1. Real Weddings

Maliena & Michael: A Beach Wedding in Clearwater, FL

Maliena knew she was in for the ride of a lifetime when Michael sent a suitcase containing a cocktail dress, makeup and roses to the clinic where she

Maliena knew she was in for the ride of a lifetime when Michael sent a suitcase containing a cocktail dress, makeup and roses to the clinic where she works. As her coworkers looked on (They were all in on it, Maliena says) she scrambled to get ready before slipping into the limo Michael had waiting outside. The Bride Maliena Dowd, 30, pediatrician The Groom Michael Longley, 35, emergency medicine physician The Date May 3 Several stoplights later, she arrived at the Tampa Theatre where Michael was sitting at a grand piano on stage. He played a song he wrote for her, pulled out a custom-made 2.6-carat diamond ring and proposed. The day was much more elaborate (and romantic) than how the couple met –- stitching a patient in the emergency room!

Cherry blossoms, it turns out, were actually out of season for Maliena and Michael's May wedding. The florist instead used dark birch branches with hundreds of pink orchids glued to them to create the illusion of the wedding's signature flower. Then over each five-foot centerpiece, a cherry-blossom parasol was hung, making each arrangement appear even taller.
A customized frame covered in white satin and swags of chiffon served as the backdrop for the sunset ceremony. Pink rose pedals were scattered along a small boardwalk used as the aisle so the wedding party didn't get their heels stuck in the sand!
Maliena is Baptist and Michael is Catholic, so they decided to have a nondenominational Christian ceremony on a private beach. Maliena's childhood pastor officiated and the father of one of her bridesmaids, also a pastor, gave a reading about faith, hope and love.
One of the first wedding details Maliena picked out were the raspberry tea-length gowns with cream-colored sashes for her bridesmaids. Each attendant also wore a silver, garnet and pink cherry blossom bracelet during the ceremony.
Menus were hand cut to fit each plate, adding a splash of color to each metallic place setting. Guests feasted on blackened grouper with mango salsa and filet mignon.
The wedding party look was tied together with raspberry-colored ties for the groomsmen. Michael showed off his own style in a shadow stripe tuxedo with a wing tipped collar.
Maliena walked down the aisle in a silk organza gown she chose for its youthful style. I didn't want to wear a dress that felt too formal or grown-up, she says.
The main favor was a silver bottle of pinot grigio for adults, and the same bottles filled with M&Ms and Skittles for guests under 21-years old. Each favor had a cream cherry blossom label with a special message of thanks.
Guests danced the night away to both a favorite local band and a DJ. Michael, who has played at several of his friends' weddings, sang his own rendition of How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) to his new bride following the cake cutting.
Each guest was given a small cherry-blossom fan to cool off with, along with a four-page wedding program that included a special message in remembrance of Michael's father and a stone they were asked to hold on to during the ceremony to convey love and blessings. Guests then placed the stones in a glass vase that the couple took home after the wedding.
The couple announced the cherry blossom theme with a fuchsia, black and white pocket invitation. Maliena's friend was able to replicate the non-traditional font when addressing the envelopes, pulling the whole look together.
The four-tiered cake shimmered with golden-colored buttercream frosting with rolled fondant and handmade cherry blossoms.