Maria & Ben

Last October, the MSP blog featured the engagement shoot of one of the cutest couples in the world: Maria & Ben. We knew after spending time with them that their wedding was going to be one for the books - and we were NOT disappointed! Not only did Maria & Ben kill it with their wedding day style (AND almost every vendor was MSP-recommended!), but their romance had only gotten MORE amazing over time! Check out their special day below!

Venue: The Club at the Strand

We were SO pumped to arrive and see Sir Daniel & David from Salon Teez busy at work,
making the ladies even more gorgeous and photo-ready for us!

The Club at the Strand is one of our favorite venues - just look at the gorgeous outdoor space!
Ben & Maria made the most of every inch with flowing flowers and smiling loved ones :)

Floral Symphony killed it!

After their epic engagement shoot, we knew these two would nail their portraits...

But we didn't expect THIS:

The gorgeous reception space had so many awesome details! 
Gold, white, cream, and pink all worked together to create a perfectly elegant design.

One of the tiny parts of the day that is SO exciting to us photogs is seeing the
 "updated" placards for the newlyweds! 

Haha check out those cuties and their engagement shoot-guest book!

R O M A N C E

With the First Dance over, the groom took the opportunity to surprise his bride with THE BEST GIFT EVER: A NEW PUPPY!!!! 
(well, okay... a picture of it)

We're no strangers to that "wish we could shoot this wedding every single weekend for forever because we love it so much" feeling... but seriously, can we do this one again and again?

Thank you to the talented vendor team:
Venue: The Club at the Strand
Hair + Make-up: Salon Teez
Flowers: Floral Symphony (formerly Libby's Flowers)
Videography: One Wing Films
Photo Booth: Lucky Photo Booth

MSP Travels: Turks & Caicos

The Turks & Caicos Islands are a playground for the rich and famous for a reason! The color of the water, the sand of the pristine beaches, and the friendly and vibrant local culture combine to form the stuff dreams are made of. Celebrities Kate Moss, Matt Damon, Howard Stern, and Bill Gates have vacationed there (to name a few!), while Jerry Seinfeld and Eva Longoria both spent their respective honeymoons on the Islands. Jennifer Garner + Ben Affleck even married there in 2005!

So guess what Matt said when he was asked to travel to T&C to photograph a wedding?

Meet Tawni & Dennis:
Bonita Springs locals who wanted nothing but the best to celebrate their special day!

Adorable, right?

Wedding planner Along Came Stephanie knew that every detail would matter for this special couple, and MAN! did she knock it out of the park with the invitations and Welcome Kits!

Upon arriving in the Islands, Matt joined the couple for a sunset cruise - complete with turquoise water and rainbow - yes, seriously!

After a gorgeous afternoon on the water, it was early to bed, early to rise for the wedding day :) 
The couple selected Long Bay Beach's The Shore Club as the site to celebrate

Doesn't Tawni look SO happy helping her daughter get ready? We love love!!

Tawni was ready, and Dennis was standing by to marry the love of his life.
At the last moment, the ceremony was moved indoors to prevent an interruption due to weather - but it was such a small issue, because they were getting MARRIED!!!

We love seeing our couples SO happy!

Gorgeous place for a wedding, right?
The Shore Club was just as perfect for the reception dinner.

The newlyweds danced the night away, surrounded by their closest family & friends...nothing to listen to but the ocean waves, the island music, and the beating of they hearts... ::le sigh::

All in all, we'd say it was a pretty awesome trip - wouldn't you?

Wedding Planner & Designer: Along Came Stephanie
Venue: The Shore Club
 

Jennifer & Adam: New Years Eve

In celebration of 2018 and to kick off its second month, let's take a peek back at where MSP spent New Years Eve:
Jennifer + Adam's wedding! 

We all grew up with the same fairy tales and certain mouse-sponsored cartoon movies, right? You know the ones... full of fun songs, can't-be-real-handsome princes, and the types of princesses that are just as gorgeous on the inside as they are on the outside. Have you ever wondered who those characters are based on? Enter: Jennifer + Adam. After you see their wedding (and its ridiculously fun reception, the bride's Hamilton-based RAP to the groom (!!), and the bursting-at-the-seams love these two have), I don't think you'll need further explanation as to why someone might pick them as a basis for the stuff those cartoon dreams are made of.

Wedding Designer & Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings, & Parties

Upon arriving at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, guests were greeted with these adorable monogrammed Welcome Kits. The tote bags were stocked full, including the brilliant addition of lip calm, water bottles, and sunnies! All done by the bride herself!

Yep, this is the gorgeous Jennifer. Here she is!

At this point, you're probably all, "well, she's obviously beautiful, but where's the prince?"

If there's one thing Jennifer & Adam were missing, it was a gorgeous place to get married.
Enter: South Seas Island Resort

Libby's Flowers KILLED IT with this gorgeous floral.

THAT moment. The very best of the entire day. Swoon!

The perfect day ended with the perfect sunset.

And we haven't touched on the subject yet... but THAT DRESS! I know, I know!
* * *
The reception was on a tented lawn at South Seas, and continued the clean, elegant design from the ceremony.

Libby's Flowers is SO good at that "lush but clean, tropical but elegant" thing...

Add a little uplighting, and we were ready to party!

And while we waited for midnight, the couple danced...

And the live artist painted...

And the guests toasted...

And the face painter did her thing...

And the cigar roller did his...

And then we had our first-time-ever surprise BRIDAL RAP (it was EVERYTHING)!

Which earned the bride a much-deserved standing ovation!

By then, it was time to get ready for the big moment: the bride changed in to her NYE dress, the couple got their faces painted, and the cake was cut!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MSP wishes you the very best 2018 has to offer! Mazel tov!

Wedding Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings, & Parties
Venue: South Seas Island Resort
Live Artist: Jacob Neagle
Floral: Libby's Flowers
Hair & Make-up: Diana Nieves HMUP
Tent: Tent Logix
Entertainment: Thank You For the Dance
Rentals: Island Events + Hitched
Cake: Bubble Room + Publix