This Edgy Pink Wedding Decor Brings Serious Summer Vibes to an Outdoor Celebration
A Romantic April Wedding at a Botanical Park in Florida + Pro Planning Tips
We adore April weddings for so many reasons, so when we came across this stunning shoot, we instantly knew it had to be featured on Bespoke Bride. We reached out to Ruslan Pastushak, the incredible talent behind Pastushak Photography, who captured these breathtaking shots, to learn the story behind the magic. He managed to get us the love story directly from the bride herself…Stay tuned until the end for our top tips on planning your own unforgettable April wedding!
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
“Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Florida, I knew I wanted to get married on the beach. When the time came to start planning I didn’t like that there wasn’t anything private. I didn’t want strangers gawking in their swimsuits, I was worried about the coastal wind, and people might not want to walk barefoot in the sand. A lot of Florida events are beautiful with Spanish mossed oaks, vast fields, and barns but country chic wasn’t our vibe.
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
I live in California now, but still had my heart set on having my Florida, tropical beach, paradise wedding. I started looking at venues along the Gulf Coast where we could still benefit from the weather, be close to the beach, and have an intimate wedding with our guests. A lot of places I found were strict on timing the day of, could only use selected vendors, and included a package. We wanted to create our own day and hand-pick all our vendors for what worked best for us.
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
I started with location and found a beautiful botanical park that didn’t have a set list of vendors and more or less gave us free rein to create our perfect day. After settling on the location, next on my list was to figure out the timing based on weather, and accommodations, and create days around the big day for everyone to be a part of.
Florida weather can be unpredictable and of course, we were concerned about rain, but thought having it early enough in April, we would be fine. We asked the venue about previous years and made sure there was indoor space just in case. We also planned to have a tent on standby and kept an eye on the weather as the day got closer.
Pastushak Photography
Pastushak Photography
I think as much as it is important to create your perfect day for yourself and your pattern, you have to consider the guests even more. We wanted everyone there as much as possible, so choosing a location that made it easier for everyone was also a big win. I did research ahead of time on fights for everyone flying in from different states as well as checked pricing from numerous accommodations.
Anna Maria Island is a narrow, 7-mile-long island on the Gulf Coast and was about a 15-minute drive to the venue. We rented a 6-passenger golf cart as well as some other guests and used that as a means of transport throughout the island. Everyone stayed relatively close to each other and we hosted a variety of optional events guests could attend to hang out prior to the big day,
Pastushak Photography
Thursday was when most people flew in. We found a local restaurant with a private room and beach views to host our welcome dinner for all our guests traveling in. We had a total of 60 guests at dinner, with selected meals and name tags, and was a great way for everyone to meet, converse, and settle into the weekend.
Friday, we planned a beach day with tents and chairs set up and drinks and snacks for everyone to come and go throughout the day. Later that night, we hosted a BBQ at our Airbnb.
Saturday, with everyone staying at various places, we rented a bus and set up two pick-up spots on the island to transport people to the venue. We also used the bus for the end of the night and had it drop us all off at a local bar for an after-party. We called the bar days ahead to give them a heads-up that there would be a large group coming and they even had an extra bartender come in to help that night.
Pastushak Photography
When our guests arrived at the venue we had a welcome drink station set up with a signature drink option and beer and wine before the ceremony started. One thing I was worried about was guests sitting too long or having a drawn-out ceremony, so we kept it short and sweet during the sunny part of the day so everyone could enjoy cocktail hour afterward while we took pictures.
Following cocktail hour, we had everyone sit at their tables outside and we planned our entrance and first dance around sunset with some pictures to follow around the gardens. I hired a local taco restaurant to cater and we did a taco bar. The food was great and they had gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options that worked well for some of our guest’s dietary restrictions.
Pastushak Photography
Most important to me, was I wanted everyone to have a great time and I wanted to be a part of it as much as possible. I’ve been to weddings where the bride and groom are gone half the night taking pictures or doing all the traditional wedding things and I didn’t want to miss any time with our guests. We hired a great DJ and I sent him several lists of song ideas to get everyone dancing I think that was my favorite part- everyone was on the dance floor most of the evening! Our photographers and videographers captured our day and night so perfectly and I love looking back through photos and video to reminisce about the night. I had several guests tell me it was the most fun wedding they’ve ever been to and while I wasn’t looking for that response, it felt great knowing all the hard work I put into planning our perfect day, came out just like that. Perfect.”
