Mary & Joe’s Whimsical Coastal Garden Wedding at The Powel Crosley Estate
Mary and Joe’s wedding day at The Powel Crosley Estate in Sarasota, Florida, was a true reflection of their love story—whimsical, peaceful, and full of intentional, meaningful moments. The couple envisioned a coastal garden celebration with modern and classic touches, and that vision came to life in the most beautiful way. With a soft color palette of cream, ivory, and pops of peach, blush, and pastel yellow, the day felt light, romantic, and utterly timeless. Every detail—from the custom oyster shell place cards to a heartfelt letter written to each table—was designed with their guests’ experience in mind. “I wanted to make sure it was really authentic to ourselves as a couple,” Mary shared, and it truly was.
The Ceremony took place on the Estate Terrace, with the elegant architecture of the historic home behind them and the soft sounds of the bay nearby. Surrounded by florals that reflected their romantic garden theme, Mary and Joe exchanged vows in front of their closest loved ones. It was personal, joyful, and full of warmth. “The Ceremony was intimate and light,” Mary reflected. Their Ceremony space perfectly captured their blend of classic romance with a coastal twist. Mary added, “We also loved the Italian villa feel of the house, and the view of the sunset on the water really sold it. I also loved the privacy of it, it really felt like our own private event.”
Following the Ceremony, guests were welcomed to Cocktail Hour in the pavilion and on the lawn, where the golden hour glow set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The couple offered signature cocktails—Aperol Spritzes and Tom Collins—to match the playful, European-inspired garden vibe. A charming coffee cart added an extra layer of hospitality and warmth, while guests explored a stunning seating chart installation that led them to hand-written oyster shell place cards at their tables. “Knowing that everyone was enjoying themselves and felt taken care of mattered way more than any of the details,” Mary shared—and it was clear that every guest felt just that.
The Reception took place beneath a dreamy clear-top tent on the lawn, where the stars twinkled above and the dance floor glowed below. The design was a perfect mix of ethereal and modern, with soft floral arrangements, warm lighting, and transparent details that created a magical atmosphere. At each table, guests discovered a hand-written letter from Mary and Joe—a deeply personal touch that brought tears to many eyes. The Matt Winter Band set the mood with live music that carried from dinner into an epic dance party. “The golden hour cocktail hour was definitely a highlight,” said Mary, “but of course the dance floor for the rest of the evening was hard to beat.”
Looking back, Mary described the day as “one of the best days of my life.” She added, “I felt so taken care of from my vendors and was able to enjoy the day that we had all worked together to plan.” The decision to work with MDP Events felt like the perfect match from the start. “Lauren had the sort of calming presence I needed on the day of, and I had confidence she could make my vision come to life.” This wedding was a seamless blend of heart, style, and unforgettable memories.
Vendor Team:
Coordination & Design: @mdpevents | MDP Events
Photographer: @everencephotography | Everence Photography
Venue: @powelcrosleyestate | The Powel Crosley Estate
Florist: @armsofpersephonefloral | Arms of Persephone
Videographer: @corycdraper | Cory C. Draper
Catering: @mattisons_ | Mattison’s
Band: @matt_winter_band | Matt Winter Band
Hair & Makeup: @lastingluxe | Lasting Luxe
Tent: @ustentrental | US Tent Rental
Chairs, Bars, Seating Chart: @vivantrentals | Vivant Rentals
Tabletop Rentals: @oakandashevents | Oak & Ash Events
Linens: @bbjlatavola @linensbythesea | BBJ La Tavola & Linens by the Sea
Coffee Cart: @breakingwavecoffee | Breaking Wave Coffee
Lighting: @affairs_in_the_air | Affairs in the Air
Late Night: @shakeshack | Shake Shack
Transportation: @siestatrolley | Siesta Trolley
Wedding Dress: @cwiebeclothes | Caroline Wiebe
