, MA)
Jewelry, rings and bands (custom): Nikki Sedacca
Paper goods (programs, invitations, etc.): Write-On Sarasota
Transportation: SRQ Trolley
Officiant: Dan Bailey, Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen

Photography: Katie Beyer Photography
Videography: Bill Wagy Productions
Guest photos: Cliff Roles

Reception Coordinator: Ritz Carlton Sarasota and SRQtees Events
Reception: Ritz Carlton Sarasota Ballroom
Entertainment: Jonathan Cortez, JAC of all trades
Uplighting/Decor: Affairs in the Air
Cake: Ritz Carlton Sarasota
Party favors: Veg (Gulfgate)

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Montana and Irwin appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Lauren Camille and Reggie
November 24, 2012
Longboat Key Club & Resort

How did Reggie first catch your eye?
During our first year in medical school in anatomy lab. I realized he kept visiting our team’s station quite often during dissection. The location was grim and morbid, and if it weren’t for his frequent visits checking in on us with a smile on his face and sparkle in his eye, I may not have gotten through it. Surprisingly, when our relationship deepened, I learned that I had caught his eye before that when an undergraduate in Miami. Reggie was visiting a friend, one of my roommates, and he saw me in the apartment. After beginning medical school, he recognized me and began to pursue me.

How did Reggie propose?
On April 8, 2012, when we got back to Miami after spending a week in Colorado with my family (where he asked my father for my hand in marriage), Reggie picked me up at 5:30 in the morning to attend an Easter sunrise service on the beach. The service was beautiful, filled with music, and we were surrounded by gorgeous scenery with the sand, the waves, and the sky painted with different colors. After the service, Reggie asked that we take a walk. On the way, he began talking about how much he treasured our relationship, and then he stopped, kneeled in the sand in his dress pants, and asked me to marry him!

Your wedding was a blending of cultures. Can you describe some of the personal touches that made your day unique?
Our wedding was a blending of cultures, as my background is Christian/Puerto Rican/Jewish and his is Christian/Haitian. We decided to have the ceremony outside by the Longboat Key Marina. In line with Jewish traditions, we were married under a chuppah, and a minister conducted the wedding and incorporated our Christian faith as a theme throughout the ceremony. In addition, we decided to do a sand ceremony symbolizing the blending of our very different backgrounds together.

Why did you choose Thanksgiving weekend for your wedding?
We wanted a holiday weekend where more people were off of work and more likel able to join our celebration. We were excited to be able to have an extra special Thanksgiving with lots of family present. Family is so important to both of us, and to be surrounded by family for several days was a dream come true. It also was a major plus that November happens to be a time where the weather is perfect in Sarasota.

Tell us why you chose the Longboat Key for your wedding and what the planning process was like.
I knew we wanted the wedding outside surrounded by water, but not necessarily at the beach. After looking at several different venues, I fell in love with the Marina at Longboat Key for the ceremony. Not only is it surrounded by water, but also by lush greenery. We served cocktails in a small, Mediterranean-style courtyard next to the ceremony site that opens out to the marina. The ballroom for the reception exuded elegance and, most importantly, had a beautiful, large, wooden dance floor. As an additional plus, the room had windows with a view of the marina. Everyone at Longboat Key Club—and all our vendors—were accommodating and helpful in making our vision for our wedding a reality.

What was the most memorable aspect of your wedding for you and Reggie?
If I had to choose the most memorable aspect, I would have to say after the wedding ceremony, after Naomi, the photographer, had taken us to the beach to get some bride/groom portraits, we had a moment when we were waiting for Nicole to tell us it was time for us to come into the reception, and time slowed down; it gave us a moment to remember the ceremony and anticipate the reception. Time flew on our wedding day, so to have the gift of ten minutes to reflect, and to enjoy the fact that we were actually husband and wife, was a treasure.

Vendors

Wedding planner: Nicole Kaney/NK Productions
Photographer: Naomi Chokr 
Venue: Longboat Key Club & Resort
Florist: Flowers by Fudgie
Draping and lighting: Affairs in the Air
Band: J Love Party Band
Ceremony Music: Musical Rendezvous
Video: The Cinematic Moment

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Reggie and Lauren’s Longboat Key Affair appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Kristen Treni and Bradley Santer
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
May 14, 2011

Kristen Treni and Bradley Santer – from New York and Australia, respectively –  met while auditioning for roles in High School Musical – On Ice (he scored the role of Troy Bolton, and she played Sharpay Evans) in April 2006. After nearly three years of long-distance romance, Bradley popped the question, and the two began planning their theatrical nuptials at Ringling Museum all the way from Australia.

