2022 Anna Maria Island Weddings

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CONTRIBUTORS

Liza Kubik

Jocelyn Vedder Greene

Karen Riley-Love

Kristin Swain

Funding for this publication was provided in part from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. We highly appreciate their support.

Cheers to 2022!

We are delighted to report that weddings are back in full swing in sunny Manatee County, Florida. In this issue, you will find resources for every element of your destination wedding featuring wedding professionals from the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association.

Our 2022 edition features weddings held in a nest, ranch, beach, and resort spanning all corners of the county from Bradenton, Parrish, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. We even showcase wedding day photos from the historic city jail- famous for its “no bars, no windows, no roof and no guests for years and years.” In these pages, you will find tips for “I do” and “I don’t” for crafting wedding looks, real wedding inspiration, and sage advice from our Ask Anna column.

Our invitation-only association aims to live up to Anna Maria Island’s reputation as The Wedding Capital of Florida. You will find that our members are highly vetted, with excellent reputations in the community. Our members include Anna Maria Island Chamber Business of the Year winners, Manatee County Destination Ambassador winner, and Best of awards from The Knot and Wedding Wire, honoring wedding professionals’ highest ratings and most reviews from real couples. This year, we can also add the honor of being a Flagler award winner, receiving both the bronze award and the highest recognition, the Henry award, from Visit Florida.

We wish you, our sun-seeking newlyweds, a day so perfect you will want to come back to visit each year. As Bob Marley sings, “In high tide or in low tide, I’ll be by your side.”

Visit www.annamariaweddings.com/about-us to receive information from the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association vendors.

Karen Riley-Love | Editor

MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES

If your wedding-related business would like to be considered for membership, please contact the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association at love@amiweddingassociation.com.

Karen Riley-Love, AMI Beach Weddings

Anna Maria Island Chamber’s 2021 Business of the Year

Cover Photo by Britt & Bean Photography

ANNA MARIA ISLAND WEDDINGS © 2022

Photo by Sandhill Photography

16 Hannah & Dan Love & Style Photography

78 Caitlyn & Kyle Island Photography

38 Victoria & James Love & Style Photography

26 Bailey & Trent Sandhill Photography

46 Jessica & Danny Love & Style Photography

60 Laura & Vaidas Love & Style Photography

34 Emily & Sebastian Love & Style Photography

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Look

Article by Kristin Swain

I Do’s and Don’ts - Hair and makeup tips & tricks.

I Do’s Don’ts

DO - consider an updo

DO - practice good skincare

DO - consider the weather

DO - have a gloss or tone added to your hair to enhance the color

DO - make time for a hair trial

DON’T - spend too much time

DON’T - neglect sunscreen

DON’T - forget to make your appointment

DON’T - opt for a hairstyle that

DON’T - choose a salon without

Every bride wants to be stunningly beautiful on her wedding day. However, finding the right stylist for your destination wedding can be challenging. Here to help brides feel and look their best on their wedding day is Alli Hardy, owner of Salt and Scissors Salon on Anna Maria Island.

Before settling on a hairstyle for the big day, Alli suggests understanding the climate your wedding will take place in and what styles work best for your hair type. She does recommend considering an updo for anyone getting married on a hot, humid, or windy day.

Alli always advises her clients to check the weather conditions the week of their wedding.  “It’s important to know what kinds of hairstyles work in the climate you’re getting married in,” Alli said. “No bride wants to look wilted on her wedding day.”

While long, flowing curls might be beautiful in a photograph, they don’t hold up well in the heat and humidity of the summer months. In fact, she said some people’s hair doesn’t even hold curls at all, making some hairstyles impossible to achieve even with the assistance of a professional hairstylist.

Prior to the wedding day, Alli says brides should meet with their selected stylist at least once to try out different hairstyles and see what works best. If possible, she recommends that the bride-to-be come to their chosen salon six months before a destination wedding or three months before a local wedding.

Another tip is to have a gloss or tone added to your hair to enhance the color, a trick that works incredibly well with photographs. The trick makes color appear richer and have more dimension in the wedding day pictures.

Alli says that weather should also play a part in your selections for makeup. Though she said, the most beneficial makeup tip she has for brides is to practice good skin care. Working at Salt and Scissors, Alli has seen almost everything, and she cautions new brides to learn from the mistakes others have made.

Alli advises brides and their wedding parties to avoid too much time in the sun. While makeup can cure many ills, it cannot cover up a bad sunburn.

