Google+ Fashionable Florida Wedding by Justin DeMutiis - Southern Weddings

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If there’s anything that could make us dry our eyes after Whitney’s news, it would be this gem of a wedding from Justin DeMutiis. Can you believe that today’s bride, Jessica thought her dress was “too fancy?” We are so glad that she was encouraged to try the Maggie Sottero beauty on because she rocks it! I love that Jessica was searching for a future family heirloom when she went shopping, and think she found a lovely one. There are so many sweetly Southern details in these photos, the bride’s dress being just one. Among my favorites are the seersucker-suited ring bearers, the baby’s breath centerpieces and the colorful poms hanging off of Jessica + Derek’s snazzy blue getaway convertible!

Let’s hear a little more about that dress, shall we? Finding my dress was like a search for a future family heirloom. It was a feeling I was searching for. Having all of my bridesmaids, my mom, and my sister there was so special. I’ll never forget the memories we created, laughing and having so much fun. The owner of the salon actually was the one to encourage me to try on the dress. Upon first glance, I thought it looked too “fancy.” As soon as my sister finished zipping it and I turned to look in the mirror, though, the search was over. My family heirloom was found. I would be married in this dress. My future children may be baptized in its fabric or wear a piece of it at their wedding. It is the most beautiful, unexpected and perfect dress I’ve ever seen.

I love that Jessica and Derek’s favorite detail of the wedding was taking a moment at the beginning of their ceremony to honor their mothers – they presented them each with vintage handkerchiefs embroidered with their first initial!

A little bit about this gorgeous confection to finish us off: The design was a simple four-tiered all white cake. Down the front were delicate gum paste flower petals. The inside layers of buttercream were tinted a very light blue to add a subtle detail. Our wedding cake was driven 60 miles to Tampa! Favor Bakery makes the most delicious cake and buttercream frosting in the world!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met at Derek’s brother’s house in Tampa, Florida, in September of 2006. He was visiting from Columbus, Ohio, and I knew his brother through a friend from work. We had an instant connection. I’ll never forget seeing him for the first time, and it was all instant butterflies and batting of eyelashes. He went back to Ohio and I went on about my work and life in Tampa. Little did we know that we would see each other again in four months. It was New Year’s Eve; Derek was in Tampa again visiting his brother for the holidays. Unplanned and out of the blue, there we were at the same New Year’s Eve party! When we saw each other again, it was as if we had known each other forever. We’ve been together since.
Describe the proposal. In May of 2009 we went to Ohio to visit his Mom for Mother’s Day. Upon landing in Ohio, Derek told me we were going to dinner at Lindey’s, where we had our first “official” date. Getting ready, getting in the car and driving to the restaurant, there was a cloud of happiness, joy and love around us. As we were seated, I realized it was the same table as our first date. When we were done eating, he got down on his knee and proposed. I was speechless – I’ve never been speechless in my life! He took my breath away. I finally eeked out “yes” and the restaurant and staff erupted in applause and cheers!
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Love, beauty, and joy.
In what month did you get married? March
How many guests attended your wedding? 130
Describe your wedding flowers: Our ceremony was held in a garden overlooking Harbor Island and downtown Tampa. The views were so beautiful I wanted the flowers to be subdued and simple. For the ceremony, we used only baby’s breath. Our moms and grandmothers wore a single Sarah Bernhardt peony. My bouquet was made of Sarah Bernhardt peonies and a few salal leaves. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were made of pink garden roses, baby’s breath, white hydrangea, green hypericum berries and salal. The gentlemen wore boutonnieres made of white ranunculus, white lisianthus, and green hypericum berries.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We are happy being a married couple, spending time with our family and friends, working hard at our careers, decorating our “first home,” and planning for our family when the day comes.

Photographer: Justin DeMutiis // Week of Coordinator: Jennifer Burkle, Burkle Events // Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club // Florist: Scott Darhower, Apple Blossoms Floral Designs // Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Favor Bakery // Caterer: Kevin Lacassin, GoodFood Catering Company // Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas and Betsywhite // Bride’s Dress: “Holly” by Maggie Sottero // Bride’s Hair Accessories/Veil/Jewelry: Veil by Priscilla of Boston, Earrings by Maria Elena // Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston

Justin DeMutiis is a member of our fabulous Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Are you smitten with this wedding? Take a look at these:
Katie + Charlie’s Florida beach wedding here and here
Our post all about veils, in honor of Jessica’s stunning one!

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
23 Comments
  1. avatar Justin DeMutiis reply

    I couldn’t be any more excited about this feature! I love Southern Weddings!

    • avatar Emily reply

      We love you, too, Justin! We were so happy to feature this wedding!