What attracted you to Bradley the most?
His confidence, intelligence, and the way he makes me feel secure about anything and everything. And, of course, the most important–he makes me laugh. Our humor complements one another’s.

How did he propose?
Bradley proposed while we were visiting some of our closest friends in Vancouver. He had a knee injury from skating, which forced him to leave our tour. We hadn’t seen each other in four months, so we took a night away from the group and had a romantic dinner on the harbor. This was when he proposed–“Willyoumarryme?” was what spilled out in one word. I guess he was nervous!

Why Sarasota?
My mom moved to Florida in 2005. When I was home, before relocating to Sydney, she suggested I take a look at the Ringling Museum before I left. Sarasota is a beautiful location by itself, but when we took the day to visit the museum, it was an instantaneous decision. The venue is like a fairy tale. It has class, charm and I instantly saw the vision of perfection it could create as our backdrop. It felt original and extraordinary! Brad, on the other hand, didn’t see the venue in person until the week of the wedding–but he was blown away.

What was the planning process like?
It was a bit crazy, as we began organizing everything from Australia. Although my mom lives in Sarasota, she only knew so much about planning a wedding there, so we hired a planner–Maria Brady from Choreographed Events. We did everything with Maria’s guidance, from choosing vendors to choosing bachelor/bachelorette party venues. And the planning process was made even more difficult with a show I was cast for in Amsterdam–Holland’s Skating With The Stars. So we were coordinating between Florida, the Netherlands and Sydney, where we were also planning a reception in Australia the month after our American wedding. So Brad and I spent the three months before our wedding apart yet again.

Were there any personal touches to your wedding?
Plenty! We wanted to put on a bit of a show for our guests, so we choreographed our wedding party entrances to You’ve Got The Love by Candi Staton. We also wanted to showcase our friends’ talents: two of them wrote and sang songs during our ceremony, accompanied by our live musicians, Intermezzo Trio. We also incorporated our venue with one of our parting gifts–novelty Ringling Bros. graham crackers boxes.

One of our friends was the “flower boy,” with a tophat full of rose petals he threw as he came skipping down the aisle. Then there were the candid speeches given by my “man of honor” and Brad’s best man and the choreographed numbers from shows the skaters performed during our reception. Plus, with our bridal party entrances it was like a stage production finale call. All the details we incorporated into the day, the characters that were involved, the setting and the decor we chose were what made the whole event come to life in a theatrical way.

Tell us a little about your vendors.
All of our vendors were first class, from the food and drinks by Treviso to the flowers from the florists at Tiger Lily, who met our requests with stunning customized candlestick arrangements, to the detailed cake mimicking my dress and hairpiece design from Cakes By Ron. We couldn’t have been happier! Having what we’d envisioned all come together and become a reality on the day was overwhelming.

What will you remember most about your wedding?
It rained all morning that day. Torrential rain. So when we had to go with our Plan B, I thought the day would be ruined. But about 30 minutes before the ceremony began, the sky went from dark to light. The sun shining down on all the wet made everything sparkle, and Plan B looked even more spectacular than Plan A.

Any tips for future brides and grooms?
It all happens too fast. There is so much that goes into the “perfect” day. Don’t forget to soak it all in–get wrapped up in every moment because it’s all for you and love of your life!

Photography by Jacquelyn Marie Photography; wedding planning by Maria Brady/Choreographed Events

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Kristen Treni and Bradley Santer appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Christine Cusack and Kevin Carlson
October 20, 2012
The Oaks Club

Christine Cusack Carlson and her husband, Kevin Carlson, have a special connection to Sarasota: Both their parents have homes here, and  when planning the wedding, Christine loved the idea of having it in beautiful October weather and the fact that her guests could have a relaxing getaway weekend. And the Chicago-based couple were already familiar with The Oaks Club, where the ceremony and reception were held, so it seemed like a natural fit. Read on to get all the dish on Christine and Kevin’s glamorous big day.

