Are you planning a Sanibel Island wedding? The beautiful island offers the perfect backdrop for a nature-inspired beach wedding. Sanibel Island offers incredible shelling natural beauty and is a sanctuary for Florida wildlife. The laid-back island flair draws locals and visitors alike to wind down and enjoy.

Planning a Sanibel Island Wedding

If you plan to have your wedding on Sanibel Island keep in mind that much stricter beach wedding rules apply than at most public beaches in Florida. This is enforced to ensure the island's natural beauty and inhabitants are safe and left as undisturbed as possible. We have put together some detailed information for you so you can decide if a Sanibel Island wedding is right for you.

Where on Sanibel Island can I get married on the beach?

You can get married on the public beach. An example would be Lighthouse Beach on the southern end of the Island, Bowman's Beach, or Blindpass Beach Park to name a few.  The other option would be a wedding in one of the hotels or resorts on Sanibel Island, or beach vacation homes with private beach access.  A lot in deciding what location would fit you best has to do with your expected guest count and wishes. Are you looking for a quick elopement with just a few guests or planning a larger event?

Sanibel Island Wedding at a public beach access

As explained earlier, the city of Sanibel Island will enforce strict rules for holding your wedding on any public beach. So what are the rules on Sanibel Island you may ask? Honestly, a lot more than at most other public beaches in Florida. I listed below some of the restrictions year-round, but additional rules will apply from  March 1 - October 31 during Snowy Plover and Sea Turtle Nesting Season.

• No tables or benches.
• No temporary flooring or aisle runners.
• No staking, digging, or raking of sand.
• No artificial or real flowers other than a bridal bouquet or held flowers by participants. This includes no flowers on wedding arches and or aisle decoration.
• No staging equipment or furniture other than a lightweight arch and folding chairs for guest seating.
• No Balloons, petals, rice, or any other throwing material.
• No open fires, fireworks, or sparklers.
• No activities after dusk or before dawn including setting up of any decorations or breakdown.

Do I need a permit? Yes, you will need a special event permit and pay the fee for weddings if you plan on setting up a temporary structure or guest seating or have more than 25 people in total.

Those are very strict regulations, what are my options?

Due to beach standards, the wedding packages we offer have to be adjusted to comply with Sanibel permitting and beach standards. We have put together some examples below.

Sanibel Island Wedding - Pop-up Wedding with 2- 25 people (including vendors)

No permit is required and this package is available at any public beach on Sanibel Island.

Full pre-wedding coordination for all aspects of the ceremony.
On request personal meeting before the wedding at our office location in Belleview.
Day of wedding coordinator during the ceremony for up to 1 1/2 hours.
Unlimited Emails and scheduled phone calls.
Filing for the marriage and registration.
Officiant Service in English by Mickey Hill. Custom vows and ceremony examples.
Decorative marriage certificate.
Bose speaker to play your favorite music via a Bluetooth device.
Fresh flower bridal bouquet and boutonniere (designer choice).

Price is starting at $1150 +7 % tax 

Add a professional digital photo package by Nautilus Studio Photography! 1-hour wedding photography starts at $450.

Sanibel Island Wedding with decoration and guest seating for up to 20 guests

A beach wedding permit is required and can apply for it.

Full pre-wedding coordination for all aspects of the ceremony.
On request personal meeting before the wedding at our office location in Belleview.
Day of wedding coordinator during the ceremony for up to 2 hours.
Unlimited Emails and scheduled phone calls.
Filing for the marriage and registration.
Officiant Service in English by Mickey Hill. Custom vows and ceremony examples.
Decorative marriage certificate.
Bose speaker to play your favorite music via a Bluetooth device.
Fresh flower bridal bouquet standard or economical flowers included and boutonniere for the groom.
Bamboo wedding arch with white sheers decorated with starfish and seashells
6 tiki torches with sashes in the color of your choice or 6 lanterns with battery-operated candles
20 French Country folding chairs for guest seating

Price is starting at $2340 +7 % tax + $300 security deposit + $50 resident/$150 non-resident permit fee.

Add a professional digital photo package by Nautilus Studio Photography! 1-hour wedding photography starts at $450

What are my other options? I want more freedom in decorations and customization

The best way to go about this is by selecting one of the hotels or resorts on Sanibel Island to celebrate your wedding. At most resorts, you will have the option to add fresh flowers to your arch, and additional aisle decorations, and create the wedding package of your dreams. While some minor limitations may apply (for example maybe no rose petals), a wedding at one of the resorts will give you the freedom to have your wedding, your way. While a hotel or resort wedding comes with a higher price tag, it also has a lot of plus points in comparison to the public beach on Sanibel Island. Below are some compelling points when choosing a resort for your Sanibel Island wedding.

• Customizable wedding packages and decoration
• Have your wedding ceremony and possible reception, or dinner at one place.
• Air condition and bathrooms nearby.
• No driving back and forth, looking for parking, or scheduling guest transports. Guests are less likely to get lost on the way.
• Less time getting from one place to the other and more time to celebrate.
• Backup option in case of inclement weather.
• Possible special hotel perks including discounted accommodations.

