A Romantic Pink-and-Brown Outdoor Hotel Wedding in Florida

Updated on September 20, 2018

Stephanie and Richard

Driving home from dinner at their favorite restaurant, Richard, a real estate agent, stopped the car at the beach and proposed to Stephanie, a graphic designer, right there on the waterfront. On November 11, 2011, the couple, who call Naples, Florida, home, tied the knot, not too far from that memorable spot. Their romantic, intimate wedding -- began with a small church ceremony and was followed by a reception reminiscent of a gathering at a private Tuscan villa.

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The Welcome Bag

Quaint paper bags filled with snacks and information about the area were waiting for guests upon their arrival.

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The Welcome Bag

A hand-drawn map by Lisa Hanson was also included in the welcome bag to help familiarize friends and family with their surroundings.

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The Fashions

Stephanie wore a Reem Acra dress and a delicate sweeping veil, which she purchased at Ever After in Miami. Richard looked sharp in a Giorgio Armani suit, Maus and Hoffman bow tie, and Gucci shoes.

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The Accessories

The bride carried her day-of essentials in a BHLDN clutch and borrowed Bijoux Heart earrings from her best friend.

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The Bridesmaids' Gifts

Stephanie gave her maid of honor and bridesmaid matching flower-shaped earrings and lockets made by her friend Jennifer McCurry of Jojo Designs.

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The Groomsmen

Richard's attendants kept it clean-cut and classic with suits from Macy's, Maus and Hoffman bow ties, and Gucci shoes.

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The Ceremony

Stephanie entered the Saint Ann Catholic Church on the arm of her father, Steven Nesbitt.

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The Ceremony

After exchanging vows and bands (hers by Van Cleef and Arpels, his by Tiffany & Co. and engraved by Stephanie with 11.11.11) the newlyweds celebrated their new status as husband and wife.

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The Cocktail Hour

The 107 guests moved to Hotel Escalante for the cocktail hour on its cobblestone driveway. Chicken croquettes with aioli and chile-sauteed shrimp were just some of the appetizers served.

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Portraits

Before the ceremony, the bride and groom met photographer KT Merry to take pictures at a nearby private home, and again after the service, at their reception venue.

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The Reception

Round tables populated the venue's poolside courtyard and were topped with glass vessels of lavender.

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The Reception

Long tables, covered with linen runners, were adorned with small centerpieces of roses and peonies, and mercury glass votive candleholders.

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The Seating Chart

Guests easily found their tables with help from a mirrored display made by using a vinyl transfer of a design by Stephanie.

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The Menu

Menus and fresh springs of lavender from Grace Lakes Florist were tucked into the napkins.

The family-style dinner, which was prepared by Marandas Catering, included heirloom tomato and Buffula mozzarella Caprese salad, seafood paella, grilled vegetables, and roasted potatoes.

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The First Dance

Ray Lamontagne's "You Are the Best Thing" played while the couple twirled on the dance floor.

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The Cake

Chocolate cupcakes with hazelnut mousse and vanilla cupcakes with raspberry mousse accompanied a two-tiered confetti-style cake with buttercream icing made by Ella's Cakes. The non-traditional cake, Richard's favorite, was a surprise even to the groom when the couple cut into the confection.

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The Favors

Small custom-printed bags filled with the couple's late grandmothers' favorites (chocolate stars and Hershey kisses) were given to guests at the end of the night.

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