Florida Fall Wedding at Rembert Farms

The weather could not have been more beautiful on this October day, and it made the perfect backdrop for Caroline and Elias's gorgeous outdoor ceremony. The oak trees at Rembert Farms created the perfect shady spot for the couple and their guests. And while the shade was certainly appreciated (Florida in October is still hot!), even such huge trees could not overshadow the beauty of the bride and her wedding party, who were glammed up by the lovely ladies at Sixth Street Station salon. 

The reception was filled with adorable details, starting with the state's signature fruit as a unique twist on place cards. Between the oranges and the sunny skies, you'd hardly remember the rest of the country was already well into the fall season. 

Chalkboards provided by Parlor Room Events

Once everyone found their seats, the party continued inside the elegant barn-turned-event-space situated on the farm, which was draped in white and burgundy table settings, courtesy of Celebrations Catering, that matched the bridesmaids, the roses on the delectable, three-tiered wedding cake, and the stunning floral centerpieces by The Flower Shop. 

Guests enjoyed a meal, also by Celebrations Catering, featuring delicious vegan options, and the aforementioned cake by Sugar Mama's Sweets, who were featured on Food Network's Cake Wars in 2016. After plates were cleaned, chairs were abandoned as guests were called to the dance floor by the contagious energy of the Bay Kings Band. 

Quick tip - to ease guest's minds as they dance the night away, providing a transportation option other than driving can ensure everyone can have a good time, and nobody has to stress about parking. For this wedding, the bride and groom chose to have a bus to bring their guests to venue in style. 

This was a wedding to be remembered, and we were so happy to be a part of such a special day! The bride and groom ended the night showered with love from their guests, who were armed with bubbles to blow at the couple as they exited the venue. Shouts of "one more time!" urged them for an encore, and we agree with the guests that we didn't want the night to end either! One more big congratulations to Caroline and Elias!

And thanks again to the vendors that made it all possible...

Venue - Rembert Farms

Catering - Celebrations Catering 

Cake - Sugar Mama's Sweets

Music - Bay Kings Band

Photography - This Is Feeling Photography

Video - Eli Meyer Studio

Flowers - The Flower Shop

Hair & Makeup - Sixth Street Station 

Transportation - Premier Event Company 

Chalkboards - Parlor Room Events

Lauren and Devon

Lauren and Devon's wedding was incredible to be a part of. Full of wonderful mint and peach details and hidden firefighter gems, we couldn't stop oohing and ahhing as we were setting up for their big day!

Not only was Sweetwater Branch Inn the perfect setting, we got to work with some wonderful vendors that made the day such a treat. We especially loved these images that Krystal at Verve Studios was sweet enough to share with us! Also, a big thanks for catching some of me in action!! :)

Images by Verve Studios

I call these lovely ladies my "A-Team" for a reason - they are THE BEST at what they do! Meet Lisa from Graceful Strands and Kara Winslow, Makeup Artist. They kept Lauren and her ladies laughing all morning and made them shine with gorgeousness! I do a happy dance every time we get to work together.

Images by Verve Studios

Lauren's garters were custom embroidered and made from Firefighter jacket material. Devon's a local firefighter here in Gainesville and their day had little touches all through it that highlighted that. Easy tip - if your gown has buttons running down the back, pick up a small crochet hook from a local craft store. They make amazingly quick work of all those little button strings!

Images by Verve Studios

One of the really awesome things about having your wedding at Sweetwater is that you can get ready right on site. Lauren and her ladies were in the Carriage House, while Devon and his guys got ready right next door in the McKenzie House.

Images by Verve Studios

Lauren and Devon exchanged special letters they'd written to each other right before they went down for their First Look. First Looks can be a great and special way to slow your wedding day down, get really relaxed photos that don't have to be squished only into Cocktail Hour, and you'll get to spend most of your wedding day together - which is such a sweet thing. It also gives you both some time to yourselves to take in the moment before all your guests arrive and everything starts to move really quickly.

Their wedding party was such a fun group! Aren't their bouquets beautiful from The Plant Shoppe?!

Images by Verve Studios

I just loved Lauren's laugh and the way Devon looks at her!

They chose Sweetwater's Garden Gazebo for their intimate ceremony. It's right in the middle of their gorgeous garden and couldn't be a lovelier spot. The Plant Shoppe's flowers enhanced the gazebo to perfection! The ceremony was even performed by the Chaplain from Devon's firehouse.

Images by Verve Studios

We then moved inside McKenzie Hall for the reception. How pretty were their tables?! The Plant Shoppe created the beautiful flowers to ring around Lauren's lanterns. They sat on top of Sweetwater's pretty lace overlays with mint linens underneath. Add a few fairy lights and it's Spring magic!

Images by Verve Studios

Sugar Refined created this stunning (and delicious) cake for Lauren and Devon complete with hidden hats on the back for each of them! How cute, right?! Devon had a custom firefighter ax made that they cut their cake with too. After the wedding, it attaches to a plaque and can hang in their home. We just love details like this!!

Images by Verve Studios

On Fire DJ kept the party going for us all night long!

Images by Verve Studios

We couldn't be happier for you both!! Congratulations Lauren & Devon!!! We are so happy that we got to be a part of creating your day!

The vendors that made it all possible:

Venue: Sweetwater Branch Inn
Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings
Photography: Verve Studios
Videography: James Rayner
Flowers: The Plant Shoppe
DJ: On Fire DJ
Cake: Sugar Refined
Make-Up: Kara Winslow, Makeup Artist
Hair: Graceful Strands
Officiant: Chaplain Robert Smith
Photobooth: Framed Fun

Guest Buttons & Escort Cards

I came across this idea for your wedding guests and literally laughed out loud! I love it - personalized buttons for each guest, complete with a cute description or fun fact!

via Style Me Pretty

Quite the undertaking with a big guest count, but if you're having a more intimate affair, it'd be completely doable!

Talk about a way for your guests to get to know one and other - It's a perfect icebreaker. Plus, I feel like it's a great, tongue-in-cheek, but meaningful way to show guests that they are special to you and you're happy they came.

Attach a little tag to the back pin with their table number and you're set for escort cards as well!

What do you think? Could you think of a fun tagline for each of your attendees? Challenge accepted!

City Map Seating Chart

My favorite weddings are the ones that incorporate special touches about the couple and what makes their love story unique. I love it when guests get to learn more about the bride & groom! Whether it's as simple as some childhood pictures, a sign with their love story, or table names with meaningful things on them, all of these details make the day that much more intimate.

I saw this and thought it was a really neat way to add that personal touch every wedding needs!

via Bridal Musings

This couple used a city map as their seating chart for guests! Each table was named after a different location in Paris and guests found their names and found their seats. You could use your home town, the city you met, where you got engaged....the possibilities abound!

Speaking from my Gator side - I think doing this with a map of the University of Florida campus would be Gatortastic! You could use your dorms, classes you had together, special campus landmarks...fun, right? (Obviously I'm biased here, but any college would be special and really unique!)

One of my rules is that you should always alphabetize your seating charts and escort cards - it's just immensely easier for your guests. I love this idea so much though, I'm willing to break the rule here (What's a rule without that exception, right?). If your guest count is on the smaller side, you'll be set. If you have a bit of a larger wedding planned, think about electing a special person (or wedding planner!) that has an alphabetized list to assist guests standing nearby.

How are your guests finding their seats?