Great Local Places for your Wedding/Reception/Rehearsal Dinner....

 and lots more great photographs (ours!), links and contacts! Be sure

 to see our web-specials and tell these folks where you saw the images!

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The Powell Crosley Estate is a marvelous bay front mansion with great 20s architecture. It has both inside/outside possibilities for wedding and reception there. Contact Dawn @ 941-722-3244 x227.

One of the beautiful "back rooms" often used as an hors d'oeuvres & Cake room. This stunning presentation is from Nellie's Deli. Contact Fredda at 941-921-4571. They also did the reception in the photo below.

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Below> Michael's on East.   

Phil Mancini 366-0007 @ Michaels on East (Restaurant, Ballroom, wedding site, and Off-Site Catering) @ www.bestfood.com/. E-mail: phil@bestfoods.com You can even do your wedding here in the beautiful atrium...which is often used for pre-function cocktails. Michael's has the ability to provide full catering-kitchen facilities for sites without or minimal kitchens.

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If beachside is more your style these offer a great location for weddings and/or receptions. 

If you have a smaller party, or just looking for something really intimate, check out the Harrington House on Anna Maria. One of the very few B&Bs on Florida's Gulf Coast! The island ambiance really shows! Call Patti at 941-778-5444. http://www.harringtonhouse.com

This amazing Neptune sandsculpture was the "altar" area for the wedding & group pix.

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Longboat Key Club has both Gulf side and Harbor side locations. (Not to mention "Island House"....a terrific golf course/garden view facility.

The patio of Island house is adjacent to the golf course. Note the cool ice sculpture.

The magical twinkling of the fairy lights in the main dining room of Island House.

LBKC: Harborside, Islandside or on the beach.  Call: Chloe Drapkin in Events at (941) 387-1621. @ www.longboatkeyclub.com  

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Moving back to landside....

Classic Bayside Elegance at the Payne Mansion at Selby Botanical Gardens.

This "hand tinted" photo shows the north dining room inside the Payne.

 Call Events at 366-5731 x 224. They also have a great gazebo and 

larger "activity" hall. Visit their site> www.selby.org

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University Park Country Club has just undergone a beautiful restoration of it's facilities.

 Bobbi Richman, with many years of experience is in charge. Call her at 941-355-3888 x225.

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And now to an elegant player in the field-The Ritz Carlton & The Ritz Carlton Beach Club. Contact  Kim Pate 309-2077 or Chris Starman 309-2167 or the sales department: 941-309-2072. As well as the main hotel, there is a splendid Beachfront location as well. By the way, go for the coconut encrusted baby lobster tails as an hors d'oeuvre...ummmm. 

The black & white theme was carried throughout in the above evening garden reception. And below...

This couple from Scotland had a small wedding. They used the private dining room in Ca d Zan Restaurant for their reception.

Executive Chef Greg, explains it all to an adoring audience.

Becki @ Flowers by Fudgie (349-9212 or 800-338-5983) really "pulled out all the stops in this grand affair at the Ritz.

And of course a wedding this "splendiferous" needed a top notch coordinator...and so do you! Call Mary Kenealy 941-927-4762. Wait till you see her credentials! You can email her too;  maryken421@aol.com

The Ritz ALSO has the beach club location....directly on the Gulf of Mexico...as shown below.

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Of course our Grande Dame of grace is the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art From the terrace of Ca'd'Zan to the elegant courtyard. Weddings also in the Rose Garden or Bayfront. There's lots of changes, construction & new building around, so be sure check for availability with Holly Hall @ 941-359-5700 x5703. email her at hhall@ringling.org

This traditional Iberian Long Table look is perfect under the loggia. 

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There aren't really a LOT of places where your guests can literally dine with their toes in the sand; however, the Longboat Hilton can make that happen. Call Jessica Stevens at 941-552-1402 (jessica.stevens@hilton.com) Below are some Gulfside tent images.

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And now to St. Pete...

We recently got back to "The Don" for 3 weddings in a 6 week period! Loew's Hotel Group had taken over management and the changes are terrific. Give Lisa Griffith a call 727-363-2110 (direct) or 866-728-2206.

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The Laurel Oak County Club has recently undergone a huge renovation...and is definitely a class act. Call Kara Kinghorn 941-378-3608. See more at www.laureloak.com. (as well as some of Gary's lifestyle/golf imagery.

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Mixon's Farms has a wonderful new outdoor wedding/reception pavilion. Call: Debbie @ 941-748-5829 x280 Visit them at Mixonevents.com or email at debbyl@mixon.com

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Palma Sola Botanical Garden (http://www.palmasolabp.com) is a great indoor/outdoor venue. 941-761-2866

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There a lots of others too, that eventually will make it to our website; meanwhile, you'll just have to come to the studio to look at all this terrific work in person. The feel of the leather albums, the majesty of a 30x40 Bridal portrait in person...the web is "an appeteaser." Maybe you're considering the Phillippi Mansion or possibly one of the many country clubs in the area....we are proud to have such terrific choices in our area. 