So what are the drawbacks? Resort and Hotel weddings are higher in price. You are looking at extra service fees, rental, and location fees. Once decided, there is often not much room for possible time changes or adjustments.

Resort weddings are so cli·ché!

That may be true for some locations. I am speaking of all-inclusive wedding packages at resorts that have one wedding after the other in intervals. Often with the same decoration and booking options and rarely room for individuality. The image pops up in my mind of a couple exchanging their vows in wedding attire surrounded by hotel guests in swimwear, eager to witness this utmost personal commitment. While this can also true for public beaches, especially on weekends and holidays, at a hotel more people are usually cramped in one designated beach area.

Weddings at a Resort don't have to be cli·ché and can be as individual as you are. The key is that you select a hotel or resort that allows you to make your own choices on what vendors or services you can book, and the decoration that you wish to have. Also important to ask is if they provide a private or semi-private beach area for your ceremony. Our favorite resort on Sanibel Island is the Casa Ybel. While you have all the amenities of a resort, it feels more like a private vacation spot with island vibes rather than a hotel. We held many weddings at the Casa Ybel and find it perfect for any size wedding. An example Casa Ybel resort wedding package you find on our beach wedding pages. We will be happy to customize any package, wishes, or decorations at this location.

Insider Tip:

The best time to hold a beach wedding is an hour or an hour and a half before sunset. Most regular beach guests are gone, and you will have more privacy. Secondly, the magic hour is the best time for beautiful photos. The light is soft and warm and creates the most pleasing skin tones. Thirdly, temperatures can be hot, especially during our summer months.  Please keep in mind, that most beaches will not have shade, and it will be uncomfortable for anybody to sit or stand through a ceremony in the blazing sun.

Sanibel Island is known to have No-see-um or Ceratopogonidae because it is a barrier island. Their habitat is dense vegetation and shady, humid areas. They are their worst from dusk till dawn and can be found on any beach in Florida. Because they are hard to see, they got the nickname No-see-um. They are nasty little biting midges and their bites are very itchy often over several days. I advise you to bring and use a Mosquito repellent spray containing DEET to your Sanibel Island Wedding.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Sanibel Island Wedding – options, costs, permits and regulations appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Bridal bouquet, pins for the groom, flowers for flower children, throw the bridal bouquet, bouquets for bridesmaids, and a wonderful flower arrangement for the table.
Flowers at a wedding - everywhere you look.
Flowers can create different moods and add color accents. The bridal bouquet emphasizes the radiance of the bride.
A wedding without fresh flowers you can not really imagine, but why are flowers for the wedding so expensive?

Why are flowers for weddings so expensive?

You're planning your wedding. Do you get your inspiration for it on Pinterest, Instagram, wedding magazines and blogs? I'm sure you've seen photos of lavishly decorated wedding arches, tents and ballrooms with countless beautiful floral arrangements.
If you're willing to invest a zillion dollars in lavish floral decorations alone at your wedding, that's possible, too.

However, you probably already have your approximate budget set and don't want to spend thousands of dollars just alone on your floral decor.

You may have wondered why flowers and wedding decorations are so expensive?

First of all - you pay not only for the final product "floral decoration" but also for the service - floristry.
Here you can find out, how the price of floral decoration for the wedding is made up.

1. Flowers of your dream - delivery

We order your desired flowers and the associated materials, such as greenery, etc. at the flower wholesale market. As a rule, we have to order 20% more flowers, because some flower varieties (eg peonies or other roses) do not open until the wedding day, and must be re-staked. At the flower wholesale market, a minimum order value per flower must be taken (for roses it is 25 pieces per color) in addition, there are delivery costs.

2. Cooling and storage

The first step is the preparation and cleaning of the flowers. From the flower stems need to remove the lower leaves. The flowers are cut, supplied with nutrients to keep them fresh and then stored in the refrigerator (power consumption).

3. Material - consumables

In order to create bridal bouquets, wedding arches, table arrangements, etc., binding wire, floral tape, binding raffia, florist needles, floral raffia, tucking foam, flower pins, containers, ribbons and other decorations are needed.

4. Creative design - floristry - floristic expertise

Floristry involves more than just putting together flowers as a bouquet. Important are creative and technical skills. Expert knowledge about the individual plants and flowers, as well as knowledge about shaping and color perception.

Some flowers have to be wired up so that they remain stable or can be processed further.

For example, did you know, that not all flowers can be combined with each other in a vase?

Daffodils and hyacinths should not be placed together in a vase, because they secrete a slime into the vase water, which can gum up the intersections of tulips or freesias. The flowers can then no longer absorb water and will wither.

Making your dream decoration, and arranging a bridal bouquet requires a lot of time, creativity, and care for your flowers over several days. You are paying not only for your bridal bouquet, or the final product but also for the work and preparation it takes from start to finish.

5. Different kinds of flowers - standard flowers - luxury flowers - costs

The type of flowers and the seasons are important.

While some flowers cost one to two dollars per stem, others may cost eight or more dollars.

