[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]A big thank you to our couples from 2025.

 Congratulations to our  2025 couples.

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BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Our Marriage Proposal Winter Specials are located in Orlando and Tampa. Available from the end of November 2025 to January 2026. Our proposal packages are perfect for those who love the Winter holidays and the Christmas Season with all the decorations. Embark on a new journey together under sparkling lights.

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Marriage Proposal - Holiday Special in Orlando and Tampa

The Season of Love

Are you planning a marriage proposal during the winter holiday season? With all the festivities, lights, and family gatherings, love and romance are in the air. It is always an extra special time to pop the question.

We have put together two holiday Specials if you are planning to propose during the Christmas season, from the end of November 2025 through the beginning of January 2026. One simple pop-up proposal during the Dazzling Nights Event at Harry P Leu Gardens in Orlando, and a proposal package for those who want a little more, including privacy in Tampa.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="8187" img_size="full" css=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=".vc_custom_1761692580918{background-color: #FFFFFF !important;}"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]

Marriage Proposal During Orlando's Leu Gardens Dazzling Nights Event.

What to Expect?

This is a simple pop-up proposal package available during the Dazzling Nights event at Harry P. Leu Gardens, from November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Excluded are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Emerge into thousands of lights and propose to the love of your life. Stroll through the beautiful gardens, kiss under the stars, and enjoy some seasonal treats.  This is a public event, and no guarantees that you will have privacy during your proposal.

What do you need?

You need to purchase tickets for this event for you and the photographer, and of course, bring the ring. Here you find ticket information for the Dazzling Nights

What's included, and what is the cost?

Dazzling Nights pop-up proposal includes 1 hour of professional photography during the proposal and after. The cost is $400 + Ticket on weekdays or $500+ Ticket on weekends. Photography is provided by Nautilus Studio Photography

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Private Marriage Proposal in Tampa in a beautifully Christmas-decorated Gazebo

What to Expect?

Our Christmas Wonderland Gazebo proposal is located in Tampa. You will have complete privacy during your marriage proposal. The gazebo is beautifully decorated with a Christmas Tree, lights, candles, and Ornaments. Surprise your partner with something special.

This location is available year-round, but from November 28, 2025, through January 6, 2026, we offer this location at a special price. During this time, the Gazebo will only be available with holiday decor. The latest available time is 8:00 PM, and all events must conclude by 9:00 pm.

What is included in the package?

The Holiday Proposal Package includes the following:

• Coordination of all services.
• Private location rental for one hour.
• Holiday decorated gazebo with lights, candles, ornaments, a decorated Christmas tree, and a Marry Me lighted sign.
• 1 bottle of sparkling wine or cider, and champagne flutes to toast.
• 1 hour of professional photography
• 1 bouquet of a dozen red roses

What is the cost?

The Marriage Proposal package is $999 (including tax) on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and $ 1,199 (including tax) on Fridays through Sundays.

Excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Book this package" style="classic" css="" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdreamweddingsbybabette.com%2Fcontact%2F"][/vc_btn][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS AND PROPOSALS

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If you and your partner are planning an elopement in Florida and want a private setting, a wedding on a sailboat might be something to consider. Our exclusive sailboat elopement is for couples that wish a little extra luxury for their wedding day.

 Exclusive Sailboat Elopement St Petersburg and Tampa Bay.

An Intimate Affair 

Elopement on a Sailboat

Our exclusive sailboat elopement wedding package is designed for just the couple. If you are planning to have guests we may have some options for larger vessels for you but pricing for the charter will go substantially up. We currently have sailboats in St Petersburg, Dunedin, and the surrounding area of Tampa. The sailboats included in the package price are monohulls and all are captained and insured. If you own a sailboat or already charter a boat we gladly arrange your wedding package on any sailboat or yacht of your choice.

How is a wedding on a sailboat?

A sailboat wedding is perfect for couples who wish for privacy and are a little adventurous.  It is a unique setting for your ceremony and a great option all year in Florida. Because a sailboat has limited space, moves, and is somewhat weather-dependent couples have to have a little bit of flexibility. We usually pick up couples at the harbor and bring them on board. You may arrive in your wedding attire or change in one of the cabins. After a short briefing by the captain, we will motor out of the harbor and set sail when conditions allow it. Your ceremony will be held at the Bow of the sailboat. After you exchange your wedding vows we will have a toast and snacks and take more photos. There will be plenty of time to sit at the bow and enjoy the remaining sail, sunset, and private time with each other.

What happens if we have bad weather?