How did you and your husband meet?
Kevin and I met in December 2005 during Christmas break of our senior year of college. My girlfriends from school invited me to an ugly Christmas sweater party that some of their childhood friends were throwing, and one of the hosts was Kevin. He was fresh off a study abroad trip in Hawaii (it’s questionable that he did any schoolwork!), and and from afar I saw this perfectly bronzed guy with his hair slicked back, wearing a fitted turtleneck underneath a women’s sweater vest. I couldn’t decide whether it was his boyish charm or that heinous outfit that drew me to him, but we were at each other’s sides the rest of the night.

Days passed, and we spent much of the Christmas break together before I went back to Miami [Ohio] to finish my senior year. We then went our separate ways for a bit to enjoy the last months of college life, but still kept in touch every so often.

About six months after college graduation, it became clear that something was missing for both of us, and we were ready to give our relationship a real shot. Six incredible years later, eight combined apartments, a dog and a proposal, we are finally married after the wedding of our dreams.

What attracted you to Kevin the most?
Kevin is one of the easiest people to be around. He’s laid back, calm, kind and patient–me, not so patient! He also has this “coolness” about him that I love. For instance, he is a phenomenal sailor, he can wakeboard and ski like a pro, and he isn’t afraid to laugh at himself. He just wants to be happy and live life in a positive way. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes.

How did you decide on a Sarasota wedding?
My parents moved to Sarasota three years ago and, coincidentally, Kevin’s parents have a house on Casey Key, so with our connection to the area we figured it was the perfect place to get married. People put so much time and energy into planning a wedding, and I wanted it to be a weekend event where people could relax, enjoy the beautiful weather and just hang out for a few days. Sarasota is such a great city that a lot of our friends and family were not familiar with, so it allowed us to introduce it to them.

What was planning a destination wedding like?
Planning the wedding from Chicago wasn’t too bad because my mom lives in Sarasota and was able to do a ton of the hands-on stuff for me. She’s such a great planner, and I always jokingly call her Martha Stewart because of her creative knack. We made a good team because I handled a lot of the little things like personalized gifts, Excel spreadsheets and emailing vendors, while she was more focused on the presentation and the design element of the wedding. Fortunately, Kevin and I were able to make a few trips down to Sarasota to decide on invitations, pick our flower arrangements, do the tasting and explain our overall vision.

Why did you choose The Oaks Club?
Kevin and I had no doubt that if we were going to get married in Sarasota, we wanted it to be at The Oaks. When you drive into The Oaks, the Spanish moss hangs down on the driveway and the view of the club from afar, over the pond and 18th hole, is breathtaking. Both of our parents are members, and whenever we come to Florida for a long weekend or holiday, we spend time golfing at The Oaks, playing tennis and getting both of our families together. I always imagined getting married in a warm, sunny climate and couldn’t shake the idea of having a tented wedding. The croquet lawn at The Oaks provided the perfect spot to do just that, and we were the first to host an event of that size on their lawn. Everything was flawless. My mom worked extremely hard with the staff to make sure they were prepared for all the people and had the right equipment, and she put her interior decorator skills to use with the details. Now that we paved the way with their first big wedding, The Oaks is getting a bunch of inquiries about weddings for next year!

What were your favorite details from the day?
There were a few details from the wedding day that I loved. When I woke up I gave my mom and dad separate gifts as a thank you for all of the hard work they put into making this possible for Kevin and me. It was really special to have that  moment to let them know how amazing they are. Another special moment was the “first look” with Kevin before the ceremony. We were able to have some time to ourselves to take everything in before the madness started. It was emotional, nerve-wracking and calming all at the same time. The last two moments I loved about the wedding were seeing the tent for the first time, which really was a dream come true, and then dancing non-stop the entire night with all of our friends and family.

What will you remember most about your wedding day?
My dad’s speech. My dad is outgoing, loud and a total goofball, but what no one really knows is that he is terrified of public speaking. I told him before the wedding that he was not allowed to read from a piece of paper because this was his one opportunity to give the father of the bride speech, and I wanted him to speak from the heart. When the time came, he got up in front of everyone and gave the most amazing speech I have ever heard. It was absolutely perfect, from the laughs to the sentimentality to the Gaelic he spoke near the end. Just when I thought it was over, he ended the speech with a line that was something like, “May your future be bright with hope–let the brightness begin and the sky light up.” All of a sudden, fireworks shot up over our clear tent to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” I was in complete and utter shock–I was crying, laughing and overwhelmed by what was going on. My parents had planned this amazing fireworks show and managed to keep it a surprise from everyone, including me. There were even heart-shaped fireworks! The show kept going on and on to amazing music, and my husband and I truly felt like the luckiest people alive. When my parents came over, I couldn’t find words to explain how amazing it was. That moment will stick with me for the rest of my life!

