Golden Hour by the Sea: A Welcome Dinner
The welcome dinner is the first opportunity to bring family and friends together, set the tone for the celebration, and immerse guests in the couple's story.
A wedding weekend begins long before the walk down the aisle. The welcome dinner is the first opportunity to bring family and friends together, set the tone for the celebration, and immerse guests in the couple's story. For this oceanfront welcome dinner at The Ocean Club of Florida, every design decision centered around one feeling: the warmth, romance, and effortless beauty of golden hour.
As the event designer, I worked closely with the couple to create a cohesive experience, from selecting the linens and designing the floral arrangements to coordinating the lighting installation that transformed the lawn into an intimate gathering space.
Designing a Welcome Dinner Inspired by Golden Hour
When designing destination wedding events, I always begin with the atmosphere we want guests to experience.
For this celebration, we leaned into soft ivory, warm neutrals, woven textures, and candle-like lighting that mirrored the glow of the setting sun. Rather than competing with the stunning oceanfront backdrop, every design element was chosen to enhance the natural beauty of the venue.
The result was a welcome dinner that felt timeless, relaxed, and unmistakably coastal.
Custom Linen Selection That Elevated the Entire Design
One of my favorite parts of this project was helping the couple select linens that added subtle texture without overwhelming the tablescape.
We paired crisp white table linens with woven details and soft patterned cocktail linens that created visual interest while keeping the overall palette clean and sophisticated. The layered textures reflected the relaxed elegance of the seaside club and complemented the natural surroundings beautifully.
Choosing the right linens is often one of the most overlooked aspects of event design, but they establish the foundation for every centerpiece, place setting, and decorative element that follows.
Florals That Felt Organic and Effortless
The floral design embraced a monochromatic palette of white blooms with delicate hints of soft green.
Low arrangements of roses, lisianthus, and other seasonal florals, rather than oversized centerpieces, allowed us to focus on an intimate experience. Small arrangements paired with woven table lamps created inviting spaces that encouraged guests to linger long after dinner.
Café Lights That Created the Perfect Evening Ambiance
One of the most impactful design elements was the lighting.
I coordinated with our lighting vendor to install strands of café lights across the lawn, creating a canopy that framed the event while drawing guests naturally into the space.
Lighting is one of the most transformative investments couples can make for an outdoor wedding weekend. It doesn't simply illuminate a space—it shapes the entire guest experience.
A Cohesive Wedding Weekend Begins with the Welcome Dinner
The welcome dinner often introduces guests to the aesthetic they'll experience throughout the wedding weekend.
By thoughtfully coordinating the linens, florals, lighting, and overall design, we created an event that felt intentional from every angle. Every detail worked together to establish a relaxed luxury that reflected both the couple's personality and the breathtaking coastal setting.
The beauty of this evening wasn't found in a single design feature—it came from the harmony between every carefully considered element.
Planning a Luxury Welcome Dinner in South Florida
Whether you're hosting an intimate rehearsal dinner or a large destination wedding welcome party, thoughtful event design transforms a beautiful venue into an unforgettable experience.
From selecting specialty linens and designing custom floral installations to coordinating lighting vendors and managing the countless details behind the scenes, my goal is always to create celebrations that feel personal, cohesive, and timeless.
If you're planning a wedding weekend in South Florida and envision an experience that feels effortless, elegant, and uniquely yours, we’ve got you covered.
Continue the Wedding Weekend
This oceanfront welcome dinner was designed to introduce guests to the weekend's aesthetic, but it was only the first chapter. See how the design evolved for the ceremony and reception in our full wedding day feature, where every detail—from the florals to the reception design—came together for an unforgettable celebration. Walk inside the Ocean Club of Florida and see the full wedding day blog post →
Photography | Kayla Augustine Photography
Paige & Sean | The Ocean Club of Florida
One of my favorite parts of the design process was how open Paige was to embracing texture and dimension throughout the event. Even with a soft, neutral palette of whites and blues, she understood that thoughtful layering could make the entire celebration feel rich, inviting, and anything but flat.