“There is not enough makeup in the world to cover up a sunburn, peeling, and blisters,” Alli said. Before you and your wedding party overindulge on the white sand beaches of Anna Maria Island, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen. In fact, at Salt and Scissors, they keep bottles of aloe on hand just in case a client comes in with overly reddened skin.

Alli describes how each bride’s expectations are met, saying her best advice is to work with a professional for your wedding day hair and makeup. As a recent bride, she knows the process firsthand. Alli explains, “We want every bride to have her perfect wedding and look and feel beautiful. We listen to the bride to make sure her vision comes to life.”

appointment early- Salons book out quickly will not work with your hair type without experience in bridal hair and makeup

Left: Alli Hardy, owner of Salt and Scissors Salon on Anna Maria Island on her wedding day. Right: Alli and her mom are picture perfect with their crafted styles.

Photos by Britt & Bean Photography

Photos by Sandhill Photography

Jill and Michael’s Happy Eco-After

For newlyweds Jill and Michael Earles, their wedding at the Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key was a dream come true day for them and their guests.

Groom Michael works in the solar panel industry. Bride Jill is part of the team at Mote Marine Laboratory, following her passion for sea turtles. It was essential to the couple that not only they and their guests have fun but that their wedding had as little impact on the environment as possible.

The couple met playing ultimate frisbee. It was only fitting that part of their wedding celebration included an ultimate frisbee competition on the beach with their guests following the ceremony and reception. In fact, they decided on a rather unusual guest book for the wedding, a frisbee for their guests to sign.

Not a fan of cakes, Jill and Michael decided to break from tradition, having a selection of custom-made cookies at the reception instead of a cake. Guests also were invited to enjoy a beer brewed especially in honor of the celebrations named “Solar Turtle.” The personalized cans of beer served as a party favor for guests.

Jill said that having the ceremony at 9:30 in the morning, with a brunch reception to follow at the resort, gave her and her new husband plenty of time to spend with guests. A sea turtle nest located right by the ceremony site on the sand made the day even more perfect for Jill. And though the day couldn’t have turned out better for the happy couple, they agree that planning a wedding was not without its challenges.

“No matter what, it’s stressful,” Michael said of planning the perfect wedding day. They agreed on the elements to splurge on, including professional photography and the resort. He advises couples to discuss what they do and don’t want. His suggestion to engaged couples is to have a conversation about what is important to each partner and then assign specific tasks to each other. It

Article by Kristin Swain

gives the other person direction on how to handle their assigned tasks and lets that person take care of planning those items.

“You have to trust each other to pick what’s right,” he said.

Jill advises that couples work together to plan the celebration to reduce the stress of planning a wedding. That way, they also avoid bowing to pressures from each other’s families to have a certain kind of wedding.

Another tip they suggest is to utilize the skills of your friends and family. It makes them feel like an integral part of your wedding celebrations. It also may help you as a couple to save a little money.

“Cash in all of your favors with friends,” Michael advised.

“Don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends to use their skills,” Jill agreed.

Jill’s sister, a florist from Wisconsin, put together all of the couple’s flower arrangements. Jill added that they asked for greenery and floral clippings from their friends’ yards to make their arrangements eco-friendlier. Once the wedding was over, she and Michael kept the flowers at their home for as long as possible before composting them into food for their garden.

Michael made a display for their reception cookies out of recycled wooden pallets from his job. The remnants of the pallets were reused as handpainted signs for the wedding celebrations. Rather than using plastic packaging for cookies or take-home boxes, the couple used compostable to-go containers.

For couples seeking to follow in their environmentally green footsteps, Jill advises renting linens and using reusable or compostable dishware instead of paper napkins or tablecloths and disposable dishware and cutlery. For their reception, Jill and Michael chose

compostable dishes and bamboo cutlery. Glassware for centerpieces was borrowed or regifted after being obtained through a secondhand social media site.

Jill said they elected to have a sweetheart table just for the two of them during the reception instead of a head table, and guests weren’t restricted by a seating chart. Eliminating the seating chart gave guests more opportunities to mingle with each other. And while the sweetheart table didn’t cut off the newlyweds from their guests, Jill said it did provide them with a moment together amid the reception.

To have guests participate more in the celebrations, the couple chose to hold a seashell ceremony from shells collected on beach walks. Guests were asked to select a seashell, think a happy thought, or pray a blessing for the newlyweds. Guests gathered on the sand to toss the shells back into the Gulf of Mexico.

One final piece of advice Michael has for every engaged couple is to plan to have a nap on the day of the wedding.

“Trust me, get the nap in,” he said, noting that while their wedding day was wonderful, it was also tiring for the couple. Michael said having a nap in between the reception and the afternoon with their guests on the beach allowed the couple to enjoy more of the time they got to spend with family and friends.

