AMI Beach Weddings: Blog https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog en-us (C) AMI Beach Weddings [email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) Wed, 24 Feb 2021 02:45:00 GMT Wed, 24 Feb 2021 02:45:00 GMT https://www.amibeachweddings.com/img/s/v-12/u320427755-o1032160217-50.jpg AMI Beach Weddings: Blog https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog 120 84 New Wedding Magazine https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2021/2/new-wedding-magazine With the last name of Love, it only fits that my destiny is to be in the wedding business, and I am thrilled to be ushering in 2021 with our new edition of the Anna Maria Island Wedding Magazine!  In this issue, you will find resources for every element of your destination wedding featuring wedding professionals from the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association.

Seeing the need to showcase our tight-knit, local community of wedding professionals and couples needing a simple, one-stop solution to beach weddings, we formed the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association.
Keeping the group small and only inviting vendors that we would use personally was our secret to success. We formed partnerships with the best island vendors, on Anna Maria Island and inside Manatee County, specialing in destination beach weddings. 

Based on vendor reviews, experience, and standing in the community, our invitation-only association has a goal of living up to Anna Maria Island's reputation as The Wedding Capital of Florida. Our members include Visit Florida award winners, Anna Maria Island Chamber Business of the Year winners, Manatee County Destination Ambassador winner, and Best of awards from The Knot and Wedding Wire, honoring wedding professionals highest ratings and most reviews from real couples. 

Our wish in 2021 is to celebrate your love story on our white, sugar sand beaches, your spouse next to you, your loved ones around you, and the sunset as your background.

Enjoy our brand new issue of The Anna Maria Island Wedding Association Magazine! 

 

 

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) anna maria island wedding https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2021/2/new-wedding-magazine Wed, 24 Feb 2021 02:45:23 GMT
COVID 19 safety measures https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2020/8/covid-19-safety-measures In these uncertain times, AMI Beach Weddings is constantly striving to provide the wedding of your dreams, while still providing all safety measures during COVID-19.
This includes partnering with local experts to live-stream weddings, working with local law enforcement to stay up to date on local ordinances, and keeping up to date on training opportunities. 
We are pleased to announce that all of our officiants have successfully completed the Justice of the Peace Association's training for COVID-19, Best Practices for Marriage Officiants. We will continue to seek out training opportunities to provide a safe experience for you and your beloved guests.
 

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) covid 19 beach wedding https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2020/8/covid-19-safety-measures Fri, 07 Aug 2020 21:38:42 GMT
Fourth of July events on Anna Maria Island https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/6/fourth-of-july-events-on-anna-maria-island Happy July 4thJuly 4th on Anna Maria Island, Florida

Here are holiday events for Anna Maria Island!

They are listed in order starting July 3rd and ending with the fireworks on July 4th. 

July 3rd, 6:30 PM
Baseball Independence Day (a day early) Celebration 
The Marauders Independence Day Celebration features a patriotic-themed jersey auction, a free shirt giveaway for the first 1,500 fans, and of course post-game fireworks presented by Budweiser! The fireworks are impressive, and the tickets are inexpensive. The Bradenton Marauders are a minor league baseball team and the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Tickets: http://www.milb.com/tickets/singlegame.jsp?sid=t3390

July 4, 2018: The Anna Maria Island Privateers hold their annual 4th of July Parade from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. This parade is small-town at its finest. Anyone can be in it- that goes for you too, vacationers! Just fill out the form from the link below so they know to expect you, decorate a golf cart or car or bike or boat and join in!  There is not even a fee, so you might want to pick up some fun treats to throw out to the spectators. If you want to watch, bring a chair and a hat. Sunscreen and water too, it is pretty darn hot. Also, be prepared to GET WET! Lots of the floats have super soakers and they love to drench the crowd. Dress accordingly and have a good spirit about the splashes. You can even bring a water gun and squirt right back at them.  The parade runs from the south entrance of Coquina Beach to City Pier at Anna Maria. To join in, register here:
http://amiprivateers.memberlodge.org/resources/Documents/Events/July%204th/2018/2018%20INDEPENDENCE%20DAY%20PARADE%20%20APPLICATION.pdf

When the parade is over, head down to the City of Anna Maria. Join in at City Pier Park July 4th from 12:30pm - 2:00pm to Celebrate America.  The City of Anna Maria will provide patriotic music, FREE hotdogs, chips, and beverages. 