A Thoughtfully Layered Wedding Design
Some weddings stand out because of their color palette. Others because of their setting. Paige and Sean's wedding was memorable because every design decision felt intentional, layered, and deeply collaborative.
From our very first conversations, it was clear that they cared about creating an experience that felt timeless while still having plenty of personality. One of my favorite parts of the design process was how open Paige was to embracing texture and dimension throughout the event. Even with a soft, neutral palette of whites and blues, she understood that thoughtful layering could make the entire celebration feel rich, inviting, and anything but flat.
As the wedding planner and designer, I had the opportunity to oversee every visual element, allowing each piece to work together seamlessly. My team provided full wedding planning, floral design, stationery design management, and linen and rental design management, ensuring every detail contributed to one cohesive guest experience.
The floral design complemented the refined palette with structural, lush, organic arrangements that added definition and movement throughout the ceremony and reception. Rather than relying on bold color, we focused on shape, texture, and natural depth to create arrangements that felt elegant and effortless.
The stationery suite was carefully managed to establish the design story from the very beginning, creating a visual thread that carried through the wedding day. Every printed piece was selected and coordinated to reflect the overall aesthetic while complementing the floral and tabletop design.
One of my favorite design elements was the linen selection. Paige fully embraced textured fabrics and layered table settings, proving that neutral doesn't have to mean simple. The combination of dimensional linens, carefully selected rentals, and understated color created tablescapes that felt sophisticated, warm, and visually interesting. It's a perfect example of how thoughtful design can transform a restrained color palette into something incredibly memorable.
Working with Paige and Sean was truly one of the highlights of this project. They trusted the creative process while remaining engaged in every design conversation, making the entire experience feel collaborative from beginning to end. The best weddings happen when clients and vendors work together toward a shared vision, and this celebration was exactly that.
It's always an honor to help couples bring their wedding vision to life, especially when I'm able to guide every aspect of the design; from planning and floral design to stationery, linens, and rentals. Seeing all of those elements come together for one day is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Paige and Sean, thank you for trusting me with such an important season of your lives. Your wedding was beautiful not only because of the details, but because of the joy, warmth, and love that filled every moment.
Love this wedding?
Don't miss the Ocean Club of Florida welcome dinner, where you'll find more coastal wedding inspiration, custom linens, romantic florals, and café lighting that welcomed guests for the weekend.
Planning & Floral Design | Port & Palm Co.
Photography | Kayla Augustine
Venue | The Ocean Club of Florida
Linens & Rentals | Atlas
Samantha & Andrew | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Samantha wanted her wedding to feel like a backyard party that you never want to end. She didn’t want a lot of fuss, she just wanted her favorite people in one place, good food, on a balmy Florida evening, and a promise of forever to the love of her life.
Samantha wanted her wedding to feel like a backyard party that you never want to end. She didn’t want a lot of fuss, she just wanted her favorite people in one place, good food, on a balmy Florida evening, and a promise of forever to the love of her life. Samantha, Andrew, and their families feel like a big hug. They all love each other with certainty and want to pull you into their party. It’s the best feeling.
A Backyard Dinner Party, Reimagined
As their wedding planner and floral designer, my role was to create an experience that felt elevated without losing the warmth and ease they were after. The result was a celebration that balanced modern design with an atmosphere that invited guests to relax, connect, and stay long after dinner was over.
One of my favorite custom elements from the day was the ceremony backdrop. Rather than sourcing a traditional arch, I built a custom wooden structure specifically for their ceremony. We dressed it in live bougainvillea, carefully trimming and shaping each vine on site to create an organic, sculptural installation that looked as though it had naturally grown into place. It became the perfect focal point while still allowing the Las Olas riverside landscape to shine.
For the reception, Samantha's vision was refreshingly restrained. She gravitated toward the clean, architectural beauty of calla lilies and wanted the long reception tables to feel intimate and romantic. We designed minimalist floral arrangements that allowed the elegant lines of the blooms to take center stage, layering them with an abundance of candlelight to create a warm, inviting atmosphere as the sun set.
And then there were the disco balls!
Samantha and Andrew loved the idea of incorporating them into the celebration but wanted them to feel intentional rather than kitschy. Instead of making them the focal point, we used them as unexpected design accents that reflected candlelight throughout the space and added just the right amount of personality. The result felt playful, modern, and completely true to the couple. Proof that even playful design elements can feel sophisticated when they're thoughtfully integrated.
One of the things I loved most about working with Samantha and Andrew was how clearly they understood what mattered to them. They weren't designing a wedding around trends, they were designing an experience for the people they love most. Every decision, from the ceremony backdrop to the reception tablescape to the music and flow of the evening, reflected that priority.
Sweet words from the couple
Simply amazing! Jenny made the entire process so great. Not only is Jenny so sweet and laid back, but she fully handles ALL things floral, decor, and coordinating. I have never heard of a florist who also does month of coordination, but she was invested and involved in multiple phone calls and design meetings that included emails with pdf explanation of exact planning ideas, and whatever needed to be changed was easily dealt with. I was able to see visuals of everything we had envisioned mapped out, and for someone who is extremely visual I found it so helpful! She ensured everything would be taken care of. When it came to the day of the wedding, she coordinated with all my vendors and I didn’t need to lift a finger. She set up a massive arch , that she made(!), with beautiful flowers and fully decorated a station for scrapbooking as well as made my Pinterest vision of a romantic, candle-lit dinner vibe come to fruition! Lastly, by the end of the night when all I wanted to do was hang with my guests, she collected every single belonging and decor item packed them up and we just got to relax! Truly, I cried with her by the end of the night because it was that good of an experience. I consider Jenny a friend now, and I would highly HIGHLY recommend her!
The Vendor Team
Planning and Floral Design | Port & Palm Co.
Photography | Daniela Davis
Venue | House on the River, Fort Lauderdale
DJ | Jones Drew
Mia & Jordan | Lake Worth, FL
Mia wanted a rich palette and layers of romance woven into her wedding day. The florals were slightly moody and textural, with accents of produce dispersed throughout. It felt both intimate and opulent.
Mia wanted a rich palette and layers of romance woven into her wedding day. The florals were slightly moody and textural, with accents of produce dispersed throughout. It felt both intimate and opulent.
We created a petite looped calla lily bouquet that acted as an accessory during her bridal portraits.
Sweet words from Mia
Jenny’s eye for design, organization, dependability, and ability to truly understand a bride’s vision makes her such a natural florist. She is truly the best! It is priceless to have someone work on your big day who actually cares, I’m beyond grateful.
Petals & Paint | Workshop
Petals & Paint holds a really special place in my heart. I'm always so blown away by the incredible people who come out to enjoy a day of creating.
Petals & Paint combines two different art forms and allows you to walk away with two pieces you created in a two hour period.
Part 1: Floral Arranging
We dive into the types of flowers selected and how to use them in your arrangement. General design guidelines to follow, and flower care tips. You get to ask all of your flower arranging questions.
Part 2: Watercolor
Grace leads guests through the art of watercolor. You’re set up with a mini palette, taught how to blend colors, create shapes, and use a brush. You walk away with a painting all your own, inspired by your floral arrangement.
Petals & Paint holds a very special place in my heart. To see a group dive their hands into a craft that is either new to them or something they've dabbled in over the years, never grows old. Everyone has a different approach and everyone leaves with a different arrangement and painting completely unique to their own creativity. I love sharing something I love with others.
Book a Private Petals & Paint
Pricing starts at $140
Photography | Coco Prop Shop
Tree House Vero Beach Wedding Florals | Vibrant Tropical Garden Design
We will forever call Aelin & Lander’s vibrant and playful design direction “Juicy Fruit Tropical”. It was perfectly suited for the backdrop of an operating Palm Tree and Lychee Tree farm in the heart of Vero Beach.
