Ceremony & Reception Details
We’re extremely excited to be celebrating our wedding with you! Here are the details you’ll need to navigate the day and get the most enjoyment from it. We have tried hard to tailor the day to the comfort of everyone coming, so if there is anything we can do to help you out please let us know!
Getting There
The ceremony and reception will both be held at Historic Spanish Point. Technically it sits in the town of Osprey, but its right on the border between Osprey and Sarasota. This place is pretty amazing, it is the summer estate of the Palmer Family (also of Palmer House fame from Chicago) who used to own over half of Sarasota and Manatee counties. The location is a historical preserve, so it’s tucked away in a corner and easy to miss when you’re driving. Set your Google Maps and follow it. As you pull in you’ll see a little hut thing on the right, drive past that and follow the road. The road is narrow and lined with trees, just keep drivin’. It’ll look something like this, and try not to run that guy over…
Keep going until you see the parking area, it looks like this:
The parking area is a 1 way loop, park along the sides and make your way to the gazebo where signs will guide you the rest of the way and the trams will be waiting. Below is a link to a Google Maps pin to the entrance of parking. Oh, and parking is free. Finally, the Preserve itself bans motorized vehicles from going past the parking area, without specific permits. Do not try to drive past the signs saying no cars, they will stop you and it will be awkward. :)
Schedule
Ceremony Start: 3:30pm. The ceremony location is a short walk from the parking area, but we will have golf-cart trams running back and forth for anyone who wants to ride instead of walk. Make sure to arrive about 15 minutes before the ceremony at the latest in order to make the start. We will be starting on time. If you arrive late, that’s OK! Walk on over or ride a tram, but don’t be surprised if staff holds you in a waiting spot until its safe to enter! :)
Immediately After: Pictures! If you are going to be in a picture, there will be separate communications.
Happy Hour and a Half: Between the end of the ceremony and 5:45pm will be the hang out time. We’ve got a couple things going on here.
Picture Guestbook - we’ll have some cameras sitting out and a guestboard - take a selfie, write a message, and post it on the board!
Jenga - play icebreaker Jenga at the cocktail tables while enjoying the snacks and drinks
Spirits Tasting - We have a course of 6 special liquors to taste, if you wish. The bartenders will have rocks glasses and will pour them one at a time for you. Gather your friends together and try some really incredible whiskey, armagnac, and rum.
Mingle With Us! - Liz and Adam will be joining the party. Right after fam pictures we’ll be wandering in and mingling, so come say hi! We hope to spend a little time chatting with everyone if we can, but if you miss us before we bounce out for sunset pictures, get us after dinner.
Unity in Glass - We’re having a glass sculpture created from colored glass that we’ll mix in the ceremony, and you can add a pinch of your favorite color yourselves.
Meal Service: At 5:45pm, the salad course will be plates down. Finally! That will progress through entrees down at 6:00pm, and a brief toasts by the Maid of Honor and Father of the Bride at 6:30pm. We’ll do a simple cake cutting but it won’t be a show, and then at 6:55pm or so (maybe a couple minutes early or late depending) the Bridge and Groom with have a short speech and that will kick off the dancing.
Weather / Stuff
This is an outdoor wedding, so we’ve gotta deal with weather and stuff. As of the time of writing this, the forecast is high 70s during the day, dropping to mid 60s at night. Dress accordingly. We will have radiant heaters on site for comfort as the night cools off. As of the current forecast, the rain chance is low, but Florida is Florida, so if rain does occur, we do have a tent on backup ready to go. So don’t panic, we’ll be doing enough of that for all of us! :P We don’t expect much in the way of bugs or sunburn weather or anything, but just in case we’ll have a selection of bug sprays, hand sanitizers, and sun screens. We definitely recommend that you do not wear any sort of stiletto heel - if you wish to wear heels, lean strongly towards wedges. It is outside, there is deep grass, and your narrow heels could easily cause problems. You may want to wear a nice hat during the ceremony, as we think the sun position will be a little awkward unfortunately due to time changes.
Have no fear… there are bathrooms. Inside the white cottage, with a little A/C as well if you need and a covered seating area.
Also if you need a break, there is a scenic overlook with a gorgeous view of Sarasota Bay and the sunset. Head on up the little hill on the other side of the reception space.