1. Real Weddings

A Traditional Garden Wedding at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens in Miami Beach, Florida

Samantha Seldin (28 and a director of sales) and James Bowers III (31 and an entrepreneur) originally met through a close family friend. After an 11 m

Samantha Seldin (28 and a director of sales) and James Bowers III (31 and an entrepreneur) originally met through a close family friend. After an 11 month engagement, the couple had a combined Jewish and Christian ceremony at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens in Miami Beach, Florida, with 100 of their friends and family members. They also added a personal touch to the wedding. “We released butterflies as part of our ceremony, which was magical,” says Samantha. Her and James were wed under a four-post huppah draped in white fabric and accented with arrangements of purple and white orchids. Orchids were used throughout the couple’s wedding for a pop of color in Samantha and her bridesmaids’ bouquets as well as the couple’s centerpieces and accents on their wedding cake. The flowers also served as a hint to a special moment in their relationship. “We chose orchids because they were blooming in our garden when James proposed,” says Samantha. Her and James decorated their reception with silver linens, white napkins and silver chiavari chairs. This allowed the purple orchid centerpieces to pop against the background. Samantha and James ended the night with late night pizza, which was a hit among for their 100 guests, she says.

Samantha and James’ Ceremony
Samantha and James chose the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens as their wedding venue for its open air and whimsical setting, she says. The couple complemented this by releasing butterflies during their ceremony.
Samantha and James’ Recessional
The bridesmaids wore knee-length purple dresses with black shoes. They were complemented by the groomsmen who wore suits in various shades of gray, purple ties and purple orchid boutonnieres.
Samantha chose a sleeveless ivory wedding dress with delicate beading and an ivory sash. She complemented the dress with a tulle veil and simple jewelry.
Samantha chose a bouquet of fuchsia orchids wrapped in ivory ribbon for personal reasons. “We chose orchids because they were blooming in our garden when James proposed,” says Samantha.
The couple’s purple place cards complemented their garden venue with a white tree design and silver writing.
The couple decorated their reception with silver linens, silver chiavari chairs, pink and white table numbers, as well as unique floral arrangements in fuchsia and white.
Arrangements of purple cymbidium orchids and white hydrangeas in breakaway vases were used on certain tables in the couple’s reception.
Samantha and James also decorated their tented reception space with tall arrangements of purple orchids, wood accents, hanging crystals and tea light candles.
Samantha and James chose an elegant three-tier confection by Todo Dulces. It was accented with delicate piping in a floral design, white orchids and a purple owl cake topper.