From the guest book to the timing of the ceremony, every element was a reflection of Jill and Michael and their life together. “It was a truly magical day,” Jill said.

the Couple

Hannah Dan &

Bloomington,

IL

the Vendors

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Love and Style Photography photographs

Blooms by the Beach floral design

Hometown Desserts cake and cookie favors

Chuck Caudill dj

Weber Scenic Productions arch

The Doctor’s Office after party

Dan is best summed up by his choice of signature cocktail- an Old Fashioned, as his ideal wedding focused on the happiness of his bride, family, and friends. Hannah, more comfortable riding her horses than being the center of attention, wanted an elegant, yet simple event. Surrounded by eighty of their closest friends and family, visiting from California to South Carolina, Dan and Hannah wed on the white sand of Holmes Beach. The bridesmaids and bridesman looked elegant in iris, the gorgeous hue picking up the tones of the sky after sunset while the groomsmen were dapper in navy blue. They dined beachside on lobster rolls, prime American beef tenderloin, and fresh line-caught Gulf grouper.

For the happily-ever-after-party, they headed to The Doctor’s Office, a reservation-only craft cocktail bar. The establishment was formerly an actual doctor’s office where generations of Islanders received medication, advice, stitches, and acts of kindness and goodwill.

CHOOSING A NON-TRADITIONAL

Article by Kristin Swain

Looking at all of the decisions leading up to a wedding day can be overwhelming for a couple. One of the most significant decisions you’ll make for the reception is what kind of wedding cake you want to serve your guests.

Not only is the wedding cake one of the centerpieces of the reception, but it also is a reflection of your and your new spouse’s style as a couple. To that point, what if your style isn’t a tall, tiered confection of cake and fondant? There are plenty of other options for couples to consider in place of a typical wedding cake. Envision a tower of different cheeses, decadent individually served desserts, or homestyle cinnamon rolls for an earlier in the day celebration.

One of the most effortless transitions are mini cheesecakes from Cheesecake Cutie. These tiny treats can be arranged on a tiered display similarly to a traditional wedding cake but made in a multitude of flavors to please every palate.

Another style for a non-traditional wedding cake is a donut cake or a donut tower. To fit any theme, The Donut Experiment has a variety of choices. This option makes for fun photo ops, from tropical Key Lime to spicy Sriracha or Fruity Pebbles. Display the sweets in a pyramid shape with a mini cake-topper for a sugar-spun take on this trend.

Open up a world of confectionary possibilities by having a dessert display rather than a cake. Combine custom cookies with individually wrapped  truffles, or offer guests to choose favorites from a donut wall. Nothing is offlimits, from a smooth chocolate and raspberry parfait to an old-fashioned banana pudding.

For couples hosting a sit-down, plated dinner, no dessert display or cake is necessary. Simply

Photo by Sandhill Photography

Photo by Sandhill Photography

NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDING CAKE

Cheesecake Cuties add something deliciously special and non-traditional to a destination wedding. Plus, who doesn’t want some ‘Good Looking Cuties’ at their wedding?

- Jennifer Geils | Cheesecake Cutie

choose one or two desserts to have served to guests after dinner.

If your wedding takes place earlier in the day, feature some brunch favorites at your reception. Skip serving a traditional dessert and opt for a donut display, pancakes, or even a tower of cinnamon rolls.

If you’re feeling a bit nostalgic, serve a childhood favorite, like rice and marshmallow treats dressed up with a bit of poured icing, a selection of cookies, or even brownies.

If you want a tiered cake and a departure from the ordinary, macarons or other cookies can be used to tastefully layer around the base of each tier. Couples who want a somewhat traditional-looking cake without the sweet component can have a tiered “cake” made of wheels of cheese decorated simply with live herbs and flowers. A tower of croquembouche or chocolate cream puffs can accompany your wedding cake or serve in place of it.

Also, don’t feel that you’re limited to just one option for a wedding dessert. You can have your cake and offer your favorite luscious creations wrapped up as favors. That is the icing on top!

Photos by Love and Style Photography

the Couple

Bailey Trent &

Decatur, IL

the Vendors

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville welcome party

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Sandhill Photography photographs

Flowers by Edie floral design

Bridge Street Bistro reception

Bride Bailey, who signs her correspondence with “tides and good vibes,” knew where she wanted her destination beach wedding to be held. It had to be Anna Maria Island, where she vacationed since childhood. The couple, who were brought together by “fate, distance, and a little social media courage,” also wanted the celebration to be more than just a ceremony. They planned a weeklong event for guests, starting with a welcome party at Compass Hotel by Margaritaville.

