One of my very best friends, Merri, is getting married in Sarasota at the end of October. She is planning her Florida wedding all the way from New York City and she flew into Sarasota on Friday for one last weekend in Florida before her big day.
I met up with Merri and her dad in Sarasota on Friday afternoon and we toured her venue with three of her vendors.
Merri is getting married at a historic southern mansion and the property is just gorgeous!
We walked around the property and Merri explained all of her ideas to the vendors so they could plan a layout that would help the evening flow in a way that made sense. There is no doubt in my mind that her special day will be incredible!
After we toured the venue, I joined Merri and her dad for a seafood-filled lunch at Captain Curt’s before Merri and I spent the rest of the afternoon running wedding-related errands around town before it was time for dinner.
We joined Merri’s family for dinner at Javier’s and our friend Leah drove in town from Clearwater for dinner too, which was great. (The sangria, ceviche and bananas foster were dinner highlights!)
I loved spending time with some of my favorite girls and the quality time continued on Saturday when Laurel joined in the fun!
Saturday
Merri and I kicked off the day with a morning run and then I spent the rest of the morning with Ryan and my in-laws who also live in Sarasota. It was so good to see my in-laws after far too much time away!
In the early afternoon, I met back up with my girlfriends to talk with Merri’s florist at her mom’s house. Her mom’s roommate’s cat was so playful and I couldn’t resist playing with her for a little while.
Once the meeting with the florist was done, Merri, Leah, Laurel and I went to Siesta Key to enjoy a laidback afternoon with cold drinks and good seafood.
Our afternoon began at SKOB where we sipped on margaritas and ate raw oysters and goat cheese quesadillas.
We grabbed a table outside and had fun catching up while live music played in the background. The four of us haven’t been together since Laurel and John’s wedding in May, so it was fabulous to have some quality time with some of my best friends this weekend.
After our time at SKOB, we walked next door to Daiquiri Deck for pina coladas!
Oh my gosh, I love pina coladas so, so much. They are the perfect summer drink!
After our time at Daiquiri Deck, I hugged my girlfriends goodbye and went back to my in-laws’ house for dinner with Ryan and his family.
Dinner
I know I’ve talked about my mother-in-law’s cooking on the blog before, but she really is an incredible cook! I think she learned it from Ryan’s grandmother who is also prepares the most delicious food. Ryan’s grandmother and her boyfriend also joined us for dinner which was great. They are so spunky and fun!
Last night’s dinner began with margaritas and a salad topped with avocado, tomato, bacon and ginger dressing.
And then dinner was served! We had prime rib, lobster, mushroom risotto and grilled asparagus. I filled my plate and went back for seconds of the risotto and prime rib. Everything was so flavorful and we couldn’t stop raving about it.
For dessert, my mother-in-law made strawberry shortcake that we topped with fresh berries, mango (from a tree in Ryan’s grandma’s yard!), ice cream and whipped cream. It was a great conclusion to a fantastic day in Sarasota!
I hope you are having a great weekend!
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You were NOT kidding when you said this was the summer of weddings, haha. I haven’t been to one in ages!
I always love reunions with my girlfriends! Looks like a really fun day!
I love sarasota!! My grandparents lived there and we used to go there all the time when i was a kid. hope you had fun!
Awesome weekend by the sounds of it and you officially have me craving both a pina colada and a margarita and I don’t even drink!
My fiance and I met in Sarasota and one of our early dates was at Javier’s. I was reading your blog while sitting on the couch next to him and he asked “Did they get the Bananas Foster?” Very good choice 🙂
Oh my gosh, it was so, so good. I think only two people at our entire table didn’t get it! Delicious!!
Fun weekend!! I’m craving cevishe now.
You had a blast of a weekend! And dang, you do have a lot of weddings lately! fun <3
wedding mania ahhh! I am in 2 upcoming weddings (one in sept, the other in nov) and I am lovin’ all the girl time being spent for all the occasions! Looks like you are, too!
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend pbf! =)
LOVE the Daiquiri Deck! My fiance’s best friend lives in Sarasota with his wife and we love to go down for yearly visits!
Sounds like such an amazing weekend! So many great food photos there. Although my fav photo is def of that cat you played with 🙂
Looks like a beautiful and fun weekend with friends and family 🙂 The weather looks beautiful there as well! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Mango from a backyard tree on the short cake…sounds heavenly! Looks like a fun weekend!
Sounds so fun!! My husband and I were in Sarasota this weekend too!! Every time we go, I always say how we need to do it more often!! It’s only ~1 hour away and it feels like such a break!! Great restaurants too! 🙂 Happy Sunday!!!
You weren’t kidding with the number of weddings you are going too! Sounds like so much fun!! Lots of celebration and good times!
My family has a beach house in Siesta Key! We’re summer regulars at SKOB and Daquiri Deck. Looks like you had a great time. Good choices on good and drinks!
Looks like a great weekend in Sarasota! My husband is from Sarasota, and we got married there – it’s so beautiful! Whenever we visit, I have to hit up SKOB for the oysters 🙂
wow, a lot of delicious food! i wish i lived in florida where you can just swing by for pina coladas… it’s starting to get a bit cold in DC, actually!
it will be 5,000 degrees here for at least another month and a half. i’m ready for some of your cooler weather! 🙂
These pictures made me miss living in Florida!! I wanna go back
Sounds like so much fun! I have never been to Sarasota, but that needs to change!
This sounds so FUN! I have never been to Sarasota one day I hope to visit 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Love + Shine CourtStar
What a great weekend you had! I am salivating over your MIL’s dinner pics. and hope to recreate that salad ASAP!
I love Sarasota and Siesta Key! My boyfriend and I will be there for a wedding in October as well! Can’t wait to get some Daquiri Deck too!
Girl time is literally the best time ever. It looks like you had a wonderful weekend!
Love love love the Daquri deck! That place is so fun!
Sounds like an awesome weekend! I’ve never been to Sarasota but now I want to!
I LOVE the Daiquiri Deck. Siesta Keys in general holds a special place in my heart; it’s where I had my bachelorette…and booooy did it get sloppy (when girls pay $10 at the door and drink for free all night!)
Looks like a fun weekend! Already looking forward to seeing the pics from Merri’s wedding in a few months!!
So many weddings and so much fun! I just love weddings and seeing how everything comes together for the big day. Looks like you are just having a blast with it all.
What a fun weekend! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself!
Goat cheese quesadillas and margarita’s with girlfriends, sounds like a perfiect day!
I have a sad confession – I’ve never tried oysters before! This is hard to admit as a seafood lover…I clearly need to get my act together and try it out!
The venue for your friend’s wedding looks absolutely gorgeous. What a lucky lady!!
I couldn’t imagine planning a wedding so far from where you are living! It’s so fun when you get to reunite with your friends:) I’m glad you had a good weekend!
Sounds like a lot of fun! I got back from vacation on Saturday and spent the rest of the weekend trying to recover!