Certain types of flowers must be specially ordered from other parts of the world. Some flowers are very difficult for the U.S. to obtain. Among these flowers is the lily of the valley. Lily of the valley is only available for a few weeks in May. Peonies are also not available year-round. Certain types of orchids are also luxury flowers.

Some flowers have such small blossoms that you need a large number of blossoms to get a respectable bouquet or decoration with them. The mass of flowers is then reflected in the price. Thus, decoration and the bridal bouquet will be quite expensive.

A basic rule here is, that the more different flowers the more expensive. The more exclusive flowers like peonies, orchids the more expensive the bridal bouquet. The more different colors the more cost.

6. Storage, delivery, and design on the wedding day

On the day of the wedding, the flowers need to be stowed in floral containers so that we can safely transport them to the wedding venue. Since it is often very hot in Florida, the flowers or transport boxes are provided with cooling batteries.

The decorations (wedding arch, torches, lanterns, tables, chairs) must be decorated on-site. Therefore, we are at the location a few hours before so that everything is perfectly staged when the bride and groom arrive.

7. Dismantling and disposal

You will probably take your bridal bouquet with you. If the party continues in a restaurant or at another location after the ceremony, there is also the possibility that table arrangements or small flower arrangements can be taken away.

But what happens to the rest of the decorations?

The wedding arch or other larger arrangements must be "de-decorated". Flowers that are no longer needed must be discarded and other decorative items such as vases, flower bowls, or other decorative containers must be cleaned and put away again. Plugging foam compound or other consumables that can only be used once must also be disposed of.

This is an "invisible" service that must also be calculated into the florist's or decorator's work.

Insider Tip:

Feel free to get inspiration from Pinterest or Instagram.
However, you should be aware that most of the floral arrangements or hall designs you see on social media are simply not affordable for couples on a normal wedding budget. However, you don't have to sacrifice fresh flowers and great decor.

Combine standard flowers, for example, roses in common colors, or flowers that are seasonally available, with fresh greenery, ribbons, or other accessories.
A wedding arch can look absolutely great and elegant with some flower heads, fresh greenery, starfish, scarves, ribbons, ferns, or other paraphernalia.

Set up lanterns, torches, some flower petals, fresh greenery, and ribbons in different colors can complete the decoration and look of your wedding.

Please show us your desired look (photos from Instagram or Pinterest). We will suggest alternatives, or according to your budget, make you a quote for your decoration.

Get some inspiration from our pages or here in our gallery:

Bettina Köbschall - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Why are flowers for weddings so expensive? appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Steve and Elenoors elopement wedding on a sailboat and pre-wedding photos in St Augustine, Florida. The couple actually resides in Florida and with all the Covid-19 still going on, they decided to just elope within their State. They had actually planned their wedding in Hawaii but with the constant changes in flights and cancellations, they planned their wedding at home away from home. We had a beautiful day in January with lots of sunshine, but it was certainly one of the chillier days in Florida.

 Elopement on a Sailboat in St. Augustine

Steve & Elenoors Wedding 

January 11th, 2022

Pre Wedding Photography in St. Augustine

Steve and Elenoor decided to do a pre-wedding photo session before going on board and having their ceremony. When celebrating your wedding on board a sailboat your photo backgrounds are quite limited. With St. Augustine being the oldest city in North America and so many beautiful places to take photos it is a no-brainer to do so. The couple stayed at the romantic St George Inn directly across from Castillo de San Marcos with views of the fort. We had one hour for some pre-wedding shots and had to make a decision on what spots to include and what was important to them. We started at the Castillo de San Marcos and continued by car to Magnolia Ave. which is voted one of the prettiest streets in the US. Usually, I would take couples also to the Flagler College, Lightner Museum, and walk the beautiful old town streets but we just did not have enough time to do so.

The Wedding

It took us approximately 10 minutes by car to get from the Inn to the harbor. We boarded a beautiful 40' Wind Dancer Catamaran for a 2-hour sail at 4:00 PM in the afternoon. It was a sunny but cooler January day and we also had quite some wind. Since we did not sail on the open ocean it was quite calm even with all the wind that day. The captain maneuvered the sailboat in such a way that it was comfortable to stand without holding on to anything during the ceremony. I was quite impressed as I have been on many sailboat charters with much less wind where we had to hold on. The ceremony was held shortly after we embarked and while we could not have the mainsail up, our captain set the smaller sail just for the ceremony. After the vows were exchanged we took a lot more photos on board and toasted with a glass of wine. We sailed past the fort and historic district and made a turn right before Lions Bridge to return to the harbor. It was truly a wonderful day filled with dry jokes and a lot of laughter. Thank you and congratulations from the whole team.

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BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Sailboat Wedding in St. Augustine Florida appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Tired of planning and replanning your wedding after Covid-19? You are probably not the only one. With thousands of weddings being postponed, canceled, or reconfigured since the Covid 19 outbreak, understandably, couples are exhausted. We have a solution for you that is perfect for a small intimate getaway for just the two of you or with up to 8 guests. Elope to Florida for a weekend, relax and enjoy. While this may not be the wedding you have originally planned, a last-minute elopement can be just as romantic. How about combining your wedding with a few sunny and warm holidays in Florida or an extended weekend just for the two of you. Curious how a last-minute wedding elopement in Florida could look like?