The only hiccup in the celebration was a short delay in the start of the ceremony, as the wedding party forgot their flowers at the rental house. The couple simply laughed while

the florals were retrieved by several trusty wedding party members.

True to her laid-back style, Bailey chose wildflowers for her floral, complementing her wedding party colors of marigold and navy. Trent coached the ring bearer, four-year-old Waylon, for his essential role. Guests watched with good humor as two-year-old Wren found her basket much better for gathering sand than spreading flower petals.

A floral crown adorned Bailey’s head as she walked barefoot towards Trent, whose presence from their first meeting “felt like home.”

the Couple

Emily Sebastian &

Orlando and Germany

the Vendors

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Love and Style Photography photographs

Flowers by Edie floral design

Emily and Sebastian gathered on the beach with friends and family, many traveling from as far away as Germany to be part of their harmonious cerebration. Emily, luminous in her gown, and Sebastian, handsome in his custom suit, carefully planned every detail, from the handmade bridesmaid crowns to acquiring a beach wheelchair to ensure grandma had the best view of the ceremony.

Emily wove her love for music throughout the ceremony. For her officiant, Emily enlisted the service of her former music teacher. A bridesmaid played guitar during the ceremony, and the violin trio were college friends from Stetson University’s music program. One of the musicians had to obtain special approval from his job to attend the ceremony, and he wasn’t giving up his shot at being there. His profession? The concertmaster for the traveling production of Broadway’s Hamilton!

the Couple

Victoria

James &

Ontario, Canada

the Vendors

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Love and Style Photography photographs

Flowers by Edie floral design

Tortuga Beach Inn Resort venue

The hour before sunset approached with no sign of the storm abating. The late afternoon sky was dark as James and Victoria readied for their surprise elopement. The couple had not told any of their friends and family back in Canada about their plans, as they wanted to surprise them with sunset ceremony photos to share the happy news.

Just as the ceremony started, the sky parted, and a column of sunlight showed at the water’s edge. To the left and right of the couple, hard rain fell, but on the ceremony spot on the beach, it was clear and dry. After their vows, the sky turned a dark shade of orange, and the sunset was a breathtaking deep hue. Victoria, glamorous in her sequined gown, only had eyes for James.

Weber Scenic is on Fire

Article by Kristin Swain

Photo by Love and Style Photography

When you’re planning your wedding, you want to make sure that it’s an event that no one will ever forget.

The first impression guests will have of your wedding is often how it looks. Stepping up to offer their creative services for every theme you can imagine is the husband-and-wife team of Jeffrey and Christy Weber at Weber Scenic Productions.

Bringing their combined experiences in theatrical productions and set design to weddings and other events in and around Anna Maria Island, Jeffrey and Christy work together to create an immersive environment for the happy couple and their guests. From custom arches to one-of-a-kind backgrounds and even champagne walls, whatever you can dream up, they can provide it.

The two make sure that no detail is overlooked. Each couple’s unique vision is meticulously handcrafted to include everything from lighting to specially designed decorative pieces. Whatever your wedding needs to make the day everything you imagined it to be and more, the Webers have you covered. “If we can design it, we can create it,” Christy said. “There really hasn’t been anything we’ve been approached with that we can’t do.”

One thing Christy and Jeffrey guarantee their clients is that your wedding will never look just like anyone else’s. Every element is custom-created to bring each couple’s unique dream to life. From the soaring walls of Hogwart’s Castle to a Great Gatsby inspired party complete with chandeliers, the two never shy away from a challenge. Christy and Jeffrey work with each couple in their chosen venue to craft something exceptional for every theme and budget.

While being able to provide weeks or even months for custom elements to be created, the husband-and-wife duo can build amazing things in a short amount of time, if needed. With their own production studio, Weber Scenic Productions provides the kind of event experience generally only found on Hollywood movie sets.

the Couple

Jessica Danny & the Vendors

Benson, NC

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Love and Style Photography photographs

Ellenton Florist floral design

You Otta Be in Pictures videography

Caladesi Steel Drum music

Salon Salon hair and makeup

For Danny, a Marine frequently away from family on deployments, he knows the importance of time spent together. When Danny proposed to Jessica, the family needed to play a featured role, so he asked Jessica to marry him at sunset on the beach with her two daughters alongside.

A destination wedding was essential to the couple, as they wanted the first of many happy married memories with the vision of the sunset.

