A FLORIDA DESTINATION WEDDING

Hey Florida Brides! Thinking about a destination wedding? Well...you won’t have to look further than your own backyard. Set against South Florida’s natural beauty, the beautiful Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida offers a stunning wedding-day location perfect for romantic ceremonies, formal functions, and everything in between.

LMP spent our Labor Day weekend exploring this fabulous luxury resort and fell in love with its captivating location and state-of-the-art features. And, since the resort is located near shopping, attractions and pari-mutuels – it’s perfect for the weekend getaway wedding.

Couples can tie the knot on a picturesque stretch of beach, or gaze at the serene ocean views from one of the hotels elegant, ocean-facing ballrooms. The Westin also offers smaller ballrooms and function spaces -- all available for festive rehearsal dinners, intimate ceremonies, and more. We guarantee, you too, will fall in love with this resort!



And for the bride who's looking to blow off a little steam before the big day, the resort and spa are perfect for a girls-only weekend getaway, bridal shower or bachelorette party. Check out these beautiful poolside pics. You’ll want to book your reservation a.s.a.p!

The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, is a recipient of WeddingWire's prestigious annual Bride's Choice Awards, 2011.

Charming Summer DIY Wedding

Style Me Pretty Florida hosts tons of gorgeous ideas for Florida brides -- it’s one of our favorite sites to visit when gathering ideas for weddings and bridal showers. Recently, we came across a beautiful DIY wedding...and since LMP is a huge fan of DIY projects – seriously, we LOVE them...we wanted to show our readers that they don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a beautiful wedding.

Literally down the street from our home office, in Valrico (FL.), this beautiful DIY sunset colored, southern style wedding is as charming and elegant as they come. If you’ve been searching for ways to cut the costs, but not the class on your wedding day, check out the pictures from our latest feature. From the boutonnieres to the reception décor, this couples DIY ideas will surely inspire your creative side!

Vendors:

Wedding Photography/ Jessica Charles Photography
Caterer/Chick-fil-A Valrico Florida
Venue/ Twenty-Eight Twelve Event
Guest Book: Inspired by design from Bleu de Toi
Wedding Cake: SunBaked LLC

Make sure you check out Style Me Pretty Florida for more wedding inspiration.

Kenneth's Graduation Celebration!

On Saturday, the team at LMP got up bright and early to prepare for Kenneth’s Graduation Party. A celebration for this Saint Leo University graduate and thirty of his closest family and friends;
we did not want to disappoint.

The room reserved for the event was decorated with green and gold -- the colors of his alma mater. Balloons, confetti, ribbon and other meticulous details were used in the décor. The dessert table was decorated with graduation caps, black frames, an amazing cake, and of course, lots of other sweet treats for his guests to take home.

Congratulations to Kenneth on this great achievement!
We're so happy we could be a part of the big event.

Check out some of the images from Kenneth's Graduation Party!



















Were you a guest at Kenneth's party? Tell us what you think!

Not a guest, but love the decor? Be sure to leave us a comment below.

Unique Ideas - Receptions in a Barn?

While gathering ideas for a potential (Fall '11) bride, we ran across a beautiful image of an old rustic barn. And although this bride wanted nothing to do with the great outdoors, she did spend several hours contemplating the possibility of having her reception in this not so traditional location. And why not?

Hosting a wedding reception in a barn has the potential to be spectacular. It's warm, cozy, romantic - and it's perfect for an early evening wedding. We know you're probably thinking..."A barn?" That's right! But don't think of it as the traditional country, dusty, hay-filled type. Instead, think of it as a dimly lit, intimate location – perfect for a couple that's modern, unique and full of creativity.

Can’t picture it?
Check out some of our favorite images of receptions that just so happened to be held inside of a barn. You’ll love 'em!













Of course these receptions didn't come to be without lots of hard work. One of the most important factors in finding the perfect barn for a wedding or reception is the condition of the space. Barns that have been or are currently used to house animals will likely require far too much work to make them habitable for a wedding.

Love the idea of having your reception in a barn?
Keep these factors in mind when planning:

+Structural Condition: Is the barn safe for housing a wedding? Will additional insurance be needed to cover the event? What repairs need to be made to ensure the safety of the wedding guests?

+Lighting: Is there existing lighting? If not, can the barn be wired to provide lighting? Will additional electricity be needed for the caterers or entertainment?


+Do appropriate restroom facilities exist within the barn itself? Or, will they be nearby for guests to use. Are those facilities accessible to handicapped guests, as well?

+Is there enough space? The barn should have ample space to house all of the necessities of a wedding and wedding reception. This includes tables, chairs, decorations, space for the caterer and wait staff, and, if there is dancing, a dance floor.

Barns also offer unique photo opportunities that aren't always present at other venues. And choosing the right barn also means choosing decor that will enhance the atmosphere.

With a little creativity, any barn can be turned into a dream wedding and reception venue. And be sure to stay posted!

LMP has great ideas for your holiday parties...
and we can't wait to share them with you!

Celebrating Your Festive Fall Event

It’s Fall! The perfect time of year to spend with family and friends. The time of year that symbolizes and celebrates prosperity and abundance. And because Fall is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, it’s a season that makes for great dinner parties, bridal showers and weddings.

Fall is also the season of beautiful burnt oranges, chocolatey browns, vibrant reds and shimmery golds. If you’re planning a celebration outdoors amongst the natural foliage and cool breezes, or indoors, decorated with the bold, beautiful colors of this ever-changing season, let us help! We’ve got great ideas and budget saving tips that will help you get the most out of your event.

Check out some of our favorite inspirational palettes for Fall.
The colors for this season are amazing - from the traditional, warm oranges, to the modern, elegant aquas, we love them all!


AQUA + BERRY


ORANGE + BROWN


LIME + BROWN


PURPLE + ORANGE


RED + ORANGE


CREAM + BROWN


Can't picture these colors on your reception or dining room table? LMP searched our archives to bring you our favorite Fall looks. The décor focuses on beautiful flowers, warm and cozy candles and simple, seasonal accents. Which is your favorite?

TABLESCAPES




RECEPTION






Need help planning your Fall event? Looking for other festive ways to celebrate? Contact us! And be sure to check back with us for stunning ceremony and reception ideas that are unlike anything we've ever shown you.

See you soon!