Photography by Binary Flips; wedding planning by Maria Brady/Choreographed Events.

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Christine Cusack and Kevin Carlson appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Photography by Naomi Chokr

The Short Giraffe’s Leigh Growney.

In the quest for a perfect reception treat, some common questions always arise–such as what size dessert will be most appropriate and which flavor will be most appreciated by guests. Leigh Growney, owner of The Short Giraffe Mini Confections and Catering, sat down with us to share some valuable wedding dessert tips, all from a baker’s perspective.

What tips do you have for brides who don’t know where to start when it comes to looking for their cake? How should they begin the process?
It’s not uncommon for brides to start the process without knowing what they want. A lot of brides simply say they don’t care, which gives the baker a lot of freedom and flexibility. I definitely see it as a positive thing when you put your trust in a baker and allow them a lot of room to be creative. That’s the whole reason we get into the business!

When a bride comes in with a picture of what she wants, that’s easy. I’m just replicating another cake. It’s nice to have a personalized element instead. It means you’re going into it with an open mind. It’s nice for the bride, too, because it takes some of the extra pressure off of her.

Usually the bride will come in with a planner and they bring swatches from another bakery, or photos of the flowers they’re going to use. That’s helpful. But it is possible to give too little information; like if the wedding colors are pink and purple, sometimes the bride will just say “Go for it!” That’s when I try to pick her brain a little and find out more details about the wedding, such as [details about] the bride’s or bridesmaids’ dresses. I try to get a feel for the décor and overall theme of the wedding.

How can brides pick their perfect flavor?

Nine times out of 10, the bride does a formal tasting. Most of my brides contact me via e-mail, and most of them are very open. On my site, I have over 40 flavors listed, so I often tell brides to look at what I already have to offer. If they have something different in mind than what they see on the site, they’re encouraged to let me know so we can come up with something custom-made. There’s a lot you can do, like different flavors on different tiers, for example. If they have a hard time deciding, I ask them to choose their top five flavor choices. Then we meet somewhere, like Starbucks or their home, and I bring samples.

What are some of the most important factors when choosing a cake?
Size! I tend to have a unique spin on my business because I specialize in mini-confections and catering. I’d be more than happy to do a full size wedding cake—last week I did a three-tier cake—but my niche is mini-desserts. I hear from brides all the time that they ordered a big cake with one flavor, and barely anyone had any. The trend is becoming cupcake towers, or even whole dessert bars and buffets with tons of different choices. It gives the guests a lot of options. I have a bride who did a whole table of seven different eight-inch cakes. Some bakers will only do one flavor on a three-tier wedding cake, but I think what most brides like variety. If they have a hard time deciding, I say, “Let’s do five different types of cupcakes, then.”

A mistake I often see is brides grossly overestimating how large their cake should be, which then leads to the common complaint that there’s always a large abundance of cake left over. I recommend that the brides factor two cake slices (or mini-desserts) per guest.

Do you get a lot of grooms cake-shopping with the brides? How do you help couples who may not agree on what cake they want?
I’d say about 50 percent of the time the grooms are involved in the process. Sometimes they’re not present, but the bride will take a piece of cake home for the groom to get his input.

Another benefit of doing multiple flavors is that if the bride wants chocolate and the groom wants vanilla, it’s possible to have both. I have never, ever done a wedding where there has been one cake with just one flavor, even if it’s just a two-tier cake with two flavors. When it comes to the bride and groom agreeing, it’s never really a problem because there are so many different flavor varieties.