Last-minute wedding elopement Winter 2021/2022

With Florida's mild winter climate and convenient travel, it is your perfect location for a quick getaway. But not only that, your legal documents and marriage license can be processed within a week or two, and you don't even have to personally apply for it. Say goodbye to all the planning stress or quick courthouse wedding and elope to Florida. Worried about family and friends not attending? Look at it like that: " You finally get to tie the knot with the person you love and can fully enjoy the day." Worried about family and friends not attending? There is always the option to plan an "after wedding party" or second symbolic wedding at home with your loved ones when the time is right.

We have put together a simple package for you with special pricing for those couples that do not want to wait any longer and finally say their I do's.

What is included in the last-minute wedding elopement?

• Wedding Ceremony at any location of your choice (beach, garden, vacation home, etc.)
• Arrangement of all services included in the package.
• The Florida Marriage License by mail including all filing fees.
• Wedding Officiant service and ceremony text with standard civil wording. You may write your own vows.
• Filing of your documents after the ceremony.
• Simple fresh flower bridal bouquet and boutonniere for the groom.
• Professional photo package. One hour of photography with unlimited photos and basic editing.
  Online password-protected photography proof site and complimentary phone app to view and take your photos everywhere.
  Direct download and order of all your original jpg files via the proof site. Copyright release for personal use.
• A maximum of 10 people including bride and groom.

How much is the last-minute wedding elopement?

The last-minute wedding elopement package is $895.00 +7% tax for Tampa/Clearwater/Cocoa Beach up to Palm Coast and St Augustine. Other locations will have an additional travel fee. Please contact us for pricing. This wedding package is only available without decoration. For wedding packages with decoration, please take a look at our other offers. For example our Beach Wedding Packages. Please keep in mind that packages with decorations may not be available on short notice or last minute. The elopement package must be booked as is and no additional discounts can be applied.

How to book my elopement package?

Please contact us with your desired wedding date and where in Florida you want to elope to.  The offer is available from December 1st,2021 through January 31st, 2022. Also, let us know your favorite location like on the beach or in a garden. We will make some suggestions on possible locations.  To book the package and all services we require full payment upon booking. To process your Florida marriage license by mail we will need at least 7 working days (excluding weekends and holidays).  The minimum timeframe from booking your last-minute elopement package to the desired wedding date has to be 9 days or more unless you will apply for your license in person or already have a Florida marriage license that is valid. For Florida residents, a 3 day waiting period will apply.

Insider Tip:

How about including some holiday spirit on your wedding day?  St. Augustine celebrates their yearly Nights of Lights from November to January 31. The oldest city in the US will light up at night with over three million lights. What could be more romantic than strolling after your ceremony along the beautiful boardwalk under thousands of lights, sipping on some good wine, listening to live music, and cuddling in quaint bed and breakfasts or luxury hotels? St Augustine is a true charmer and a perfect city to elope to, especially during the holidays.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Last Minute wedding elopement in Florida Winter 2021/2022 appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Your wedding photos are one of the most important parts of your wedding. Every photographer has their style not only in shooting your photos but also when the post-work and editings are done.  In today's digital world almost everything is possible but do you want an over-edited photo from your wedding? I am talking about editorial editing or changing features like larger lips, slimmer body, changing eye color, etc. Photo editing styles keep changing and what today is trendy might be outdated in a year. I strongly believe that wedding photos need to be timeless and while it is fun to have some trendy edited photos in the collection your photographer should be providing you with a natural-looking "as" shot timeless duplicate.

Wedding photography editing styles- What's to know about it?

Trendy photography and editing styles

The saying: "an unedited photo is a boring photo" has some truth in it but only to a certain point.  As professional photographers in the wedding industry, we often are challenged with difficult light situations, weather, uncontrollable circumstances like sweat spots, sunburns, rain, no flash allowed in churches, and many more. Wedding photography can also be very fast paste and we have to be ready to make sure we don't miss those important shots like the ring exchange and first kiss as a married couple. While good preparation is key, a quick cloud in the sky can make a previously perfect exposed photo too dark and there may be no time to adjust it. For those situations, photo editing is a lifesaver. Another point is creativity. Photography is an art form like painting. With creative editing, your photographer is perfecting the vision he or she had when they shot the photo. It is somewhat a signature art.

The art of editing photos

Photography editing styles are versatile and often also dependent on what in the end the photo will be used for. Editorial photography including fashion, magazines, landscapes, and nature photography, food, items, cars, buildings, animals, and art photography are post edited with their intended use and the photographer's vision. Your wedding photos can be a mix of editing styles but foremost should reflect you, how you truly are. Lifestyle wedding photography is an approach to leave photos in their natural state, but this doesn't mean they are unedited.

So what do you mean by this exactly? I am referring to altering facial features, which is a common practice in editorials. You have seen those magazine shots from celebrities that always look like they are 15 years younger and have no imperfections. While we all have some insecurities, wedding photos should be true to you and your personality. An example of a bridal portrait edited with facial alterations you find below. While it can be fun to have a glamour shot of your wedding this should be the exception when editing your wedding photos. You are beautiful as you are.

