Neli + Todd Step Into The Limelight | Powel Crosley Estate | Sarasota, FL

Neli & Todd… the sweetest people you’ll meet! Get to know them…

How/when did you meet each other:  We met the night of Halloween 2018 in San Francisco, CA. Our first date took place at an elegant restaurant in the SOMA district, followed by jazz and cocktails at the iconic Black Cat and dancing the night away at the cutting-edge night club Audio. What a first date that was!! It was love at first sight and it felt like we’ve known each other forever.

How did he propose: We moved in together during lockdown in 2020. We had our homemade elegant dinners followed by dancing and fun. Until one night, both dressed up as if going out but really staying home, Todd proposed and Neli said Yes!!! 

Interests/hobbies you enjoy doing together: Our love for music was the first thing that we discovered we had in common. Other shared passions of ours are yoga and travel. So we decided to go to a yoga retreat in Bali. It was ambiguous and adventurous to see if we can travel well together to such a far destination. Sure we did and other fun destinations followed. Including Canada and Bulgaria, the best of all!

Neli & Todd’s wedding day was simply magical, the Powel Crosley Estate was the perfect backdrop for their Bulgarian festivities, we loved learning about all the traditions together and celebrating such an amazing couple. 

We wish Neli & Todd (and soon their little bundle of joy) A life full of beautiful adventures and lots of love!

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Emma Hintz

Cake | What's for Cake by Daniela Calciano
Caterer | Simply Gourmet 
Ceremony Site | Powel Crosley Estate
DJ | DJ Dayve
Invitations | Paperless Post
Reception Venue | Powel Crosley Estate

Maddie + Alex Step Into The Limelight | Yacht Starship IV | St. Petersburg, FL

A little bit of sparkle, a little bit of pineapples!

Madeleine and Alex met at the University of Arizona Law School, Fall 2015. Madeleine was taking graduation pictures in a national park near where they lived inTucson,AZ (Saguaro National Park).They were out in this beautiful field of yellow flowers & Alex said he wanted to take a few more pictures ... the rest is history (There’s pictures on their website that Alex’s roommate took!). Also, fun fact, Madeleine almost turned back around before they got to “the spot” because they saw a rattlesnake.Alex is a wildlife biologist & was very excited... snakes are Madeline’s #1 fear so she was petrified.

In their own words....

Alex: “I love how adventurous Maddie is. I love how driven she is to go get what she wants. I love how fun and silly she can be. Most of all, I love how she makes me better.”

Maddie: “Alex is one of the smartest and kindest people I know. I love his ambition and how he pushes me to try new things. He is my best friend, he makes me really happy, and he makes me want to be a better person.”

Together they like to play board games, watch movies, and they LOVE to travel. They also love dogs—they have a 2 year old Alaskan Klee Kai named Bandit.

Their wedding day was wedding plan #3!!! Their original wedding/location was in Tucson, Arizona in a beautiful historic hotel/garden in the desert.Then, COVID happened and Madeleine'’s parents moved to Florida.With neither her parents, nor them living in AZ, it didn’t make sense to have the wedding in Arizona anymore... especially because Alex’s family also lives in Florida.

SO, they went with the Yacht Starship because (1) They love boats and (2) They wanted something totally different than what they were doing before. A clean slate.☺ So instead of desert garden, they did an upscale tropical glam vibe.A little bit of sparkle, a little bit of pineapples.

Madeleine actually found her dress in 2011... can you believe that! She saw it in a magazine when she was 18 and said “that’s my wedding dress!” Amazingly enough, her bridal salon (Schaffers in Phoenix,AZ) was able to get a hold of it out of the Lazaro vault in NewYork.As soon as she tried it on, she knew it was the one.Also, she saw it the day she tried it on a in a random episode of “Say Yes to the Dress!” that was on that night... it’s a small world. Madeleine’sMadeleine bracelet is her mother’s, it was a wedding gift to her. It was the first gift her dad got her mom after they were married. ALSO, the diamond in her wedding ring is actually her mom’s too. 33 years of good marriage karma :) Her pearls belong to her grandmother.

Mostly, Madeline and Alex were really excited to be surrounded by the people they love most in the world as they got married. Madeleine also loves her dress (obviously) and the pineapple theme carried through the guys’ socks and cufflinks all the way to the centerpieces! Everyone at the wedding felt happy, special, loved, and celebratory!

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos

Bridesmaid Dresses | Alfred Sung at Dessy
Cake | The Cake Girl
Caterer | Yacht Starship IV
Ceremony Site | Yacht Starship IV
DJ | Yacht Starship IV
Florist | 2Birds Events
Hair Stylist | Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group | Maria
Invitations | Paperless Post
Make-up Artist | Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group
Reception Venue | Yacht Starship IV
Wedding Gown | Lazaro Bridal Salon | Schaffer’s

Karen + Joey Step Into The Limelight | St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts | St. Petersburg, FL

In August of 2014, Karen and Joey met through a combination of mutual friends while working at the same place. Joey quickly discovered Karens Kind and caring nature, while, Karen really enjoyed Joey’s sense of humor and how he was always making her laugh. In November, they decided to start dating.

Knowing Karens love of museums, Joey attempted to propose at The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, however, Karen wasn’t prepared to go to the museum because she was too hungry. Instead of going to the museum, Joey proposed to Karen with a beautiful Emerald engagement ring in the comfort of their own home.

Karen and Joey love watching TV and movies, eating out and trying new restaurants, but their favorite is to travel and visit museums. Which is where the inspiration for their wedding location came from. Not only do they have a love for downtown St Pete, they also love the beauty of the Museum of Fine Arts as well. 

Joey and Karen’s wedding was not your typical wedding, there was no theme. I know that sounds strange to others, but I found it amazingly refreshing. After all, they weren’t throwing a birthday or Halloween party, it was their wedding day! They chose to incorporate details that were very unique to them. For example, they had emerald green groomsmen details and bridesmaids dresses, to showcase the engagement ring and the love of their relationship. Next, they had books as their table numbers, because they love to read. They had a Lego cake topper of a bride and groom and a thumb print guest book in the theme of the movie “UP.”

Congratulations on becoming husband and wife Karen and Joey! 

Lead Photographer | Stephanie Duffany
Associate Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez 

Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie
Cake | Publix 
Caterer | Olympia Catering 
Ceremony Site | St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts
DJ | Breezin’ Entertainment | Chuck
Event Planner | Succulent Events
Florist | Family Friend
Hair Stylist | Destiny & Light
Invitations | Paperless Post
Reception Venue | St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts
Wedding Gown | The Dressing Room