Real Wedding | Johanna + Jimmy

They say “the Devil’s in the details” but it was the lovely attention to detail that made this south Florida wedding heavenly. From the rustic, hand painted welcome sign, to the dinner menu featuring regional cuisine, this couple planned an event that was warm, elegant and personal. Johanna and Jimmy’s celebration was full of unique touches that made guests feel special…and created a lifetime of joyful memories for the bride and groom.

Johanna + Jimmy | November 6, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The ceremony

We wanted to get married in a place that radiated natural beauty, southern elegance and love.  The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens expressed all of these elements to us, and we were just ecstatic to be married there.

After the ceremony, guests were led by a New Orleans-style jazz group up a hill, to the courtyard of the Bonnet House for cocktail hour.  At the top of the hill was a sign that featured arrows pointing in the direction of some of the important cities in our lives – such as Telluride, Colorado, where we met, and New Orleans, Louisiana, where Jimmy proposed.

The reception

The reception took place next to the Bonnet House slough under five crystal chandaliers hanging from a clear tent, which was draped with swags of ivory fabric. Centerpieces of roses, stock, willow branches, lisianthus, and hydrangeas rested on the tables which were covered in shimmery light brown table cloths, and set with brown and gold china. Guests had a favors waiting for them at their place – a jar of apple butter that said “Spread the Love” along with our names and wedding date.

My first dance with Jimmy was to “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, and my father-daughter dance was to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. At the end of the evening, guests lined up outside the front door of the Bonnet House and sent us off in a white Rolls-Royce.

How Johanna felt in her wedding dress

Elegant, festive, and classic

Why Johanna decided to sell her wedding dress

I had such a ball in this dress, and would love to see someone else enjoy this dress just as much as I did!

Johanna’s dress: Melissa Sweet / Photography: VUE Photography