My Blog

Florida is the "Other Las Vegas" !

02/02/2012 19:34:00

Did you know that Florida is another option for eloping to get married!?!

Florida Marriage License:

Non-Residents can apply for a marriage license and get married the same day! There is no waiting period for your ceremony to take place!

(Applications, Monday thru Friday, at the County Clerk of Courts Offices during normal business hours.)

We have the weather and the beautiful beaches on Sarasota's barrier islands to include the #1 Beach in the USA: Siesta Key as well as beautiful, pristine white sand on Casey Key, Longboat Key, Manasota Key with beaches that are also popular: Englewood Beach, Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach, Lido Beach and many, many more! Going just north of Sarasota you can find Anna Maria Island which is home to gorgeous neon waters on the Gulf shore. Beaches on Anna Maria include Coquina, Bradenton, Holmes and Anna Maria Bean Beach on the very northern tip!

Don't want to get married in a chapel or clerk's office? Send us an email to check on availability of SeaSide Bride and let us provide you with a beautiful sunset ceremony! Flip Flops, Not Required! No Shirt, No Shoes....you still have service through SeaSide Bride! Any attire is acceptable! Should you not want a beach.....We have plenty of parks available with tropical settings overlooking Sarasota Bay!

We look forward to hearing from you in the SunShine State!

Contact Us today!

Ceremoniously,

Sue

DIY (Almost) Too Good to Be True: Brooch Bouquet

08/18/2011 17:35:00

Thank you Bridal Guide, again!

What a "BEAUTIFUL BLING BOUQUET" this would be on one of Sarasota Florida's Beaches for your SeaSide Bride Ceremony!

Directions are even included on the link.....AWESOME!

Here are step-by-step instructions for making your own brooch bouquet:

1. Collect Your Materials: Foley hunted for vintage brooches, pins, and earrings at estate and garage sales, describing it as a scavenger hunt of sorts. Etsy.com is also a great resource for hunting down pieces. You'll also need floral tape, craft wire, and silk flowers of your choosing (Foley used hydrangeas).

2. Assemble the Bouquet: Kim's mom wired each brooch and covered the wire with floral tape. Form the silk flowers into your desired bouquet shape. Scatter the brooches throughout the silk flowers.

3. Add Finishing Touches: Cover the stems with vintage handkerchiefs, if you'd like. Kimberly used her grandmother's cameo on the handle, which is a great way to honor a loved one.

Fun fact: A total of 48 brooches/pins/earrings were used to create her bouquet!

As if her bouquet wasn't amazing enough, Kimberly decided

to reinforce the brooches theme by gifting one to each of the important ladies in her life at the rehearsal dinner.

She presented them to moms, grandmothers, and aunts,

asking them to

"Wear these on our special day and

know we think of them in a special way."

ENJOY THINKING OUTSIDE THE "SAND BOX"!!!!!!

Bridal Guide's Countdown Calendar!

08/18/2011 17:23:00

Thank you to Bridal Guide for all this wonderful information!

Countdown Calendar:

Get everything done for your wedding

with time to spare.

As Featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

12 months

Announce your engagement
Choose a wedding theme and style
Work out a basic wedding budget; research reception venues
Determine number of guests
Look through bridal magazines for attire ideas
Meet potential wedding consultants; obtain bids
Research wedding pros (photographers, videographers, reception bands or DJs, ceremony musicians). Set up appointments, and review portfolios, tapes and recordings.

11 months

Select a wedding consultant and meet to discuss wedding planning details
Determine theme/decorations for your reception
Meet with several caterers; arrange for tastings
Select and book a caterer
Reserve musicians/DJ for reception
Determine wedding ceremony musicians and make musical selections
Book wedding videographer and photographer; make a list of photos, such as bridal ceremony and reception shots
Research and interview florists
Select and reserve your ceremony venue and schedule a rehearsal time
Choose reception venue; negotiate contract; leave a deposit
Secure parking and/or transportation for your guests at the reception location
Visit local bridal stores to browse their selection of gowns
Choose your wedding-party members and ask them to participate in your celebration
Meet with your officiant to discuss the wedding ceremony
Determine your honeymoon budget
Mail save-the-date notices for a destination wedding

10 months

Select and order your wedding gown
If your ceremony or reception will be held in a park or recreational area, obtain necessary permits
Discuss attendants' duties with your maid of honor and bridesmaids

9 months

Register for wedding gifts
Coordinate with vendors to incorporate your theme/style into all aspects of your wedding
Decide on the food and liquor to be served at your reception
Prepare a playlist of wedding-reception musical selections
Select and order your headpiece, veil, gloves and shoes
Confirm orders of and delivery dates for your wedding attire
Research airline, hotel and rental-car reservations for guests

8 months

Go to first gown fitting; invite your maid of honor to attend
Choose and order bridesmaid dresses and accessories
Research a variety of wedding ring styles
Select florist; discuss wedding ideas, theme and style

7 months

Review and finalize your wedding details with consultant
Notify bridesmaids about dress fittings
Discuss attire with groomsmen and make referrals to local formalwear store
Select attire for flower girl and/or ring bearer
Determine the design, wording, font and paper stock for your wedding invitations, stationery, table cards and thank-you notes; finalize order
Arrange a printer or hire a calligrapher for table cards
Determine order of ceremony events and choose appropriate wording for your programs
Negotiate rates and book a block of hotel rooms for guests
Select and order your wedding rings
Purchase bridal accessories: jewelry, lingerie and so on
Choose and order something fun for guests to throw after your ceremony (rose petals, confetti or birdseed)

6 months

Review and approve proofs of wedding invitations and stationery
Discuss the type of honeymoon you want, start reading up on potential destinations and consult a travel agent for ideas and suggestions.

