Port Royal offers some of the most pristine, white sandy beaches in Southwest Florida, and the exclusive Port Royal Club offers the perfect vantage point for a seaside wedding. From its British Colonial inspired salon dripping in orchids to its friendly service and delicious food, this is one of our top 10 wedding venues in Florida for sure. So when Scott Wolfson Films shared Tracy and Scott’s wedding video with us, we were all goo goo ga ga to post it! Our favorite part — and watch closely — has to be the personalized sand castle lit by torch light. TO. DIE. FOR.

Cinematography by Scott Wolfson Films

Event Planner: Pink Tangerine

Reception Venue: Port Royal Club

Band: The Headliners Band

Ceremony: First Presbyterian Church of Naples

Makeup: Duality Artistry

Flowers: Rufino at Garden District

Transportation: Elite Limousine Service

Hair: Salon Mulberry

Dress: Reem Acra

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Who could resist calling this folksy theme cute as a button? Certainly we are way too chic? Alas, no. This theme has us feeling all warm and fuzzy, like a cozy sweater on a winter’s day. What’s not to love? So many DIY options to bring bridesmaids together over a few bottles of wine before the big day — and so many Etsy shops to browse from your desk (just make sure the boss isn’t looking over your shoulder)!

Button Pillow designed by Rachael Kay, Napkin Rings via Manolo Brides, Wedding Cookies on display at Tottington Manor, West Sussex, Bouquet by RBK Store, Dress via Crush Cul de Sac, Wedding Cake by Fancy Nancy, Hairpiece via Janae Shields Photography, Table Numbers via theKnot.com, Invitation by Studio Grace

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Brandon Warner, Registry Guru/Entrepreneur, Traveler’s Joy

What are you obsessed with: Helping people honeymoon in places they never dreamed of.

What are some of the hottest honeymoon destinations and why? PORTUGAL: Considered an explored part of Europe when compared to Italy but it has everything honeymooners want: beaches, history, beautiful towns and coastline, etc. NEW ZEALAND: Honeymooners looking for that big adventure trip don’t have to look much further than New Zealand. It’s a perfect destination for a winter wedding since it is in the southern hemisphere. DOMINICA: A small, mountainous adventure packed island unknown to most Americans. Only in the last few years has the island increased its accommodation choices so a honeymoon couple now has plenty of choices including the amazing Jungle Bay Resort & Spa.

Advice for newlyweds traveling on a budget? Like any travel on a budget, do your planning and be creative. Honeymoons get really expensive when couples splurge on everything. Try to reign in the cost of splurges by limiting them and doing some things on your own. For example, instead of having a formal dinner on the beach, head into town and grab a good bottle of champagne, cheese, olives, and bread and have your own sunset romance.

What is so 2011: Registering china and silverware for your wedding registry.

What’s the next big thing? Registering for activities, experiences, and local, crafty goods.

What is your specialty? Registry technology. We make it super easy for a couple to set-up, share, and receive gifts toward their honeymoon registry.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? Our partnerships with amazing wedding websites like WeddingChannel.com, Wedding Wire, and The Knot. Our partnerships make it really easy for gift givers to find our Member’s Traveler’s Joy registry. If our Member has an REI, Traveler’s Joy, and Macy’s registry, the partnerships make it easy for a gift-giver to go to one place and find all three.

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Two New Yorkers who wanted the perfect Palm Beach wedding, Jen and Ken began their marriage in the beautiful St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Palm Beach Gardens, then headed south to celebrate oceanside at Four Seasons of Palm Beach.

Event Planner – James Abel, James Abel Events
Ceremony location – Saint Patricks, Palm Beach Gardens
Reception location- Four Seasons, Palm Beach
Photos- 4Eyes Photography
Video- LaFrance Films

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The Top 10 Most Romantic and Top 10 Least Romantic Cities in the United States: Lake Buena Vista, FL has long considered itself the happiest place, and Foursquare proves that the most happy city is also the most romantic!

Based on cities with 100k+ foursquare check-ins with the highest (and lowest) percentages of check-ins to places deemed romantic (French restaurants, wine bars, flower shops, lingerie shops, and jewelry stores) over the last year, two Florida cities have us feeling more lovey dovey than ever. Take a look!

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Happy Valentine’s Day, lovers! In honor of this sweet holiday, here’s a little inspiration in shades of pink, the hue of love and promise.

