Some couples plan a wedding. Eva and Michael built one – from scratch, from the heart, from somewhere so personal that walking into their venue felt like walking into the inside of who they are.
They got married on Pi Day. 3.14.26. If you know, you know. And if you don’t: yes, it was completely intentional. That kind of detail is exactly what you’d expect once you know these two.
I photographed a lot of weddings this year. This Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club wedding is one I’m still thinking about.
The Details (and the Woman Who Made Them)
I have to start here, because this is where the story begins.
Every floral arrangement in these photos – every basket lining the ceremony aisle, the ceremony arch, the bridal bouquet, the sweetheart table florals, the wicker basket arrangements filling the ballroom – Eva made herself. By hand. All of it.
I photograph a lot of weddings. I have never seen anything quite like this. The scale alone is staggering when you know it came from one person’s hands and vision. But what made it even more special is how it felt – wild and colorful and alive in a way that only happens when something is made with real love rather than ordered from a catalog.
Blue hydrangeas. Peach garden roses. Coral ranunculus. Orange blooms. Green button mums. Cascading amaranthus. The aisle lined with wicker baskets overflowing with color. A ceremony arch so full and so stunning that guests actually gasped when they first saw it.
She also designed the giant custom cut-out letters and the “Sip & Solve” giant crossword puzzle – a personalized quiz all about Eva and Michael that guests could work through during cocktail hour. (Answers included The Jonas Brothers, the Boston Red Sox, and “That’s What She Said.” Very on-brand for these two.)
Getting Ready at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club
The morning started exactly how you’d want it to.
Eva and her girls on the rooftop terrace in matching dusty rose satin pajamas with smiley face slippers, champagne already poured, the Florida morning sky wide open behind them. The kind of getting-ready moment that sets the tone for everything that follows.
Inside, before she put on her dress, she just reached up and touched it. Held it for a second. One of those quiet moments that reminds me why I love this job.
The dress itself deserves a whole paragraph. Pearl dots scattered across the fabric, a draped cowl detail, a long flowing train. Simple and stunning and completely her – the kind of gown that somehow looks like it was made for exactly one person. She wore it perfectly.
Meanwhile, Michael and his guys were doing what grooms do – focused and calm, suspenders on, white tuxedo jacket with black satin lapels, a watch being fastened, black bow tie in place. He looked excellent.
First Look with Dad + Private Vows in the Ivy Tunnel
The grounds at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club have this incredible ivy-covered tunnel – a brick archway completely draped in green that almost doesn’t feel real when you’re standing inside it. We used it for Eva’s first look with her dad, which was exactly the right call.
He saw her and just held on.
Then Eva and Michael had a private moment in the tunnel to exchange their personal vows before the ceremony – just the two of them, his dusty blue vow book in hand, reading words they’d written for each other. I stayed back to give them space and still found myself tearing up.
There’s something about those private vow moments before the ceremony. You can feel the weight of what they’re saying. Nothing is for anyone else in that moment. It’s just two people, and the words they chose.
The Ceremony
The outdoor ceremony space at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club was set up beautifully. White garden chairs in neat rows. Wicker basket arrangements in Eva’s signature palette lining both sides of the aisle. And at the front of it all – the arch.
The arch that Eva built.
Covered in blue hydrangeas, coral and orange blooms, pink roses, white ranunculus, cascading greens – it was extraordinary. I’ve photographed a lot of ceremony arches. This one stopped me.
As Eva walked down the aisle on her dad’s arm – golden hour light filtering through the palms behind her, her train trailing across the grass – the whole scene felt almost too beautiful to be real. Guests were standing. More than a few had tears.
Their ceremony included a handfasting ritual: their hands bound together with braided cords in blue, gold, and white, a tradition that goes back centuries and felt completely right for them. It added a layer of meaning to the ceremony that guests were still talking about at the reception.
When the officiant finally said they could kiss and the entire wedding party erupted behind them – please look at that photo. Everyone cheering, everyone clapping, the arch in full bloom behind them. That image says everything.
A live artist set up an easel during the ceremony and painted the view as it happened. Another artist spent the reception painting portraits of guests. I watched people see their paintings for the first time and just completely light up. It was one of the most beautiful reception details I’ve ever seen.
Golden Hour Portraits on the Course
Between the ceremony and reception, we slipped away for portraits on the golf course grounds and the stone courtyard. The light that March evening was absolutely perfect – warm and golden and soft in that way that makes everything glow from the inside.
These are some of my favorite portraits I’ve taken at this venue. The open sky. The stone courtyard. The course stretching out behind them. Eva was completely glowing. Michael was grinning. They were so happy and so in love and it showed in every single frame.
The Reception
I don’t know where to start with the reception. So let’s start with the cocktail menu.
“His: Strawberry Mojito. Hers: Hugo Spritz. Ours: DC on the Rocks.”
DC on the Rocks is a Diet Coke. Straight. On ice. And I love them for it.
The ballroom at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club is stunning – white draping sweeping from the chandeliers down to the walls, warm sconce lighting, gold chiavari chairs, ornate arched windows. Eva’s colorful wicker basket arrangements lined the sweetheart table stage, blue goblets on every table echoing the wedding’s palette, and the “BEST DAY EVER” marquee letters glowing against the white backdrop.
