Best of Wedding Photography

Ashleigh and Ryan’s Wedding: A Sarasota Valentine’s Day Wedding to Remember

Only one thing could possibly be more romantic than getting married on the shore of Sarasota Bay in Sarasota, Florida, and that’s exchanging vows on Valentine’s Day. For Ashleigh and Ryan Keller, their Valentine wedding was full of surprises, laughter, and touching moments that every guest will remember forever. From whimsical wedding favors to bridal party games to a ceremony overlooking one of the most beautiful locales in Florida, this winter wedding was anything but ordinary.

Precious Moments with the Family and Groom

As the bridal party prepared for the wedding, the stage was set down by the shores of the bay inside the Palmetto Riverside Bed and Breakfast. White chairs lined either side of the outdoor aisle and sat before a white archway, all of which sat under the shade of a mighty weeping willow adorned with white lace. Yachts and other boats out on the bay provided a one-of-a-kind backdrop to this outdoor wedding, and arriving guests were treated to small wedding favors and the opportunity to drop off cards and gifts at a unique table set up behind the guests’ seating area.

Inside, Ashleigh and her parents shared a moment of surprise and joy as their daughter descended the stairs from her preparation room in her wedding gown, as neither of them had seen her in it yet. Both Ashleigh’s mother and father were stunned and joyous at seeing their daughter in her gown for the first time, and it’s clear that this was a moment that none of them would soon forget.

The bride and groom shared an intimate moment at the altar a few minutes later, as Ashleigh came down the aisle and Ryan saw his bride in her dress for the first time. Ryan took her hands and the couple embraced before the official ceremony began, and it was clear to everyone who attended this Valentine’s Day wedding that romance was definitely in the air! Ryan and Ashleigh exchanged their vows against the backdrop of Sarasota Bay as friends and family looked on, but the day’s festivities were far from over.

Friends, Fun, and Flip the Cup

Once the ceremony was completed, Ryan and Ashleigh gathered with their bridal party for some group photos and to spend some time together. The couple and their friends shared a champagne toast under the willow tree and spent some time together chatting and laughing before the groomsmen and bridesmaids faced off for a game of “tip the cup,” which consists of toasting the bride and groom, emptying a plastic cup of its beverage, and then flipping it with one hand so it lands upright and upside-down. Both teams laughed and joked as they played and their guests cheered them on. Afterward, as the sun began to set, Ryan and Ashleigh headed out to a pier on the bay for a few private moments together.  As the sun set on Sarasota Bay, Ashleigh and Ryan enjoyed the sight together as their first evening as husband and wife began.

Toasts, Cake, and Conga Lines

Ashleigh and Ryan shared their first dance to kick off the reception festivities once they arrived with the wedding party, and then the bride and groom each shared some tearful but joyous moments with their parents as they each shared a dance together. Once the traditional dances ended, members of the bridal party stood up to share some anecdotes and well wishes for Ashleigh and Ryan, who even managed to get in a few words of their own during the toasts. The couple cut their wedding cake soon after, and once the dance floor opened up, everyone young and old enjoyed cutting loose. Ashleigh and Ryan spent time greeting family and friends in between dances, including a large conga line that involved nearly every guest at the reception! The evening ended with the traditional tossing of the bouquet and garter, and those who attended this beautiful Valentine’s Day wedding in Sarasota would no doubt agree that it would live in their memory for years to come.

Summary: For Ashleigh and Ryan Keller, their Sarasota Valentine wedding was full of surprises, laughter, and touching moments that every guest will remember forever. From whimsical wedding favors to bridal party games to a ceremony overlooking one of the most beautiful locales in Florida, this winter wedding was anything but ordinary.

Sarasota, FL beaches are famous for their sparkling white sand, stunning sunsets, and tropical backdrops that have made them top destination wedding locales over the past several years. Each year, wedding couples come to Sarasota to say their vows and begin their lives together, such as Ana and Ivan Bustamante. The happy couple was married at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota and celebrated the start of their lives together with family in friends in attendance at a unique beach wedding that everyone in attendance is sure to remember for years to come.

Capturing Anticipation

While it’s important to capture iconic moments during the wedding—the walk down the aisle, the exchanging of the rings, and that all-important first kiss, other moments that take place before the wedding are just as special. PixelArt Photography, the Sarasota photography company that Ana and Ivan chose, captured some of these moments, which spoke of all the excitement, anticipation, and reflection that the bride feels before she exchanges vows with her new husband.

However, not all of the moments were reflective and quiet. Ana also shared some whimsical moments with them as well, revealing that parts of her wedding ensemble were as unique as the wedding that was about to take place! Capturing these moments not only helped Ana feel more comfortable with her photographer but also capture the air of anticipation and pageantry that can only come with a destination wedding.

Setting the Scene

Once the photographers captured all the pre-wedding moments that would become a timeless part of Ana and Ivan’s wedding photo album, it was time for the happy bride and groom to head down to the water, where the sparkling white sand and the blue waters of the gulf of Mexico provided the couple and their guests with a breathtaking backdrop. Rustic brown wooden chairs faced a white fabric arch that was adorned with tropical plants, and the path the bride and groom would walk was lined with colorful potted flowers.

As the guests began to arrive, they were treated to the sights and sounds of the beach as palm trees swayed in the near distance and offered shade to the Ritz Carlton and to the beach below. Soon, the bridal party began to make their way down the aisle, and flower girls scattered flower petals, leaving the fragrant blossoms in their wake in honor of the bride. Once Ana made her appearance and met her groom at the archway, the couple prepared to say the vows that would make them man and wife.

Unity Sand and Salt Sea Air        

The backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico’s shimmering blue water was the perfect setting for Ana and Ivan to take their vows. Their vows included a unity sand ceremony, where the couple combined large vials of sand into one container to symbolize their coming together as man and wife. The reverend who presided over the ceremony also draped the couple with a single strand of crystal beads with help of a few members of the bridal party, which served as another symbol of their new and everlasting bond.

Once the ceremony was complete, Ana and Ivan parted briefly as everyone prepared for some wedding photos. After several moments, Ana descended the Ritz Carlton grand staircase to meet back up with her groom, who waited for her below.  The couple spent a few moments alone while Ivan admired his bride and then they joined the rest of the wedding party, friends, and family for a number of photos that would later become a part of the couple’s wedding album.

Strolling at Sunset

After Ivan and Ana posed for photos with their guests, they once again stole a few moments alone as the Sarasota sun began to set. The couple strolled along the sand, hand in hand, as Ana shaded her head and bare shoulders with a delicate blue parasol. Once the sun went down, the couple rejoined their guests in the hotel courtyard, where they were greeted outside their reception with bright and festive sparklers before everyone headed inside to enjoy the rest of the evening.

The First Dance

Soon after the reception started, Ivan and Ana shared their first dance as husband and wife as their happy guests looked on. Candles and lace tablecloths adorned the reception tables, which quickly filled up with Ana’s and Ivan’s guests as they danced.

Multicolored lights lit up the dance floor and ceiling as the tropical Sarasota air drifted in from outside, giving the atmosphere a whimsical and fairy-tale element that Ana and Ivan are sure to never forget and relive every moment every time they open their wedding album from PixelArt Photography.