Bradenton Riverwalk Big Reveal!

   The city of Bradenton has been putting a lot of time and money into renovating the walk along the Manatee River.  Their efforts were brought to fruition as the Riverwalk was revealed at the ribbon cutting event on Thursday, October 18th.  The ceremony was held at Rossi park and since the Courtyard Marriott is mere steps from the shindig and located right on the Riverwalk, they decided to join in the celebrations themselves and were gracious enough to include Flawless Fetes!
   With the construction going on, its been hard to relay the potential for events taking place at the Marriott; but now that the fences are down and the water and its surroundings are on full display, you really can't find many venues quite as gorgeous! We wanted to display an array of situations that the hotel could play host to and arranged a few tablescapes to showcase them! From a family reunion to an elegant wedding, people got a little taste of the variety of possibilities and AKA Photographs came down to document it for us!
   The event was a success, the Riverwalk got tons of traffic and the Marriott put out some delicious hors d'oeuvres for everyone to sample.  Matt & Dom's brought over some scrumptious mini cupcakes and people oggled over their elaborate display cakes.  Malindy Elene Couture for the Bride showcased a fabulously fun party frock as well as two stunning wedding gowns and Bella Bridesmaids featured a couple of gorgeous bridesmaids dresses! We couldn't be more grateful having such generous and friendly vendors to work with! Make sure to pay them, and of course the Riverwalk, a visit soon!

The setting of the Courtyard Marriott Riverfront

How amazing is this sea inspired cake from Matt & Dom's? 

Something a little more casual for a relaxed gathering! 

Just a little bit of drama!

Adore this party frock from Malindy Elene

Soft and romantic

Some guests grabbing a cocktail or two!

Some of the crowd strolling the walk!

Details at our nautical table

Not a shabby view, huh? 

Delish mini cupcakes from Matt & Dom's

Myself and my helper for the day, Leslie, getting the lay of the land! 

Rockerina Shoot

   Sometimes over here at Flawless Fetes, we like to shake things up and do something that has nothing to do with events, just to beautify the world in a small way.  We're in pretty close proximity to the Salvador Dali Museum in St Pete and just love the photos we'd seen taken on their outdoor property.  We mixed the peculiar surroundings with another mash up idea we'd had of a rockstar ballerina! The result was pretty fantastic!
   My sister had been wanting a gold and black tutu for Halloween anyway so Kristen over at AKA Photographs, being something of a tutu fashioning pro, worked her magic for us as well as snapping the amazing photos!  Kimmi danced for years so we took advantage of her bendiness and got some incredible shots!
   The Dali Museum is an absolutely gorgeous, definitely not your run of the mill venue and definitely somewhere you want to check out for a unique engagement photo shoot spot.  Our St Patty's day couple took some of their photos over there and they really couldn't be cuter!

Ronni & Mike's Wedding 9.15.12

   I was lucky enough to be asked by Kristen of AKA Photographs to assist her in shooting this lovely wedding back in September.  When we arrived it was raining and with the ceremony slated to take place in the lovely garden at the Woodmount Clubhouse, I'll admit I was a little worried. The universe was having none of it though and the clouds parted with plenty of time to allow Ronni and Mike their perfect outdoor wedding!
   What I most loved about the day was the attention to personal detail.  The bride and groom exchanged beautiful vows, a poem that was in the last birthday card the groom's father gave him before he passed away. The couple married on what would have been Mike's parents 39th wedding anniversary.
   As sentimental as the ceremony was, the reception was equally as fun and energetic.  The bridal party danced a full Rocky Horror Picture Show rendition of The Time Warp (complete with Ronni taking center stage as Columbia perfection) since they met at a showing of the cult classic! In addition to the guest book, friends and family got to sign a set of electric guitars and there were guitar picks in the wedding colors emblazoned with Ronni and Mike's names, wedding date and the phrase "Making Music Forever".
   It was definitely a family affair, Ronni's grandmother made their elaborate wedding cake. Mike and his mother's first dance was definitely a tearjerker as they swayed to "A Mother's Prayer" by Mrs. Moses' friend, Maureen Still.  Proud papa Ronny couldn't stop snapping photos. "Best Woman" Jamie's speech hit all the right notes as she welcomed her new sister in law into the Moses family.  Mama McAuley was always on hand to make sure her daughter had the perfect wedding day. And you couldn't get the rest of the gang off the dance floor, especially Mike's grandma (who told me to let her know whether I think I'll be able to dance like that when I'm her age, awesome)! Such a wonderful evening! Congrats you two!

Daddy's Girl

Mama McAulay getting the bride laced up!

Mike's awesome cufflinks

After exchanging their beautiful vows! 

One of the two guitars they had their guests sign, the pick favors and the card box case! 

The cake that Ronni's grandmother made

The "Best Woman"/Mike's sister's toast (amazing custom tux dress by the way)

Mother/Son Dance - Tearjerker!

Columbia bridal style!

Time Warp finale

Grandma Crew getting busy on the dancefloor with her sister!

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;

I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;

I cannot promise you an easy pathway

That leads away from change or growing old. 

But I can promise all my heart’s devotion;

A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;

A love that's ever true and ever growing; 

A steady hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow. 

Ronni & Mike's Wedding Vows