 

Also, after the parade- this one is brand new this year and looks amazing! Held at the 

 

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, Autograph Collection

located at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

Join us for Eliza Ann’s Inaugural Fourth of July BBQ & Coastal Food Fest, co-hosted by Motorworks Brewing! The festivities will take place on the Pool Deck and Outdoor Patio of Eliza Ann's Coastal Kitchen. Open to the public and Waterline guests! For tickets, call 941-238-6264, or go to waterlineresort.com link above and click on the events page.

Tickets: $24 per Adult | $18 per Child under 12

Time: 12 PM - 6 PM

Date: Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Venue: Pool Deck & Eliza Ann's Outdoor Patio at Waterline Resort 

Buffet Menu:
Country Style Potato Salad
Mardi Gras Pasta Salad
Comeback Cole Slaw
Pork and Molasses Baked Beans
Street Corn on the Cobb
Boiled Blackened Potatoes & Andouille Sausage
Tabasco Green Beans with Smoked Peanuts
Cornbread
Blackened Local Grouper
Grilled Fish, locally caught by Captain Tony Zain
Carolina Gold Pork Ribs
Picnic Fried Chicken
Hot Dogs & Hamburgers
Sliced Watermelon
Tyler’s Ice Cream Sandwiches

Motorworks Brewing will have beer selections on tap:
Sailor’s Friend Mango Kolsch
VTwin Vienna Lager 
Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA - Gold Medalist at the 2017 Best Florida Beer Championship.

For fireworks:

 

Sandbar July 4th Fireworks Spectacular! 
You can either watch them from the beach or go to the VIP party. Is the VIP party expensive? Yup. But, it is dinner, open bar, valet and a front row seat to the fireworks. Also, keep in mind that the Sandbar is privately paying for the fireworks and there is no way that they make enough money from the VIP tickets to cover the fireworks. My heart is always grateful that they continue the show every year!
From the Sandbar: The year 2018 will mark 32 years that the Sandbar Restaurant has been lighting up the sky on July 4th. Each year they celebrate America’s Independence Day with a fun party under their special events pavilion. VIP Party Packages are available with prime seating set up on the beach for the fireworks show. Packages are available now and include an array of delicious food prepared by the restaurant's culinary team, open bar, party favors, valet parking and a private area to view the fireworks.
This year the menu will feature delectable passed appetizers, a raw bar and delicious dinner items featuring fresh-from-the-gulf seafood, several Florida heritage foods, and farm-to-fork items not to mention decadent desserts, and a full bar featuring an array of beer, wine, and specialty cocktail selections.
Tickets are $155 for adults and $50 for kids. Reservations for the VIP Party are required and seating is limited. Seating in the restaurant is available on a first come, first serve basis. Firework shows are weather permitting. There are no refunds for inclement weather. The Pavilion opens at 6 pm.
To purchase a party package ticket, contact Molly Powers, Special Events Coordinator (941) 778-8709 or [email protected].


For county music fans, head off the island to the nearby city of Palmetto for the annual Fourth Festival, also on July 4.  The featured guest is Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Charlie Daniels. He will perform a free concert in the outdoor Pavilion at historic Sutton Park on Old Main Street in downtown Palmetto. Enjoy food and craft vendors, a kid zone, and beer garden, and family-friendly activities. The event runs from3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Entertainment is from 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m, then stay for the fireworks off the Manatee River.

 

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) 4th of july anna maria island beach fireworks music parade https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/6/fourth-of-july-events-on-anna-maria-island Tue, 12 Jun 2018 23:32:40 GMT
Ambassador for AMI and beyond! https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/6/ambassador-for-ami-and-beyond IMG-0813IMG-0813

Riley-Love: an ambassador for AMI and beyond

 by  for islander.org |  May 15, 2018

 

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Karen Riley-Love was taken by surprise when Greg Campbell began describing the winner of the 2018 Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award.

He was at the podium at the Powell Crosley Estate in Bradenton, citing the accomplishments of the winner of the honor from the Manatee County

Tourist Development Council. Last year’s winner, Campbell was preparing to pass the torch.

“The more he talked, the more I realized he was talking about me,” Riley-Love said. “They had emailed me to be sure I was coming, but this, I never imagined.”

Each year, the TDC honors one individual who represents the county in the best way possible to visitors.

