A Perfect Gainesville Florida Wedding

Congrats, you’re engaged. You want to plan the perfect wedding in Gainesville, Florida, but there’s not much on the internet to help you. Sure, Wedding Wire is nice. But how about a helpful testimonial from someone who just threw her dream wedding in Gainesville, Florida. In this blog post we will go over the best venues, most delicious and professional caterer, dreamy photographer, stunning florist, hair designer, makeup, ceremony music and more.

Catering

We went with Celebrations Catering in Gainesville, Florida. Truly, the only catering company we would recommend. They offered a zoom call to discuss details before any payment was made and then offered a tasting with whatever we wanted to sample. All of the food was amazing.

Celebrations let us drop off all table decorations and alcohol and mixers days prior to the event. And they actually transported to the reception location.

From casual to contemporary, classic to quick, Celebrations Catering offerings feature a dining style to appeal to any kind of event … or time of day. They continue to evolve our menu offerings to truly feature a little something for everyone. All weddings and events are COVID-19 compliant and measures are taken for safety of you, your guests and our team.

All menu items include details necessary to make your meal enjoyable, and stress-free including: salads, sides, beverages, desserts, plates, silverware, napkins, cups … and setup and delivery, of course. They will take care of all of it for you.

The food was spectacular.

Celebrations packaged up the bar and extra food at end of night. Jaime at Celebrations Catering was in charge.

The bride and groom went with the Forever & Always Wedding Package. 150 people. This also included dinner rolls and butter, sweet tea, lemonade and water dispenser. We were able to choose two appetizer from appetizer menu. These were passed during cocktail hour. We last minute added a third and we are pleased we did. One salad. One starch. One vegetable and two entree choices. We added non disposable dinner packaging including a gold charger (they have multiple color choices), white dinner plates and flatware rolled in a napkin. We got 150 beverage 10oz water glasses, ice service, 150 wine glasses and two bartenders.

They set up the bar. The bride and groom provided their own alcohol and mixers. Which saved them money. Since we dropped off booze Wednesday for a Saturday wedding, the caterers had everything organized and chilled.

The caterer provided linen tablecloths. 120 inch round for the 16 round tables we had and rectangle for the wedding party, sweet heart table, buffet, dessert table etc.

The first passed appetizer was peach grilled crostini with grilled peaches with a goat cheese spread, fresh mint and balsamic reduction. This paired perfectly with the passed Simi Sauvignon Blanc the caterers passed during cocktail hour.

The second appetizer was charcuterie skewers with salami, pepperoni, spanish olives, pesto stuffed tortellini garnished with feta cheese and fresh basil. Highly recommend.

The bride and groom added Spanakopitas, Greek spinach and feta cheese in stuffed phyllo pastry triangles. In the package, you got 150 of each appetizer.

During cocktail hour the servers passed Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Paloma (tequila, grapefruit juice and soda water with lime) and whiskey ginger.

The dinner was the “Again Forever and Always” wedding package.

Our guests started with a raspberry pear salad- this was served buffet style in a bowl with tongs. Radicchio, candied walnuts, scallions, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese served with Champagne Dijon vinaigrette. So fresh and delicious.

The starch we chose was rustic garlic mashed potatoes. They were heavenly. So moist and fluffy. 10/10.

The vegetable was grilled asparagus with herb garlic butter. It was fantastic and cooked perfectly.

Our guests had two entrees on the buffet and could get one of each.

1. Herb crusted top sirloin roast- slow roasted sirloin served with horseradish cream sauce and a Cabernet Demi glaze. Paired perfectly with the Harvey & Harriet Red blend we offered.

2. Sun dried tomato chicken- sautéed chicken breast smothered in a sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce with fresh basil.

We added a coffee service. This included regular and decaf coffee served in thermal containers including all condiments such as breath mints: stir sticks and napkins, as well as the hot water service with assorted tea bags.

Photographer

Olivia Morgan-She includes an engagement session prior so you and your groom can get comfortable in front of her before the wedding. Sneak peak was given less than a week after wedding. Her photography blew us away.

From our first interaction, Olivia’s timely attention to detail was spot on. She made everyone feel so comfortable and we all loved her professional and positive attitude. We cannot say enough good things about Olivia.

She is a natural light photographer who has been published in bridal magazines and wedding blogs around the U.S. She believes it is very important to have a strong relationship with her clients as it helps with communication, expectations, and makes it easier on a wedding day when you are in front of the camera. Her number one goal while shooting a wedding is to make every couple, member of the bridal party, and guest feel as comfortable as possible. She lives for the genuine, authentic moments and she always want to capture your special day exactly how it was so that when you are going through your wedding album, you are reliving those memories all over again.

Florist

Florist- We met with the florist early on and showed her Pinterest inspo. She delivered the bouquets in water at the venue prior to the event. We rented the arch from her as well dressed in silk flowers. It was delivered before event and picked up right after. Highly recommend Betsy from The Plant Shoppe Florist. Everything was fresh and beautiful.

