Surrounded by Love in Lakeland

Faye and Kei

Even though Faye was my main source of information during our planning process, during our final meeting, Kei was fully involved in all the details. Being in the military, Kei had not been able to be as involved as he would have liked the 7 months prior to the wedding. 

It was great to collaborate with them both about what was expected on their wedding day. I could tell everything they planned revolved around love . . . for each other, their family and friends, and travel!

Selected Photos By Sunglow Photography

The main focus was to be on their 130+ guest reception at the Magnolia Building in Lakeland. Faye  and Kei decided on a formal church wedding nearby. Even though Faye was a nurse, by professional, she turned into a major "DIY pro" for all of the details she included in the reception. 

Her travel theme started in the main entrance with a welcome sign.

Faye loved the idea of soft touches within her gold, ivory, and champagne motif. This included wispy drapery and backdrops from Marilyn's Linens and Weddings.

In carrying out the travel theme, they provided a custom printed mailbox that they would eventually use at their home. Guests were asked to write out postcards with special messages to them and "post" to their mailbox. 

 

Guests were invited to indulge in a wine and cheese paring adjacent to the open bar where we featured four different wines with cheese, fruit and other accompaniments. Most of the pre-reception celebrating was done on the terrace overlooking Lake Mirror. We set high top tables that joined the couple's vintage games for casual fun.

 

Our staff hand passed various hors d'oeuvres to guests during social hour as the couple focused on private moments for picture taking around the lakefront.

Meanwhile, Faye and Kei participated in many formal photo shots around Lake Mirror.

Faye chose to utilize our gold carriage lanterns as her centerpieces surrounded by her florists' fresh wreath of greens and buds. Our gold table number stands held cards depicting a destination that was special to Faye and Kei.  

Gold Chiavari chairs were rented from Premiere Party Rental and the table décor included our gold charger plates with ivory napkins set vertically on the plates with a gold bling napkin ring. The rented half moon sweetheart table was draped in our gold sequins overlay and was garnished with eucalyptus strands that would later cradle Faye's bouquet.  Extra fresh florals were added to the fireplace behind their table. 

Guests found their seats with a clever chart Faye designed with the names of the many destinations she and Kei had visited during their time together. 

This included Switzerland where Kei had proposed to Faye.

Faye and Kei chose a really unique way to make certain they got pictures with everyone of their guests: when each guest table was called to the buffet, the participants were asked to pose at a backdrop with the bride and groom.

 

Our Gold Medallion menu featured our popular Paella. Other dinner items included our Mediterranean Marinated Vegetables, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Lemon Tarragon Chicken and Carved Roast Beef.

 

Faye and Kei used the backdrop of their proposal in front of the Eiffel tower for their wedding cake and sweets display. We furnished a treasured white Eiffel tower structure that former client had given us many years before.

Congratulations to Faye and Kei on a wedding filled with love and personal touches!

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

Flesh Flowers: Taylormade Weddings Flowers 

 DJ: A Premiere Entertainment

Videography and Photo Booth: Fairytale Productions

Drapery: Marilyns Linens and Weddings

Chair Rentals and Lighting: Premiere Party Rentals

Savvy Celebration at the Sorosis

Taryn and Eina
Selected Photos by Kerri Percy Photography*

                       

Often too many ideas get in the way of a couple making final decisions about how their wedding day will look. Both Taryn and Eina had certain expectations as far as colors, flower choices, and DIY projects they wanted to undertake. They knew they loved a green or blueish tone for the majority of decor; but the exact shade of green/blue was up in the air until closer to the wedding day.

They had chosen the Sorosis Building in Lakeland for both the ceremony and reception. They favored a vintage theme with non-traditional elements such as the bridal party members wearing their choice of blue and gray attire

The open house that was supposed to feature their sample guest table, Taryn was unable to attend because of illness. A very nervous Eina and Taryn's mom attended in her place; hoping they would make the right decisions that would reflect her wishes.

As it turned out . . . They were on target with a turquoise chevron runner surrounded by two dove gray ones with our black lantern smack dab in thee center. It was decided to utilize all gray napkins inside the water glasses on the tables. 

THEN, lime green entered the picture. But as you will see, it was all good.

Everything else seemed to fall into place: from signage to final touches on other table decor. 

The day of the wedding arrived and a calm and collected set of brides set aside special time to get ready in the presence of immediate family and bridal party members.

Two locations were set aside for getting ready. Taryn was very much a part of the laid back, sultry process of putting on her make-up, gown, and small embellishments,.

Eina, on the other hand, was more focused on the lively photo options for her and the rest of the bridal party. 

When it came time for the ceremony to start, the couple's free-flowing bridal party made their way down the aisle to the ceremony area. There was a non-traditional combination of guys and girls.

As the sun was setting in front of the Sorosis Building, the ceremony turned emotional with many personalisation's from bridal party members, the officiant, and family.

After the ceremony, guests were invited indoors to enjoy the social hour with a displayed cheese, fruit, and vegetable presentation. We utilized a gray base with lime green runner with gray and white chevron accent.

The couple chose a bridal party table in front of the Sorosis stage area. They chose to display their wedding cake with a special topper of photos of themselves. 

The guest tables followed the original design Taryn and Eina had considered with white floor length cloth, white wood chairs, double turquoise runners with gray chevron in the center,

The use of lime green was more a part of the other display tables mostly in the front section of the reception. From the colorful card box to accent runners, we kept the couple's vision in mind.

We LOVED this additional personalization in the fireplace area where we placed pillar candles and assorted pictures to complete their vision.

Many wonderful memories of Taryn and Eina's wedding celebration. 

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

DJ, Fran Lebano and Company