Two years to the day later, they were again on a beach, this time reciting their vows in a private and personal ceremony on Anna Maria Island. Radiant Jessica walked to a steel drum version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” carrying a bouquet of tropical blooms. The ceremony highlighted their love story and hopes for travel after Danny retires from the military. As the sun began to dip in the horizon, the pastor delivered the line they had long-awaited, pronouncing them as husband and wife.

in the Treetops Host a Fairytale Wedding

You’ll undoubtedly look at several different venue options as you plan your wedding. One of those options near Anna Maria Island is a bit more on the extraordinary side. Rising majestically above the treetops in a secluded section of Robinson Preserve is the NEST. Designed as a 900 square-foot treehouse, the primary purpose of the NEST is to serve as an educational facility and fun canopy play zone for children of all ages. Its treetop perch also can play host to your wedding.

With gleaming wood, a wrap-around deck, and water views from three sides, the NEST is Manatee County’s hidden gem. Nestled into its own clearing and surrounded by towering gumbo limbos, banyans, and other native Florida trees, the NEST is only visible from two of the many walking trails winding through the expansive Robinson Preserve. With its own parking area, restrooms and grounds, it provides a perfect setting for an intimate wedding.

While the building itself can only hold up to fifty guests, the NEST and its surrounding grounds can accommodate a guest list of up to 150 people. When you rent out the NEST for your wedding or rehearsal dinner, you can rent out the grounds and the treetop canopy zone as well, closing the area to the public. If your event is in the evening, it’s good to know that Robinson Preserve closes to the public at dusk each day, giving you and your wedding guests more privacy under the stars in the nature preserve.

Several spots are available to couples who want to say “I do” in the treetops. Ceremony sites include in the NEST itself, near the waterfront, under an oak tree, or in front of a banyan tree. More adventurous couples can even get married on one of the rope bridges in the canopy zone.

The space also lends itself to customizing your reception however you’d like with a buffet, sit-down dinner on the lawn, or a food truck fiesta for your guests.

Anna Maria Island residents Alli and Chandler Hardy celebrated their wedding at the NEST, a site that she said was a dream come true for the couple and their wedding guests. While Alli had initially planned a destination

Article by Kristin Swain

wedding on a tropical island, she found the perfect venue close to home. Once the NEST was booked, Alli focused on the details working with local friends and vendors. Bride Alli designed her own florals. Hair and makeup booked on location at Alli’s business; she owns Salt and Scissors Salon. Local island favorite Trevor Bystrom performed the music. Mark Labriola, friend and co-owner of Harry’s Grill, acted as officiant as a special request from the bride.

Though not a typical place for a formal wedding, Alli said the NEST is a great option for a fun wedding, especially one where many children will be in attendance. While the children played in the canopy zone, Alli said adult guests enjoyed cocktails, food from various food trucks and relaxed at fire pit tables the couple provided for the event.

“If you want to have a fun wedding that people will remember, this is the place,” Alli said. One guest even enjoyed the wedding so much that Alli said she and her fiancé decided to also hold their wedding at the treetop venue.

Rentals for the NEST are handled through the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources department. The department’s Outreach & Events Specialist Crystal Scherer gives the inside track on what couples considering the NEST for their nuptials can expect.

Scherer says there are a couple of different rental options for weddings at the NEST. Couples with an intimate gathering of fifty or less can just rent the building or elect to rent the building and the grounds. If the grounds are not also rented, the canopy zone play area remains open to the public. Crystal also provides couples with suggestions for using the space, approved vendors, and best practices for a flawless celebration.

She points to the view of the preserve as the bay windows and elevated outdoor deck give a bird’s eye view of the lush greenery and waterways surrounding the venue. Whether you are getting married under the banyan on the lawn or hosting your reception, guests will be sure to remember this magical location.

Photos by Britt & Bean Photography

the Couple

Republic of Lithuania

the Vendors

Although the destination wedding had just in person, the celebration was far more extensive. was live-streamed to family and friends watching at home in Lithuania. From the circular arch breathtaking bridesmaid gowns, every detail lovingly chosen by the bride. Green, gold, colors made a splash, complementing the natural surroundings. Laura and Vaidas’s daughter involved in the ceremony, from the prewedding pampering to participating in the sand ceremony.

Laura had intended for her mother to walk the aisle, but at the last moment, her mother able to attend. The backup plan was for Laura by herself, but she told Vaidas that she felt the rehearsal. His solution was for the two walk together, just as they were walking into together. As the big moment finally arrived, saxophonist struck up a smokey version of “All of Me,” and the two walked down the

Casey Hoffman officiant

AMI Beach Weddings event coordination

Love and Style Photography photographs

Laura Vaidas &

just forty guests extensive. It watching arch to the detail was and ivory natural daughter was prewedding ceremony. walk her down mother was not Laura to walk alone at two of them to into marriage arrived, the John Legend’s path as one.

