The Parklander
NOVEMBER 1, 2020 BY JULIE ROSNER
Wedding plans march on
Weddings are an important event and milestone. All across the world, couples have had to change wedding plans, details, and dates because of COVID-19. The pandemic has severely affected weddings, engagements, and the industry as a whole.
The Wedding Hero team
Jana Tobey, the owner of Wedding Hero, a full-service wedding company, has firsthand experience. “March 2020, at the height of COVID, I began my company. Initially, there were cancellations. March and April weddings moved to October. Now, as I am coming into the burrow months, we are finding that people are done canceling and want to get married.”
In light of COVID-19, Wedding Hero has taken the necessary precautions. “If a bride wants to do a big or small wedding, my team and I ensure that there are social distancing parameters. All employees are wearing masks. We do it out of respect for our guests to make them feel comfortable,” Tobey said.
In addition to postponing these dream weddings due to the COVID-19
pandemic, several people have delayed their ideal proposal.
Due to the pandemic shutting down South Florida, family-owned luxury jeweler, J.R. Dunn Jewelers, launched a giveaway for one lucky winner to “Say it Big” and propose in front of millions of people, on the busiest roadway in South Florida, I-95.
Patrick Callahan of Delray Beach, Florida, was the winner. Patrick planned an elaborate proposal for the love of his life, Taylor, after six years of being together.
On August 17th, 2020, Taylor thought she was going for a birthday
weekend trip to the Florida Keys with Patrick. On their way, they made a pit stop at the Deering Estate in Miami. Patrick led Taylor to the center of a beautiful setting and proposed to her with a solitaire diamond engagement ring from J.R. Dunn Jewelers.
Mr. and Mrs. Callahan
Taylor said yes!
After the proposal, the couple drove to a surprise dinner with all of their closest friends and family. On their way, they passed J.R. Dunn’s billboard reading, “Taylor, will you marry me? Patrick” with one of their most coveted pictures together.
Taylor was in awe of the endless surprises Patrick had planned. “Love is not canceled! Whether we plan your intimate wedding of thirty now or continue to push forward to the wedding for 300 in the future, we WILL make it happen!” Tobey said.
We wish Mr. and Mrs. Callahan a huge congratulations and cheers to many more memorable moments.
Contemporary Weddings Magazine
AN UNCONVENTIONAL PRIVATE ISLAND DESTINATION WEDDING BY SARA KAE PHOTOGRAPHY
When two Instagram influencers are engaged to tie the knot, you’re pretty much guaranteed a celebration filled with pretty details. While this duo were originally planning a destination wedding in South Africa, they didn’t let a global pandemic get in the way of exchanging vows. They simply pivoted and decided to have their dream wedding on Captiva Island. With only a month to plan, Chynna and Sterling called upon Wedding Hero to bring their boho vision to life with florals from Tom Trovato Event Floral & Design LLC. The end result? Well, we’ll just let the photos from Sara Kae Photography do all the talking. Take a peek below!
From Sara Kae Photography…Chynna and Sterling, two Instagram influencers, met playing beach volleyball in Tampa and knew they had found “the one” in each other. Unconventional is what they were from the start. From a proposal without a ring, to planning a destination wedding in South Africa, Chynna and Sterling pushed the boundaries of traditional throughout their engagement.
Being engaged in a pandemic presented challenges in planning their dream wedding though. After months of trying to plan and assure that their dream wedding would be a reality, they decided together that they didn’t want to wait any longer. They sat down at the kitchen table, contacted the first private estate on Captiva Island that they found, and arranged to be married by the end of the month.
With only 4 weeks to plan, it was critical that they had the best vendors in their corner. Wedding Hero, Jana Tobey, was ready for the challenge and helped to bring their new dream wedding to life. With a mixture of modern and bohemian being essential to bring their visions to life, emerald greens, golds, blacks and jewel tones design elements were carefully curated for the big day.
Ensuring everyone’s safety was top of mind. With mandatory quarantining and COVID tests for all guests, creating an isolated safe area was the number one priority.
The unconventional theme continued on their beautiful day from hanging out all day before the wedding to a toast in the middle of their vows, they ensured that their personalities and principles were carried through every element of their special day.
Do you want to share your engagement story, wedding or wedding inspiration with us and our readers? Click here to for more information on how you can submit for a chance to be featured!