The whole time I was in the design process with Aelin and Lander I kept calling their style “Juicy Fruit Tropical”.
I always love when a couple is obsessed with their venue and wants to lean into the natural surroundings. For their wedding, they selected Tree House, an operating tropical palm tree and lychee tree farm in Vero Beach, where their playful tropical designs felt right at home.
Why We Love Designing Weddings at Tree House Vero Beach
As a born and raised team of Florida girls, we love the way Tree House Vero Beach immerses you in the natural surroundings of a tree farm. It doesn’t try to make the property something that it isn’t, it leans into the beautiful agriculture already present. This allows us to embrace our Florida roots and have fun with tropicals and Florida native plants in our designs.
The coconuts in the aisle markers are from our lead designer’s grandmother’s tree, while other plants from a local nursery were sourced to accent the high end blooms.
Colorful Tropical Wedding Flowers at Tree House
The lush green backdrop of Tree House Vero Beach, begs for a bright and colorful color story. Brining in bright tropical flowers, allows your floral arrangements to really pop against the natural green surroundings. Aelin and Lander weren’t afraid of bringing in reds, pinks, and yellows to make their juicy fruit tropical designs come to life.
Aelin and Lander decided to celebrate their wedding day, on what I consider the best day of the year to throw a party - New Year’s Eve.
A surprise cold front and a festive New Year helped the two newlyweds ring in the next most beautiful part of their lives.
A Sweetheart Table Chair Lei
My favorite design element of their wedding day were the chair leis. We designed them to be used as aisle markers and then moved to their sweetheart table. We were also able to repurpose the large arrangements at the top of the aisle to the front of their sweetheart table, maximizing their floral designs throughout the evening.
The chair leis were designed with vibrant orchids, with a chain of tiny shells weaved between trailing carnations and orchids.
Every venue has its own personality. Tree House already offers incredible architecture and tropical landscapes. Our role isn't to compete with that beauty, it’s to design flowers that feel like they naturally belong there. We think about guest experience, color balance against the palms, what naturally enhances the building’s colors, and how each arrangement contributes to the experience from arrival through the last dance.
If you're planning a wedding at Tree House Vero Beach and want flowers that feel intentionally designed for the space, not simply selected from a recipe, we'd love to help. We know this venue intimately and love creating floral designs that complement its tropical landscape while reflecting each couple's personality.
The Vendor Team
Photography: Cristina Powell Photography
Florals: Port & Palm Co.
Venue: Tree House Vero Beach
Can I bring my own florist to Tree House Vero Beach?
Yes!
What floral style works best at Tree House?
Anything that leans into the natural surroundings. Think tropical textures, movement, layered color. Soft romantic English Garden style florals work well too, I’d just center your ceremony away from palm trees.
How much should I budget for wedding flowers at Tree House?
It is an expansive venue, I’d plan on at least $7,000 to cover ceremony, reception, and cocktail hour.
This wedding was $9,500.
Do flowers need to withstand Florida heat?
Yes! We always ensure your flowers that are prone to wilt have a water source. If it is an installation that can’t hold water, we opt for orchids, greenery, and other hearty blooms.
Amanda & Jeff | The Ocean Club of Florida
Amanda & Jeff saw their wedding day as a celebration, not a spectacle. Music was important to them, food was tied to memories, and the flowers were going to be colorful and joyful. Amanda & Jeff were headed back to the same beach where Jeff proposed and they were going to say “I do” with Jeff’s kids standing by their side and Amanda’s ride or die best friend an arm’s length away.
Amanda & Jeff saw their wedding day as a celebration, not a spectacle. Music was important to them, food was tied to memories, and the flowers were going to be colorful and joyful. Amanda & Jeff were headed back to the same beach where Jeff proposed and they were going to say “I do” with Jeff’s kids standing by their side and Amanda’s ride or die best friend an arm’s length away.
