In the small residential community on Florida’s Gasparilla Island, a long tradition has been held. On the eve of a wedding happening on the island, brides are given a bottle of gin to hang upside down in a tree, which is rumored to provide clear skies on the couple’s wedding day in Boca Grande. Natalie and Steven helped carry on this sweet tradition and can attest to two things. One: the tradition really works. Two: Gasparilla Island is one heck of a special place. 

“Both of our parents have houses on the island,” Steven tells us, “and we met at The Gasparilla Inn. We knew that could be the only place we got married because that is where our love story began.”

Although the couple selected a December wedding date, Natalie still desired to capture the feeling of getting married in warm, sunny Florida. “I love everything about Boca and The Gasparilla Inn, so I wanted a slice of our Boca Grande heaven at our wedding,” the bride says. Luckily, her bright-colored, eclectic theme came together seamlessly with the help of her planner, Nicole from NK Productions Wedding Planning. 

“I think finding a local wedding planner who knows what you want and someone you can fully trust and rely on is huge,” Natalie says. “We had an incredible experience because of that.”

Natalie and Steven wanted their wedding weekend to capture the essence of this little slice of paradise. From the jump, they sent out save-the-dates featuring a sketch of the popular mode of transportation on the island: golf carts! They also set up room blocks at their beloved venue, The Gasparilla Inn, with the recommendation that guest book ASAP due to the limited lodging available in the area. Additionally, the couple planned a number of parties over the weekend to help all guests feel included and get to experience the destination. 

“We made welcome bags for each guest staying at The Gasparilla Inn,” Natalie says. “These all included a detailed map of Boca Grande, a weekend itinerary, a special drink and personalized wedding weekend cup, and some treats! This definitely helped guests know what was going on and, hopefully, made them feel special that they were there.”

To promote local business, Natalie and Steven opted to hire vendors who either called Boca Grande “home” or lived not too far from the community. The bride highly recommends other couples planning a destination wedding hire vendors who have worked at your specific venue and have rapport with your wedding planner. “This made everything so easy because all the vendors knew where to go, who to speak to, and how everything is managed,” Natalie tells us. “I had no communication issues with any of the vendors because of this, AND because my wedding planner was on top of it all.”

When the time finally came for Natalie and Steven to say “I do” under a blue sky, it seemed like something out of a Hallmark movie. The two beautiful souls who met in the same location years before now stood hand-in-hand pledging a lifetime of love, choosing each other each day, and vacations to their favorite place: Boca Grande. 

Vendors: Photographer: DeMutiis Photography; Planner: NK Productions Wedding Planning; Venue: The Gasparilla Inn and Club; Florist: Isn’t She Lovely; Stationery: Trout Designs; Beauty: James Griffith Salon; Gown Designer: Galia Lahav; Gown Store: White of Dublin; Groom’s Attire: Hive&Colony; Videography: Eli Meyer Studio; Music: DJ Kurt Disney & Simply Strings of Goodely Entertainment; Rentals: Stella Rose Events, Palacios Events, Treasury Rentals, BBJ La Tavola; Seating Chart: Laconic Events