Here is a list of vendors: that we consider top notch. Ones that will help make your  day hassle free and beautiful. This is just a sample....we have a rather incredible list of  wedding service providers from "butterfly release" people to "bagpipers with an antique  Bentley." 

Off Site Caterers?: As you have seen in the above photos, many locations allow catering.

Mattison's is certainly one of the winners! Contact Jessica @941-921-3400. The Tibbals opening below was one of their recent events. Note the attention to detail in the vegetable carving.

Many location/food combination locations (Such as the Ritz, the Colony, Longboat Key Club, and of course Michael's on East) offer off-site catering as well. Other caterers that we like to recommend for small to medium affairs with personalized service are, Harry's at 941-383-0777, & Nellie's (contact Freda and see her work in our Crosley Mansion interiors) at 941-921-4571 and don't forget Sundance Call Wendy Wallis @ 941-341-0803.  Chef Brent @ Gordon's Gourmet 941-925-1644 (chefbrent@gordonsgourment.com) has a really innovative selection of dishes and easily goes from very small to large gathering.

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 Above...a very stylish new player in the market is Artistic Occasions. (Call Christine Fenner @ 941-685-1680.) This was down at the Chelsea Center in Sarasota.

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Lakewood Ranch bound? As well as the beautiful Lakewood Ranch Country Club (Sarah Desgrez @ 907-4700) Fete Ballroom (Polo Grill) has opened a ballroom with full catering. www.caterfete.com Contact Jaymie Klauber or Shannon @782-0899. email Jaymie@caterfete.com

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Our list goes on...looking for a intimate place in downtown Sarasota for a rehearsal dinner or medium size reception? Try Bijou Cafe at 941-366-8111. Speak with Susan. Below are two examples of a recent party.

If only you could taste their lobster bisque on the web!

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Officiants? Are you planning this from out of town? Need help in finding a minister? These gentlemen are comfortable from barefoot on the beach to "tying the knot" in full vestments.  Call Rev. Stephen Lortz 941 922-8258. or www.weddingsinsarasota.com. or Rev. Vince Carroll at 941-351-0986. Jennifer Blanco, 941 923-3551 provides unique ceremonies tailored to your needs...not a "cookie cutter" ceremony. Visit her at www.notarytogo.com. Brenda Lynas, 941 748-6858, of Heavenly Vows "brings lives together for a lifetime".

Videography? Each has a unique style...and JUST like your photographer, you're going to around this person for your entire wedding day, so make sure you not only like their work, but you like them!  David Flom @ 941-497-5744 or cell 941-416-3981 flomvideo@msn.com or Ed Culp with Creative Video Productions at 877-80-VIDEO or Leslie Harris Senac @ 941-925-9253 or Sage Hall, filmaker with Star Fruit Productions @941-527-9522 or Bill Wagy Video (formerly with SNN) @ 941-302-4877

Entertainment? Jay Goodley can help with entertainment (he is an agent with VAST resources!) www.jaygoodley.com  or 941-480-9600. When you come in for your consultation, you can view our resource book of many other entertainers....we even have an Elvis impersonator. Dave Brown owns DJ for Rent 800-262-3547...you wont' be disappointed. A terrific group than can "grow" from 4 musicians/singers to a small orchestra (regularly heard at Ritz Black-Tie fundraisers) is DeLeon...Call Anthony or Sheila at 813-933-3924 or http://www.deleonentertainment.com/. After a zillion year job in Key West, Dan Mobley is available (one person) for rehearsals/weddings. http://www.danmobley.com/ or call him @ 941) 812 4475

Flowers?  Contemporary Beauty: Becki Creighton at Flowers by Fudgie. 349-9212  Romantic? Louise Josie at Josie's Posies 792-6770. Trendy & Timeless: Janet @ Flowers by Don 748-6810.

Wedding Registry? Princess House: Contact Jamie Pope at (941)-713-5424 or by email at jamiepope@tampabay.rr.com.

Transportation? Need an antique Rolls-Royce? How about a horse and carriage. We can help! There are lots of limos in town, but a company that really caught our eye with some extra touches (like a "carpet-boot" that covers the rear wheel so the bride's gown can't even think about getting dirty) to spotless, smoke-free cars, is AllStar Limos. You can reach Denise at 800-345-6614.

Cakes? A winner in his field is Ron Zammit at 941-365-2991. 

And if all the above still has you "wanting more," just call us!