Wedding photo editing styles and trends

When looking through Pinterest and Instagram couples get constantly bombarded with the newest trends. For quite some time very light bright almost washed out and vintage style filters have been seen all over the internet followed now by a darker moody and matt photo editing trend.  First and foremost your wedding photos should be timeless and reflect your special moments. So you feel comfortable and happy sharing them with the next generations.

Most photographers are having their signature style but that doesn't mean they can not alter a photo to a specific style requested. Do they want to do that? Probably not. So it is best to select a photographer that fits your vision and taste right from the get-go.

The wedding location plays a role

What creative photo editing style fits best is often also dependent on location. If your wedding is planned in the forest or mountains, photos can look very beautiful when edited in a darker and moody style. This wouldn't necessarily apply if you are planning a bright sunny beach wedding. Always keep in mind that some editing styles will depend on the chosen location and not everything will fit the bill. I find it important to provide my clients with both images, the original natural shot, and creatively edited photos including black and white images.  Sometimes we shoot a photo with specific editing already in mind. In that case, the original photo might only serve us like a blank canvas to be painted on and the original photo would therefore be of no use.

A few examples of the same photos with different editing styles are below. So what's your favorite? We have created a poll and would love to see what you think and the style you would choose for your own wedding photos.

The Natural as shot

Photography style with a focus to be true to reality. Some light or exposure adjustments or color corrections if needed but otherwise left as shot.

The Dark and Moody

Photography editing style that is dark with a bit grainy to get that moody look.

The Soft and Bright

Photography editing style that is soft and bright

The Matt and Modern

Photography editing style natural colors with matt appearance.

The Moody Blue

Photography editing style that is dark and cool with blue hues.

So what should I look for when selecting my wedding photographer?

Make your vision clear and what you will expect from your wedding photos. Photographers' portfolios are a great start to browse. But you will always get a better idea if full photography blog posts of weddings can be viewed. This way you see a more full picture of the work and shooting style.

When booking your wedding photographer also make sure that he or she will be photographing your wedding and not sending somebody else. You have to feel 100% comfortable with your photographer to get the best results.  The more natural and at ease you are in front of the camera and with the person behind it, the better!

I don't need creatively edited photos, I can do that myself

With thousands of editing programs and filters available all over the place, certainly you can digitally enhance your photos yourself. So why not do it yourself? If you receive digitally enhanced or creatively edited photos from your professional photographer they are edited from the raw files for the best quality possible.  You, as a client usually will not have access to the raw files. I have photographed several weddings where the bride or groom were professional photographers themselves. Certainly, they could edit their wedding photos, but the reason they are booking you is because of your photography style. They understand creative freedom and that it is a no-no to give out raw files to clients. They most likely wouldn't do that either. Fazit is to let your wedding photographer do the work.

What's the difference between basic and creative editing?

Some photographers will give their couples editing options when selecting a photo package. If you book professional photography your photos should always be post-worked with at a minimum of basic editing. You find some photographers giving out photos directly out of the camera completely unedited. This is unprofessional and should be avoided. For second marriages and vow renewals, couples may choose something more simple so the minimum I offer is basic editing on smaller 1-hour photo packages. Basic editing includes usually light adjustments, color corrections, print adjustments, and similar post-processing.  Creative editing is the post-processing of your images with basic and creative filters and adjustments. It may also include removing unwanted items or persons in the background. But usually, any time-consuming extra photo adjustments that are unforeseen and not in the control of the photographer will cost extra. Some examples that are labor-intensive to fix are Bikini lines, sunburns, sweat spots, unwanted backgrounds, etc.

Why is wedding photography more expensive?

A very valid question. Why do I have to pay so much more for wedding photography?

Wedding photography is one of the most difficult photography to take on. Why? It is a fast pace with a lot of responsibility, unforeseen things, and pressure. Lots and lots of things can happen at a wedding from weather and difficult light situations to makeup mishaps. A wedding photographer has to be a quick thinker and always be ready to take on what is given. No wonder that many professional photographers are keeping their hands off weddings.

Photographing weddings can be stressful

Just look at it like this: You as a customer will have your expectations and we as wedding photographers have to give 110% to meet or exceed them. No matter what the circumstances and challenges are.  Sure most of us have photographed hundreds of weddings but keep in mind every couple and wedding is different and special in their way. Not every pose or idea will work with everybody, and there is also trial and error when creativity is flowing. Some shots are perfectly planned in your mind, but end up just not usable. But this is the price you pay for getting wedding photos beyond the standard.  But most important is that we have only one shot of getting it perfect. We just don't get that second chance because the weather or lighting was not perfect like on model and magazine shots. That is a ton of responsibility to carry on your shoulders.

Photo editing can take days

The editing of wedding photos is also more time-consuming because we often have more adjustments to do than with an already perfect exposed studio photo. We are often sorting through hundreds of photos and for a full day wedding photography session, you can add three to four more days of post-processing work. There are several other reasons why you pay more for your wedding photos but the majority of reasons I have explained to you.

