Destination: Ritz Carlton Sarasota

Our Special Moments Event Planning team had the pleasure of working with Rochelle and Che on their Ritz Carlton Sarasota wedding.

While the couple are Gulf Coast locals, nearly everyone attending the wedding was visiting from out of town.

Rochelle was very hands-on and while she knew exactly what she wanted, she needed our Special Moments Event Planning for guidance in selecting the best local wedding vendors to bring her vision to life; and to make sure their wedding day went smoothly.

 

Getting Ready

The morning for Rochelle and Che was pretty leisurely, with each of them spending time with their wedding parties relaxing and getting ready for their first look.

The lawn at the Ritz Carlton was the perfect location for the couple’s first look. Che looked very sharp in his classic black tuxedo with a white phalaenopsis orchid boutonniere.

Rochelle, dressed in her white lace gown with crystal-embellished belt and sweetheart neckline, looked stunning as she made her way up behind her husband-to-be.

We LOVE a great first look and this one was amazing.

Following their first look, the couple took some time for their portrait session before tucking away to freshen up before their wedding ceremony.

 

Getting Married

The couple’s wedding guests gathered for some pre-ceremony refreshments before making their way to the waterfront wedding ceremony.

The aisle was marked with two large arrangements of white hydrangea, soft pink roses and white phalaenopsis orchids resting on tall white pillars. White garden chairs filled the lawn with clusters of pink and white florals adorning the aisle.

A large wooden ceremony structure was draped with soft, flowing white fabric and decorated with large swags of white floral.

Rochelle looked amazing as she was escorted down the aisle, by her mother, carrying an elegant bouquet of white orchids as an instrumental version of Edelweiss played in the background.

Their wedding ceremony was truly what fairytales are made of, it’s easy to see how much they are in love.

Following the beautiful wedding ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception while the newlyweds and their family took some photos.

The cocktail reception included a delicious signature cocktail. The Sunset Mule, a mixture of Ginger Beer, Rum, Lime Juice, Strawberry Puree, and Chili Powder had a little kick.

Inside, the ballroom tables were draped with gold crinkle floor-length linens, white linen toppers allowed the gold charger plates, and vintage gold glass compotes filled with pink and white florals to really pop.

The couple made their way into the ballroom for their first dance to an incredible song, “Cheek to Cheek” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

The evening was filled with delicious food, touching toasts, creating memories in a photo booth and sharing memories in a slideshow the couple had created.

Following the cake cutting, wedding guests enjoyed a display of late-night snacks including warm chocolate chip cookies and milk, ice cream sandwiches, and freshly baked pizza, before calling it a night.

And, nothing tops off an incredible evening like sending your family and friends home with boxes of Jamaican rum cake and homemade coquito in custom labeled bottles. YUM!

Congratulations Rochelle and Che, we wish you a lifetime as fabulous as your wedding day!

Thanks to all of the wedding professionals who brought Rochelle and Che’s wedding to life.

Sarasota Wedding Planner: Special Moments Event Planning

Sarasota Wedding Venue: The Ritz Carlton Sarasota

Hair and Makeup: Imago Dei By Milan

Wedding Officiant: A Wedding With Grace

Floral Design: Apple Blossom Floral Design

Wedding Photographer: Kristina Houser Photography

DJ: DJ Felix Event Production (Slideshow, Uplighting, Draping, Photobooth )