Any outdoor wedding, whether on the beach, in the garden, or on a yacht or sailboat, must always consider the weather. We monitor the weather days before the wedding date and offer several options to our couples if the weather is not promising.

1. If we know the day before your wedding that there will be high winds, all-day rain, or any other bad weather that makes sailing impossible you may consider postponing your wedding.
2. If scattered thunderstorms are forecast or rain during a certain time of the day, we will try to schedule the wedding and charter at a different time slot when the weather is forecasted to be better. This will depend on the availability of the captain and charter.
3. We will sail if it rains unless other conditions like high seas or winds are expected. The ceremony can always be held inside.

We can only postpone your wedding if the decision was made 24 hours before your scheduled charter. If for any unforeseen reason, we are unable to sail on the wedding day, we can hold the ceremony on board while staying in the harbor.

Exclusive Sailboat Elopement Package

Included in the package available in the St. Petersburg and Tampa area are the following services:

Wedding coordination and booking of all services included in the package.

Half Day sailboat charter for 4 hours.

A beautifully decorated sailboat with fresh flowers, greenery, blanket, and cushions.

Florida marriage license by mail including all filing fees.

Wedding officiant or captain to hold the ceremony

Bridal bouquet with fresh flowers

1 bottle of French Champagne

Charcuterie board for 2 or small one-tier wedding cake

Bottled water

Professional photography for up to 2 hours of service including all jpg images and copyright release for personal use.

Pricing starts at $2495 + 7% FL tax on selected services.

See all of our sailboat wedding packages

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

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Are you searching for a special place to propose to your partner.? This might be the spot for you.  At the Evermore Resort, you can enjoy excellent accommodations and, a short distance to all Orlando attractions. It is truly a beautiful and unique resort with an abundance of amenities including a large lagoon, boat house, and much more.

Marriage Proposal at the Evermore Resort

Exclusive Resort proposal

We recently had the pleasure of helping one of our customers to arrange their marriage proposal at the Evermore Resort. Steven contacted me and asked me for some help in arranging this for him.  He had already booked an unrelated stay with his girlfriend and some family members at the resort. This sparked the idea to combine the stay with a marriage proposal at the Evermore. After many years of dating, he wanted to make it official and of course extra special for her.  He sent me some inspirational photos of what he was looking for and we customized a package for him.

What to Expect

Steven's marriage proposal was held at the Boathouse beach area at the Evermore Resort. But almost any other resort or hotel is an option as long as they allow us to set up decorations on their premises. In most cases, especially at exclusive resorts and hotels, you must expect steeper rental fees. Of course, you can always opt out of decoration and plan a pop-up proposal. In this case, you may not have to pay a fee if you stay there. However, if you bring a professional photographer some resorts will require a photographer fee and liability insurance as well. Fees for booking a spot on resort premises can vary greatly. On average you are looking between $700 and over $2000 just for renting a space or location.

Planning a resort marriage proposal

Many of our customers are from out of State or flying in from Overseas to vacation in Florida. It is therefore a good idea to hire a professional planner to arrange everything for you, ensuring that all runs smoothly on your big day. For many grooms or brides-to-be, it isn't easy to make those arrangements themselves and at the same time keep things a secret. What makes a resort proposal attractive? You won't have to drive anywhere and most resorts offer upgrades like a romantic candlelight dinner, boat ride, or other activities following the event. Many hotels will also provide a backup in case of inclement weather.

Back to Steven's marriage proposal at the Evermore

It was the first time that Steven hired a professional planner. Since he is living out of State it would have been extremely challenging to plan this without some help. Steven had already booked the accommodations at the resort so he handled the pre-booking of the area where the proposal will take place. He was a bit surprised by the rental fee, but at high-end resorts, it is to be expected. Certainly, if you need help with securing the location we are happy to do so.  The Evermore like many other hotels requires liability insurance from every service provider involved and will provide a location coordinator.  He emailed me some inspirational photos of the decorations he was looking for.  He wanted an aisle lined with cylinder vases with candles, petals, and lighted "marry me" letters. This setup is usually great for nighttime proposals but with time limitations at the resort we had to opt for an earlier proposal time before sunset.

On my arrival at the resort, I got lost and parked in the wrong area. Evermore Resort is a vast resort complex that offers visitors trolleys and shuttles to get around. I had already unpacked the truck and loaded my hand wagon with all the decorations when I found out that I was in the wrong spot. Luckily, I could jump on a trolley with all my equipment and hitch a ride to the boathouse. At the trolley stop, I was greeted by the hotel coordinator who showed me the spot Steven had chosen for his proposal.

