Alexandra + Michael Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling | Sarasota, FL

Alex and Mike met five years ago in Boston, but together they have travel to 40 countries including France and the Caribbean.Together they enjoy weekend trip, enjoying the great outdoors, sipping wine and watching TV shows. 

Alex is in grad school to be a speech pathologist and Mike serves the USA in the Navy! They are the sweetest, most sincere and living couple. We had the absolute BEST time getting to know them while working at the beautiful Ringling Mansion. 

They love Italy and we are so excited for their wedding which will be next year at Bella Colina!

Photographers | Rebecca + Michael Zoumberos 

Venue Location | The Ringling 

Marissa + Walker Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling | Sarasota, FL

Marissa met Walker in 2015 at college orientation. Years later, Walker took Marissa to St. Augustine to go restaurant hopping. While taking a walk along the historic forts, he surprised Marissa by getting down on one knee.

Marissa loves how adventurous, brave, and confident Walker is. He pushes her to be her best and to never settle. She loves his smile and laugh which lights up her heart. He inspires her to step outside of my comfort zone and to truly enjoy life to the fullest. Most of all, she loves his love of God.

Walker loves Marissa's strength and persistence. He loves her beauty. He loves her faith in the Lord. He loves her humility, and compassion for all people.

Walker is a pilot so it only makes sense that they LOVE traveling. They are also foodies and love trying new hot spots. They are huge lover’s of art (Ringling, hello?), movies, board games, rollercoasters and learning new things. 

Marissa and Walker said their “I Do’s” at the elegant Ringling,  surrounded by so many loving and supportive friends and family.

Congrats! 

Lead Photographer | Audrey Clifford
Associate Photographer | Tara Zimmerman

Band | Phase 5 Band
Bridesmaid Dresses | Jenny Yoo through Bella's Bridesmaids
Cake | Cakes by Ron
Caterer | Mattison's
Ceremony Site | Ringling Museum of Art | Courtyard
Event Planner | Swanky Soiree
Florist | Lily Bella
Hair Stylist | Sarasota Beauty Bar
Invitations | You're Invited Gifts & Paper
Make-up Artist | Sarasota Beauty Bar
Reception Venue | Ringling Museum of Art | Courtyard
Videographer | Vibe Chaos
Wedding Gown | Anne Barge through White Magnolia Bridal

Sarah + Ian Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling Museum | Sarasota, FL

After having to postpone their wedding only 2 days before the big day, Sarah and Ian just couldn’t wait and got married in her parents’ dining room! They have plans for a big wedding one day, but for now are just enjoying each other and enjoying the married life.  We got together to take some beautiful portraits of the couple at the Ringling Museum, followed by meeting up with their loved ones at Bayfront Park for some family formals.  It was so special to be in Sarasota for these photos surrounded by banyan trees, since Ian proposed at a banyan tree in St. Pete. Wishing Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher nothing but the best!!

Lead Photographer | Alexa Rodriguez
Associate Photographer | Emma Hintz

Jessica + Koren Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling | Sarasota, FL

Get to know Jessica & Koren…

How/when did you meet each other: 

Jessica and Koren met on the first day of Physical Therapy school. They became close friends when they started commuting together to Anatomy Lab. They spent hours studying together, and Koren would save Jess a seat in class and bring her snacks on their breaks. Neither Jess or Koren had intentions to date initially, however after three months of friendship, they grew close and have been together since!

How did he propose: 

Koren and Jessica and their close friends were at the 2019 X-Games in Aspen to celebrate Jessica's birthday. While they were skiing, Koren and Jess took the lift to the top of the mountain where Koren got down on one knee and proposed! Koren admits that he was terrified of falling and losing the ring the whole day. Jessica was so excited that she skied down the mountain screaming "I'm engaged!"

What do you love about each other:  

Jess: I love that Koren is adventurous, he is caring and generous, he always sees the best in people, he brings a sense of humor into every situation. 

Koren: I love Jess’s selflessness, drive, sense of humor, patience.

Interests/hobbies you enjoy doing together:

Skiing, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, trying new foods/beers, traveling, biking and hanging with family and friends

Describe the overall story for your wedding:

We wanted to have a weekend full of activities for our guests to enjoy and spend time with us the whole weekend. We are kicking off the weekend with a catamaran cruise, then rehearsal dinner, then wedding and then Beach BBQ the day after the wedding. We value quality time very much and wanted to celebrate with everybody we love over the whole weekend. 

Inspiration for your wedding location and theme:

Koren’s family is from Florida and my grandparents are comfortable with Florida so we decided to do it there. We originally were planning our wedding to be overseas as many of our family lives internationally. We decided to keep it in Florida to make it easier on our local guests.  I still wanted to have international influence and for that reason I chose the Ringling as it has a Venetian style.