Ceremony Location: Sea Oats Luxury Estate / Caterer: Paper Fig and Bake’n Babes / Cake Designer: Sassy Cakes / Photographer: Sara Kae Photography / Event Planner: Wedding Hero / Floral Designer: Tom Trovato Event Floral & Design LLC / Equipment Rentals: Something Borrowed Decor Styling and Plithos Rentals / Event Designer: Exclusive Affair Party Rentals / Gown Designer: Rue De Seine / Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Shoes: Cole Haan / Apparel: Milano Exchange / Ring Designer: Westshore Diamond / Hair Stylist: Hair By Leesha Ann / Favors and Gifts: Ella Bing / Other: Illustrations by Carrie Lynn
Friday, September 25, 2020
Bohemian Florida Elopement
Words by Kinsley Brown
Photos courtesy of Gabriel Rosario
If you are one of the many couples who had to postpone their dream destination wedding because of the pandemic, our hearts go out to you. We want you to know that you are not alone either. So, today's blog is an inspiring story how one couple overcame the upset of having to drop their wedding plans abroad to create an intimate experience closer to home.
Tawnie and Wayne had a dream of marrying on a hill overlooking the water in Ireland. Unfortunately, before they could get any plans set in stone, COVID19 hit. The two wanted to be married in 2020, however, so waiting another year (or two) before saying “I do” didn't sound appealling. That’s when they set their sights on eloping in their home state of Florida.
“We love the natural beauty of the area and wanted to immerse ourselves in the bohemian style for our wedding,” the bride says.
Working closely with their wedding planner Jana Tobey of Wedding Hero, Tawnie and Wayne planned a styled photo shoot at Grace River Island in Southwest Florida. Since the couple are nature enthusiasts, tandem yoga instructors and they coach couples on how to reach a deeper level of connection through exercise, it was important that these elements be included in their celebrations.
Their special day came quickly, and after an intimate waterfront elopement and a picnic in front of the arch, Tawnie and Wayne enjoyed good food, love laughter and a little rain. Tying everything up with some yoga and a quick row in the canoe, this shoot was nothing short of perfect!
Although it wasn't what they orginally had in mind, this charismatic couple made the most out of their “Plan B.”
Vendors: Photographer: Gabriel Rosario
; Wedding Planner: Wedding Hero
; Ceremony/Reception Site: Grace River Island Resort
; Florist: Tom Trovato; Cake: In Love & Food
; Hair & Makeup: Heather Leygh Degele;
Gown Designer: Lillian West Collection by Justin Alexander; Bridal Shop: Palm Bridal
; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Stephen Jeoffery at Jim’s Formalwear & Black Tie Tuxedos; Catering: Savour First Choice Catering; Rentals: Exclusive Affair Party Rentals
COVID19, COVID19 Wedding Planning Tips, Elopement Inspiration, Elopement Ideas, Elopements, Real Weddings, Real Weddings, Florida Weddings, Florida Elopement, Bohemian Wedding, Boho Bride, Boho Destination Weddings
Happy Monday everyone and how are you all? How was your weekend? You will be pleased to know this is my last day in isolation, so I can stop banging on about it after today. I have to say I am READY to leave the house and get some fresh air and some exercise! It’s been a looooooong 10 days. I am out and about with Dexter for the rest of the week and I cannot wait to get in the car and take him out for some fun days out. So on with today’s wedding and it’s a real beauty of a wedding. Chynna and Sterling were married on 31st July 2020 at Sea Oats Luxury Estate Captiva, Florida. Their original plans got ruined by Covid, so they decided to just crack on and get married regardless. They hired expert wedding planner Wedding Hero who got to work and pulled off the wedding of dreams in just 4 weeks. The whole day is magical, the colours are stunning, the flowers, the macramé details, the modern touches all go together to make this a first class wedding that I know you are going to love. Big thanks to Sara Kae Photography for the images.
JANA THE PLANNER TELLS IS MORE ABOUT THE WEDDING
Chynna and Sterling, two instagram influencers, met playing beach volleyball in Tampa and knew they had found “the one” in each other. Unique is what they were from the start. From a proposal without a ring, to planning a destination wedding in South Africa, Chynna and Sterling pushed the boundaries of traditional throughout their engagement.
Being engaged in a pandemic presented challenges in planning their dream wedding though. After months of trying to plan and assure that their dream wedding would be a reality, they decided together that they didn’t want to wait any longer. They sat down at the kitchen table, contacted the first private estate on Captiva Island that they found, and arranged to be married by the end of the month.
With only 4 weeks to plan, it was critical that they had the best vendors in their corner. Wedding Hero, Jana Tobey, was ready for the challenge and helped to bring their new dream wedding to life.
With a mixture of modern and bohemian being essential to bring their visions to life, emerald greens, golds, blacks and jewel tones design elements were carefully curated for the big day.
Ensuring everyone’s safety was top of mind. With mandatory quarantining and COVID tests for all guests, creating an isolated safe area was the number one priority.
The unconventional theme continued on their beautiful day from hanging out all day before the wedding to a toast in the middle of their vows, they ensured that their personalities and principles were carried through every element of their special day.