An Outdoor Garden Wedding at The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, Florida

Two years after Angela Dimovski (29 and a project manager) and Christopher (Chris) Spock (31 and a physician) met at a Miami nightclub, they became engaged. The couple was on a trip to Key West when Chris surprised Angela with a proposal. “I was too focussed on his loving expression to hear what he was saying, but I instinctively said ‘yes’ when he was finished speaking!” says Angela. When it was time to pick their venue, the couple only had to look within walking distance of their apartment. They chose The Palms Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach, Florida. “It encapsulated everything we envisioned for our outdoor wedding: a gazebo in the garden surrounded by palm trees and bright flowers, a large wooden patio with plantation style decor and a beach backdrop,” says Angela. Over the couple’s year-long engagement, the beach also became their theme. A color palette of turquoise and aqua flowed throughout their decor. Angela and Chris decorated their ceremony with greenery, white roses and blue orchids draped along the front of the gazebo. Bright blue orchids also lined their ceremony aisle. After the couple exchanged custom vows, Angela, Chris and their 80 guests entered the hotel for reception and cocktail hour. Signature “Sea Breeze” cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres awaited friends and family members as a harpist, cellist and violinist played in the background. For a personal touch, each guest found his or her seat listed on a sand dollar the couple collected on a weekend trip to Sanibel Island. Their patio reception was decorated with white folding chairs, aqua linens and low floral centerpieces filled with white calla lilies, white hydrangea and blue orchids. “Overall, we wanted a relaxed but sophisticated decor,” says Angela. The couple served their guests a steak dinner filled with fresh locally grown fresh ingredients as well as a miniature desserts and champagne. Angela and Chris spent the rest of their night dancing and enjoying midnight snacks with guests. “It was the perfect end to an amazing day,” she says.