Happy Halloween!

Halloween is this weekend, and we actually don't have any weddings booked, just some appointments. I know Beth is busy parading around her kids and pets in their costumes at some neighborhood parties, while the husband and I will be throwing a large party tonight with about 40 of our friends all decked out in costumes as well. I'm also looking forward to handing candy to all the neighborhood kids and probably eating half of it myself. If you celebrate Halloween, we hope you have a nice and safe one! Here are some Halloween-inspired wedding pics to get you in the scary spirit! (photo credits: hauntedyard.com, pinkcakebox.com, blissweddingsmarket.com) And of course, nothing says Halloween like a "Thriller" wedding dance!

Megan and Sean's Elegant Garden Wedding

This is going to be a long one...
I started working with Megan several months ago, and I can honestly say that by the time the wedding came around, it felt like I was helping a friend and not a client. Megan and Sean are such a nice couple and they were so cool and calm on their wedding day. They also win the prize for earliest wedding party -- the guys arrived over an hour before the wedding started and everyone was set and in place about 10 minutes before. Even the guests were ready. We could have started early! It just goes to show how excited everyone was for this wedding and how much all of their friends and family care about the couple.

The wedding took place on a gorgeous day at the Davis Island Garden Club. I haven't coordinated a wedding there in some time, and there were some great changes -- a new gazebo, beautiful arbor and walkway, and even a new front door! The ceremony was held out in the back garden overlooking the water, with the cocktail reception to follow on the patio.
The decor was all done in hues of purple and green with white accents. We hung paper lanterns, pomanders, and strung orchids. Megan worked really hard on a lot of the details for this wedding and I was so happy that I could help her to bring it all together.

I also got to work with some great vendors -- Darla Stafford and Julie did the hair and makeup for Megan and her bridal party, and they looked gorgeous. Jason Angelini was the photographer and of course I love working with him. Olympia Catering provided the food and Frieda and her staff were so wonderful and helpful, I really can't thank them enough for going above and beyond. They also did the two cakes - the 4 tiered wedding cake and the corvette-inspired groom's cake (a replica of the groom's actual car). The florals were created by Dana Dineen and her talented staff and included LED lit centerpieces and one of the most breathtaking bridal bouquets I've ever seen. Taylor Mills played the harp for the ceremony and it was amazing, I definitely hope to work with her again soon. The Production Crew set up lighting on the outside patio which looked awesome after the sunset. The patio later turned into a cigar lounge during the reception which everyone really enjoyed.

Overall, this wedding was fantastic and I think everyone had a wonderful time. I feel so lucky to have been involved in it and I hope Megan and Sean have an amazing time in Jamaica. Oh, and thanks for the gift guys -- you know you have really bonded with a couple when they even know your favorite restaurant (Bella's!!) :) Here are some of my personal photos of the day.. professional photos from Jason coming soon!

Ariel and Ricco's Sweet Celebration of Love

Ariel and Ricco were married on Saturday, October 17th at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Tampa. It was one of the sweetest celebrations I have ever seen! It was obvious how much they are both truly loved by their family and friends. You also couldn't help but notice how truly deep the love is between Ariel and Ricco.

It was a very elegant wedding and there were so many special personalized touches incorporated throughout the day that made it truly unique. To honor her mother's memory, Ariel started the ceremony off by having her brother place a couple white roses on the first chair on the left side. She also had Natalie from Chic Sweets create a pink and white candy buffet with a sign that said "For my Mother, because everyone deserves a lifetime". It was very touching.
(By the way, Chic Sweets did an AWESOME job on the candy buffet and they had the best candy.)

Their DJ was Eladio from Delite Entertainment and he knows how to keep the guests dancing. He provided the gobo light, the equipment for the slide show and kept the crowd on the dance floor all night long! The slide show was another unique touch. It played during their first dance, the father/bride dance and the mother/groom dance. For their first dance, it showed pictures of the two of them through the years. For the father/bride dance, it was pictures of Ariel with her father through the years. Then, for the mother/groom dance it was pictures of Ricco and his mother through the years. It was really fun to see how much everyone has changed over the years!

The amazing flower arrangements and bouquets were created by Stephanie at FishHawk Weddings. The centerpieces really transformed the room and the bouqets really went well with the bridesmaid dresses.

Both Chuck from Hearts Video and Tony from Artistique Photography were there to capture all of the beautiful moments. They were a blast to work with and both promised to share some of their video and pictures with us. I can't wait to be able to post their work on our blog!! Don't forget to check back to see them!!

The guests certainly had their share of sweets between the candy buffet and the delicious cakes created by Chef Nelson. The wedding cake matched the elegant theme and the Xbox Groom's Cake was really cute.

The staff at Embassy Suites was phenomenal to work with. They were very accommodating, quick and efficient. I can honestly say that all of the vendors at Ariel and Ricco's wedding were a pleasure to work with and everything went very smoothly. It truly was a fabulous event!!!

Ariel & Ricco - Thank you so much for hiring Flawless Occasions!!! It was so much fun working with both of you. Your family and friends are wonderful and it is obvious that you both are surrounded by leaps and bounds of love and support. Congratulations!!!

Artistique Photography will be sharing some professional photos soon - but here are some of the pictures I snapped. As you will see, from the toddlers on up, this group took full advantage of the great music and dance floor!

















































At the end of the night, Ariel and Ricco were still willing to pose for a few more pictures with vendors!

Here is DJ Eladio from Delite Entertainment with the newly weds:


Here is Natalie from Chic Sweets with Ariel and Ricco:


Last but not least, here I am with the new Mr. & Mrs.: