Location: Sarasota, Florida
Setting: Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard
Wedding season: Winter
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
The number of guests: 280
Wedding theme/style: Romantic, classic, elegant, enchanting, idyllic.
Zhuo and Mike met at Blue Bottle, a coffee shop in Georgetown. Zhuo was finishing up her last year of law school and Mike was studying at the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. Mike, an active-duty army officer, had been assigned to this program for a year and knew that upon completing it, he would be leaving the DMV area following his graduation. He approached Zhuo and asked if he could buy her a cup of coffee and they sat and chatted for a bit. About 30 minutes later, he asked for her email address and sent Zhuo a PowerPoint presentation of the date he planned to take her on after they left the coffee shop. Mike made a reservation at Lutece, a French restaurant, google mapped the location and walking distance, and included a slide with the weather. Zhuo said yes, and they spent the rest of the day together.
True to his meticulous nature, Mike approached the proposal with the same level of attention to details that he had devoted to planning his first date with Zhuo. Mike made another Power Point to plan the proposal while Zhuo went on her best friends wedding.
He and her siblings scoped out the Bayfront Area in Sarasota to find the perfect spot to pop the question. Mike got the coordinates and contacted with her uncle on exactly what time to be there so he could sneak photos of the proposal. He sent Zhuo’s entire family this presentation so they all knew the plan.
Zhuo thought that their parents were just getting together to get dinner and had no idea what Mike had planned. He was super quiet that evening in the car and as they got to dinner early and he wanted to walk around.
They walked by the water holding hands and he told her he wanted to look at this cool wooden boat. He turned to look at her, whipped out the ring, and probably forgot all of the words he planned. All he said was “I’m going to make the proposal now.” He got down on one knee and her uncle popped out from the bushes and got the whole thing on camera. They had the most perfect night celebrating it with their families.
During their first date, they discovered a myriad of shared connections. For example, both of their families are from Florida and live just 35 minutes away from each other. Mike frequented the Shake Pit across the street from the school Zhuo attended K-12, and he stopped in Dallas (where she went to college) quite a few times as he started his career in the army. It seemed like everywhere Zhuo had been. Mike had been with her too.
On her law school graduation day, they drove down from D.C. to Florida together, and he asked Zhuo’s dad for her hand in marriage. They got engaged after two months and married before the Judge, who Zhuo worked for six months until they could celebrate with everyone in December.
To bring their wedding dreams to life, Zhuo and Mike made the wise decision to enlist the expertise of Jennifer Matteo Event Planning. With a shared vision of a celebration brimming with romance and timeless elegance, the couple entrusted Jennifer Matteo and her team to craft an unforgettable experience. Together, they carefully curated a theme that encapsulated the essence of their unique love story, embracing its romantic and idyllic qualities. Every detail, from the decor to the music, was thoughtfully chosen to evoke a sense of enchantment and create a truly captivating ambiance for their special day.
Most of their guests knew a bit about how they met, but since COVID, they hadn’t been able to meet a lot of their friends who lived across the country. They made a newspaper that included a backstory of how it happened, blurbs thanking their friends and families, laid out the wedding itinerary, and added a fun crossword of fun facts about them that their guests could play.
The couple found themselves drawn to the enchanting allure of the Ringling, a place where Zhuo grew up going to. So they planned their wedding around the breathtaking courtyard of the Museum, a space adorned with graceful arches and statues that exuded a timeless charm. Understanding the inherent beauty of the space, they were determined to enhance its existing splendor while infusing it with modern and classy touches.
The chosen venue had a distinct charm that left the guests in awe. They remarked that they had never been to a wedding quite like that and described the experience as “euphoric.” Set in the delightful town of Sarasota, everyone had a fantastic time exploring St. Armands and the beautiful beach before attending the event.
Zhuo and Mike’s families played a significant role in their DIY endeavors. The couple received ample assistance from their loved ones throughout the wedding preparations. A few close friends took charge of crafting their exquisite welcome mirrors, adding a personal touch to the event.
Zhuo’s talented family members were not far behind in lending their creative skills. His father, brother, and cousin collaborated to design, construct, and skillfully paint the seating chart, ensuring a beautiful and organized arrangement for the guests.
The bride’s uncle helped them paint table numbers and her cousin made the bar signs.
Zhuo looked radiant as she walked down the aisle in her Isabel O’Neil Bridal dress, accompanied by an Untamed Petals pearl veil. Her Stuart Weitzman gold heels with pearl accents added a touch of elegance. Brides by Kelly-Anne created a low bun hairstyle and gave her a light glam look with subtle fake eyelashes, highlighting her natural beauty.
Eager to infuse their wedding with Chinese influences, the couple decided to offer a delightful late-night snack of mouthwatering lo mein noodles. To capture the essence of Chinese takeout, they arranged for special takeout boxes to be used as containers for the noodles. When the lively dance floor was in full swing, the caterers distributed these delectable treats to the guests, accompanied by traditional chopsticks. This unique touch became one of the most enjoyable and memorable highlights of the evening, as everyone delighted in the fusion of cultural elements while indulging in the flavorsome noodles.
For the second look, the lovebirds opted for a traditional Chinese attire. As they made their entrance, they were greeted by a mesmerizing sight of hundreds of vibrant red lanterns held by the guests. The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement as everyone embraced the opportunity to immerse themselves in the richness of Chinese culture. It was an exhilarating experience for all, as this thoughtful incorporation added an extra layer of fun and cultural significance to the evening’s festivities.
Advice from the couple:
• There’s rarely going to be another time in your life when almost all of the people you love are together to celebrate your love. Soak in every last drop of it.
• Wedding planning is very stressful – but if you get yourself a good team, just trust that everything will work out and will be even better than anticipated.
• Take some time for yourselves and sneak away for a few minutes during the event. Mike and I could walk up on the balcony, just the two of us, for 10 minutes and watch all of our guests have the best time.
PLANNER Jennifer Matteo Event Planning | VENUE Ringling Museum | PHOTOGRAPHY Katelyn Prisco Photography | FLORALS Lily Bella Floral Design | VIDEOGRAPHER Ross the Roamer | BRIDAL SALON Isabel O’Neil Bridal | BRIDAL GOWN Rita Vinieris | MAKEUP Brides by Kelly-Anne | VEIL Untamed Petals | SHOES Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo | CAKE Cakes by Ron | BARTENDER Metz | DJ & MC Grant Hemond and Associates | LIGHTING Palacious Events | RENTALS Palacious Events, US Tent
