Jessica + Koren Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling | Sarasota, FL

March 18, 2021

Get to know Jessica & Koren…

How/when did you meet each other:

Jessica and Koren met on the first day of Physical Therapy school. They became close friends when they started commuting together to Anatomy Lab. They spent hours studying together, and Koren would save Jess a seat in class and bring her snacks on their breaks. Neither Jess or Koren had intentions to date initially, however after three months of friendship, they grew close and have been together since!

How did he propose:

Koren and Jessica and their close friends were at the 2019 X-Games in Aspen to celebrate Jessica's birthday. While they were skiing, Koren and Jess took the lift to the top of the mountain where Koren got down on one knee and proposed! Koren admits that he was terrified of falling and losing the ring the whole day. Jessica was so excited that she skied down the mountain screaming "I'm engaged!"

What do you love about each other:

Jess: I love that Koren is adventurous, he is caring and generous, he always sees the best in people, he brings a sense of humor into every situation.

Koren: I love Jess’s selflessness, drive, sense of humor, patience.

Interests/hobbies you enjoy doing together:

Skiing, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, trying new foods/beers, traveling, biking and hanging with family and friends

Describe the overall story for your wedding:

We wanted to have a weekend full of activities for our guests to enjoy and spend time with us the whole weekend. We are kicking off the weekend with a catamaran cruise, then rehearsal dinner, then wedding and then Beach BBQ the day after the wedding. We value quality time very much and wanted to celebrate with everybody we love over the whole weekend.

Inspiration for your wedding location and theme:

Koren’s family is from Florida and my grandparents are comfortable with Florida so we decided to do it there. We originally were planning our wedding to be overseas as many of our family lives internationally. We decided to keep it in Florida to make it easier on our local guests. I still wanted to have international influence and for that reason I chose the Ringling as it has a Venetian style.

Their wedding day was magic! The Ringing never ceases to amaze us… and it was the perfect background for Jessica & Koren’s romantic, classic, elegant and simply gorgeous wedding. We LOVED being a part of each part of their day, from First Looks to that stunning sunset on the terrace.

Jessica & Koren, thank you so much for having us! We wish you both ALL the happiness in the world.

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld
Assistant Photographer | Chloe Dennis

Marisa + Jacob Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling Ca’ D'Zan Mansion | Sarasota, FL

March 27, 2020

𝐹𝓊𝓃, 𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒸, 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 …

Marisa and Jacob met at The Florida State University during Fall 2012! Their sorority (Alpha Chi Omega) and fraternity (Kappa Sigma) were partners for FSU's Homecoming events. Ironically. They were both on the Homecoming Committee together. Jake was in charge of recruiting Alpha Chi and organizing all of the social events, while Marisa was in charge of building the float. Marisa claims that Jake did not show up to any Committee meetings but that will be a never ending debate! It did not quite start for them then but Jake had his eye's set on Marisa. He persistently asked Marisa's best friend about her. This made it's way full circle back to Marisa and peaked her interest! After Jake graduated from FSU in May 2014, he frequently visited for football games and their friendship rekindled. At the start of 2015, their love story officially began! They went to an FSU basketball game with friends and went out that night to celebrate the victory. Go Noles! They have not stopped talking since that day 4 and a half years ago!

Jake and Marisa travelled to San Francisco for a getaway but Jake had a secret plan. On the most perfect day of the trip, he told Marisa that he had a special lunch date planned for them. He wanted to check out the Golden Gate Bridge to take a picture and grab lunch in Sausalito. They hopped in an Uber and Marisa unknowingly blabbered away. Jake had hoped the Uber would drop them off at the top of the hill for a short walk to the observation deck but the road was blocked off. Marisa (being Marisa) huffed up the side of the hill to the top in her white jeans and bootie heels. Jake was so patient and encouraging to get her to the very top! Jake asked a random person (that happened to be decked out in photography gear) to take their picture on his cell phone. After two snaps, the random person asked if he could take some shots on his professional cameras and send them to us. He said that he frequently takes pictures of tourists! Jake was quick to say yes at this potentially odd request. Before Marisa knew it, he was down on one knee and popped the question! They have every moment leading up to and after the proposal captured by the planned photographer with a beautiful view of San Francisco.

Jake and Marisa love each other for their personalities, empathy, kindness and thoughtfulness. Together they enjoy spending time on the water and at the beach, traveling, growing the Saturday morning market, their golden doodle Brody and watching football (FSU!).

Because they love being on the water and the Ca' D'Zan's location is beautiful it was a perfect venue for their romantic, elegant wedding black-tie. Marisa has done some traveling and loved the style of the Ca' D'Zan. All colors were chosen to softly compliment the Ca' D'Zan. Oh! And The Ringling is tied to FSU and that is where they met!! Besides the ceremony where they were married in front of all their family and friends, the SUPER FUN dance party was the favorite part of their day!!!!

Bringing together their special friends and family and showcasing their love was so special. During the ceremony the eyes connecting as Marisa walked down the aisle and the first kiss were so romantic! But nothing topped when their eyes locked on each other during the “I DO!”.

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos

Megan + Matthew Step Into The Limelight | Lido Beach Resort | Sarasota, FL

March 5, 2020

Surrounded by friends, family and love these two families became together in the midst of a lighthearted and fun ambiance. Megan and Matthew met back on October 24, 2014. Their first date was to Handles Ice Cream shop in their hometown of Fishers, IN. Their second date was to the Indianapolis Zoo.

According to Matt he proposed “very extravagantly” 😉. He proposed in front of the soldiers and sailors monument in Indianapolis, IN with all of their friends and family around. The bride’s best friends (Cristina and Michelle) took Megan on a scavenger hunt that ended at the monument. Cristina got Megan and Michelle lost in the middle of downtown Indianapolis on the way to the monument, in the pouring rain with a dead cell phone. But thankfully all worked out in the end!

What do you love about each other? {In their own words…}
Matt loves about Megan:

She’s always thinking about others and putting others first
Great person, great friend
Puts up with my annoying and goody behavior

Megan loves about Matt:

Selfless, caring, loving
Will give everything he has if it will help someone else
His desire to make the world a better place (police officer, soldier in the army)
His love and passion
Goofy, never takes life too seriously

Together they enjoy playing with their “fur babies” Cooper (dog) and Niko (cat), going out to eat at new restaurants, double dates with Cristina and Spencer, exploring zoos and aquariums in different cities and spending time with families and friends.

Megan’s love for the ocean and her dream of getting married on the beach inspired their search for the perfect wedding venue. Megan’s grandparents live in the Sarasota area and that is how they discovered Lido Beach Resort. Their classy, yet casual wedding was a little bit country with ocean vibes. They brought their home town in Indiana to the beach by with incorporating country music and sunflowers in the decor.

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos

Lisa + Ryan Step Into The Limelight | Powel Crosley Estate | Sarasota, FL

December 11, 2019

Lisa and Ryan met in a very modern way in 2012 through a dating app. They love everything about each other and together enjoy going to movies, playing with their dogs, hanging out with friends and going on vacations. On Christmas Day, Ryan surprised Lisa by giving her one last present to open…Lisa thought they they were earrings she had asked for - but it was an engagement ring! ❤️

They love historical things as well as beautiful locations so the gorgeous Powel Crosley was the perfect setting to get married! Their wedding colors (burgundy and navy) were selected because the bride’s favorite color is red and the groom’s is blue. Their day was filled with very happy guests surrounded by love and the focus was truly on their union as they married each other and became ONE!

Lead Photographers | Rebecca + Michael Zoumberos

Blaire + Brandon Step Into The Limelight | The Ringling Museum | Sarasota, FL

April 24, 2019

What an amazing day we had with Blaire and Brandon on this beautiful day in May. We started off the day at the Westin in Sarasota where both Brandon and Blaire got together with their bridal party to get ready for the big day. The time quickly came to put on the dress. Blaire looked spectacular in her gown! We traveled to The Ringling where both the ceremony and reception would take place right at the Ca D’zan. The view was gorgeous and this couple made it even more beautiful. There was floral EVERYWHERE in both ceremony and reception. A harpist played a song which gave way to Blaire’s walk down the aisle which was just a beautiful moment to cherish.

Once the ceremony was done, we went into the mansion and to the top of the exclusive tower that had an amazing view. This couple made it picture perfect and it was so much fun!

Brandon and Blaire, we really enjoyed being a part of your special day, congratulations!!!

Lead Photographer | Carlos Rello
Associate Photographer | Kara Lerchenfeld