Pink bow tie via This Next; Burlap wedding invitations via Oh So Beautiful Paper; Yum! Straws via Hostess with the Mostess; Pink fabric umbrella via Green Wedding Shoes; Pink flamingos via Blue Shoe Brides; Macaroon covered wedding cake by Martha Stewart Weddings;  Cabbage rose bouquet via Sparkle & Hay; Rose via This is Glamorous

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What could be a more uplifting theme for a wedding than balloons? Whether you’re going for a mod circle motif or more of a vintage cirque vibe, it’s easy to get carried away. Take a look at today’s inspiration for ideas on bringing it all together:

Invitation Papertalk Press, Pink and White Balloon filled room Wedding Dress Han Dressia, Dessert Station Sweets Indeed, Outdoor Wedding Reception via Project Wedding, Pink Balloon Photography via Etsy, Couple holding Balloons via Flower Allie, Exiting Taxi Cab Fresh in Love Photography, Wedding Cake Event by Amy Atlas, Table Numbers via  Love and Lavender

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Lynn Steinberg, Entrepreneur, Goodies For Gifts

What she is obsessed with: Lynn loves to find a way to personalize a gift off a bride’s registry. She tries to add something to each present to make it unique and thoughtful while still getting the couple something they wanted for their home. It could be anything that gives a personal touch, but for her, it’s all about food. For example, if you buy a set of pots, complete a date-night package with fresh lobsters from Maine. Or, if a bride registers for a beautiful dessert tray, you can fill it with sweets and cookies.

What is so 2011: Cupcakes were so popular for wedding desserts in 2011. Even Carrie Underwood had them at her wedding instead of having a traditional cake! While the trend won’t go away this year, it’s definitely not as hot as it once was.

The next big thing: Besides cupcakes or traditional wedding cakes, brides are going for other individual dessert options. Cake pops are a hugely popular new item that lots of brides are loving – and it makes the process of serving them to guests so easy. Whoopie pies and traditional fruit pies are now being served on a stick in bite-sized options making desserts at weddings even more eclectic and enticing. I have also seen lots of alcohol being mixed into desserts especially cake pops. Opting for a drunken cake pop is becoming hugely popular!

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Brides really don’t need to know much before going to www.GoodiesForGifts.com. It’s a great resource to get ideas even before you know all the details. Whether for the “cake,” favors, or gifts for the bridal party and parents of the couple, there’s fun ideas for everything. And, when you’re ready to buy, it’s just a simple click through to the vendor’s website – no added fees or hassle.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? The whole idea behind Goodies For Gifts is to support small mom-and-pop type companies nationwide. Lynn calls these companies “foodtreprenueurs” – meaning individuals or families who started a food related business. All of the food gifts shown on GoodiesForGifts.com are each vendor’s specialty foods and they are some of the tastiest treats from around the country. It’s a great way to learn about foods and companies you may have never heard about before. You can also find unique foods from a city of importance for your gift recipient, like something from their hometown, the place where you went to college together, or a city where they are moving to. Goodies For Gifts is full of fun, delicious treats for every occasion!

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For brides and grooms spicing up their South Florida weddings in sexy Miami, Florida, Absolut has launched a limited edition vodka that has Miami written all over it. Literally.

We love customizing weddings with regional products that reflect the vibe of your wedding location. You can greet guests with a bottle in their hotel rooms, serve it up at the bar, give a bottle as a host, groomsmen or bridesmaid gift. But if you’re getting married in Miami, be warned: You’re going to need a lot of vodka cause the party don’t stop!

Signature Cocktail: The Absolut Miami Vice

INGREDIENTS

1 Part ABSOLUT VANILIA

1 Part ABSOLUT KURANT

2 Parts Coconut Liqueur

2 Parts Strawberry Syrup

HOW TO MIX THIS COCKTAIL

Fill a blender with crushed ice. Add all ingredients. Blend and pour into a chilled highball glass.

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Cristina Vives: Chocolatier/Entrepreneur, Shocolaate, Tequesta

What she is obsessed with: Chocolate Covered Kettle Chips (by Shocolaate), Twitter, my Blackberry. Oh and I’m obsessed with making my company into household name globally.

What is so 2010: Wine and Truffle Pairings. What is so 2012? Artisan Beer and Truffle Pairings!

What’s the next big thing? Right now we work out of a Co-Op Kitchen so As we speak we are out looking for a bigger and better location which will be a retail store.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Most definitely a guest count, their color/theme, are they open to innovative flavors or do they want to keep it traditional? They should know that they’ll be in good hands and I’m open to working with anyone in any situation.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? Our artisan chocolates are made with the highest quality Belgian chocolate. Time is taken to hand make and hand roll each piece. As Shocolaate grows we will still have our products made by people and not by machine! We set ourselves apart by really having an understanding of what our clients wants and needs are. Whether they want customized shaped chocolates, a particular ribbon color, or a package shipped to Fiji, we will do everything we can to get it done.

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