wedding event style spring/summer 2011

WEDDING
Event Style
™
3
gorgeous
real
weddings
{
a decor
to call
your
{
oWn
chic
GoWNs & JEWEls
whimsical
mind of Mindy Weiss
WEDDING
SPRIng/SuMMER 2011
Event Style
™
PuBLISHER/EdIToRIAL dIRECToR
Kathryn gray Perlmutter
EdIToR AT LARgE
Sean McManus
ASSoCIATE & CoPy EdIToR
Ann Marie Sapienza
ARTS & FASHIon EdIToR
Cabeth Cornelius
BEAuTy EdIToR
Paulina Perez
CREATIVE dIRECToR
Lindsey Callaway
AdVERTISIng & CLIEnT SERVICES MAnAgER
Kara Barger
WEB dEVELoPER & dESIgnER
Wesley Asbell
Wedding Event Style © 2011
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Copyright © 2011 Jacksonville Luxury Living, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Visit our website at www.WeddingEventStyle.com.
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We d din gEv e n tSty l e . c o m
WEDDING
Event Style
gorgeous
3weddings
real
a decor
to call
YOUR
OWN
{
a decor
MAILIng AddRESS
P.o. Box 330885
ATLAnTIC BEACH, FL 32233
PHySICAL AddRESS
2804 ST. JoHnS BLuFF RoAd SouTH, SuITE 200
JACKSonVILLE, FL 32246
t: 904.564.1910 Pf: 904.564.1909
PRE-PRESS PRoduCTIon/PRInTIng
Hartley Press
™
{
Jacksonville Luxury Living, LLC is not responsible for client advertising
or editorial-supplied materials, including photography, submitted to us
for use in print production or any other media, including website and marketing
materials.
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ConTRIBuToRS
Editor at Large Jennifer Corrente
Celebrity Profile WriPter Stacey Marcus
Photographer Meghan Stewart PhotogPraphy
Real Wedding Photographers Pure Sugar Studios
Jamie Borland PhotogrPaphy
Abby Jiu Photography
chihic
GOWNS & JEWELS
whimsical
mind of MINDY WEISS
Photographer: Meghan StPewart Photography
Flowers: Shea HopelyP
Set Stylist: JenniPfer Corrente
Location: Ribault CPlub, Amelia Island
AmAndA Pulido And
RyAn SAundeRS
mAy 29, 2010
JAckSonville, FloRidA
A Latin affair in vthe heart of
downtown Jacksonvilvle
From the moment Amanda
set eyes on Ryan, she
knew he was “The One.” Ryan got down on one knee, pulled out a huge ring box, opened it
upside down and said, “So ... will you marry me?”
— Amanda
We d din gEv e n tSty l e . c o m
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37th, an old mansion that has been turned into an acclaimed restaurant.
It was a beautiful night, so after dinner they decided to put the top down
and drive through the winding streets of Savannah to Forsyth Park. once
inside the park, Amanda turned around to find Ryan walking a little ways
behind her. She said that is when he got down on one knee, pulled out
a huge ring box, opened it upside down and said, “So ... will you marry
me?” As she retells the story for probably the umpteenth time, Amanda
is still smiling ear-to-ear, almost as excited as when it first happened.
She admitted she “flipped out, started crying and laughing, and jumping
up and down.” Clearly, she said, “yes!”
Their wedding was held on May 29, 2010, right in the middle of
the Jazz Festival and in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The only
traditional element of the night was the wedding ceremony, which was
held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Following the 7 p.m.