Shellabrate Restorations

Looking at the beautiful surf of Anna Maria Island’s beaches, it feels like the sort of natural wonder that could last forever. The people behind All Clams on Deck are here to ensure natural beauty never fades.

With local philanthropist and restaurateur Ed Chiles as a spokesperson, All Clams on Deck is moving forward with a five-year plan to preserve the waterways in and around Anna Maria Island for generations to come.

It’s no secret that pollution threatens much of our natural environment. The All Clams on Deck project seeks to remove harmful nutrients and pollutants from the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay using natural means. By seeding clams in these bodies of water, The All Clams on Deck initiative is working to remove what’s detrimental to our waterways while also contributing to the ecosystem for healthier sea life.

One little clam can filter up to 10 gallons of water per day. When you put hundreds or thousands of clams into a body of water, those little shellfish can filter millions of gallons of water per day. In turn, this helps to reduce red tide, blue-green algae, and other occurrences that have the potential to harm life on land and in the sea.

In addition to planting these protected beds of clams, the group also is planting millions of acres of seagrasses. Those seagrasses are helping to create a healthy, protected nursery area where shellfish and sea life can grow and thrive safely.

The driving forces behind All Clams on Deck believe that all of Florida’s natural waterways are connected. To keep one healthy requires a focus on large-scale change. That’s why seeding clam beds and planting seagrasses isn’t all that the group is up to. In addition to those two initiatives, the group is working to raise awareness about fertilizer and other run off that can negatively affect the water, even if that water isn’t exactly in your back yard. Think about it – there’s a creek in your backyard, and someone drops a pollutant in it. That pollutant can travel down the creek to a river to a bay and then all the way out into the ocean, even if it was first dropped in many miles away. By adding in a public education component, the All Clams on Deck group hopes to eventually stop pollutants from ever entering the water.

The first couple of years of the project focuses on clams in the water along with the seagrasses. After shifts slightly to maintenance, monitoring, and collecting an estimated price tag of around $15 million, the campaign already moves forward with Ed Chiles Anna Maria Island native, is hard at work trying to Clams on Deck.

While local and federal grants and government funds to work on the project, All Clams on Deck is open For couples tying the knot on Anna Maria Island, preserve the island paradise where you said “I do” make sure it’s just as pristine in the years to come you’re making a nonprofit donation list for your guests registry, consider adding All Clams on Deck to the your children and grandchildren back to Anna Maria show them where you were married and tell them preserve the magic of the beach.

All Clams on Deck is a large science project utilizing bivalves and seagrass as biological mitigation strategies promote coastal resiliency.

Top Photo provided by START Soultions Right Photo by Hammond, 2005 from Wikimedia

Restorations of Our Local Waters

science seagrass strategies to resiliency.

- Ed Chiles

on getting those

After that, the focus collecting data. With public awareness at the helm. Ed, an to raise funds for All funds are being put open to all donations. helping to do” is a great way to come as it is today. If guests on your gift the list. Plan bringing Maria Island to them how you helped Soultions to Avoid Red Tide. Wikimedia Commons.

Article by Kristin Swain

Wedding Memories that last Fur-ever...

Article by Kristin Swain

When planning their wedding, Stephanie and Michael wanted to include their favorite people, from family to friends, old and new. But what if your favorite guest has four paws and fur?

Planning a wedding that includes your favorite canine is entirely doable with little to no fuss. The first thing you need to think about is, whatever you’re planning, will your dog enjoy it? Each dog’s temperament and personality are different, and no one knows your canine better than you. Make sure that if you want to include your pet in the wedding ceremony, photos, or have your furry friend party all day with you, that it’s something that they’ll enjoy too.

Your pet can get ready with the bridal or groom party, take photos, walk down the aisle, stand up with you at the altar as you say “I do,” and even party into the night at the reception. If your doggo is a social butterfly, consider letting them hang out with you and your wedding party all throughout the festivities.

Before you start making those plans, the first thing to do is make sure that your canine companion is welcome at your wedding venue. Baker’s Ranch helped create the “pawfect” wedding day for Stephanie and Michael.

