Alex and Mark’s Tropical Garden Celebration

by Amy Serrago

Alex and Mark met in Ireland. Alex was spending a year living abroad after grad school and her roommate happened to be best friends with Mark. He came to visit for the weekend and he and Alex hit it off immediately. They started a great friendship that night, but Mark already had plans to move to Canada. Four months later, he left and Alex thought they’d never see each other again. However, Mark kept in touch and when Alex moved back home to Michigan, the pair started hanging out again. A year after that, they eloped!

Even though they’d been married three years at the time, Alex and Mark wanted to celebrate their union with their friends and family. So, they planned a tropical garden celebration in Sarasota, FL to renew their commitment to one another. They chose a friend to officiate their very unique ceremony because they knew he’d bring an element of fun and humor to it.

Alex chose a boho-chic gown by Melissa Sweet and carried a lush tropical bouquet. Meanwhile, her bridesmaids wore non-matching gowns in pastel shades. At the same time, Mark and his guys were cool in light gray, skipping the ties for a laid-back tropical look.

The reception featured minimalist white and green decor with neutral tones to accent. Alex and Mark chose a non-traditional menu to keep things casual. While the fried green tomato burgers were a big hit, Alex says the BBQ chicken sliders were her favorite. To personalize the day they used Mark’s guitar case as a card box and had guests sign a world map highlighting all the places they’ve been as a couple. And at sunset, they posed for portraits by the ocean. Congratulations Alex and Mark!