Within three months we pulled together Amanda’s vision through linens, florals, and an amazing vendor team that supported the easy-going, but intentional experience Amanda & Jeff wanted to create. Three months is an incredibly condensed timeframe, but it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had, all thanks to Amanda and her mom Betsy being in complete lock-step with each other and quickly welcoming me into their cadence. There was an instant kinship and inspiration was effortlessly found.
Amanda & Jeff’s families had been bonded for about a decade, tied together with a collection of shared memories and laughter. Their wedding day was merely a recommitment to promises already made and a life already firmly built together. Pulling together a party for a love that had stood the test of a decade was a joyful experience every step of the way. Pops of color and busts of laughter filled The Ocean Club of Florida while Amanda & Jeff celebrated their beautiful marriage.
At its heart, this wedding is a reminder that beautiful design isn't just about flowers or décor—it's about creating an environment that reflects the people at the center of it. Every bloom, every table, every carefully chosen detail helped tell Amanda and Jeff's story and celebrate the beginning of their next chapter together.
The floral design carried through every part of the wedding day, creating a seamless experience from the ceremony to the reception. Rather than treating each space as its own moment, we designed the flowers to tell one continuous story that felt cohesive while allowing each installation to have its own unique character. The result was a custom collection of ceremony and reception flowers filled with organic shapes, soft textures, and a palette that blended delicate pastels with brighter, punchy tones. Every arrangement was designed to feel fresh, celebratory, and overflowing with personality.
As their wedding planner and floral designer, I had the privilege of guiding both the logistics and the creative vision, helping every detail come together into one cohesive celebration. Planning the wedding was just as collaborative as designing it. Together, we carefully assembled a vendor team that perfectly matched Amanda and Jeff's vision, helping them select the right photographer, DJ, and lighting company to create an experience that felt personal from beginning to end. Having the right creative partners in place allowed every element of the day to support the atmosphere they hoped to create.
Beyond floral design and wedding planning, I also managed the linen selections and stationery design, ensuring every visual detail worked together. The layered table linens, printed paper goods, floral palette, and overall styling all complemented one another, creating a celebration that felt polished while remaining joyful and approachable.
Sweet words from the bride
“If you are looking for a wedding planner, florist and overall just a really great human, do not look any further. Jenny and her team are hands down the best. My gosh did she make it easy and enjoyable. All the while with a calming presence and a fantastic sense of humor. Not only did I gain a husband, but we all have beautiful memories for a lifetime and I am happy to say I’ve also gained a friend.” - Amanda
The Vendor Team
Florals & Planning | Port & Palm Co.
Photography | Joshua Kane Photography
Venue | The Ocean Club of Florida
DJ | Selecta Steve
Lighting | Palm Beach Event Co.
Linen | Atlas Event Rental
Welcome Party Dinner | Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club
Before Amanda & Jeff said “I do”, they welcomed their loved ones to the Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club for a Tahitian inspired oceanside soirée.
Before Amanda & Jeff said “I do”, they welcomed their loved ones to the Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club for a Tahitian inspired oceanside soirée.
The Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club is one of the Palm Beaches' most beautiful private wedding venues. Its oceanfront location, timeless architecture, and intimate atmosphere provide the perfect canvas for sophisticated celebrations.
While the welcome dinner introduced guests to the celebration, it was only one chapter of the story.
As the planner and designer for the entire wedding weekend, I also oversaw the wedding day, ensuring every event felt connected through thoughtful design, personalized details, and seamless execution.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club, the welcome dinner embraced the venue's understated coastal elegance. Rather than competing with the architecture and ocean views, the design enhanced the surroundings with layered textures, candlelight, refined tabletop details, and lush garden-inspired florals.
We designed and created every floral arrangement for the evening, selecting flowers that brought movement, structure, tropical elements, and natural beauty to each table.
Vendor Team
Photography | Joshua Kane Photography
Florals | Port & Palm Co.
Venue | Gulfstream Bath & Tennis Club