The folks at Bakers Ranch welcome you and your human guests, but they also cater to your furry four-legged guests. At this beautiful, all-inclusive wedding experience, your pet is welcome to attend every aspect of your onsite event, from the pre-ceremony festivities to the reception. And if you’re having a hard time coordinating everything, it’s no problem. The team at Bakers Ranch wants the wedding couple to feel like guests, specializing in taking the stress out of planning and executing the perfect, elegant wedding. Let them know your vision for your big day, and they’ll figure out how to bring it to life. Just don’t ask them to supply the dog.

There are several different ways to make sure your pooch feels extra special on your wedding day. One thing you can do is to get your favorite canine an outfit suitable for the wedding day festivities. A tuxedo or a beautiful little dress would help your puppy fit right in with the wedding party. If your pup isn’t fond of complete outfits, consider a smart bowtie

Photos by Love and Style Photography

collar or maybe something a little more sparkly. If you’re considering making your wedding eco-friendlier, dress up your pet’s collar and leash with fresh flowers and wreaths of greenery to match the wedding flowers.

One of the most common ways to include your pooch in the wedding celebrations is to have your dog take the aisle as an honorary ring bearer. If the pup is serving as ring bearer, make sure that the best man or other human escort is in possession of the wedding rings. Another way to include your favorite fuzzy family member is to have them stand with you at the altar when you say “I do.” Have your pup join the wedding party, standing with you and your intended as “dog of honor.”

Maybe your pup is more of a party animal. In that case, add your canine to the guest list of people who attend the reception. Skip the ceremony and bring your fuzzy friend straight to the reception.

What if you’ve already booked your venue, but it doesn’t welcome fuzzy guests? Not to worry, there are ways to still incorporate your furry friend into the festivities.

Think about where you plan to get ready for the wedding. Bring your pup in on the fun and pose for a few pictures prior to the nuptials. Even if your canine companion cannot join you for your wedding day festivities, there are still ways to help them join in on the fun.

Bring your furry friend in for some photos prior to the wedding festivities. You also can include them in your preparations by having them in your engagement photographs.

If your pup is unable to be there in person, use their likeness in your stationery. Your puppy can take center stage as an illustration on wedding invitations, save the date cards, seating cards, and hand painted by Sagebrush Designs. You can even put your pet’s portrait on cocktail napkins to be used during the reception. Consider having the groomsmen carry a pocket square embroidered with your puppy’s portrait for a more personal touch.

Some brides have a likeness of their pup embroidered on their veils or included in their dress designs. Couples can design a custom cake topper in the image of their favorite furry friend.

However you choose to include your canine companion in your wedding celebrations, take a few extra steps to make it a tail-wagging wedding day. All you need is love... and a pup or two.

Guide Your Guests to Eat Like a Local

Article by Liza Kubik

Add some Local Knowledge to your Destination Wedding Website.

So you’ve decided to build a wedding website. While it is another task on your already lengthy to-do list, the benefits of a wedding website will definitely save you a lot of stress in the long run.

Destination Weddings require much more pre-planning from your guests, many of whom will be traveling to celebrate your big day. For them, your wedding website will become a go-to resource to refer to again and again before the main event. You’ll want to ensure that all relevant and practical details are covered while making it unique and personal to you and your wedding location.

One of the best ways to personalize your wedding website is to add local recommendations for guests.

Angela and Dylan are excited to be planning an early November Destination Wedding with celebrations taking place on and around Anna Maria Island. Having spent their careers in the food and beverage industry, they believe the best way to enlighten your experience when traveling to any new city or country is to Eat Like a Local. “Anywhere you go around the world, the local food and the people who serve it tell everything about a place, reflecting its history, climate, people, and traditions,” states Angela emphatically. They were determined to encourage their guests to do just that by adding a Local Knowledge section to their destination wedding website with recommendations for the area’s best locally-owned restaurants.

While finding great eateries to recommend in a new city can be tricky, the best way to uncover local gems in and around Anna Maria Island and mainland Bradenton is via eatlikealocal.com. Known as the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, they represent a community of over 60 of our area’s locally-owned and operated restaurants. “The Originals” are a group of independent restaurants

Two Destination Wedding facts that may surprise you: On average, the bride and groom stay at the destination wedding resort for 10.5 days. This factors in a welcome/farewell party and possibly a mini-moon to tack on after the wedding festivities! And Guests tend to stay for about 5.5 nights in paradise to celebrate your big day!

throughout the Florida Suncoast, from the northern beaches of Anna Maria Island to the southern waterways of Venice. Their owners and operators share a passion for dining excellence and a love of community while celebrating our rich Gulf-coastal lifestyle.

Remember that your guests come from long distances to visit you and your beloved! The extra step of providing an orientation to the location’s various amenities and dining delights will make your friends and family feel that they’re loved and valued during their stay.

