Tomorrow everyone can get married in Florida, Gay or Straight!

Over the years we've planned commitment ceremonies and weddings for gay couples and I could not be happier that beginning January 6th we can make same sex marriages legal!

For couples who would like to explore getting married in SW Florida, here are the links to the local clerk of courts in Lee County and Collier County.  If you are a RESIDENT of Florida, there is a 3 day waiting period. Which is just fine because that will give you enough time to call me and get started planning your celebration!  Oh yes, we can make this happen this week.  If you are flying in from another state and eloping or would like to plan a destination wedding, you are lucky - no waiting period!

A secret I held with the mother of the bride

My text to iHeart

Actually, we held a few secrets.  However this was the biggest.  Today we know it was 100% the best secret ever kept.  You see, this bride didn't want video.  Her mom & I kept the secret that we had hired iheart until the day of the wedding.  Today, we saw the video trailer (below) and this was my response to the videographers (iHeart Films) and Emilys response (bride) and her moms response to me.

The mother of the bride's email to me.

Bride's email to her mom & I

South Seas Island Resort Wedding - Emily + Clark from iheART Films on Vimeo.

PS, we totally got rained inside for this wedding.  Torrential rains.  Kind of great proof for how a great back up plan (or in case plan D) can still be amazing.  I am so in love with the draping, lighting and church pews.  Oh, and the church pews were another one of the secrets we kept.

Untraditional music for your wedding ceremony

Looking for some inspiration for music during your wedding ceremony or for the dinner portion of your reception?  Many of our clients have turned to us trying to figure out the best way to keep the traditional feeling of a wedding, but bring it up to date.  Two things you can try.  Check out Pandora's Classical Goes Pop station.  It's amazing how much is out there! Your string ensemble may be able to pull off some of these covers.

Want bigger? Consider having a pianist perform.  Bring in the baby grand and WOW, you have a sound that can not be replicated.  If you've never seen a pianist playing classical...find one.  Its just sublime.  If you like the idea of totally unique sound and a performance, try an electric violin duo or ensemble.

Love the sound of voices?  Want to see pure shock and awe on guests faces?  Have a choir or barbershop quartet greet guests.

Trying to think of a great way to give the band a break, but don't want that lull that always comes with it? Check out Drumadics : Y'all they are insane I tell you.

See your wedding venue all dressed up! Are you following me on Instagram?

It can be really hard to imagine what your potential wedding venue looks like when its "dressed" for a wedding.  Even though your wedding will certainly look different from what we have done, its nice to see that there really can be transformation!

Captiva Ballroom at South Seas, Vanderbilt Ballroom at LaPlaya,
Sunset Cove at South Seas & Kings Crown Lawn at South Seas

So with that said, follow me on instagram.  I often post photos from behind the scenes and right from our weddings and wedding events (welcome receptions, luncheons, rehearsal dinners cabana parties and farewell brunches). Along with my wedding photos you'll see some real life photos of our studio happenings and my family & friends.

Your dance floor could be "Legend"ary

In case you missed it, John Legend married Chrissy Teigen. No doubt, that was an epic wedding and celebration!

First of all, they got married in Italy (Lake Como).  That is code for utterly romantic.  The large lush ceremony arrangements and its backdrop are breathtaking.  I'm headed to Greece next month and I'm now looking at this wedding and thinking, "maybe I can add a couple days for Italy..."
Can we talk about these dresses for a minute? Love.them.all. Vera Wang, you never fail us do you?

I'm sure we can all agree, their playlist must have been something else.  Two really good things.  One, you can get all the details on the wedding in the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.  Its 8 pages to drool over.  Secondly, Martha Stewart sent over their playlist!  hello Easy, its nice to meet you: