Their families both had connections to Anna Maria Island, Florida. Sarah and Ben had vacationed there as children, so it made the perfect setting for their October nuptials. Little oceanic touches made their way into the decor and accessories, complementing the seaside wedding. The couple was married beneath a bamboo structure hand-built by the bride’s father. The palm leaves were taken from the back yard of the bride’s Florida home. They had a sand ceremony to represent the union of their lives and two families. The reception was held at the Manatee River Garden Club in Bradenton, FL. Surrounded by tall trees dripping with Spanish moss, the guests sampled Greek fare, a nod to the couple’s love of travel and trying local foods.
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While the party continued late into the evening, the bride and groom stayed ‘til the end—since they’d done all the planning themselves, they also helped clean up afterward!
TOPS Weddings
Just three weeks before the ceremony, the groom’s mother and sister were in a horrific car crash. They were both still in wheelchairs at the time of the wedding. They rode up the sandy aisle in special beach wheelchairs with huge wheels. The groom’s father and mother took a spin on the dancefloor together, a moment that brought tears to the couple’s eyes.