Sarasota wedding officiant Archives - A Beautiful Wedding In Florida

Bill & Melanie were vacationing in Sarasota from Ohio. Bill contacted me and asked me to perform their Sarasota wedding ceremony at The Lido Beach Club in Sarasota. They were having a few family members attend, but were going to keep it small and simple. Bill & Melanie arrived the Saturday before the wedding. On Tuesday Bill surprised Melanie, and had her daughter, and granddaughter flown in to be at the wedding. Bill snuck out and drove to Tampa and picked them up at the airport.

Bill & Melanie were delighted with the weather here in Florida. Not having been out in the sun all winter Melanie got a little sunburn the day before the wedding. The beach was really pretty. Lido Beach has beautiful soft white sand. They were in awe at all the beautiful shells along the white sandy beach. It was only 65 degrees day of the wedding. I was a little chilly, but they said they would be freezing and shoveling snow in Ohio. They were delighted with 65 degrees. Bill & Melanie have been together for over 14 years, and were ready to be married.

Perfect Florida winter day for Bill and Melanie’s Sarasota wedding ceremony

They were spending the rest of the week at the beach and enjoying time together. Family and friends were all going to celebrate at Tommy Bahama that evening.

Bill & Melanie thanked me so much for being available and performing a beautiful Sarasota wedding ceremony for them. It was JUST as they wanted.

me with a their Sarasota wedding ceremony

Me with Bill and Melanie at their Sarasota wedding ceremony

Doug contacted me to officiate his wedding at Powell Crosley Estate in Sarasota on June 21, 2014. Doug & Susie wanted to meet me beforehand, and I enjoy getting to know the couples I’m going to marry, so I agreed to meet with them. One of the first words Doug said to me was that he wanted an officiant who was professional; which I most certainly aim to be! I had a lot in common with Doug and Susie, for example, they live in Tallahassee and that’s why my daughter and son-in-law live, they are Florida State University fans and so am I, and Susie got her dress at Brides Against Breast Cancer and that’s where we got my daughter’s wedding dress from. So needless to say, I knew we’d get along and have a fun time with their wedding ceremony.

Susie & Doug met through a friend in October 2010. They were playing a game of Domino’s and Susie was paired up with a friend playing against Doug. His team won the game. As she was leaving he asked her out and that’s how it all began. In April 2013, Susie was preparing everything for a beautiful Sunday morning picnic at Lake Ella in Tallahassee where they live. She was rushing around then out-of-no-where Doug grabbed Susie’s hand and got down on one knee & proposed to her.

They decided to have their wedding at Powell Crosley Estate in Sarasotaon on June 21, 2014. Susie has a lot of relatives in Miami and Doug’s family would be traveling from Tallahassee so they wanted the wedding to be at a location half-way for both families.

The front of the Powell Crosley Estate in Sarasota

The beautiful Powell Crosley Estate is a historic Mediterranean Revival mansion called “Seagate” overlooking Sarasota Bay. The day of their wedding was gorgeous!! A light breeze was flowing, not a cloud in the sky, and the water was just sparkling blue. The ceremony was outside in front of the Carriage House.

Getting ready for the ceremony

LaLucha, a three-piece band, played the outside music for the ceremony. I performed the ceremony in English and a friend translated it in Spanish. There were three bridesmaids wearing knee length black with gold dresses & three groomsmen in the wedding party. Susie looked elegant as she walked down the aisle. Susie got her beautiful dress at Brides Against Breast Cancer. Doug looked so handsome in his white tux and black tie.

The lovely bride and groom

The tables were set up outside with gold table cloths and floral centerpieces for the dinner reception. Kimberly Hensley with Kimberly Hensley Events was the coordinator. She did a fabulous job setting up the tables and coordinating the ceremony.

Outdoor reception

After the ceremony, Doug & Susie thanked me and said how much they appreciated everything I did for them. This was a beautiful day and I was happy to be a part of their lovely ceremony. Best wishes, Doug and Susie!!

Shout out to the fabulous vendors whom helped make Doug and Susie’s wedding at Powell Crosley Estate in Sarasota a huge success:

Kimberly Hensley Events