Their wedding day was magic! The Ringing never ceases to amaze us… and it was the perfect background for Jessica & Koren’s romantic, classic, elegant and simply gorgeous wedding. We LOVED being a part of each part of their day, from First Looks to that stunning sunset on the terrace. 

Jessica & Koren, thank you so much for having us! We wish you both ALL the happiness in the world.

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Assistant Photographer | Chloe Dennis

Band | Matt Winter Band
Cake | Cakes by Ron
Caterer | Simply Gourmet
Ceremony Site | The Ringling | Zodiac Sign
DJ | Matt Winter Band
Event Planner | NK Productions | Rachael LaMagna
Florist | Sue Ellen Flowers
Hair Stylist | EMV Beauty & Makeup | Suzan Watson
Lighting | Swanky Soiree
Make-up Artist | EMV Beauty & Makeup | Emily Valazquez
Reception Venue | The Ringling | Terrace
Videographer | Aloha Films

Marisa + Jacob Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling Ca’ D'Zan Mansion | Sarasota, FL

𝐹𝓊𝓃, 𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒸, 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 …

Marisa and Jacob met at The Florida State University during Fall 2012! Their sorority (Alpha Chi Omega) and fraternity (Kappa Sigma) were partners for FSU's Homecoming events. Ironically. They were both on the Homecoming Committee together. Jake was in charge of recruiting Alpha Chi and organizing all of the social events, while Marisa was in charge of building the float. Marisa claims that Jake did not show up to any Committee meetings but that will be a never ending debate! It did not quite start for them then but Jake had his eye's set on Marisa. He persistently asked Marisa's best friend about her. This made it's way full circle back to Marisa and peaked her interest! After Jake graduated from FSU in May 2014, he frequently visited for football games and their friendship rekindled. At the start of 2015, their love story officially began! They went to an FSU basketball game with friends and went out that night to celebrate the victory. Go Noles! They have not stopped talking since that day 4 and a half years ago!

Jake and Marisa travelled to San Francisco for a getaway but Jake had a secret plan. On the most perfect day of the trip, he told Marisa that he had a special lunch date planned for them. He wanted to check out the Golden Gate Bridge to take a picture and grab lunch in Sausalito. They hopped in an Uber and Marisa unknowingly blabbered away. Jake had hoped the Uber would drop them off at the top of the hill for a short walk to the observation deck but the road was blocked off. Marisa (being Marisa) huffed up the side of the hill to the top in her white jeans and bootie heels. Jake was so patient and encouraging to get her to the very top! Jake asked a random person (that happened to be decked out in photography gear) to take their picture on his cell phone. After two snaps, the random person asked if he could take some shots on his professional cameras and send them to us. He said that he frequently takes pictures of tourists! Jake was quick to say yes at this potentially odd request. Before Marisa knew it, he was down on one knee and popped the question! They have every moment leading up to and after the proposal captured by the planned photographer with a beautiful view of San Francisco.

Jake and Marisa love each other for their personalities, empathy, kindness and thoughtfulness. Together they enjoy spending time on the water and at the beach, traveling, growing the Saturday morning market, their golden doodle Brody and watching football (FSU!).

Because they love being on the water and the Ca' D'Zan's location is beautiful it was a perfect venue for their romantic, elegant wedding black-tie. Marisa has done some traveling and loved the style of the Ca' D'Zan. All colors were chosen to softly compliment the Ca' D'Zan. Oh! And The Ringling is tied to FSU and that is where they met!! Besides the ceremony where they were married in front of all their family and friends, the SUPER FUN dance party was the favorite part of their day!!!!

Bringing together their special friends and family and showcasing their love was so special. During the ceremony the eyes connecting as Marisa walked down the aisle and the first kiss were so romantic! But nothing topped when their eyes locked on each other during the “I DO!”. 

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos

Band | Reverend Barry and the Funk
Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie, Dusty Rose, assorted dresses and textures
Cake | Thompson’s Cakes
Caterer | Simply Gourmet
Ceremony Site for Catholic Marriage Nuptials | Holy Family Catholic Church St. Pete
Ceremony Site on Wedding Day | The Ringling, Ca’ D'Zan east lawn
DJ/Emcee | Complete Weddings & Events
Event Planner | Swanky Soiree Events, Stefanie
Florist | Sue Ellen’s Floral Boutique
Hair Stylist | Michele Renee The Studio
Invitations | Papyrus
Make-up Artist | Michele Renee The Studio
Music at Ceremony | Sunset Strings
Officiant | A Wedding With Grace
Reception Venue | The Ringling, Ca’ D'Zan Terrace
|Rentals | So Staged Events 
Transportation | SRQ Trolley 
Videographer | Vibe Chaos
Wedding Gown | The Perfect Dress of Sarasota, Essence of Australia