The toasts were something else. I teared up more than once. The kind of words you only hear from people who have genuinely watched two humans choose each other and been so happy about it. You could feel how loved Eva and Michael are in that room.
First dance in the full ballroom. Father-daughter. Mother-son. The dance floor never really emptied after that.
The Beloved Coffee did an affogato bar – espresso poured over gelato – and Eva and Michael were first in line. (See also: DC on the Rocks. These two run on caffeine and each other.) By the end of the night, Michael was doing a full squat on the dance floor with his bow tie hanging loose and Eva had both arms raised with champagne and someone was waving a giant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel face cutout and it was complete, perfect, joyful chaos.
The dance floor stayed packed until the very end. That’s always the sign of a wedding done right.
Why I Love Photographing at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club
I’m a preferred vendor at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, and there’s a reason I keep coming back.
The grounds are genuinely exceptional to photograph. The ivy tunnel, the brick courtyard, the manicured greens, the ornate clubhouse staircase, the grand ballroom – beautiful frames are everywhere. The afternoon light on the golf course is some of the best natural light I shoot in all year. And the venue’s orientation means that outdoor ceremonies get gorgeous golden backlighting in the late afternoon.
The venue team is wonderful to work with. The day-of coordination is tight and timelines always run smoothly – which matters more than most couples realize. A well-run day means more time for portraits and more relaxed moments, which means better photos.
The ballroom is flexible and beautiful. Whether your couple fills it with colorful DIY florals or keeps things minimal and classic, it photographs beautifully every single time.
If you’re considering venues in the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch area, I genuinely recommend this one. You can explore more of the best spots to get married in the region in my Sarasota wedding venues guide.
Looking for a photographer for your Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club wedding? I’d love to hear about your day.
Angela’s Tips for Your Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Wedding
Use the ivy tunnel for something meaningful.
The tunnel on the grounds is one of the most beautiful portrait locations I know of in Sarasota. It’s shaded, lush, and photographs like something out of a fairytale. Whether it’s your first look, a private vow moment, or wedding party portraits, do not skip this spot.
Plan for golden hour portraits on the course.
Build in 20 minutes between your ceremony and reception for portraits on the golf course. The light at that time is extraordinary – warm, soft, and flattering – and the open sky gives you incredible depth in your photos.
Use the grand staircase.
The entry staircase with the ornate iron railing is a classic bridal portrait moment. Make sure your photographer knows to capture you there, ideally before guests arrive so you have the space to yourself.
Pick your ceremony time strategically.
The outdoor ceremony space is oriented so that late afternoon ceremonies – roughly 4:30–6 PM, depending on the season – get beautiful backlighting. March through early May and September through November offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor ceremonies in Florida.
Let the ballroom do some of the work.
The ceiling draping and chandeliers are already stunning. You don’t need to over-decorate to make the room look incredible. Eva’s colorful wicker basket arrangements were a perfect example of adding personality without competing with the space.
Book early for peak dates.
This venue fills up fast. If you’re planning a Saturday wedding in season (October through May), start looking 14–18 months out. And if you want a preferred vendor photographer, reach out early – I’d love to hold your date.
FAQ: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Weddings
Where is Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club?
The venue is located in Lakewood Ranch, FL – about 20 minutes from downtown Sarasota and 45 minutes south of Tampa. It’s a beautiful drive and central to a lot of great hotel options for out-of-town guests.
Is membership required to get married at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club?
No – you do not need to be a member to host a wedding or event at the club. It’s open to non-members for private events.
How many guests can the venue accommodate?
The outdoor ceremony space accommodates up to 200 guests. The ballroom capacity varies based on layout – reach out to the venue team directly for current numbers.
What are the best months to get married there?
Florida weddings are most comfortable from October through early May. March and April are especially beautiful – comfortable temperatures, lush greenery, and perfect evening light. Eva and Michael’s March 14th wedding was a textbook example of ideal Florida spring conditions.
Does the venue provide a wedding coordinator?
Yes, the club provides a day-of venue coordinator for ceremony logistics. Most couples also hire a full-service wedding planner or coordinator for comprehensive wedding-day management.
What is there to photograph at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club?
So much. The ivy-covered tunnel, the grand interior staircase, the brick courtyard, the manicured greens, the ornate ballroom – this venue offers more variety for photography than almost any other venue I shoot in the Sarasota area. That’s a big part of why I love it.
Are you available to photograph weddings at this venue?
Yes! I’m a preferred vendor at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club and I love shooting there. Reach out here and tell me about your date – I’d love to be part of your day.
Vendor Love
Venue: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club
Cake: Sweets Bakehouse
Rentals: Gabroe Event Services
Affogato Bar: The Beloved Coffee
DJ: DJ Jamal Day
Dress: VowD Weddings | Altar’d State
Live Painter: Wedding Watercolors
Florals: Handmade by the bride
If you want to see what this same venue looks like paired with a Catholic church ceremony, check out Brianna and Ryan’s Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church wedding and LRCC reception. Two completely different day structures, the same stunning venue, two completely different stories.
Planning a wedding in the Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch area? I’d love to be your photographer. You can see more of my work in my Sarasota photographer guide or check out another recent favorite – a Siesta Key beach elopement that was just as full of heart as this one. When you’re ready, let’s talk.
