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Islamorada brides

beachgirl2011beachgirl2011
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in Florida-South Florida
Hi! I am recently engaged and new on the knot. We just rented a house in Islamorada to have our June 2011 wedding (expecting around 50 ppl to attend). I'm planning the wedding from Pennsylvania and am kind of overwhelmed. :) I would greatly appreciate any vendor recommendations from brides getting married in the area or those living nearby. We need everything (caterer, flowers, photography, etc). Thank you!
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Re: Islamorada brides

  • Islamorada14Islamorada14
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi beachgirl,

    We had our beach house wedding in Islamorada last November.  One of the best vendors we hired was Caribbean Catering (talk to Debbie).  They handled all the setup and breakdown for the ceremony and reception. We got all of the rentals through them, and of course they provided the food, catering staff and bartender.  Their website is http://www.islamoradaweddings.com.

    We saved a ton of money purchasing the alcohol ourselves at a place called Whistle Stop Liquors at MM 82.5 on US 1.  They also gave us a 15% special event discount.

    For flowers I worked with another woman named Debbie at Floral Fantasy and highly recommend her.  IMO her prices are very reasonable and her work is gorgeous.  She also had no problem with last minute (day before the wedding) additions.  http://www.floralfantasyweddings.com

    We hired a Miami area photographer who I really can't recommend for several reasons.  In retrospect, I wish I'd spent a bit more money and hired a local Islamorada photographer named Michelle Young: http://www.endearingstudios.com/

    Our DJ was Jay Floyd who works out of Key West. Our reception ended up lasting much longer than we'd originally booked him for, so we paid him to stay an additional 2 hours.  He did a great job of keeping the party going. http://www.islandsdjservice.com/

    Hope this helps you.

    weddingcollage
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  • gatorgirl512gatorgirl512
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are actually having most of our vendors come in from Miami because we felt that Keys vendors way overcharge. Even with travel fees, a lot of our vendors are cheaper. My photog is coming from West Palm Beach, and our DJ and Caterer are coming from Miami. So you definitely don't have to limit yourself in your search to only Key Largo/Islamorada vendors if the above ones mentioned don't work out for you.
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  • beachgirl2011beachgirl2011
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Thanks all for the feedback and detailed recommendations! Much appreciated!

    Islamorada14 - If you don't mind, I may reach out to you again? :)

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  • Islamorada14Islamorada14
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No problem beachgirl!  I sign into TK kind of randomly so I may miss your posts here, but feel free to email me if you have any questions: islamorada14 @ gmail dot com.  
    ~Erin
    weddingcollage
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  • timon2010timon2010
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My fiance and I live in Indiana and are planning to get married on November 8th. We have chosen the Coconut Cove Resort and Marina there. We are on a budget and because we are helping some of our friends and family fly out there from Maryland and Michigan, this was the best choice. 

    Paul and Magda are taking care of EVERYTHING!!! The best thing about this is that we will just have to write a check to ONE person rather than several vendors. They will take care of the food, decorations, flowers, cake, dj, photography, videography and even if you would like to have fireworks after your wedding... they will do it. They are working with us on the menu and it is very reasonable. They will even substitute a couple of vegan plates for some of our vegan guests. He can get the marriage license for you and even marry you if you want that.

    As for the accomodations, it is not the Marriott but it is small enough that you could take over the entire place and just have your guests there (that is what is happening at our wedding). This place is perfect if you are planning a family event.
    Check them out...http://www.coconutcove.net/

    Congratulations,
    Ruby
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  • keysbride2011keysbride2011 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi! I recently moved to Islamorada, since my fiance is from the here. We are having our wedding at Morada Bay in March.

    We are using Michelle Young and I am so excited! I definitely second the recommendation to look at her work. I have met with Debbie from Floral Fantasy as well. I am really happy with her but I am also going to get prices from Enchanted Florist to compare. 

    I have been recommended to  use Michelle from Ciao Bella Salon for my hair. Has anyone used her? And also, Is there a inexpensive nail salon or spa in the area where I could spend the morning with my 7 bridesmaids? Or can you recommend someone who would come to our hotel to do nails? Thanks :)
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  • newbrideneedsadvicenewbrideneedsadvice
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi.  My fiance and I are thinking about Coconut Cove for our ceremony and reception.  We live in Chicago and everyone will be traveling to Florida for our wedding.  We are expecting approximately 80 guests.  Can anyone tell me what their budget was and if they increased it after booking coconut cove?  We'd like to stick with a budget of $15k.  Is that realistic for 80 people?  I noticed that everything was a la carte at the Coconut Cove.  Any other suggestions for an out door reception spot that doesn't require a 10 p.m. end time?

    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks!
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