What is your favorite part of making wedding cakes?
I’ve been able to grow as a baker. That’s what I like best. I’ve baked my entire life and have always been more of a baker than a chef. I started off my business doing most of the baking myself. It was just me for almost two years before I was able to hire other staff. I like to do it because of the creativity involved, like the watercolor-inspired cake I did for Sarasota Magazine. I like that I get to hone in on my decorating skills. I also like when someone gives me a design idea, and then I get to bring that idea into fruition. I just delivered two cakes for two brothers’ joint birthday party; one was a choo-choo train, one was Star Wars. When the mother opened the cakes, she started crying. She said, “I didn’t know what I was picturing, but this is what I was picturing.” I like taking someone’s vision and turning it into their perfect cake.

The post Ask the Expert: Leigh Growney Dishes on Finding the Perfect Wedding Cake appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Erin and John Allen
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Pretty pastel-colored flower petals adorned the lawn of the Healing Garden at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. This, along with plush green grass and tranquil waters just yards away, created the perfect Sarasota setting for Erin and John’s wedding ceremony, and a romantic reception at Michael’s Wine Cellar complemented it.

You’re originally from Ohio. Why did you choose to have the wedding in Sarasota?
The scenery and environment in Sarasota are gorgeous. And I thought it would be really nice for my close friends and family coming from out of state to take a long weekend and enjoy themselves.

Why did you choose the Ritz-Carlton as the location for the ceremony?
I love the classy, elegant atmosphere of the Ritz. They offer different areas in and around the hotel to choose from. We had the ceremony in the Healing Garden because I wanted to be close to water without having to get my feet in the sand, and from the Garden lawn we could see the bay. Another benefit of the Ritz is that it’s downtown and therefore close to everything, like Michael’s Wine Cellar, where we had our reception.

What attracts you to John?
Where do I start? He’s generous, kind, and understanding. He’s caring and compassionate. The list goes on.

How did you two meet?
We were living in the same apartment complex. We didn’t know each others’ names initially, so to me he was just “Neighbor Boy.” He called me “Red Land Rover Girl,” because that’s what I drove. But I had my eye on him and he had his on me, and he ended up helping me when I moved out of my building and into his. We had run into each other at a bar on Siesta Key when he offered. After that he called and invited my roommate and me out, and a few days later he asked me out to dinner, just the two of us.

How did John propose?
He had the ring in his pocket for several months, waiting on the perfect moment. Afterward,  he told me that there were multiple dinners when he’d planned on doing it, but there would always be interruptions. There would be a phone call, or we would run into someone.

He was tired of walking around with the ring in his pocket. One Saturday night, we were getting ready to go out. I had just gotten out of the shower when he asked me to come into the closet to approve his shirt choice. So when I walked around the corner, he was on his knee, and there I was in a robe, with wet hair. I remember thinking, “I can’t believe I look like this right now.”

How did you choose your photographer?
Nicole [Kaney, the wedding planner] is great, and I went with all of her referrals. I’m an interior designer, so I like things to be a little different, a little edgy. I didn’t want the typical, posed photographs.  Nicole matches people based on their personality and style, and when we met with Jeanne, I really liked her.

What was the most memorable part of your wedding?
It’s hard to choose just one part! There were so many memorable moments, like seeing John for the first time when I began to walk down the aisle, and watching him watch me.

Vendors:

The post Their Sarasota Wedding : Erin and John Allen appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Heidi and Patrick, whose proposal story won our “Will You Marry Me?” wedding contest.

Well, it was a tough decision, but we did it: We managed to choose a winner from all the seriously amazing, romantic proposal stories that came flooding in as entries in our “Will You Marry Me?” contest. Heidi–who works at Sarasota Memorial Hospital–and her fiance, Patrick, a dentist, won us over with their funny, romantic, Sarasota-centric story; they’ll receive a $1,500 wedding package that includes a one-hour wedding consultation with Nicole Kaney of NK Productions Wedding Planning, a one-hour floral consultation with The Naked Florist, an overnight stay and breakfast for two at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota,  a signature manicure, pedicure and facial from L.Spa, $100 worth of bridal jewelry from La Mariee, and a wedding hair and makeup trial from Ana Molinari Salon and Spa.

In their own words, here’s Heidi and Patrick’s proposal story:

People talk about love and say how their other half can bring out their best and, at times, their worst. The morning of April 14, 2012, was no exception. In preparation for an upcoming 100-mile charity bike ride, my other half, Patrick, and I went to ride down the Legacy Trail to Casey Key and back. Patrick suggested the route, saying that while it wasn’t the best training ride, it would be nice to ride along the coast. Of the two of us, I am the extroverted, overly practical, workaholic type; Patrick is more introverted, considerate and has always been a hopeless romantic. I compromised on the route, but I wasn’t about to take it easy. I was ready with my helmet, my Spandex and my snack, but Patrick struggled to collect all his gear and seemed to have his head in the clouds. I brushed it off, but there was no denying that his lack of preparation annoyed me. We parked at the Legacy Trail, got on our bikes and began the ride.

