1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Wedding at the Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida

After just over a year of planning, Kimberly Gorak, an attorney, 33, and Christopher (Chris) Ramey, an attorney, 31, had an outdoor wedding at the Pow

After just over a year of planning, Kimberly Gorak, an attorney, 33, and Christopher (Chris) Ramey, an attorney, 31, had an outdoor wedding at the Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida. “The style of our wedding was vintage glamour,” says Kimberly. The couple chose radiant orchid as their wedding color. The gazebo ceremony space was decorated with white fabric draped along the archway, gold chiavari chairs and small arrangements of white peonies and purple roses. Tall lanterns with lighted candles also lined the aisle. “We used lanterns lit with candles in many different locations: lining the aisle, on the cocktail tables, lining the exterior staircase and even in some of our centerpieces,” says Kimberly. A string trio played throughout the couple’s ceremony and indoor cocktail hour. The reception was held in a tent overlooking the Sarasota Bay, says Kimberly. Her and Chris decorated the space with sheer drapery, chandelier lighting, light colored linens, purple napkins and lush arrangements of roses, garden roses, hydrangea and peonies on each table. Dinner was served at dusk so their 100 guests could see the sun come down over the water. Big band and swing music played in the background, say Kimberly. The couple and their guests used the venue’s courtyard as their dance floor. "

The couple decorated their gazebo ceremony with gold chiavari chairs, white fabric as well as arrangements of purple roses and white hydrangea tied to chairs along the aisle.
Kimberly chose an white Demetrios wedding dress accented with lace and beading. The gown had a keyhole back and lace cap sleeves that were complemented with a wide beaded belt added by the bride, says Kimberly.
Kimberly and Chris were wed in the venue’s gazebo, overlooking the Sarasota Bay. They decorated the space with sheer drapery and floral arrangements placed along the aisle, says Kimberly.
Kimberly and Chris’s Recessional
Chris and his groomsmen were dressed in classic black tuxedos with black ties and white boutonnieres.
The bridesmaids wore v-neck floor-length chiffon gowns in radiant orchid with a draped accent.
Kimberly and Chris decorated the venue’s courtyard with romantic lighting and used it as their dance floor for the night. “Over the courtyard, we hung a chandelier surrounded by a starburst of twinkling lights,” says Kimberly. “I was on the dance floor from the very first song until the last!"
The couple decorated the reception with textured ivory linens, purple napkins, gold chiavari chairs and lush floral arrangements in white, pink and blush.
Kimberly and Chris set each reception table with an arrangement of hydrangeas, garden roses, roses and spray roses in shades of white, purple and pink. Some arrangements also included a neutral colored lantern placed at the center.
The couple chose a simple four-tier wedding cake decorated with purple, white and blush roses as well as white spray roses.
Kimberly and Chris’s First Dance