I decorated the area with 125 real red roses, candles in cylinder vases, and the Marry Me letters overlooking the lagoon and boathouse. When I finished it looked so beautiful and the photos don't do justice to how pretty the decoration was.

She said Yes!

At 7:00 PM Steven was waiting at the setup for his girlfriend Meagan. She was escorted there by a family member. She thought they were going for drinks at the bar. Well, what a surprise it was when she walked along the aisle to be proposed to. Steven fell on his knee and the rest is history. Meagan told me later with teary eyes, that she had no idea this was coming and was quite overwhelmed. Both loved the decorations and the beautiful location made this day truly special. After big hugs from the attending family and some group photos, we went to take more engagement photos in the surrounding area. The Evermore Resort is truly a one-of-a-kind hotel in Orlando and offers tons of activities throughout the day and night.

Congrats and all the best to the newly engaged couple.

Google review by Steven

1st time ever using a event planner, fantastic experience, Babette was amazing, extremely helpful, professional! Highly highly recommend, couldn’t be more happy with the pictures and the experience overall!!

INSIDER TIP

We also arrange resort proposals in Tampa, Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Daytona, and surrounding areas. Custom proposal packages will be created according to your desires. If you want it private an insider tip is the Hyatt Regency in Clearwater. You can book a king-size ocean-view suite with a private rooftop terrace. The plus is that you pay for your suite and can use the private rooftop without additional rental fees. An example image from a past luxury event is below. If you are interested in booking a marriage proposal at the Evermore, Hyatt Regency, or resort of your choice, contact us.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS AND PROPOSALS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Are you planning to pop the question in Clearwater Beach, Orlando, or Marion County? Our sunset romance marriage proposal package is discounted from January through March 31, 2025.

Spring Special!

Marriage Proposal Package

January through March 2026

One of our customer's favorite marriage proposal packages is on sale from January through March 31, 2025. The sunset romance package is available on the beach, in a garden/park, or at a location of your choice. The package is only available at a discounted price in Clearwater Beach, Tampa, Orlando, or Marion County.

Where can the marriage proposal be held?

We can set up the sunset romance picnic at many locations, including the beach in Clearwater Beach or public parks and gardens in the Orlando or Marion County area. You can also choose your backyard or any preferred location within the cities where our Spring Special is available.

What is included in the Marriage Proposal Picnic Package

Coordination during the time of the proposal, travel fee to the location, and set up and breakdown of the decoration.

The marriage proposal picnic area is decorated with a carpet or beach mat, cushions, two table trays, and 4 small lanterns.

One bottle of sparkling wine, wine, or nonalcoholic apple cider.

12 red roses to keep and rose petals for decoration.

Professional mini photo package.  30 minutes of photography with 20 edited photos to select from. Online password-protected photography proof site and complimentary phone app to view and share. Direct download and order all your original jpg files via the proof site—copyright release for personal use.

Spring special pricing is $759+7% tax

We calculate for your proposal up to 1 hour. The package has to be booked " as is" and can't be altered. The package does not include entrance fees, park or garden rental fees, or beach permits, if applicable. For most proposals, we don't need any special permits.

Is this package available at the last minute?

Yes, we can usually handle marriage proposals on short notice on weekdays. For last-minute inquiries, please email us for a fast response. We are often out of the office, so emailing us is the best way to contact us on short notice.

Can this package be booked on the weekend?

We do have limited availability on the weekends. Those are prime days for marriage proposals and are often already booked out.

How can I book the engagement package?

We will need a desired date, time of event, and city/location to check our availability. If you are flexible, you may give us several possible dates. It is always best to email us your information with a note about our Spring Special. If we are available and wish to book the package, we request a full payment upon booking. You will receive our event contract and invoice via email.

What is the difference between this and the regular package you have online?

There is no difference in the setup and services provided. However, our Fall Special is limited to the locations mentioned and has to be prepaid in full upon booking. Our regular package will have the date booked exclusively for your event. For the Spring Special, we reserve the right to book more than one proposal that day, and the time of your proposal may not be changeable.

How about the photography?

Professional photography is provided by Nautilus Studio Photography/Babette Hill. I will take candid photos from a distance when you propose. This way, you have some privacy when you pop the question. I will introduce myself afterwards, and take you for more engagement photos within the area and at the setup. Included in your package is 30 minutes of photography time. You may select 20 images from the gallery pool to be downloaded.

BABETTE HILL - LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS

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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

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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

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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.