Unique and Intimate Sarasota Wedding // Jess + Mike

Jess and Mike are college sweethearts and so obviously in love it is apparent through all aspects of their wedding day. A wedding day that started out shaky as rain poured from the sky, turned into a beautiful sunshine filled afternoon. The special details and emotional moments throughout the day, in addition to the reception being hosted on a trolley (as they continued the party on the beach), make this wedding extremely unique.

Jess + Mike’s wedding was hosted at the beautiful Palma Sola Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. These two are actually from Ohio, but Sarasota has been a long time family vacation destination, and they thought what better place to tie the knot than a place that held so many wonderful memories throughout the years. The intimate celebration was just for close family and friends.

Before the ceremony a few gifts were exchanged. The bride and groom got each other a gift which they accompanied with a heartfelt note, and a few tears were shed. In addition to this the ladies of the group gathered together several beautiful gifts, new and old, that each had their own special meaning. A garter (something borrowed and blue), perfume (entitled Eternity), a handkerchief (from the brides grandmother who had passed), a penny (from the brides birth year), and rings from both grandmothers who had passed so she could carry a piece of them with her on her journey down the aisle.

One of the highlights of the day was the reception, it was incredible! Jess and Mike rented a trolley to take the entire wedding to the beach to watch the sunset and continue the party. All things that normally take place during the reception, cake service, bouquet/garter toss, and formal dances all took place in the aisle of the trolley! It was one of the most fun and unique experiences I’ve ever had!

Everything this couple did was authentic to who they were as a fun loving and very-much-in-love couple, and it translated beautifully through photography.