ceremony, all 250 guests walked though the crowded streets, amid
the sound of live jazz, to the rooftop of the main library, which was the
perfect urban setting for what the couple describes as a “receptionless
reception.” Amanda planned most of the night, infused it with her family’s
culture and created the feel of a Latin-American carnival — her mom
is nicaraguan and her dad is Cuban. The decor was metropolitan in
style, more reminiscent of a true rooftop lounge than your typical
From the moment Amanda Pulido set eyes on Ryan Saunders, she
knew he was “The one.” This telltale moment happened over six years
ago when Ryan first started working for a real estate investment firm next
to her family’s restaurant, Havana Jax. Amanda was in college at the
time, but was helping waitress at her family’s restaurant the day she first
saw Ryan drive up. When she saw him, she looked at her friend gabby
and said, “oh my god, I just saw the man I’m going to marry!” While she
didn’t meet him right away, news traveled fast through the little restaurant
family and eventually made its way to Ryan that the owners’ daughter had
a crush on him. Amanda unabashedly admits that after about a year of
Ryan coming in to have lunch and the two making small talk, she finally
called him up and asked whether he would like to go out with her. Ryan
knew that you rarely find such a perfect package: a girl that is beautiful,
sweet and confident, so he eagerly accepted her invitation. Their first
date was a little quirky — like most good first dates are. It was dinner
and a game of ping-pong at the beach, but it was all it took for Ryan to
realize what Amanda had known all along: They were meant for each
other. From that date forward, the two were inseparable.
Ryan proposed to Amanda on July 8, 2009, during a little getaway
to Savannah, georgia. Savannah has always been one of her favorite
cities to visit because of its cozy, romantic feel and its great architecture
and beautiful scenery. Everything about the trip was relaxing and laidback until the last night when Ryan suggested they go to Elizabeth on
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wedding reception. White lounge furniture, mahogany cocktail tables
and stainless-steel bars filled the space, since the couple tried to use
as little traditional seating as possible. Large white curtains created a
dramatic entrance for both the guests and the night’s honorees. Flowers
were almost nonexistent, with the exception of some illuminated vases
showing off voluminous, bright green mums. Hundreds of hand-carved
nicaraguan maracas and handmade masks and fans were placed
around the space, available for guests’ enjoyment and to embellish them
as they salsa danced.P
The menu was as unique as it was delicious, and perfectly blended
with the rest of the evening. It was conceptualized by Amanda and her
mom and prepared by Havana Jax. As guests arrived, they were greeted
with butler-passed champagne and a seafood display boasting cracked
crab claws, seared sea scallops, prawns and ceviche. A full bar was
available throughout the night where signature drinks like mojitos and
Havana mamas flowed freely. dinner was a gourmet dish of traditional
nicaraguan food, “caballo bayo,” consisting of fresh corn tortillas served
with a sampling of nicaraguan specialties like vaca frita (shredded and
fried flank steak with sautéed garlic and onions), slow-roasted pulled
pork and chicken fricassee (pan-fried chicken with fresh vegetables).
dinner was rounded out with refried beans, fresh avocado, pico de gallo
and queso blanco. This meal is traditionally served in large handmade
pots, but a quick spin was put on tradition to make everything fit with
the modern design, so tall ceramic pots with plexiglass covers were
used instead. Tres leches cupcakes were the perfect sweet treat and
replaced the traditional wedding cake. Amanda’s cultural roots were
enjoyed in all the night’s nuances, from the meal to the music to the
cigar roller, and kept guests entertained late into the night. After guests
waved farewell to the bride and groom, the party continued on at Cuba
Libre, the bar insidPe Havana Jax.
The next morning, Amanda and Ryan left for their honeymoon in
Nicaragua. They flew into Managua, the country’s capital, where they
were picked up by their own private chauffeur who assisted them
for the length of their stay. They honeymooned at her family’s beach
house in Pochomil, where the full-time staff took care of their every
need. They spent their time sightseeing, visiting local markets and
taking excursions to places like Grenada and Catalina. Now back
home in Austin, Texas, where Amanda works in advertising and Ryan
owns Texstar Austin Realty, they are enjoying how wonderful it feels
to finally be husband land wife.
N Written by Jennifer Corrente
Church: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church;
Ceremony Musician: Mary Jane Ballou; Reception
Location: Rooftop of downtown Jacksonville library;
Reception Decor and Florals: Unique Option,
Orlando; Catering and Bar: Havana Jax; Cigar
Roller: JC Cuban Cigar Roller; DJ: James Strutchen;
Cupcakes: Sivada’s Cupcakery; Wedding Gown:
Sharon Batten; Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BCBG, St. Johns
Town Center; Groom’s Tuxedo: J. Crew; Groomsmen’s
Attire: Michael’s Formalwear; Makeup: Paulina Perez;
Photography: Jamie Borland Photography
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