Katie and Camper’s wedding felt like spring in its most honest Florida form. Bright florals, warm sun, sudden rain, and that unmistakable in-between light all played a role throughout the day. Set at a private estate in Bradenton, the celebration unfolded outdoors and stayed closely tied to the rhythm of the season. Jennifer Matteo Event Planning helped shape the experience from the start, focusing on flow and allowing each moment to happen naturally. The celebration moved at its own pace, building from intimate, faith-led moments into a night filled with music, movement, and pure release.
Location: Bradenton, Florida, USA
Style: Elegant, Garden-Chic
Time of planning: 9 month
Number of guests: 140
Setting: Backyard
Season: Spring
Katie and Camper met during their senior year at Florida State University. Their relationship grew through shared routines, faith, and close family ties, all of which later shaped their wedding day. Camper proposed on a rooftop at Pass-a-Grille Beach after the two attended church together, surprising Katie just before meeting her family for her mother’s birthday brunch. Both families were present for the proposal, setting the tone for a celebration centered on togetherness.
When planning their wedding, the couple envisioned something that felt like an elevated backyard gathering rather than a formal ballroom event. Planning unfolded over nine months, with spring chosen intentionally to reflect their favorite season and to let color, florals, and outdoor moments lead the experience.
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
The morning began inside the estate with the bridal party gathered together, sharing the space in matching floral dresses that echoed the garden-inspired palette of the day. The atmosphere felt calm but lively, filled with conversation, music, and movement as hair and makeup took shape.
Katie approached her bridal look with a clear vision. She wanted the dress to feel like the defining statement of the day. She chose a Daphne et Chloé gown from Pavane Couture, drawn to its sculptural silhouette and modern lace. “I wanted my dress to be the moment,” she shared. “I felt so amazing during the getting ready process.”
Accessories stayed intentional and personal. Betsey Johnson heels added a playful note, while Daisy by Marc Jacobs became part of the memory of the morning itself. Multiple fittings and thoughtful preparation led to a final look that felt fully realized, surrounded by the people closest to her.
Groom’s Getting Ready
Camper spent the morning preparing alongside his groomsmen, keeping things relaxed and unforced. He chose a classic black tuxedo from Jos. A. Bank, leaning into a timeless look that carried easily from ceremony to reception.
One of the most personal details came in the form of custom cufflinks featuring photos of their two cats, Fitz and Lancaster. The subtle nod to home added humor and meaning without pulling focus from the overall look. The groomsmen mirrored the groom’s style, creating a cohesive visual that complemented the garden setting.
First Look
The couple chose to see each other before the ceremony, carving out a quiet pause in the day. The first look took place along a covered walkway framed by greenery and soft architectural lines. The moment allowed space to talk, react, and settle into the day without distraction.
The exchange felt unhurried and sincere. Portraits by Dewitt for Love captured both stillness and movement, blending gentle direction with candid reactions. Several frames were photographed on 35mm film, adding warmth and a subtle sense of nostalgia that echoed the intimacy of the moment.
Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded in the market garden of the property, surrounded by lush greenery and layered florals. Faith played a central role, with a Christ-centered ceremony officiated by the couple’s pastor from their local church. Before exchanging rings, Katie and Camper shared private communion together, grounding the moment in reflection and intention
One of the most memorable details came when Katie’s two-month-old niece was carried down the aisle as the flower baby, setting a joyful and heartfelt tone. The ceremony felt celebratory yet deeply personal, with smiles and emotion woven naturally into the vows. The couple waited all day for their first kiss, making the final moment especially meaningful as they were pronounced husband and wife.
"Our guests kept telling us after that it was the most joyful ceremony they had ever seen."
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour unfolded along the veranda and garden paths, where live music set the rhythm for the transition into the evening. Passed bites arrived steadily, giving guests time to mingle and explore the estate at their own pace.
Signature cocktails added a playful and personal layer. The Aperol Fitz and Lancaster’s Mule were named after the couple’s cats, quickly becoming a conversation starter. Illustrated signage at the bar leaned into the soft green palette and hand-drawn details that echoed the surrounding garden. As the light shifted and clouds gathered, the mood stayed relaxed and social.
Private Moment
Shortly after the reception began, Katie and Camper quietly slipped away from the crowd. Rain had settled in by then, turning the estate’s dock into a calm, almost cinematic escape framed by water and sky. The pause felt instinctive, offering space to breathe and take everything in before returning to the celebration.
These photos became some of the most emotional of the day. Captured with a mix of digital and 35mm film, the images hold a raw, honest energy. Movement replaced posing, and the moment unfolded naturally, preserving how it felt.
"We ran out into the rain with our photographers and videographers in tow... That spontaneous moment of fun and silliness really encapsulates what our relationship is like."
Decor & Design
Design focused on color, texture, and a distinctly spring-forward softness rather than tradition. Gentle pinks and fresh greens anchored the palette, reflecting the Florida landscape. The floral design by Maven Way leaned into tenderness and movement, with arrangements that felt garden-grown rather than overly styled.
"My main goal was for it to not be the traditional white linens and greenery type wedding. I wanted fun fabrics and patterns while still maintaining intention with the design choices.."
Jennifer Matteo Event Planning worked closely with the creative team to ensure every element felt considered. The result was a light, airy setting that translated the couple’s vision with clarity and ease. Rentals, linens, and lighting worked together to create a bright, open atmosphere that perfectly captured the overall vibe and invited guests to linger well into the night.
Reception
Dinner unfolded under the tent as rain continued softly outside, turning the space into a warm, enclosed world of light and sound. Tables filled quickly, conversation lingered, and the band eased the room into the evening without rushing the moment. The setting felt intimate despite the scale, with guests fully settled in.
Not long after the reception began, Katie and Camper stepped away toward the dock for a brief reset before the night fully took off. When they returned, the shift was immediate. Music picked up, napkins flew into the air, and the atmosphere turned playful and unfiltered.
Around the same time, the cake by Frosted Cakes made its appearance, keeping the mood light and celebratory. The Matt Winter Band drove the energy forward as glow sticks and fiber-optic wands appeared on the dance floor. Shoes disappeared, jackets loosened, and the celebration stretched deep into the night. What began as an elegant garden dinner evolved into a full, uninhibited party.
Looking back, the couple describes the day as a lesson in letting go. Rain, unexpected pauses, and unscripted moments became the memories they now hold closest. Nothing needed to be controlled or corrected. The celebration unfolded naturally, shaped by trust, timing, and the people who filled the space around them.
Advice from the couple:
• It really does go by so fast! Take as much time as you can to just take everything in! Look out at your guests once or twice during your ceremony.
• Do the first look! It’s such a peaceful moment together. One of your last moments as a couple before you are married.
• Don’t stress about the weather because it might end up being one of the best parts of the day! (But if there is even a slim chance…get the tent)
PLANNER Jennifer Matteo Event Planning | VENUE The Jubilee Estate | PHOTOGRAPHER Dewitt for Love | VIDEOGRAPHER Wakefield Films | FLORALS Maven Way | MUAH Femme Akoi | CATERING Curated Catering | DESSERT & COFFEE Cafe A La Carte | CAKE Frosted Cakes by Nicola | ENTERTAINMENT Matt Winter Band | RENTALS US Tent Rental | Upstaged | Nuage Designs | Treasury Rentals | Stella Rose Events | RESTROOMS Tailored Thrones | CIGAR ROLLER Cigar Creations