When Patrick and I first met, we found out that we both loved cycling. It’s become a part of our weekend routine, so it was surprising that after only half a mile, Patrick sighed and said, “I’m stiff. Can we stop and stretch?” Foot tapping, I waited impatiently as the sun climbed higher in the sky. We got back on our bikes and rode a couple more unusually slow miles when we approached a 7-11.

“I really need to use the bathroom and refill my water bottle. I’ll just be a minute,” Patrick said, and ran inside. At this point, I began to worry–maybe he wasn’t feeling well. About 10 minutes later, he came out of the store, and I asked if he was feeling OK.

“Oh, no, I’m fine! I’m great! It’s a beautiful day for a ride!” he answered. What I didn’t know at this point was that he was stalling because our friends were setting up the proposal at the beach; all I knew was that he was physically fine but dragging his feet.

I became progressively more annoyed with our slow progress, which Patrick kept calling “enjoying the ride,” and eventually my temper got the better of me. I decided he wasn’t taking our ride seriously, so I sped off. Patrick caught up with me and made some comments about how we should slow down and enjoy the beautiful day, to which I retorted that if I was ever going to make the cupcakes I planned to bake for a friend’s party that night, we might as well turn around, because at this rate we wouldn’t be done with the ride until the next day.

For as much as an attitude as I can have, Patrick matches me in patience. He looked at me, smiled and suggested we continue just a little further. Rather than return the smile, I pedaled ahead without him. Again, he caught up, only this time he pointed to something on the beach. He raced past me and got off his bike, grinning. But I rode right past him, leaving him standing in the street. As I zipped by, I heard him say, “There’s something I want to show you!” I didn’t turn around.

After about a mile, I came to my senses, realizing I was throwing a full-on temper tantrum. Embarrassed but still feeling feisty, I turned back–maybe we could salvage the workout.

Patrick was standing to the side of the road. When he saw me coming, he tried to wave me down, motioning that I join him. I rolled my eyes–he still wasn’t taking the ride seriously! I rode straight past him a second time, but then turned around to see his face–he had a strangely determined look I hadn’t seen before, and I could tell he was running low on patience. He rode after me and said, through gritted teeth, “I really, really want to show you something on the beach!” I glared at him, turned around and slowly pedaled back.

I got off my bike, with Patrick standing behind me. He seemed excited about whatever was on the beach; I wondered what it could be. As I approached the shore, I saw a colorful quilt covered with seashells and red roses.

Suddenly, I knew what was happening and became very aware of the ugliness of my temper and how ridiculous I had been acting. “Why on earth does this man put up with me?” I wondered. Standing on the beach, looking down at the quilt in the sand, I felt Patrick’s deep love for me, and I knew with all my heart that he loved all of me, even my ugly parts, that same way that I love him.

Tears began running down my sweat-soaked face. “Heidi,” Patrick said, taking my hands, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time.” He got down on one knee, and before I knew it, he was telling me all the things he loved about me, about us and about our future together. He asked me to marry him, and after asking him whether he was sure, I said yes. Then we were both crying and I was apologizing for the way I’d acted; I was mortified. He poured me a glass of champagne and, laughing, said, “It’ll make a great story for our grandkids someday.”

Congratulations, Heidi and Patrick!

The post Announcing the Winner of Our “Will You Marry Me?” Wedding Contest! appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Wedding planner Nicole Kaney in action.

Let’s be honest: Planning a wedding can be fun, but there’s a lot to it—everything from choosing a dress and picking a photographer to managing budgets, vendors and all those other details. So here’s our gift to you: From time to time, we’ll post insider tips from local industry experts about how to plan the Sarasota wedding of your dreams. This week: Five tips from Nicole Kaney—whose boutique wedding planning business, NK Productions, recently celebrated its sixth anniversary—about how brides can plan a beautiful, stress-free wedding.

