Tropical Whimsy: Lauren & David’s Welcome Reception at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club | Sarasota, Florida
Lauren & David’s Wedding Weekend began with an unforgettable tropical-inspired Welcome Reception at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key in Sarasota, Florida. Surrounded by ocean breezes and a vibrant sunset backdrop, this event set the tone for a weekend filled with joy, style, and thoughtful details. With a theme of bold and whimsical tropical vibes, the design embraced layers of texture, lush tropical greens, and vibrant pops of coral, peach, yellow and orange florals that transformed the Beach Club Lawn into a paradise-inspired celebration.
Guests were immediately greeted with a standout feature—a coconut wall from Plithos Rentals, featuring personalized coconuts filled with the signature “Cocolada” mocktail by AM I COCONUTS?. This playful detail was as delicious as it was Instagram-worthy, offering the perfect welcome drink as guests mingled and soaked in the atmosphere. Gather & Grace Designs brought the tropical vision to life with abundant floral arrangements of exotic blooms, tropical greens, and dried textures mixed with fruits for an added pop of color and authenticity. “Details have always been something I adore, so making sure we had lots of tropical florals in shades of greens, yellows, and oranges as well as tropical fruit was really showcasing a tropical getaway.” Lauren shared, “I included rattan baskets and wicker details as well as a steel drum band and endless cuisine to follow the style and theme.”
Entertainment by Caladesi Steel Band enhanced the tropical vibe, filling the evening with the soothing, rhythmic sounds of steel drums. Lauren and David have a deep love for Sarasota and knew The Ritz Carlton Beach Club would be the perfect place to welcome their guests and show them what Sarasota has to offer! The energy was both relaxed and festive, creating the ultimate beachside ambiance. Additional décor included a fun photobooth and a neon sign from Posy Exchange, chic lounge seating and elegant bars and bar backs from Plithos Rentals, and lighting by Swanky Soiree that gave the evening a soft, warm glow as the sun set over the Gulf.
A highlight of the night was a heartfelt welcome toast given by David, the groom, setting an emotional and celebratory tone for the weekend ahead. Guests enjoyed mingling under the stars while savoring theme-focused cuisine and tropical cocktails. Lauren’s meticulous eye for detail shined through every element of the event, from wicker and rattan accents to the playful incorporation of tropical fruits throughout the décor. She shared how she loves “having the wedding weekend start off with SO many details that I had planned and got to see my guests enjoy!”
When asked about her favorite part of the day, Lauren shared, “Surprising David with a Bentley from Classic Wedding Cars of Sarasota!” A memorable and personal touch that Lauren had been planning for months as a gift for David. The couple used the car for their couple’s portraits before making their way out to the beach for gorgeous golden-hour photos, capturing high-end editorial-style portraits that perfectly complemented their tropical-chic attire. Lauren’s floral-detailed gown paired with a shell purse and David’s emerald jacket over linen pants were as stylish as the setting itself.
Reflecting on the evening, Lauren shared, “I really wanted to be able to have as many details as possible and this event specifically was tying in all of the tropical details and producing a Florida vibe. ” For couples planning their own wedding, she offers this advice: “Remember that you can have a Rehearsal Dinner if you like, but if you have a destination wedding for many of your guests, a Welcome Reception is the perfect opportunity to provide a fun welcome for all your guests before the big day!”
With its sunset views, bold tropical details, and heartfelt moments, Lauren & David’s Welcome Reception at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club was the perfect prelude to their wedding celebration—a stylish, personal, and unforgettable start to their Sarasota wedding weekend.
Vendor Team:
Planning & Design: @mdpevents | MDP Events
Day of Coordination: @elegantaffairsbydesign | Elegant Affairs by Design
Venue: @ritzcarltonsarasota | The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Photographer: @corneliazphoto | Cornelia Zaiss Photography
Videographer: @shannonkellyfilms | Shannon Kelly Films
Florist: @gatherandgracedesigns | Gather & Grace Designs
Steel Drummers: @caladesisteelband | Caladesi Steel Band
Hair & Makeup: @adorebridalhairandmakeup | Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
Photobooth: @posyexchange | Posy Exchange
Coconuts: @amilovescoconuts | AM I COCONUTS?
Rentals: @plithosrentals | Plithos Rentals
Content Creator: @marrymetampabay @behind_thevows | Marry Me Tampa Bay, Behind the Vows
Lighting: @swankysoireeevents | Swanky Soiree Events
Dress: @theperfectdresssarasotaflorida @annebarge | The Perfect Dress Sarasota, Anne Barge
Wedding Rings: @hannoushjewelers | Hannoush Jewelers
Transportation: @siestatrolley | Siesta Trolley
Vintage Vehicle: @classic_wedding_cars_sarasota_fl | Classic Wedding Cars Sarasota
Mobile Spray Tan: @siestaglowspraytanning | Siesta Glow Spray Tanning
Earrings: @oliveandpiper | Olive & Piper
Newlyweds: @laurengertz @davidbisbee | Lauren Gertz-Bisbee & David Bisbee