5 months

Order table cards; place print order for programs
Finalize choice of honeymoon destination
Taste a variety of wedding cakes and select a baker; place cake order and arrange for delivery
Secure reservations for rehearsal dinner and select menu

4 months

Determine method of addressing wedding invitations and hire a calligrapher, if applicable
Print labels, and hand-address—or have a calligrapher address—wedding invitations
Write or choose your wedding vows
Have groom visit formalwear shops and try on tuxedos
Purchase or rent groom's wedding accessories, including tuxedo, cuff links, shoes, socks and so on
Make honeymoon reservations and place all deposits

3 months

Review and approve wedding announcement and printed program proofs
Book venue or secure reservations for post-wedding brunch
Discuss bachelorette party plans with your attendants
Plan your bridesmaids' luncheon or dinner
Make appointment with stylist and/or hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle
Take another look at your registry and update or add items
Create hotel information cards and maps to include with your wedding invitations

2 months

Secure a wedding-day dressing room for your bridesmaids
Weigh, purchase postage for and mail wedding invitations
Go to final gown fitting; arrange for pickup or delivery
Have groom's formalwear fitted
If you plan to have a prenuptial agreement, meet with your attorney to discuss it
Purchase gifts for all wedding-party members
Arrange transportation for bride and groom from the ceremony site to the reception
Purchase ceremony accessories (Unity candle, wineglasses and so on)

6 weeks

Purchase a new camera, if needed
Send rehearsal dinner invitations
Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts
Confirm music selections ("playlist") with musicians/DJ
Select menu for post-wedding brunch
Write newspaper announcement and gather photos
Purchase a gift for your spouse-to-be
Shop for wedding favors
Purchase honeymoon clothing, luggage and accessories
Go in for a practice hairstyling and make day-of-wedding hair appointment

4 weeks

Confirm floral order and arrange for delivery times
Meet with ushers and assign duties for the ceremony and reception
Discuss the details of your wedding ceremony with your officiant
Determine the placement or distribution of programs at the ceremony venue
Arrange for preparation, storage and break areas for musicians/DJ at the reception venue
Determine seating arrangements for guests
If you color your hair, make appointment for a touch-up the week before your wedding
Go in for a dry run with a professional makeup artist and make a day-of-wedding appointment
Schedule an appointment for a manicure and/or pedicure the day before your wedding
Finalize details with wedding photographer and videographer, determining arrival times at each nuptial venue
Arrange for preparation/storage area for photographer and videographer at each nuptial venue
Sign your prenuptial agreement, if applicable
Finalize honeymoon plans/itinerary and confirm all travel and hotel reservations
Arrange for transportation to and from the airport
Make all necessary arrangements for care of pet(s), plants and mail while you're away on honeymoon
Post announcement and photo on your wedding website
Arrange for table card setup at reception venue
Schedule pickup/return of groom's formalwear

3 weeks

Finalize list of reception guests
Give the final headcount to the caterer and review details
Arrange for delivery and placement of wedding flowers, candles and other decorations on the day of the ceremony
Call anyone who has not responded to his or her wedding invitation

1 week

Confirm your honeymoon travel arrangements
Start packing bags for your honeymoon
Get traveler's checks and/or a small amount of foreign cash
Pick up your wedding dress

Wedding day

Eat a good breakfast
Attend hairstyle appointment
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
Relax and enjoy yourself!

Post-wedding: 3 days

Arrange for transport of gifts
Have family or friends mail wedding announcements

After the honeymoon

Take wedding gown and veil to a dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation
Submit name-change forms for driver's license, passport, Social Security card, state and federal tax boards, banks, credit cards and so on

Adapted from Bridal Guide's How to Plan the Perfect Wedding…Without Going Broke, by Diane Forden (Warner Books). Available at booksellers nationwide.

Best & Worst Wedding Day Advice!

08/18/2011 10:08:00

I have been reviewing many articles recently about how a bride and groom should go about planning their destination Florida Beach Wedding in Sarasota or on Anna Maria Island.

So as I had a light bulb turn on, I am interested in hearing what was the Best Advice received for your wedding day and the Worst Advice received?

Can't wait to see the responses on this one!

Ceremoniously,

Sue

SeaSide Bride LLC

Why is a SunSet Intriguing?

03/18/2011 12:21:00

Why is a SunSet Intriguing?

I decided while I had some time to research this topic. And, what I discovered, there is really not much on the web about this subject. So, based on that, I am going to examine deeper into why I personally enjoy the silence of the sunsets.

I have noticed that the beach is extremely calming and there is a silence that comes with humans watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

The excitement of the beachgoers during the day, surfing, building sand castles, teens playing volleyball, the chasing of the surf by babies…. that all dissipates about a half an hour before the sun sets…it is like there is a light switch thrown…. The scene turns into a romantic setting for a young couple seeing their first sunset together having met on spring break…. The family that bunches together in silence instead of the oo’s and ah’s of a fireworks family; and the single individual’s silhouette against the dimming sky soul searching for a meaning of tomorrow.

I find that a beach wedding ceremony, especially for myself as the officiant for SeaSide Bride LLC, is extremely spiritual, one with nature. The feeling of the sand beneath your feet, the wind blowing through your hair and the ending of two lives blending into the beginning of one life together….

The sunsets, I believe are a time of reflection on the day and the hope for a beautiful tomorrow….

I would like to hear more from others on why they are drawn to sunsets and their meanings for you.

Sue Ross

Officiant

SeaSide Bride LLC