Stunning Spring Wedding at Sunset Cove in Miami

All photos by Colleen Sanclemente Photography

Miami is a unique city. In fact, it’s like none other in the US. It’s a melting pot of cultures from all over the world, all diverging into a mix of hustle and bustle and island living. Often times, those of us who live here don’t take the time to appreciate the beauty of the city, but at Sunset Cove, it’s impossible to ignore it. As one of the most picturesque wedding locations in all of South Florida, it’s positioned right on the bay in historic Key Biscayne. Complete with views of the Downtown Miami skyline, luxury yachts, and clear blue waters, it embodies everything that makes Miami a world destination.

For this wedding, however, it was no destination. Alexandra and Dylan are locals, and they chose the perfect venue to display their beloved city all of its glory as they said their vows with the place they call home as their backdrop. But what made this wedding particularly unique was not the physical setting, but rather, the timing. As fate would have it, this was the last wedding date that venues would remain open for over a year, as the world was battling the rapidly escalating effects of COVID. Maybe that played a factor in the overall energy that took place that day, but one thing is for sure: IT WAS A WILD PARTY.

Alexandra + Dylan set the tone and keep the energy UP!

From the moment we kicked off the party, everybody was all-in. Normally parties have a flow to them where things will start off busy, then slow down for a little while, then pick back up. For this party, I don’t think there was a moment it ever slowed. It was high energy from the start, and we couldn’t keep the guests off the dance floor.

As a wedding vendor, it’s always satisfying to have guests rave about how amazing their experience was. However, the ultimate compliment someone can receive is from our fellow vendors, especially those who work at the venue. They’ve seen it all at their venue, including DJ after DJ. At this party, one of the bartenders approached the DJ booth to say how he had never seen a DJ play the way I did and how the entire bar staff was impressed. It was definitely one of the more satisfying feelings you could get as a wedding pro.

Needless to say, it was one of the most fun weddings we’ve ever done. Sunset Cove has stunning views that are hard to compete with, and the vibe was just right for our beautiful couple that set the tone for an electric party. Check out more pictures from their wedding day below:

5 Things to Do: COVID-19 Edition

We’re living in one of the craziest times in human history. Life as we know it has been flipped on its head and all of our plans have been put on hold until this global pandemic blows over. If you’re a bride who had a wedding scheduled during this time, you might have a feeling of devastation right now. You’re not alone. Brides all over the world are facing that reality. I feel for you. With all of the time, money, planning, logistics, and emotional investments made into that one day, it’s a hard truth to accept. Personally, I lost 5 booked events in a matter of a week (3 of them weddings) once the shutdown began.

But all hope is not lost. With the lockdown comes time that we normally don’t have to do things we should do. So rather than focus on the negative, here are some tips on steps you can take to make your wedding happen post-pandemic.

1)  Don’t Panic

It’s easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom of canceling your wedding. But if you’re reading this, you’re alive. Keep that perspective in mind. And eventually, this pandemic will end. The reason there’s a curve that we’re trying to flatten; it’s because the spread of COVID-19 A.K.A. Coronavirus has a beginning and an end. This will end, and from the looks of it, that will happen before this year is over. So maybe start considering rescheduling your wedding for winter 2020 or spring 2021.

2)  Postpone, Don’t Cancel!

Canceling your wedding altogether is always an option, but from personal experience (both as a DJ and as a married man), your wedding is one of the most significant and memorable days in your life. If done right, you won’t regret it. Work out the logistics with those who will have to make arrangements to be there and see what dates work best for them. That way you can include as many of the names from your original guest list as possible.

3)  Re-strategize/Plan

Scheduling a new date is going to be tricky as couples all over the world are trying to move their weddings. Being flexible about what your wedding will look like is going to play a factor in your ability to make it work. Look at your list of vendors and overall wedding plan and see where you might be able to make adjustments. Maybe consider a smaller wedding so that you can book at a smaller venue. Or maybe you can live without the sweets table. Any area you can cut that isn’t essential will help in speeding up the planning process and making it easier to book.

4)  Reach Out to your Vendors

This one is key. I started by saying that I lost 5 bookings in a matter of a week. Everybody in the events industry has lost business, and for some people, this is their livelihood. Now, more than ever, vendors will be flexible to gain or keep your business. Reach out to each of the vendors that you had already booked and check their availability. See if you can work out a new date with them, and maybe even make changes to the services you hire them for. And if your DJ can’t work with your new date and your wedding is in Miami or elsewhere in South Florida, click on over HERE and send me the details. I might be able to help you out.

5)  Stay Safe!

This should go without saying, but if you aren’t around, there is no wedding. So be smart and be careful! Listen to what the experts are telling you to do; it’s what will get you closer to having that wedding you’ve been wanting to have so badly. That goes for you, your fiancé, and each of your families and friends. Make sure they’re able to be there for you when you set your new date.

I hope you found this helpful and encouraging. I’m here to help. If you have any questions or are interested in booking, please reach out to me via the Contact Page or by phone at 305-542-9814. Stay safe and happy planning!

How Much do Weddings ACTUALLY Cost?

As soon as the holidays roll around, so begins engagement season. Couples all over America profess their love to one another and make a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. Weddings are a beautiful thing, but they're also the single-most expensive day in a person's life. Thinking about getting engaged? Here are some hard facts and figures to put things into perspective.

AVERAGE WEDDING COST IN THE US:

Engagement Ring: $5,000

Ceremony/Reception: $29,200

Honeymoon: $4,500

Total Wedding Cost: $38,700

Source: WeddingWire 2019 Newlywed Report

Keep in mind that these are national averages. The numbers vary slightly for weddings in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. While many consider Miami to be one of the most expensive locations to hold a wedding, they actually rank below the national average in overall wedding cost at $31,000. I was surprised when I read that, and chances are you are too.

With the ceremony/reception eating the largest portion of the wedding budget, there's a wide range of services and expenses covered in that number, so here are some of the details behind that number:

CEREMONY/RECEPTION AVERAGE COST BREAKDOWN:

Venue: $9,000

Catering: $6,700

Band: $3,900*

Photography: $2,400

Wedding Planner: $1,850

Rehearsal Dinner + Additional Meals: $1,800

Videography: $1,800

Flowers: $1,800

Event Rentals + Photo Booths: $1,700

Dress: $1,700

Lighting + Decor: $1,400

DJ: $1,200*

Source: WeddingWire 2019 Newlywed Report

So as you can see, the biggest expenses are the venue and catering, only to be followed by bands. Bands are highly engaging and entertaining, but aren't suited for every crowd. Some people prefer DJs instead, and some like to have a combination of both (which I've done and can offer, if that's something you're interested in). The reason why I added an asterisk beside Band and DJ is because most couples will go with one or the other. Also, keep in mind that average pricing for vendors is deeply dependent on multiple factors, most commonly on the number of hours that service is provided.

While I can't say for sure because WeddingWire didn't specify, my guess is that they're basing that number on a 4-hour reception. What I can say for sure is that, after having spoken to representatives at The Knot and WeddingWire (which are now the same company), they both agree that the average cost for a DJ in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area who is advertising through their sites is around $1,500 for a 4 hour reception. That's strictly for DJ services, meaning it does not include up lights, monograms, performers, etc.

So there you have it. I hope I haven't scared you away, because hiring the right people has a value that money can't buy. As a married man, I know this first hand.

Want to know what your wedding would cost if you hired me? Interested in learning more about how I can help you with your wedding needs? Click on the "Contact" and fill out the form, or call me at (305) 542-9814. Happy planning!