Warning: Escort cards can and will blow away.

Just a note to think about. No matter how pretty or awesome your escort card display is, wind can change everything. Prepare your "cards" so that they can remain stationary and in order. Missing cards and cards not in alphabetical order cause wedding chaos.
These were message in a bottle escort cards from Blizzard Bride's wedding. The guest name and table number was wrapped around the outside, and then on the inside there was a tiny handwritten note for each guest.

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow SeriesThe Flowers

There are florists who do weddings and, and then there are florists who make weddings.



Floral Artistry makes weddings; and this one has to be one of their finest works.It's more than just the arrangements that are exquisite, its the individually selected stems and blooms. It's the quality, color, and size of each individual flower that makes this wedding exquisite.

In all my years of planning and design, I have never seen so many flawless blush immense pink peonies or perfectly bloomed cherry blossoms.While I want this post to be all about these stunning flowers, I feel compelled to note again how amazing the photography is. Krista of Impressions Photography has such talent and ability to capture images with some of the most striking angles and lighting techniques, that each of her images truly seem to come to life. This is exactly what you want to have when you go back to look at your wedding images-

the ability to recapture your emotions for a moment.

Your wedding video captures the live sound and movement of your day unlike anything else, and your photos capture the details that make time stand still.

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow SeriesDinner

The wedding colors were pink and naturals. Alison has always been a very pink girl! She has always loved Martha Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Laura Ashley. They were her main inspirations while she planned her wedding and also the reason she got her nickname Martha Paltrow. The reception room is where the pink theme really shined through. The walls had a pink glow, due to the custom lighting, while the ceilings carried through the tropical feel with custom palm trees gobos. The tables were draped with specially made for the event linens. They were a natural colored linen with pink runners across the table. The florist designed 2 different center pieces, one high and one low.
Each place setting had a special touch with a local shell.
One of the center pieces at the tables was a tall glass celebration vase of light pink Cherry Blossom branches. The vases was surrounded with square votives providing glowing candle light, a floral cluster in a mint julep cup; square glass containers in various heights with white pillar candles, and another small flower cluster in a glass square vase. Each of the floral clusters were unique, using different combinations of light pink antique Hydrangea, light pink Roses, light pink Tulips, light pink Kermit Mums, and light pink Wax Flowers. The other center piece consisted of a floral cluster in a large square vase surrounded by the same surrounding of the first center piece.
The receptions entry room was decorated with a beautiful tall tree of blooming light pink Cherry Blossoms and fuchsia Bougainvillea branches, created by the florist. The guest escort cards were hand printed beautifully on different shades of pink paper circles. Each was hand tied to the branches of the tree with green ribbon. As they walked up the steps to the main reception room the guest walked up a path lit with lanterns.

Included in their video package was on site editing of the ceremony. This allowed the bride and groom, along with all their guests, to watch a recap of the ceremony during the reception. The bride and groom also filmed a thank you and toast for all their guests that aired at the end of the recap.

The Dinner Menu:
Amuse Bouche; Red & Yellow Tomato Gazpacho with Lump Crab
1st Course; Boston Bibb lettuce salad with Dijon Mustard vinaigrette crowned with thinly sliced Avocado
2nd Course: Pan seared Georgia Beef Filet with Celery Root Puree, Hen of the woods mushrooms, and wild Arugala with port reduction in Truffle oil.
or
Crispy Skin Salmon, confit marbled potatoes, and Orange Fennel Endive
Accompanied by Asparagus, Sugar Snap Peas, and Whole Pea sautee

All Photos by Impressions Photography

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow SeriesCocktail Hour

To make the most out of Kings Crown Deck, we rented some very cool lounge furniture that the guests took advantage of throughout the evening.
Following the ceremony, all the guests and the wedding party were driven to the cocktail hour on board a classic Florida trolley.
This is my favorite picture. It was taken right after we finished up sunset photos. Alison and Andrew were just so happy.
This was the biggest and most welcome surprise of the evening. Just as we were getting ready to go inside for dinner, a pod of dolphins came to shore and played for a good 10 minutes! The dolphins were showing off to the guests as they cheered. It was unlike anything I have ever seen at a wedding and quite the event for 96 people who came from the north.

As the newlyweds joined their guests for the cocktail hour, they tossed rose petals at them.
The perfect island cocktail music...steel pans.
Look familiar? We used the plants from the rehearsal dinner at the cocktail lounge.
All Photos by Impressions Photography

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow SeriesThe Ceremony

Right after the ceremony at Sunset Cove, the wedding party posed for formal portraits. This image is the girls walking over towards the getty.

This is always one of our clients favorite photos. Immediately following the recessional, we gather all guests for a group shot before they leave to cocktail hour.

To make sure the most important family members have a great seat, we always prepare reserved seating!
The string quartet provided the perfect classic wedding music including Pachabels Canon in D.

All Photos by Impressions Photography

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow SeriesGetting Ready

Really. Just beautiful. It was such a perfect wedding day.


Alison, who is in the makeup industry, knew how important it was to have a professional to apply hair & makeup for her and all the ladies in the wedding party. Jen King was on hand to ensure that everyone looked their best.

Andrew surprised Alison with the cutest wedding gift we've ever seen. This little puppy toy represented Sally, who was to be born six weeks later. How absolutely adorable is this?
All Photos by Impressions Photography

A Most Gorgeous Wedding: The Martha Paltrow Series

We nick-named Alison the most appropriate name ever: Martha Paltrow. Why? Because she is the complete personification of a blended Martha Stewart and Gwenyth Paltrow and so was her amazingingly stunning destination wedding on Captiva Island.
We were so fortunate to have Impressions Photography on board for the weekend to capture what was one of the highlights of the year. Because there were just so many insanely beautiful images, I'm going to share this wedding over several posts. So be sure to check back regularly, or even better- go ahead and subscribe (right sidebar) to ensure you don't miss out!
The wedding weekend officially started with the bridal party enjoying a spa day and the grooms party having a great day of golf. Then, just before the sunset, all 96 guests were invited to a welcome cocktail reception at Palm Tree Landing of Sunset Beach located on the South Seas Island Resort.
The Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner was held right on the beach. The tables were covered with natural adobe linens keeping the soft beach feel alive.
For center pieces they had frosted votive candles with Phalaenopsis Orchids designed by Floral Artistry on each table surrounded by natural plants that the bride designed herself, which included a small local plant in a small glass vase with natural rocks on the bottom. The wine bar was decorated with Italian Ruscus garlands.
After having a few cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres of Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Raw Spring Rolls (Rice paper wrapped crab, carrots, lettuce, asian noodles, and carrot ginger sauce) the guests enjoyed a selection of fresh grilled bbq favorites along with a chopped salad of Manchego, peppers, tomatoes, and olives.

Also on the menu was grilled corn on the cob, oven roasted baby potatoes, sliced watermelon, and cornbread & biscuits. And of course, it wouldn't be an island dinner without some Key Lime Pie!
Before the night ended, all the guests laughed and cried while watching a highlights video montage of Alison & Andrews lives including their dearest family and friends.