1. Real Weddings

A Lavender and Pink Accented Wedding at the Davis Islands Garden Club in Tampa, Florida

For Mirka Linares (33, a business banker) and Alex Andux (33, an operations manager), birthday parties are more than an annual celebration. The couple

For Mirka Linares (33, a business banker) and Alex Andux (33, an operations manager), birthday parties are more than an annual celebration. The couple met when a mutual friend brought Alex to Mirka’s 30th birthday party. Three years later, he proposed in the car on the way to a friend’s birthday party. “I thought he was teasing me when he opened the middle console. I couldn’t believe there was a box in there,” says Mirka. Over the next nine months, Mirka, Alex and his daughter planned an outdoor purple and pink wedding at the Davis Islands Garden Club in Tampa, Florida. “The theme to our wedding was definitely romantic florals with modern colors,” says Mirka. The couple’s pink and purple color scheme was chosen by Alex’s daughter and Mirka, after their favorite colors, says Mirka. Her and Alex decorated their gazebo ceremony with rose petals, floral arrangements in the color scheme and white folding chairs. The reception included more pops of color with pink lighting cascading over white chairs, lavender linens, white draped fabric, purple napkins and low floral centerpieces. A lively DJ also added to their celebration. "He made us feel like we were just having another family party, having a ball!" says Mirka.

Mira and Alex’s 105 guests were led into the reception by a white framed wedding sign accented with white flowers and greenery.
Mirka and Alex held their ceremony in a pink and purple floral accented gazebo at the Davis Islands Garden Club’s. The couple also decorated their aisle with flower petals and small pink and purple arrangements.
Mirka and Alex’s First Kiss
Mirka carried an arrangement of purple and pink roses accented with white ranunculus and white hydrangea. A distinctive white orchid was also placed on the bouquet.
The bridesmaids were dressed in floor-length sleeveless lavender dresses. Each carried a pink, purple and white bouquet accented with baby’s breath. “I added Baby’s Breath as I felt it gave it a whimsical touch,” says Mirka. Alex and his groomsmen complemented the bridal party with gray Vera Wang suits.
Mira chose a strapless Haven by Maggie Sottero white mermaid wedding dress. She paired the sweetheart neckline gown with a fingertip-length veil and simple earrings. “I wanted my wedding to feel like a fun celebration of our union,” says Mirka.
Adding the pink and purple color scheme directly into her outfit, Mirka paired her Maggie Sottero wedding dress with pink floral accented peep-toe Badgley Mischka heels.
Mirka and Alex’s reception was decorated with chandelier lighting, white draped fabric, lavender linens and purple napkins. Tall metallic votives as well as low arrangements of tea roses and baby’s breath were used as the centerpieces.
Each table was set with three silver accented glass votives and low floral arrangements in pink and white.
Mirka worked with Cakes by Jessi for a month to ensure her romantic theme was reflected in the confection, she says. The couple had a four-tiered cake with quilted detailing and pink roses set on each tier. The cake was topped with a rhinestone “A” to represent the couple’s last name.