1. Have a Budget: Too many people research the general expenses of a wedding but don’t take into account the price differences based on geographic location. “That’s something that not everyone starts with. A band might be more expensive in Sarasota than anywhere else,” Kaney says. Make sure you choose a budget that is realistic for your location.

2. Organization is Key: While it may be tempting to jump right into the creativity and glamour of planning the wedding, there’s still business to be done. “Everything has to stay organized in order to have that creative side come forward, and that’s how I run things,” Kaney explains. So take care of your “nitty-gritty” details, such as transportation, catering and hotel accommodations, first; the fun things, like choosing linens and décor, can come later.

3. Make a List: Start with a checklist that highlights what you should be doing each month prior to the wedding. Don’t fall behind! That’s when people start to get stressed and rush the process. The checklist might include how soon to announce your engagement, when to send save the dates and when that final payment is due.

4. Know the Venue: Sarasota has many unique venues, such as the Powel Crosley Estate, Ringling Museum and Phillippi Mansion. Most of these venues have guest capacities, “so find out how many fit in the venue first, and then make your guest list,” Kaney advises. You don’t want to find out that you’ve invited too many people. Also, check into restrictions and permitting for beach weddings and parking.

5. Be Open to Change: It’s great to have your favorite colors picked out, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t branch out when it comes to planning your wedding. “I like the process to happen naturally, taking into consideration what vendors recommend as well. Sometimes even a flower completely changes your thought process,” Kaney says.

The post Ask the Expert: Five Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Wedding appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.

Andrea and Nate Fanning
Sarasota Yacht Club
August 4, 2012

Sarasota is a remarkable place for destination weddings—and that’s just why Andrea and Nate Fanning chose to celebrate their nuptials here. Originally from Indiana, Andrea and Nate wanted to have a ceremony with close friends and family on the beach where they could all enjoy time together for more than one day. Andrea, whose family owns a vacation home in Sarasota, found the Sarasota Yacht Club to be the perfect venue for their romantic getaway wedding.

How did you and your husband meet?
We met through his sister, who set us up on a blind date. She worked for my dad’s company, where I was also working at the time. She thought that we would hit it off, so she asked if he could contact me. We talked on Facebook for about a week and then he asked me out. He graduated from Purdue in 2008 but he’s five years older than me; I was graduating from high school.

What attracted you to your husband the most?
Personality. He’s funny, but I’m more the outspoken one, so he calms me down. I’m extremely blunt and I’ll always be the one to be talking to people. He’s a little bit quieter. He’s kind of conservative in his values; he’s grounded.

How did Nate propose?
He proposed at the Indianapolis Art Museum in front of the famous LOVE sculpture. It was our one-year anniversary and he had my family in on it, too. We were visiting his sisters that weekend and he told us we were going out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. His sister loves taking pictures so she took pictures at the museum and followed us. While she was taking pictures, he got down on one knee, and then my family came running out of the bushes. I was really surprised; we’d talked about the future but we’d never looked at rings or anything.

How did you choose your vendors?
I always wanted a destination wedding, so as soon as we got engaged we started talking about it. My mom and I came down [to Sarasota] two weeks after I got engaged. There happened to be a bridal expo when we got there, so my mom set up all kinds of meetings with different venues. We booked Beneva Flowers right there at the expo. Karen at the Yacht Club gave us a preferred vendors list, so we followed up with them, too.

What was the planning process like?
You don’t know where to start planning, but as soon as you book the place, the staff there will give you people they work with, so it’s pretty easy. I got lucky because August [in Florida] is a down month for weddings, but for Indiana it’s the busiest month. It wasn’t even really hectic, but I’m also not a stressed-out person.

What was your favorite part to plan?
The whole reason we wanted to do a destination wedding was because we wanted it to be longer than a seven-hour day. We wanted a week-long celebration. It wasn’t just a short “wedding day;” it was really fun. Our actual guest list was only 40 people, and those people were with us the whole week.

Venue: Sarasota Yacht Club
Venue Coordinator: Karen Roman
Make Up: Eri Vincent Makeup at Ana Molinari Salon & Spa
Flowers: Beneva Flowers
Cake: Cakes by Ron
DJ: Rob Satori Entertainment
Photography: Naomi Chokr Photography

The post Their Sarasota Wedding: Andrea and Nate Fanning appeared first on Your Sarasota Wedding.