I hope I could give some suggestions and advice when booking your wedding photographer. If you like to see some of my work please check out my photography website under https://nautilusstudio.com or read more about my photography that is included in our wedding packages here.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Photography editing styles and how to choose your wedding photographer appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Lifestyle wedding planning in Florida, what is it, and what is the difference? We constantly are getting bombarded with new phrases, trends and ideas, but what does it really mean to have a Lifestyle wedding? Lifestyle weddings are basically an approach to keep your wedding as personal and organic/true to the personalities of the couple as possible. Lifestyle weddings can be anything you desire for your big day, emphasizing celebrating your wedding, your way!   

Lifestyle Wedding Planning in Florida

Your wedding, your way!

Planning your wedding is probably one of the most important events you will plan in your life. Social Media and other outlets let us constantly know what is in and trendy and what is out. While very helpful for inspiration, in the end, you are planning your wedding, which should always reflect your style and personality. A lifestyle wedding is incorporating not necessarily the trendiest things by creating a staged event. A lifestyle wedding is a celebration of love and should always reflect the two individuals, lifestyles, beliefs, and wishes. We too often get carried away by being so to called hip, but only because a vintage " themed" wedding is currently in style doesn't mean you actually are the "vintage type".  A lifestyle wedding is as authentic to the couple as possible.

What about traditions?

Over hundreds of years, many traditions have emerged depending on culture, heritage, believes, and symbolism. A few examples are jumping the broom, exchanging rings, wearing a white wedding gown, breaking porcelain, stealing the bride, and many many more. At a lifestyle wedding, you will only incorporate traditions that are truly reflecting you. An example is the traditional giving and receiving of rings which is probably the most practiced tradition at a wedding ceremony. Today's couples celebrating a lifestyle wedding don't necessarily want to follow those traditions. We had several couples exchanging their vows without rings, giving other gifts of love, exchanging watches or bracelets instead, or skipping that part altogether.  To summarize, if you are a traditional couple, keep your traditions and incorporate them into your wedding. But stay true to your own wishes and beliefs.

Lifestyle wedding decoration.

There is no such thing as a lifestyle wedding decoration. It is a philosophy and can be basically anything that you wish for. To create your very own Lifestyle wedding decoration add elements, flowers, and accessories you love, and always keep your partner's wishes in mind as well.  Find a location that fits both of your wishes. Maybe you are dreaming of a beach wedding, but your partner hates sand in his shoes. Make compromises by choosing a location that is at the ocean but maybe not directly on the beach. This could be a pier, gazebo, or grassy area with a view of the ocean.

Lifestyle destination wedding packages. What's that about?

Many companies are offering pre-designed wedding packages that often include all the basic services and decorations for your wedding. They are perfect for smaller weddings or destination weddings. So what is the difference between a lifestyle wedding package and any other regular pre-designed wedding package? Well, that depends mainly on the flexibility of a package offered to you. Some wedding packages have to be booked as is with minimal possible adjustments. This is especially true if your wedding decoration is created with silk or artificial flowers and greenery. If you found a wedding package fitting perfectly to what you envisioned decoration-wise,  but don't like some services attached to it, you may run into difficulties adjusting those and vise versa. A lifestyle destination wedding package is flexible in all aspects of your wedding, from decorations to flowers to services included in the package. You have options to choose your own preferred photographer, wedding officiant, and so on.

So what are your lifestyle wedding packages?

While every wedding package has its limits, which usually comes with a package deal, we encourage couples to actively be involved in creating their own personalized wedding. Our packages are examples of what could be but don't have to be that way. So where are the limits you are speaking about? As a company, we have a certain inventory. Some examples are wedding arches like round, bamboo, birch, metal, chuppah, accessories and aisle decoration, etc. It would be impossible to carry everything in our inventory that is available for weddings. If couples have their mindset on a specific wedding arch that we don't have in our equipment, it has to be rented or purchased. While always possible with our lifestyle wedding packages it comes with an extra price tag. So how to make a pre-designed package unique to my taste? The answer is with fresh flowers and greenery.  Fresh flower decoration can be completely designed to your wishes and will also set the mood. Not only are they are much prettier than any silk flower, but they are also better for our nature. Depending on the flower selection, color combination, and basic arch structure you can create any theme or desired style with fresh flowers.  Many services in our packages can be exchanged or excluded which is not always possible with pre-designed packages from other companies. Lifestyle weddings = freedom of choice in every aspect.

Your lifestyle wedding planner

Probably the most important part is the personal approach to creating your wedding or package, considering your budget, wishes and preferences. We understand that every couple is unique and your wedding should reflect this, even if you are booking a pre-defined wedding package. Our goal is to make you feel at ease that every aspect and wish is considered and that you receive our full attention on your wedding day.

You won't find the typical wedding planner in our company. Our approach is individuality, creativity, attention to detail with keeping your visions in mind. We work in the background give you advice and be there for you if you need us. We will never try to suggest things that you don't want or need, lure you in with price matching or phony discounts. In the end, feeling comfortable with each other is the key and goes both ways.

