Catering By Robert . Event Concepts : Garden Wedding

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

As Garden as It Gets

Vindya + Troy

USF Botanical Gardens

Vindya and Troy's intimate spring wedding was truly a garden affair - held in one of their favorite places - The USF Botanical Gardens. Their celebration was surrounded by exotic as well as native Florida flora and trees which reflected much of each's own unique personalities. Their blush pink, gold, and navy blue colors fit perfectly into the setting.

The couple planned a small, intimate gathering of 25 guests - mostly family. This was followed months later by another celebration in Vindya's native homeland in Sri Lanka. While they utilized only a small portion of the 7-acre Botanical Gardens, the surroundings became magical with small paths connecting ceremony to reception area and beyond.

We set up a welcome table at the entrance to the gardens. These items were transferred to the main reception area during the ceremony.

Brides in Bloom provided the wood ceremony arbor, flowers, and blush pink drapery with lanterns at the bases.

Varying shades of pink rose petals lined the aisle and rose clusters were tied to the mahogany chiavari chairs provided by West Coast Rentals. We later transferred these items for use in the reception.

Vindya relaxed and got ready at a nearby hotel.

Vindya entered the Memorial Garden area on the arm of her brother. There was no formal bridal party.

The tent reception area was a short walk from the ceremony.

Vindya and Troy decided to use dark wood farm tables for their sweetheart table and guest seating. Ceremony chairs were transferred to the tent reception by our staff. We provided the blush rosette runner for the sweetheart table.

The florist provided fresh eucalyptus garlands with rose buds along the centers of the tables. Our varying heights of glass cylinders contained floating candles.

Brides and Bloom designed hoops covered in greenery that were hung amid lights and crystals along the ceiling of the tent.

Our event coordinator, Caitlin, made sure the couple felt comfortable moving forward with scheduled activities.

The Cake Girl custom designed their garden inspired cake.

Bride and Groom's Appetizer Plate

We were especially excited to create some unique hand-passed appetizer presentations utilizing edible organic flowers as garnish.

Demi Glace Meatballs

Kielbasa with Apple and Carmel Drizzle

Nacho Cheese with Pretzel Bites

Antipasta Skewers

Many happy memories for Vindya and Troy!

Planning, Design, Coordination and Catering: Catering By Robert / Event Concepts. FL

Selected Photos by I Dream of Weddings

Seating, Tables, Lighting, Tent by West Coast Rentals

Florals, Arbor, and Drapery by Brides in Bloom

Videography by Legendary Films

Wedding Cake by The Cake Girl

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Distinctive Touches Create Romance at Davis Islands Garden Club

Dianne and Michael

* Selected Photos by Mcfarquhar Photography *

So can you have too many details showcased in one wedding? Not if those are just the right details!

Such was the case for Dianne and Michael who held their ceremony and reception at Davis Islands Garden Club on March 10th.

Dianne drew much of her inspiration from seeing wedding related signage, furnishings, and food in person. Her planner/coordinator, Vicki of Beachangels Weddings, encouraged she and Michael to attend as many of our open houses as possible. She also pointed her in the right direction of great ideas from other events at the garden club.

From there, Dianne formulated the unique design of her wedding day which you will see in this blog post. All of the signs were made by the bride.

The couple attended almost every one of our open house tastings including one we hosted at The Barn at Stark Farms where we featured a Country Inn specialty menu. They were able to bring a group "tasters" that included bridal party and family members. Photo by EVA PHOTO STUDIO.

The couple's personalization started at the very entrance to the outdoor area of the garden club. We provided our white shepherd hooks for a simple hanging sign. "Better Together." Dianne is also a high school teacher that takes her classroom decorum to heart.

Her sign in table with a bit of vintage, was set up on the garden club's wrought iron cart. It also held a card container and a framed seating chart where she indicated seating on individual cards for each guest table. During her design meeting with our designer, Rita, Dianne selected some of our unique containers and fillers to accent display tables.

More personalized signage was found throughout the ceremony area.

Vendor teamwork prevailed during the ceremony where our staff draped the gazebo and set up the rest of our white wrought iron shepherd hooks and large white lanterns to line the aisle. Bloomingdays Flower Shop provided the beautiful spray of flowers.

Vicki made sure the couple enjoyed their wedding weekend by recommending some private time prior to their big day at the Marriott Waterside. There was still time to share other special moments getting ready.

By the time Dianne arrived at Davis Islands Garden Club, she was already dressed and "chilled out."

Major doses of "cuteness" were found in the ring bearers and flower girl entrances.

Once the ceremony began, we could tell Dianne and Michael spent a great deal of time writing their vows with Vicki, who also officiated the ceremony. There wasn't a dry eye in the 120+ guest crowd.

Social hour was held on the patio of the garden club, while formal pictures were being taken around the grounds. The couple chose several hand-passed items they had sampled at our open houses including Pinwheel Sandwiches, Nacho Cheese with Soft Pretzels, Italian Brushetta, and Demi Glace Meatballs.

Immediately following the ceremony, we created a special hors d'oeuvres presentation for the bridal party members before they dispersed for formal pictures.

Inside, Photographer Josh, captured the untouched guest tables before guests entered the main reception area. Dianne chose three different centerpiece designs. Bloomingdays created two custom pieces: a gold urn with white hydrangea and soft pink garden roses and manzanita branch with hanging crystals.

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A dramatic, tall centerpiece was interspersed on selected tables and featured similar flowers in a pilsner vase.

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The third centerpiece option included our in-house glass cylinders with Bloomingdays' submersed buds in two, and a hydrangea cluster in the third. Using these varied pieces, Dianne was able to save money in her flower budget.

Our variety of mirror squares and rectangles with votive candle holders created a sparkling finish to the centers of the table. Diane chose two gold satin runners on either side of a gold organza damask runner. Ivory napkins in a tri-fold were anchored by a mint favor.

The gazebo spray was transferred to the front of the sweetheart table.

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Just about an hour and a half prior to the start of the main reception, our Chef Sait, started our ever popular Paella. It was steamed and ready for dinner.