Right: Pastry Chef Charlotte Knowlton’s Strawberry Almond Tart from Euphemia Haye. Left: Fresh Florida Stone Crabs at Blue Marlin.Seafood. Below: Terra Ceia Clams in Garlic Cream at The Waterfront Restaurant on Anna Maria.

the Couple

Caitlin

Kyle & Arlington Heights, IL

the Vendors Island Photography photographs

Tortuga Beach Inn Resort venue

For the Donahues, Anna Maria Island is an integral part of their family story. The extended family vacations on the island and Island Photography has captured milestones and memories for the generations of visiting Donahues. It was only fitting when Kyle proposed to Caitlin on a breathtakingly beautiful day, Island Photography was there to photograph Caitlin’s surprise and ecstatic “Yes!”. For their wedding, not only did they want Island Photography to capture the day, they wanted to highlight their love of place. The couple set out to traverse the island creating new memories on their journey. From getting ready photos at the Tortuga Beach Inn Resort, with its old Florida feel, to the historic Rod and Reel Pier, to familiar beach paths and a trip to the City Jail, famous for its “no windows, no bars, no roof,” the couple shared their love for each other and Anna Maria Island.

Ask Anna

- Stiletto Lover in St. Louis

Dear Stiletto Lover,

Manatee County has many options for an event held on the water but without sand. A favorite is the Powel Crosley Estate, a treasured part of Florida history. The historic estate, built in 1929, sits directly on the sparkling water of Sarasota Bay and features a circular tower, gorgeous interiors, and a large Bayside lawn.

Dear Anna,

I long for a destination wedding, but several family members cannot make the trip. Grandparents are hesitant to fly, and my sister has a newborn and a toddler, making traveling more than she can handle right now. How do I include them if they can’t be here in person?

-Longing in Lexington

Dear Longing,

We reached out to Casey Hoffman Promotes for advice. Owner Casey recommends live-streaming the ceremony by hiring a professional sound engineer for your big day. Live-streaming gives the virtual guests what they really want, an opportunity to interact directly with the happy couple. This format allows the couple to read comments from guests who were not there in person on the wedding day but participating in real-time. After the ceremony, the recorded live-stream video remains accessible to other guests and the newlyweds for viewing.

XO Love, Anna

Dear Anna,

I want a water view for my wedding, but I’d rather wear my fabulous heels than walk in the sand. What should I do?

XO Love, Anna

Love & Style Photography

Karen Riley-Love

Dear Anna,

Can we get married on Anna Maria Island at the house where we are staying and have our reception there? Do we need a permit for the beach ceremony? I’ve asked on social media, but everyone gives me a different answer.

-Confused in Cleveland

Dear Confused,

There are strict rules on parking, noise, and events to help our local community live in harmony with our visitors. If you are having a small ceremony, it is possible with the home owner’s permission. Most of the time, it is not an option. One of the island’s charms is that rental homes are on residential streets instead of imposing high-rises in commercial districts.

There are three cities on Anna Maria’s seven-mile island. Each of them has different rules for permitting beach ceremonies. We are cautious with the regulations because having your wedding shut down would be our worst nightmare (and yours too!) This is where a local wedding planner comes in. They have relationships with local businesses, keep up with the permitting process, and can help with the ceremony, reception site, and lodging so you can have the wedding of your dreams.

Dear Anna,

XO Love, Anna

- All Out of Ideas in Albany

Dear Out of Ideas,

We have just the solution that checks all your boxes. Our wedding guests go coco-nuts for branded drinks from AMI Coconuts. Fresh coconuts are custom imprinted with your wedding logo, which can include a personalized design or simply your names and wedding date. More fun than a traditional signature drink, the coconuts are opened fresh for each guest, adding a fun interactive element. They can either be served as a refreshment for the ceremony or turned into a wedding cocktail.

AMI Coconuts additionally serves up Coco Colada (fresh pineapple juice), a Coco Melon (freshly squeezed watermelon), and a Cocohito (lime and mint leaves), all mixed with coconut water and local cane simple syrup and served right in the coconut. Add some local AMI Rum to the mix for an island time groove. Fresh, fun, photoworthy, and sustainable, all in a nutshell!

XO Love, Anna

Photo by Evan Rich Photography

Sandhill Photography

What is a fun way to add a personalized touch to our wedding? I want something unique and tropical. Extra bonus if it is sustainable too!

We are destination wedding experts located on Anna Maria Island, Florida, specializing in wedding ceremonies directly on the beach.