A lifestyle wedding is simply having your wedding - your way. Authentic to your personality.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Lifestyle wedding planning and wedding packages – What is it? appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Just want to get married in a simple ceremony in Marion County Florida? We offer a micro wedding package in locations of your choice in Marion County. We even marry you in your own backyard, at local parks, or location of your choice.

Wedding package Marion County - simple I do's

What we offer:

Our wedding package in Marion County is for couples that wish for a simple and affordable wedding package without a lot of fuss. You can choose any county park or area of your preference and we will meet you there. It is a perfect little wedding package if you want to skip a ceremony at the local Clerks office or just want to celebrate with a small group of family and friends. If you want to have the privacy of your own backyard, no problem we come to you.

What's included:

• Officiant service with a standard ceremony wording.
• Filing of your marriage license after the wedding.
• Professional photo package with 10 jpg images in original format.
  Online password-protected photography proof site and complimentary phone app to view and take your photos everywhere.
  Direct download and order of all your original jpg files via the proof site. Copyright release for personal use.

Pricing is $250 including tax.

This package is only available as is. If you wish for a wedding package with decoration or other services, please contact us.

Please note: Some public parks will require a permit to hold a wedding. Permits are the responsibility of the customer as well as applicable entrance fees or parking.

Some example locations for your wedding:

Lake Lillian - Belleview, Ocala National Forest  , W. H. Willoughby Park and many more.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Wedding package Marion County – Micro wedding in Ocala and surrounding area appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Last week we had the pleasure to meet Trevor and Veanna in Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood Beach. Trevor wanted to make this day very special for her, and we gladly assisted with all the details.

When he contacted us for the first time he actually told us that a friend of his also planned his proposal with us. It is such a treat to be recommended. Since Trevor is residing in Fort Lauderdale it was best to also plan his wedding proposal in Fort Lauderdale. He loved our Exclusive Wedding Proposal Package that we feature online.

Marriage proposal in Fort Lauderdale on the beach

Trevor asked Veanna on February 24th, 2021 in Hollywood Beach, Florida to marry her. A true storybook wedding proposal with all the bells and whistles.  The date was extremely important to him because it was the date they met a few years ago.

We had just about three weeks of planning so things had to be arranged on short notice. From finding the perfect beach to the little details time flew by quickly. The day before his proposal we spoke on the phone to clear up any open questions and look at the hourly weather report for the next day. It surely did not look all promising with a 50% chance of scattered Thunderstorms, but Trevor decided to go ahead as planned. Sometimes we just have to put good faith forward and weather reports are not always accurate as we know.

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The day of  Trevor's marriage proposal in Fort Lauderdale arrived

When our team arrived in Fort Lauderdale at around 3:30 PM to set up all the decorations it was pouring rain.  The exclusive picnic package is a large setup and will take usually 2 hours to complete. We were monitoring the radar ("not sure how we lived without cell phones before") and the prediction was that it may stop raining around 4:15 PM. We had to think about a quick backup, which was not ideal but an option to move forward with the wedding proposal.  Thankfully it stopped raining just in time. We had a window of 4 hours to get everything set up and also have time for them to enjoy. In record time everything was beautifully set up, the sun actually came out and we were finished in time for a 5:00 PM arrival of the couple. One thing about Florida's thunderstorms is that they usually come as quickly as they go.

The coverup story

Trevor told Veanna that he like to go to a bar with her and have a drink before dinner for their Anniversary. Veanna later told me: "I was like ... Trevor, why do you want to go to a bar on our Anniversary, I don't like that idea. But gave in since it supposed to be only a drink." We all know it is sometimes not easy to find the perfect coverup story and have to be creative but as long as you can get her/him to the spot you are golden.

The surprise

They both walked out on the beach to find the beautifully decorated area with a white tent, lanterns, rose petals, and a perfect view of the ocean. Trevor went on his knees pulled out the ring and popped the question. The rest is history...

A happy ending of rain and a new beginning as a freshly engaged couple. It all turned out beautifully and despite some weather anxiety and a bit of nerviness, she did say YES!

The planning stage - what, where, when, how, if?

Since Trevor already knew exactly what he wanted, where, and when, it came down to actually finding the perfect beach and the little details. One of my favorite spots also for weddings is the smaller beach entrances of North Hollywood Beach, Florida. Little did I know that he actually lives just 10 car minutes away from there. So it was the perfect spot for his engagement.

#1 What to do?

Planning a wedding proposal can be simple DIY, with family, friends, or with the help of a professional. Either way, you decide what works best for you. In the end, what truly counts is that you wish to spend the rest of your life with your partner and asking him or her to marry you. If you choose to get everything arranged we are here for you and work with your wishes and ideas.

#2 Where to plan your marriage proposal?

No matter if you live in Florida, plan a getaway, or pop the question on a vacation trip, deciding on a city or area is one of your first steps. Once that is narrowed down you need the actual location. Will it be on a beach, in a garden, restaurant, at home, or the many other locations to choose from.

#3 When?

Set a date for your marriage proposal. Many have already a date in mind but if you don't, you might want to consider a weekday. Especially for a proposal on the beach, weekdays are less crowded. Also, consider the best time for your marriage proposal in Florida. For instance, if you plan a marriage proposal in Fort Lauderdale you need to calculate that you will not see the direct sunset. So anything on the Florida east coast has to be a little earlier than on the west coast where the sun is setting over the ocean.