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Ceremony Location

The ceremony took place outdoors in the Turtle Court at the Thomas Center. They met with us previously for a tour. We picked our spot and finalized all details. Only $200 deposit to reserve the day. They have same day helpers to set up chairs. We rented the Turtle Court and the white chairs for $2 a piece. The outdoor space was inexpensive too.

We chose to rent out a get ready room for bride and groom that’s also an ideal spot for pictures.

Our parents were married at this exact venue 37 years prior.

What was once a private residence and hotel is now a cultural events center for the community and surrounding areas of Gainesville, Florida. This Mediterranean Revival-style building is the settling for contemporary art exhibitions multiple restored period rooms and numerous historical exhibits. Its meeting rooms and performance spaces have become sought-after venues for weddings, conferences, and social events. The Thomas Center provides a versatile space that contributes to the cultural, civic and social life of Gainesville.

You have to pay personal fees for staff based on the number of attendees. You need two staff members for under 200 people at $56 an attendee per hour and they require 2 hours of set up and hour and half of break down. We got our deposit back right away too.

They were very easy about letting us have the rehearsal there the evening before.

We rented the Period Room for the girls and 102 for the boys to get ready.

Ceremony Music

Chelsea and Richy– the best of the best in Gainesville. They have a list of songs but can also learn songs for your special day. Never want to go to a wedding without live music again. They learned Joy of my life by Chris Stapleton because that was the song playing when the groom proposed. They brought a second AV system to the Thomas center so our officiant could have a mic too. They started playing music at 4:30pm so music would be playing as guests arrived. The ceremony began at 5:00pm.

Reception Location

We chose the Cade Museum. It closes to the public at 4 pm on Saturday but lets vendors in early to set up then get rocking at 4 pm. You can also drop off whatever you need that morning. They have staff on site easing the event. They send you a visual plan of the tables. Dj, buffet etc to give to your caterer and offer walk through. They were super attentive and accepting of our last min changes.

The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade. The Cade offers breathtaking modern architecture, with a broad range of versatile wedding spaces. Their central rotunda with a 55’ domed ceiling provides a spectacular setting for your day or evening reception. Their second floor gallery, with floor to ceiling windows, provides panoramic park views for your ceremony or rehearsal dinner. The Cade is located at the edge of Deport Park, so their indoor and outdoor wedding spaces offer inspiring park and pond views.

They offer an additional parking lot at the Annex building next door.

Wedding Cake

We chose Nothing Bundt Cakes. Little individual bundtinis were just $2 a pop. That’s how much it costs for a caterer to cut a slice. We bought a variety box in advance to taste the flavors we wanted. We ended up getting 3 flavors, 3 dozen each along with a tiered cake for our dog topper.

Our amazing caterer packaged up the top to send home with us and wrapped our topper. They delivered and set up for only $25 too. That is a local Gainesville fee.

Transportation

We went with Candies Production Limo. 4 hour minimum. Gave them a timeline. Mike was flawless and went to every spot on time. They had champagne flutes in car. The only downside was there was no Bluetooth; so bring a speaker! It was perfect for us. He even made a last minute ride to get the groomsmen on time.

Accommodations

We got a block at Hampton Inn and Suites downtown. Super accommodating. Got everyone on same floor. Breakfast included which was a huge plus. Special shout out to Mark McClain, the Director of Sales. They gave us a flat rate that had the choice of two queen or one kind. All rooms had mini fridge: microwave and WiFi access. Literally smack down in the middle of downtown Gainesville. Our guests could walk anywhere. Free parking on the street during the weekend.

They’re near local restaurants like Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille and 10 minutes from Gator games and events at the University of Florida. UF Health Shands and VA hospitals are both about two miles away. Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History a 14-minute drive away. Their hotel features an outdoor pool and a fitness center with a Peloton® Bike with toe cages.

DJ

Elio Piedra DJ. When I tell you I wanted him I literally revolved my date around him being available and I’m so glad I did. The party starter DJ in Gainesville.

He was a party starter!! The bride gave him a detailed agenda with songs to play during cocktail hour, songs to play during the evening and songs not to play. He introduced the wedding party like we were royalty, pronouncing everyone’s name correctly and played the first dance; mother son dance, father daughter dance perfectly with the times I gave him. He even introduced the brides sisters to join the father daughter dance at 0.51 seconds like requested.

He shares his soul with you in the hope that you can hear the rhythm in his heart.

Elio Piedra was born in Cuba and began his musical career at the age of ten at the Arts Conservatory Raul Sanchez. At fifteen, he gained entry into the National Conservatory of Music Carlos Hidalgo where he continued to hone his craft, even touring Cuba with the symphony orchestra.

Makeup

Eunice Jin makeup. Travels to where you want her to be. So quick and efficient but we felt flawless. She made us feel gorgeous and the makeup lasted all night long. She sent us with eye lash glue too just in case but no one needed it.

Spray Tan

Golden Girls Gainesville for our golden glow. Efficient. Went to her house. $30 great price. Super kind and makes you feel comfortable in your own skin. All the bridesmaids were in and out. Super professional.