The Vendors
Transportation: Dolphin Transportation // Ceremony Location: Palma Sola Botanical Park// Photographer: Pastushak photography//
Tips and Ideas for Planning Your Own April Wedding
Oh, April weddings—they’re like a breath of fresh air, with nature waking up from her beauty sleep and flowers putting on their best show. Having spent 13 years as a wedding blogger for Bespoke Bride, let me tell you, April weddings are chef’s kiss. Here are some tips and ideas (sprinkled with personal memories!) to make your spring wedding absolutely unforgettable.
The Magic of April Weddings
April is the sweet spot—not too hot, not too cold. It’s the Goldilocks of wedding months! However, April can also be like that unpredictable friend who wears sunglasses one minute and grabs an umbrella the next. Weather-proofing your day is essential.
Take Natalie and Marco’s dreamy vineyard wedding back in 2019. They cleverly had an indoor space ready in case of rain—but oh, the sun did shine! Their peach and dusty blue color palette complemented the spring blooms perfectly. We all swooned over the floral installations, with roses and lilacs cascading from every surface. That day, I learned a backup plan doesn’t ruin spontaneity—it enhances it!
Seasonal Blooms Are Your Best Friend
Let’s talk flowers. Oh, the joy of tulips, daffodils, and ranunculus in April! These beauties are not only budget-friendly but also epitomize spring’s essence. At Chloe and Justin’s garden soirée (2015), they chose to mix vibrant tulips with soft hydrangeas. The result? A floral symphony so delightful, it was practically humming Mozart.
But here’s the kicker: not all flowers love the limelight. Always consult with your florist about what’s in season and sturdy enough for outdoor events. Trust me—Chloe said the hydrangeas weren’t fans of the afternoon heat. Lesson learned: compromise isn’t failure; it’s creativity in action.
Symbolism and Surprises in April Colors
Spring is rich in symbolism. Pastels, for instance, symbolize new beginnings, while yellows radiate happiness. For Abby and Kai’s April wedding (2017), they incorporated pastel yellow into their attire, with Abby rocking sunflower-yellow heels. Guests were served lemon cupcakes (yes, I had two!), tying into their cheerful theme. It was a small but memorable surprise.
Want something bolder? I once covered an April evening wedding where deep emerald greens and plum purples took center stage—giving it a royal, woodland vibe. Talk about an unexpected twist!
Weather Woes and Wins
The key challenge with April weddings: unpredictable weather. But you can turn this to your advantage! Offer guests blankets for chilly evenings or parasols for sunny afternoons. One couple, Ava and Sam (2022), handed out clear umbrellas with their initials, which doubled as both practical and stylish favors.
I always recommend checking historic weather data for your location. Forewarned is forearmed, after all! But don’t fret too much—half the fun is in embracing the season’s quirks.
Cuisine Perfect for April
Seasonal catering is another way to make your April wedding unforgettable. Picture fresh asparagus hors d’oeuvres and a signature rhubarb cocktail. At Lena and Drew’s wedding (2018), they opted for an open-air crepe station, complete with seasonal berry fillings. Watching guests queue up, crepe in hand, with smiles wider than the Eiffel Tower, was proof that food fosters connection.
Final Flourishes
April weddings call for playful nods to the season—think flower crowns, light fabrics, and whimsical decor. Ellie and Tom’s wedding (2021) featured paper cranes folded from pastel-hued origami paper, each with a personal wish written inside. Every guest got to take one home—a simple yet touching gesture that I adored.
My Takeaway
Planning an April wedding can feel like dancing on a tightrope with Mother Nature herself. But, oh, when it works, it’s breathtakingly magical! The unpredictability makes room for creativity, and the symbolism behind spring—renewal, growth, and love—adds depth to your celebration.
So, pack your umbrella, embrace the quirks, and get ready to dance into a season that blooms just for you.
Wouldn’t you agree there’s no better month than April to say, “I do”? If you’re looking for even more inspiration, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!
Sources:
- Seasonal flower trends:
- Weather-proofing tips:
- Symbolism of colors:
