Friday, February 1, 2013

Destination Wedding Miami: Estate Event

Words by Courtney Kellar
Photos courtesy of Amanda Julca

When Kirsten and John decided on a destination wedding in Miami, Florida, they knew their families would be a primary focus at the event. “With our guests mainly coming from Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, our guests were thrilled to escape the beginnings of winter for a warmer climate in Southern Florida,” recalls the couple.

Thankfully, the couple decided on their venue with ease and booked The Deering Estate at Cutler on the spot. It was the property’s serenity and natural beauty which sold Kirsten and John on saying “I do” on the vast grounds. Not surprisingly, the spot now holds a special place in the couple’s hearts, “The Deering Estate is now our anniversary destination as well…we plan to return every year to spend time and eventually introduce our wedding location to our children,” says the couple.

With an organized bride and great wedding coordinator, the destination wedding planning went off without a hitch. “I wouldn’t have had It any other way and I loved it!” says Kirsten. “I’m a very organized girl, so open lines of communication and keeping deadlines were important to me. My best advice is to understand the vendor network – they are all connected. Once we found our caterer, they introduced us to our wedding coordinator, our cake designer, musicians, etc.”

Perhaps the most important thing to Kirsten and John was that their wedding reflect their “deep dedication” to their families. This was accomplished through subtle nods and DIY projects. “I chose White Veronica flowers and Fern for my bouquet to honor my grandmothers,” says Kirsten. “Rosemary was also in my bouquet and was placed at the table settings to honor [John’s] mother who had passed. Also, our first dance was to “Sea of Love,” which was a favorite song of my father who has also passed.”