  2. avatar Madelynne Miller reply

    best word to describe this wedding? timeless. absolutely stunning! everything is elegant and beautiful and perfect. LOVE it.

  3. avatar Featured :: Southern Weddings Magazine » Justin DeMutiis Photography Blog reply

    […] with what I do. I’m beyond excited about this honor. Please be sure to check out the feature and feel free to leave some […]

  4. avatar Stephanie reply

    This wedding is spectacular! Love all the beautiful details. Amazing photography.

  5. avatar Lisa reply

    This wedding is gorgeous! What beautiful flowers, and that cake is phenomenal!

  6. avatar Avery Camp reply

    Justin Demutiis is one of the most talented and passionate photographers I’ve ever had the privilege of working with! Congratulations on ANOTHER feature. It is very well deserved! When I get married, I wouldn’t have anyone else in mind :)

  7. avatar Tina Sargeant reply

    Such an elegant wedding and truly beautiful photography. Lovely colors throughout…it creates such a timeless feel!

  8. avatar Tim Duncan reply

    That wedding dress is stunning! I love the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses, too!

  9. avatar Green Wedding Ideas | Heart Love Weddings reply

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  10. avatar Pom-Poms for Festive Wedding Décor « Exclusively Weddings Blog | Wedding Planning Tips and More reply

    […] making poms is available at Exclusively Weddings. Credits: Jenny Cookies, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Southern Weddings, Nola West, Craftgossip.com, idocrafts.com Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to […]

  11. avatar Wedding Cocktails, Cocktail Accessories, Wedding Cocktail Ideas reply

    […] style with cocktail accessories like petty blue striped paper straws from a pretty wedding over on Southern Weddings shot by Justin DeMutiis. Pipii have a great selection of different coloured paper straws at the […]

  12. avatar » May Inspirations reply

    […] Wedding: May is Kentucky Derby month, so mint juleps are a natural source of inspiration (in fact, you may see this picture in an upcoming inspiration board… ;)), but what I really love about this shot is the combination of the classic calligraphy with whimsical striped straws. By Justin DeMutiis Photography via Southern Weddings. […]

  13. avatar Sara reply

    I love this wedding and the colors. What is the exact color called for the bridesmaids dressed and where were they purchased?

    • avatar Jessica reply

      Sara: French Blue from Priscilla of Boston (silk Charmeuse)

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  17. avatar {Getting Crafty} Tissue Pom Poms | Mint Julep Social Events – Wedding planners & coordinators in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, & Orange County reply

    […] Today we are encouraging you lovelies to go out there and get your craft on! That’s right. The holidays have arrived and at Mint Julep headquarters we are in crazy creative mode. In preparation for this weekend’s event (a fabulous Mystic Birthday celebration!!) we have been crafting our little hearts out. We’ve made everything from a homemade fortune teller sign (Yes! We will have a real mystic on hand telling the future!) to a festive photobooth backdrop, a telegram station for birthday wishes and more… We have been busy little bees over here and are super excited. In the coming weeks we will definitely be posting photos from the event. In the meantime, check out our Mystic Birthday Party Theme pinterest board to see which direction we’re headed! In other news… At my house, it’s all about the pom pom lately. The tissue pom pom, that is. We’re hosting a holiday party and I’m making a tissue pom pom garland for decoration. Making tissue pom poms was something new for me but I found this easy peasy tutorial and went to town. And truly, they are super simple to make and really really pretty. Pom poms are used all the time in event decor; especially for weddings. I’ve always bought them for parties I’ve planned or hosted but now I know (if I have the time) I can make them on my own and you can too! Take a look at some fun ways other crafty couples have used them: Now I’m not going to lie to you. This tent set-up would take A LOT of poms and therefore take FOREVER to make! But..if you enlist the help of some friends (maybe the bridal party? you could probably make a night of it (or a few nights rather) and have a grand ol’ time. Playful and super simple aisle decoration? This is a definite “Do”! Pom Poms in the garden… So pretty. Has a bit of a fairyland feel to me. You can use them for your place settings too. Brilliant! How great are these pom pom vines? Check out the tutorial here. Okay, so I’m a little bit in love with the idea of doing a pom pom garland for the getaway car. SO adorable I can’t stand it. Some day soon, if my fingers don’t fall off first, I should be done with my pom pom project. I promise to show pics! I hope, you too, are inspired to start getting crafty. It can be such a nice mental escape; I highly recommend it! If you try your hand at poms, I’d love to see the end result. Keep in mind, if you are going to use tissue pom poms as part of your wedding decor to limit HOW you use them. What I mean by that is, you might not want to do the pom place setting AND have them hanging from the ceiling. Less is more, darlings…less is more. Cheers! Images: here, here, here, here, here, here, here […]

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