#4 How?

Not everybody is good at planning things. If you rather just arrive with the bling in your pocket, hiring a professional will be the way to go. Worried about privacy when you ask him or her to marry you? We will always be in the distance until you actually popped the question.

#5 If?

Planning a marriage proposal outdoors? What if it rains? This question is mostly asked by customers planning a beach proposal with us. Always keep in mind that with any event planned outdoors weather can quickly put a hold on things. So depending on what you are planning it can be extremely helpful to have help in situations like that. Monitoring the weather the day before is essential for beach proposals. If everything goes south you may have to choose another date or plan a backup just in case.

What if she/he says " NO"? Unfortunately, that is one situation even we as professionals can't fix.  Thankfully we never had to experience it in over 15 years of planning marriage proposals.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Marriage proposal in Fort Lauderdale – Beautiful luxury beach proposal appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.

Sigrid and Sepp's Native American-inspired wedding was held in the historic Dade Battlefield Park. This State Park also has a significant history for the Seminole tribe in Florida.  The large park with walking trails hosts also Indian Pow Wow's and historic plays. Our favorite spot there for weddings is the Ancient Oak Tree.

Native American inspired wedding elopement 

Their Native American inspired wedding decoration

They both wanted to keep it simple because they celebrated their elopement without any guests. The huge ancient Oaktree already offers a breathtaking background and we just wanted to accent the area with a Boho and Native American-inspired wedding vibe. The ceremony area we decorated with a huge white dreamcatcher that was attached to one of the tree branches, in front we placed some wood crates, galvanized containers with flowers, and some wooden lanterns. A Southwestern Style cotton carpet designated the area where they were standing. The ancient Oak Tree is so beautiful and massive that it was important to integrate the decoration rather than overloading it.

Sigrid's bridal bouquet

Sigrid wanted a very simple white and green bouquet and kept it to me to select the flowers. I decided to choose Spider Mums because of their meaning. If a bride carries it in any color it means liveliness but if they are white they represent purity and truth. We accented the bouquet with some Gysophelia and a few mixed greens. Sigrid actually told me the bouquet traveled with her the whole two weeks vacation on the back of a Harley Motorcycle.

The Ceremony

We scheduled the ceremony at 1:00 PM since their wedding was in February and in a Nature Park. We started traditionally with a sage smudging and cleaning of the ceremony site and participants. They both walked around the tree and decorations while we listening to the sound of a Native American flute song.  Their ceremony text was also Native American-inspired wedding wording with a prayer for mother nature. Sepp actually belongs to a community tribe in Austria and they practice some of the rituals and gatherings.  Hence they wanted to celebrate a Native American-inspired wedding ceremony.

The Couples Intimate Photo Session

After the ceremony, we went walking in the park for some more photos and shared lunch at a local Mexican restaurant.

Thank you Sigrid and Sepp. You both were a very special couple and I felt so honored to be a part of this beautiful day.

Mvto, your Events, and More Inc. Team

May the warm winds of heaven blow gently on your house, and may the great spirit bless all who enter.
May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows, and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

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Thomas and Isabel from Germany made their beach wedding dreams come true. They celebrated their small elopement wedding in Naples, Florida. Their decoration was kept simple with a touch of vintage rustic and guest seating was provided on white wooden benches.  The closest family and friends were attending the ceremony and traveled all the way from Europe to be there with them.

 Elopement in Naples Florida

Thomas and Isabel

Their wedding decoration

Isabel's wish was to have a rose/peach/ivory theme with green Eucalyptus. She wanted to keep it vintage and simple. For the fresh flower decoration, we decided on light peach-colored and creme roses with some Hypericum Berries and light pink Stock flowers as accents. Different types of Eucalyptus and a few filler flowers were integrated into the design. The 2 pole Bamboo wedding arch was decorated with 2 arrangements asymmetrically placed and the poles were wrapped with white sheers.  We also decorated all wooden lanterns and the white benches with fresh flowers.

Isabel's bridal bouquet

Isabel's hand-tied bridal bouquet featured a light pink King Protea and a mix of flowers found also in the decoration to archive a cohesive design.

The Ceremony

About two hours before sunset Isabel walked down the aisle. They said their " I do's" under the open sky and the sound of ocean waves. The public beach access where the wedding took place, is a smaller entrance in the residential area of Naples Beach.

The Toast with family and friends

After the ceremony, we had an informal toast on the beach followed by group and family photos.

The Couples Intimate Photo Session

After the official part was over. Guests had a chance to congratulate, toast, and take some snapshots of the newlyweds. Shortly before sunset, I took the couple for their intimate photo session.

Congratulations to Isabel and Thomas that made their beach wedding dream come true and eloped to Naples, Florida. If you also plan to elope to Florida and need help with the planning of your event contact us.

Your Events and More Inc. Team

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

The post Thomas and Isabel’s small elopement wedding in Naples Florida appeared first on Dream Weddings and Florida Lifestyle Weddings.