Rustic Florida Wedding: Taylor + Michael

bride and groom

After 8 years of dating and a lifetime of friendship, Taylor + Michael wanted their wedding to serve as a thank you to all of the people in their lives who helped nurture their love over the years. Michael comes from a long line of boat captains, so they have always had a love for their life spent on the sea. Kat’s family is from South Carolina and their southern heritage was important too. You can see lots of influences from both sides through the rustic Florida outdoor setting, their wedding emblem, the barbecue + bourbon, and even the sharks teeth on her headpiece!

From Taylor, “It was really important to us to make everyone feel at home, and wanted them to know how much we appreciated how each one of them has touched our lives. So there were lots of little touches to make the day feel easy and un-stuffy for our guests, as well as for us! We have heard over and over again from our guests and family how the whole day felt so “us” and we agree!”

Thanks to Kat Braman for the photos and congrats to Taylor + Michael!

bouquet

boho bride

bridesmaids

boho bride

foot jewels

groomsmen

groom

drink bar

glass flower orbs

ceremony

Our Musical Choices

Processional: This Year’s Love – David Gray

Recessional: Sweet Pea – Amos Lee

First Dance: Make You Feel My Love – Bob Dylan

ceremony

ceremony

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

As for the ceremony Mike and I wanted to make sure that every word was sacred and special to us, so we wrote the script ourselves! We spent many nights sitting in front of the computer compiling this proclamation of our love and a lot of tears were shed especially while writing our dedication to our parents. We also wrote our own vows to each other. On the day of the ceremony was incredibly emotional and intimate and fun and just PERFECT. Best moment of our lives. Another special touch was my little brother Daniel and Mike’s little sister Traci singing our first dance song together. Daniel played the guitar and they both sang “Make you feel my love” by Bob Dylan. They then sang two other songs Mike and I love (“Forever Young” by Bob Dylan and “Sunshine” by G-Love), they put their own unique spin on all of them and everyone was surprised at how talented they are. It will forever be a moment we will remember.

ceremony

wedding party

dog

bride and groom

mason jars

chalkboard

two kids in love

organic centerpieces

draped fabric

dessert bar

dessert bar


Beyond needing to do all of the décor ourselves for budget reasons, it was also important to make every little detail completely about Mike and I’s style. Luckily there are quite a few artists and handy people in our family! The most special and helpful of all was my mother. She literally had her hand in everything from the fabric runners hanging from the rafters, the hand painted signs, to the charm on my bouquet with the pictures of my grandparents who have passed. Her and I also handmade my armband and headpiece out of chain and hammered metal. Mikes father hand carved the cake topper and his grandfather made my foot jewelry and a beautiful wood carving for our head table. My aunt and uncle from South Carolina Hauled down 2 crates full of the most beautiful pumpkins, gourds, and ferns. I hand painted the invitations. The list goes on and on but most importantly Mike and I are so grateful for the help and talents of these special people who helped make our day so beautiful.

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Be confident in what you want. There were times that we got a lot of “You're doing what?!?!” and “You're not going to have that?!?” And at times we even questioned ourselves on some uncouth and unique ideas we had. But we did it anyway, and the truth is this… The people who love you already love you. They chose to love you already knowing you’re a weirdo so be weird! Don’t wear shoes if you don’t want to. Don’t tell people where to sit if you don’t want to. Dance your face off until your sweaty and gross. You will never regret being yourself and having the things that you two enjoy on that day.

photography: Kat Braman // venue name: Bonnette Hunt Club // planning: Kasey D Weddings // bridesmaid dresses: Kimichi Blue by Urban Outfitters // hair stylist: Brandee Slaughter Alonzo Frank Hair Designs // makeup artist: Danielle Loeffler, [email protected] // catering: Bonnette Hunt Club // cake: Alaina's Bake Shoppe // music: DJ Charismatic // coordination: Kasey D Weddings // flowers: Epic Arrangements // cupcakes: Alaina's Bake Shoppe // rentals: Atlas Party Rentals // invitations: handpainted by the Bride // bride's dress: Caroline DeVillo // groom: Express // groomsmen attire: Express // ties: Cyberoptix // ceremony tapestries: Urban Outfitters // pumpkins: brought down by family from South Carolina // gourds: brought down by family from South Carolina // ferns: brought down by family from South Carolina

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