MSP Travels: Turks & Caicos

The Turks & Caicos Islands are a playground for the rich and famous for a reason! The color of the water, the sand of the pristine beaches, and the friendly and vibrant local culture combine to form the stuff dreams are made of. Celebrities Kate Moss, Matt Damon, Howard Stern, and Bill Gates have vacationed there (to name a few!), while Jerry Seinfeld and Eva Longoria both spent their respective honeymoons on the Islands. Jennifer Garner + Ben Affleck even married there in 2005!

So guess what Matt said when he was asked to travel to T&C to photograph a wedding?

Meet Tawni & Dennis:
Bonita Springs locals who wanted nothing but the best to celebrate their special day!

Adorable, right?

Wedding planner Along Came Stephanie knew that every detail would matter for this special couple, and MAN! did she knock it out of the park with the invitations and Welcome Kits!

Upon arriving in the Islands, Matt joined the couple for a sunset cruise - complete with turquoise water and rainbow - yes, seriously!

After a gorgeous afternoon on the water, it was early to bed, early to rise for the wedding day :) 
The couple selected Long Bay Beach's The Shore Club as the site to celebrate

Doesn't Tawni look SO happy helping her daughter get ready? We love love!!

Tawni was ready, and Dennis was standing by to marry the love of his life.
At the last moment, the ceremony was moved indoors to prevent an interruption due to weather - but it was such a small issue, because they were getting MARRIED!!!

We love seeing our couples SO happy!

Gorgeous place for a wedding, right?
The Shore Club was just as perfect for the reception dinner.

The newlyweds danced the night away, surrounded by their closest family & friends...nothing to listen to but the ocean waves, the island music, and the beating of they hearts... ::le sigh::

All in all, we'd say it was a pretty awesome trip - wouldn't you?

Wedding Planner & Designer: Along Came Stephanie
Venue: The Shore Club
 

Jennifer & Adam: New Years Eve

In celebration of 2018 and to kick off its second month, let's take a peek back at where MSP spent New Years Eve:
Jennifer + Adam's wedding! 

We all grew up with the same fairy tales and certain mouse-sponsored cartoon movies, right? You know the ones... full of fun songs, can't-be-real-handsome princes, and the types of princesses that are just as gorgeous on the inside as they are on the outside. Have you ever wondered who those characters are based on? Enter: Jennifer + Adam. After you see their wedding (and its ridiculously fun reception, the bride's Hamilton-based RAP to the groom (!!), and the bursting-at-the-seams love these two have), I don't think you'll need further explanation as to why someone might pick them as a basis for the stuff those cartoon dreams are made of.

Wedding Designer & Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings, & Parties

Upon arriving at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, guests were greeted with these adorable monogrammed Welcome Kits. The tote bags were stocked full, including the brilliant addition of lip calm, water bottles, and sunnies! All done by the bride herself!

Yep, this is the gorgeous Jennifer. Here she is!

At this point, you're probably all, "well, she's obviously beautiful, but where's the prince?"

If there's one thing Jennifer & Adam were missing, it was a gorgeous place to get married.
Enter: South Seas Island Resort

Libby's Flowers KILLED IT with this gorgeous floral.

THAT moment. The very best of the entire day. Swoon!

The perfect day ended with the perfect sunset.

And we haven't touched on the subject yet... but THAT DRESS! I know, I know!
* * *
The reception was on a tented lawn at South Seas, and continued the clean, elegant design from the ceremony.

Libby's Flowers is SO good at that "lush but clean, tropical but elegant" thing...

Add a little uplighting, and we were ready to party!

And while we waited for midnight, the couple danced...

And the live artist painted...

And the guests toasted...

And the face painter did her thing...

And the cigar roller did his...

And then we had our first-time-ever surprise BRIDAL RAP (it was EVERYTHING)!

Which earned the bride a much-deserved standing ovation!

By then, it was time to get ready for the big moment: the bride changed in to her NYE dress, the couple got their faces painted, and the cake was cut!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MSP wishes you the very best 2018 has to offer! Mazel tov!

Wedding Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings, & Parties
Venue: South Seas Island Resort
Live Artist: Jacob Neagle
Floral: Libby's Flowers
Hair & Make-up: Diana Nieves HMUP
Tent: Tent Logix
Entertainment: Thank You For the Dance
Rentals: Island Events + Hitched
Cake: Bubble Room + Publix

Sherif & Daiana | Part 3

When we finished Part 2 of Daiana's wedding, we had just arrived at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. As the sun set on the grounds, we finished portraits with the newlyweds and prepared to celebrate in style at their lavish reception.

Time to party!!

The couple's first dance under the Prestonwood's giant chandelier was sooo dreamy (it also made Sherif's dance with his mother spectacular to capture!).

We couldn't help swooning when the groom got on the mic and read a poem to his bride -
he wrote it just for their wedding day!

Not gonna lie... it was a little painful to watch the newlyweds cut into that perfect cake!
At least they looked fab doing it...

We're still excited, months later, about the gorgeous images we took while sharing in Sherif & Daiana's special day. We hope you've enjoyed this three-parter - we'll be back soon with more wedding fun we've had since returning to Florida!

Reception Venue: Prestonwood Country Club
Rentals: CE Rentals
Planner: C and D Events
Floral & Design: Creative Touch Events
Cinema: Walk on Water Video
Make-up: Tia Mao

Sherif & Daiana | Part 2

When we wrapped Part 1 of Sherif & Daiana's wedding day blog, we were just about to see the couple's First Glance. Sherif was waiting patiently at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC, for his beautiful bride to join him by the waterside...

We couldn't wait to capture the look on his face when he finally got to see Daiana in all her gorgeousness!

Every moment with these two was so worth the wait! After the big reveal was over, we started the first round of couples' portraits with the bride & groom.

After the portrait session, it was time to transition to our next venue:
The Prestonwood Country Club
Sherif & Daiana had spent months with their wedding planners and designers to create the perfect wedding reception style - they wanted glamorous sparkle and creative floral arrangements to help bring out the auh-mazing chandeliers the Prestonwood has adorning its ballroom. We'd say their design was a home run!

It was a challenge to step away form this gorgeous design. With the lovely orchids dripping over the beautiful candlelit golden place settings... every angle was an exciting work of art!

Not only did Sherif & Daiana have a lovely sweetheart table, they also had a gorgeous vintage loveseat on stage - the perfect place to reside over the reception!

The couple wanted to start the guest experience off right, so they added a festive, expertly designed escort card display. Not only did it help guests find where to sit, but it also set the tone for the decor they would find inside the reception hall!

Gold sequin, clear acrylic hexagons, the same candlelight and dripping floral from the inside room... this display was amazing! You know what paired perfectly with it? The wedding cake!

The same hot pink roses, gold accent, and lovely ivory base made this wedding cake a stunner.

Once the couple arrived to Prestonwood, we continued with their portrait session before the guests arrived. Prestonwood proved to be just as beautiful a setting as the Umstead!

All in all, a lovely day, right? We haven't even gotten to the festivities yet!
Daiana & Sherif wed in a private ceremony prior to the wedding day we captured for them, so our next blog will feature the formal reception (and more portraits!) that had the couple celebrating with their loved ones long in to the night! Stay tuned!

First Glance Venue: The Umstead Hotel
Reception Venue: Prestonwood Country Club
Rentals: CE Rentals
Vintage Loveseat: Greenhouse Picker Sisters
Planner: C and D Events
Floral & Design: Creative Touch Events
Cinema: Walk on Water Video
Make-up: Tia Mao