The day we had anticipated for just more than 10 months quickly approached as my boyfriend, Christian, and I headed to Sarasota, Florida, on an American Airlines’ flight to celebrate his sister’s wedding last week. Christian and I were both in the wedding party, so carrying our garment bag on the flight was necessary. Luckily, the flight attendant understood the importance of an unwrinkled outfit and kindly stored our outfits in the first-class cabin.
Upon landing at Sarasota’s airport, our wedding party duties began. We checked into Westin Sarasota and promptly headed to its rooftop pool and bar to join the soon-to-be bride and groom. Friday consisted of a workout at F45 Sarasota to get us in a good mindset for a weekend full of eating and drinking, followed by rehearsals at Saint Martha Catholic Church and a rehearsal dinner at a local steakhouse. Christian nailed the speech he made at the rehearsal dinner for about 50 close friends and family members. Happy tears were shed and many, many laughs were shared as the only brother of the bride shared memories, inside jokes and a couple of jabs at the bride and groom.
Wedding day call times for the bridesmaids started at 8 a.m. for hair and makeup. The bridesmaids were just an awesome group of Jackie’s (the bride’s) closest friends and family members. We all had a great time primping and prepping for the day with mimosas and coffee as the glam squad took care of our hair and makeup.
The ceremony was a beautiful celebration of the love and commitment between Jackie and Ryan. I felt really honored to witness the entire day by their side. After the ceremony, the bridal party piled onto a wedding-decorated trolley bus and headed to the beach for photos.
The reception was held at Sarasota Yacht Club. Cocktail hour was filled with fresh seafood and trays of charcuterie followed by dinner of fish or filet. The two maids of honor, along with the best man, Ryan’s brother Scott, made speeches followed by the father of the bride bringing the room to tears as he toasted his only daughter’s wedding day. We danced the night away to a 10-person band on an evening I will never forget.
Sunday was spent recovering from a full day of celebration. The rooftop pool was closed due to the wind in Sarasota, so Christian and I spent the day on our private balcony at the Westin. We got to have dinner with the newlyweds that night at a local Italian restaurant to wind down from the craziness and recap the wedding before they were off to Italy for their honeymoon. What a weekend! Congratulations, Jackie and Ryan!
— Haley Fogarty, advertising manager
Read This Next
The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation
Daily
Jun 19, 2025
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 19, 2025The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation
Located at Terranea Resort, a 102-acre oceanfront resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, The Spa at Terranea recently completed a $4.5 million renovation of its facilities, led by RVD Associates, a Los Angeles-based, full-service interior design firm. The 50,000-square-foot spa boasts new décor throughout, a new entry and lobby, modernized lockers and bathrooms, refreshed treatment rooms and lounge areas, and a revitalization of the outdoor areas.
Sponsored Content
Lech Walesa on Tour: A Conversation with a Man Who Changed the World
Some events change a nation. Some change the world.
Daily
Jun 18, 2025Don’t Miss These 5 Exceptional Museums in Budapest
There’s a magic to Budapest that’s hard to define. It may be the light or scents or even sounds — regardless, a great way to get a feel for this beautiful location is through its outstanding collection of museums. Here are a few to consider:
Daily
Jun 18, 2025A New Coastal Community Rises in the Dominican Republic
Real estate development firm BECCA and strategic architecture and planning partner GRITT teamed up for a new project, The Don Dom. This new gated residential complex is set to open in 2027 in the heart of Dominicus-Bayahibe, and aims to blend the ease of resort-style living with comfort and privacy.
Sponsored Content
Explore Europe with the Best River Cruise Line this November
Experience Europe from a fresh perspective with AmaWaterways, just awarded Best River Cruise Line by Global Traveler for the third consecutive year. Step aboard, unpack once and embark on a cruise through iconic capital cities and awe-inspiring landscapes. AmaWaterways' ships, which accommodate an average of just 156 guests, offer a spacious yet intimate setting. Throughout your journey, you'll enjoy exquisite farm-to-table dining; unparalleled service; and a variety of included excursions, from city tours for gentle walkers to thrilling bike rides along the rivers.
eFlyer Reviews
Jun 18, 2025W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Review
On Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast, the tranquil, 150-room W Reserva Conchal is located in a 2,300-acre, government-protected wildlife preserve encapsulating much of the country’s incredible eco-diversity. Habitats include mangroves, estuaries and a tropical dry forest; these places are home to howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas, magpie-jays, and perhaps a jaguar... if you can tear yourself from your room, that is. My Spectacular Ocean Escape was exactly that, decked out in vibrant hues to mirror the expansive views of lush foliage and tropical flowers (and ocean beyond), while incorporating indigenous patterns of tico culture. Design details included a green leather headboard and free-form leather sofa, a blue and orange mural, and tropical hardwood furnishings and paneling. A surfboard was reimagined into a shelf for the coffee station in a clever nod to the region’s surfing culture. The massive bathroom’s oversized shower looks out onto the vegetation, and my balcony was the perfect nook to sip wine with a side of sunset.
Radisson Collection Debuts in France in Lyon
eFlyer News
Jun 18, 2025June 2025
Jun 18, 2025Immerse in a Blissful Haven of Wellness at AVA Resort Cancun and Its New Spa
It’s hard to imagine a mother’s trip with her adult daughter could get any better. We’d lounged by what’s likely the largest pool in Cancún — perhaps even on the Riviera Maya — sharing secrets and consummate laughter. We chose gluttonously from an array of 17 compelling bars and restaurants, each with its own theme, from Mexican to Italian to Japanese; practiced yoga atop a promontory hovering over the sea; and toasted sunsets with margaritas. But now, when pampering wellness calls, we spend the day in Mexico’s buzziest new spa: The SPA at AVA. Amazingly, while at the spa, things get yet more mother-daughter, bond-making sweet ... our trip’s absolute pièce de résistance.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
eFlyer Lead
Jun 18, 2025Anti-Tourism Protests Ramp Up in Europe
From firing water guns to forcing the Louvre to shut down, protests have escalated across Southern Europe in response to overtourism. Overtourism is a growing problem in popular destinations around the world, affecting the environment, cost of living, housing availability and the overall happiness of locals.
ShareThis