Nominations are made by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor Bureau community partners.

Riley-Love’s list of accomplishments includes currently serving on the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce board of directors, founding Friends of the DeSoto National Memorial and also serving as an officer. In addition, she worked on an initiative encouraging youth support at national parks.

Riley-Love was director of the Florida Maritime Museum 2011-14, curating historically significant materials relevant to Southwest Florida’s maritime culture. While there, she wrote and secured a $250,000 grant for the first phase of the restoration at the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage’s 95-acre preserve in Cortez.

For several years she has hosted a wedding festival to showcase local vendors and, most recently, she created the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association. 

Riley-Love said when she returned home after winning the trophy, she rang the doorbell so her kids, Jack, 12, and Bella, 14, would answer.

“They opened the door and here I was holding this big trophy. They started jumping up and down and screaming. It was fun,” Riley-Love said.

Previous award winners include Ed Chiles, CEO of the Chiles Group; John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants; and Manatee County Parks and Natural Resource director Charlie Hunsicker.

 

 

 

https://www.islander.org/2018/05/riley-love-an-ambassador-for-ami-and-beyond/

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) anna maria island association award karen riley-love wedding https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/6/ambassador-for-ami-and-beyond Sun, 03 Jun 2018 21:39:41 GMT
Memorial weekend Anna Maria island https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/5/memorial-weekend-anna-maria-island IMG_6190Anna Maria Island ParadeAnna Maria Island Parade honor military

Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute, Monday, May 28th beginning at 10:00 AM.

All are welcome to attend the event which features a 20 piece orchestra from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra performing patriotic music.

The free symphony will be held Monday, May 28 in the City Pier Park (across from the City Pier) under the recently installed shade sails.
There will be seating for approximately 400. No reserved seating is available.
Parking is available at pier or park & ride the free trolley from Crosspointe Fellowship Church at the entrance to the City. 
10:00    Invocation – Rev. Ed Moss of Crosspointe Fellowship Church Anna Maria

 -Welcome & recognition of visiting   dignitaries/officials present-  Mayor Murphy

- Colors Presentation – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard: Color Guards, Bagpiper & Trumpeter 

- Memorial Wreath placement – Mayor Bob Johnson of Holmes Beach (Lt. Col USA-Retired) & Capt. George Barford (USN- Retired) 

- Recognition - Spouses & significant others of veterans present – Mayor Murphy

-Recognition – All veterans present (by branch of service) – Mayor Murphy

10:30-11:30  Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra performing patriotic music.

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) anna maria island beach day destination event florida memorial https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/5/memorial-weekend-anna-maria-island Tue, 15 May 2018 19:34:23 GMT
5 Tips for Perfect Beach Wedding Flowers https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/5/5-tips-for-perfect-beach-wedding-flowers  

1. Mind the tropical climate. Will your delicate flowers hold up to the wind, salt and sun of an outdoor wedding? Delicate blooms can wither in the heat, so it is best to pick flowers that can stand up to Mother Nature. Surprisingly, even though roses look fragile, a bridal bouquet made of roses will actually hold up beautifully for your beach wedding.

2. Keep it simple. Beach weddings should have two focal points. The first is the bride (sorry grooms, but we all know this to be true). The second is the background of the sea and sunset. Pick floral arrangements that compliment, and not take away from the beauty of a beach wedding. You can save the splash for the table design.

3. Consider the season. You may have your heart set on peonies, but keep in mind their growing season is late spring and early summer. Also, flowers that are common and plentiful elsewhere may not be as easy to find in a tropical setting. Sunflowers, roses, lilies and the ever-popular succulents are usually available year round.

4. Timeless bouquets are more important than the latest trend.  Look at wedding photos from years- even decades- past and find the elements that most appeal to you. Look at the ones that scream dated, so you can avoid those as well. Too big, and colors not from nature tend to age the worst. With that said- pick what speaks to you! It's your wedding, so pick the color and size that makes your heart happy. 

5. Keeping it real...with advice. Think about using artificial flowers. Now, hear me out. Usually, artificial flowers bring up memories of craft stores and penny-pinching. Today's flowers are nothing of the kind. The "Real Touch" flowers are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, and you don't have to worry about weather, wind or weight (you would be surprised how heavy bouquets can be). The real touch part means that they even feel like a real flower. You can also have any flower, in any color, from any season. They can be super expensive (Real Touch blooms generally cost $8-$16 per stem, since they are so carefully crafted). Best advice- rent a bouquet of real touch blooms. Really- you can rent anything these days! Can you pick which bouquet is the one made from real touch flowers, and the one from real flowers?

Beach Wedding Flowers for Destination Weddings on Anna Maria Island FloridaBeach Wedding Flowers for Destination Weddings on Anna Maria Island Florida

* Trick question! They are both real touch flowers!

Find more at www.AMIBeachWeddings.com or email [email protected]

 

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) anna beach destination florida flowers island maria wedding https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/5/5-tips-for-perfect-beach-wedding-flowers Mon, 14 May 2018 18:41:33 GMT
Easter Fun on Anna Maria Island, Florida https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/3/amieaster Family Fun Easter Events on Anna Maria Island! Events are held on both Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1.

Easter Events on Saturday, March 31:

The Sandbar Restaurant and Pine Avenue Restoration host the festivities in the City of Anna Maria. The 32nd Annual Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt starts sharply at 9:00 am., on Saturday, March 31st with refreshments served in the Pavilion next to the restaurant starting at 8:30 am. (The Pavilion will not be accessible until 8:30 am.) The hunt will take place on the beach directly next to the restaurant with sections set up for children aged 0-2, 3-6 and 7-10. Each child is responsible for bringing their own basket to collect eggs (a beach sand bucket works great for this and makes for colorful photos)!  Parking is available in the restaurant lot, across the street and at city hall. We encourage folks to take the free island trolley or monkey bus.

After the Sandbar fun, the Easter Bunny leads a walking parade down Pine Avenue where the 9th Annual Easter Egg Roll and Easter Bonnet Contest takes place. There is plenty of fun for the whole family with games, face painting, egg rolling and coloring. Complimentary mimosas, sausage biscuits and frittatas are provided by the Sandbar Restaurant along with cupcakes from Hometown Desserts. Take home an Easter keepsake – a framed picture with the Easter Bunny with pictures taken by the amazing Dara Caudill of IslandPhotography.org. Music is provided by the very talented Chuck Caudill. A fabulous gift basket will be raffled off to one lucky winner.  The roll will take place 9:30am-12: 00 pm.

Prizes for the best bonnet include a two-night stay at the Anna Maria Guest Houses for first prize. The competition is fierce for this contest. I entered last year and had a decorated hat complete with lights and a working train, and did not win a single prize! Did you hear the part about my hat having a moving, running train? The winner was in a full chicken costume, which my children told me they would disown me and not to get any ideas for doing that. There are also be prizes for second and third place. First prize for the best kid’s bonnet is a Sandbar lunch for the winner and three of their BFF’s complete with hot fudge sundaes. There are also prizes for second and third place. For more information on the Sandbar Easter Egg Hunt and Pine Avenue Easter Egg Roll contact Tina Chiles at 941-778-8710 or [email protected].

Mar Vista Easter Egg Hunt on Longboat Key

If you are on the south end of the island or Longboat Key, the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant is a great place to spend your Easter morning. The 30th Annual Mar Vista Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 31st at 10:00 am sharp. Bring your basket and meet the Easter Bunny. Light refreshments will be served. We like to arrive by boat! For more info on the Mar Vista Easter Egg Hunt call 941-383-2391

April 1, Easter Sunday

The 54th annual Easter sunrise service, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, is held on Sunday, April 1 at Manatee County Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The service starts at 6:30 am. All six churches on the Island participate in the service, and about 2,000 attendees celebrate as the sun rises. 

You will need to bring your own chairs, and we recommend bringing a blanket or a jacket as the morning can be cool. 
 

The new Waterline Resort, located at 5325 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach, is hosting "the most egg-cellent Easter Brunch on Anna Maria Island"! A visit from the Easter bunny, face painting, crafts and games will make the day extra fun for your little bunnies. In addition to the already fabulous brunch menu at Eliza Ann's Coastal Kitchen, their chefs have prepared specialty items just for the occasion.
Reservations recommended. Please call (941) 238-6264.
Easter Fun: 
Date: Sunday, April 1, 2018
Brunch from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Visit & Photos with the Easter Bunny 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Games on the Promenade 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Face Painting 10:00AM- 12:00PM 
Crafts in Cobb’s Corner 10:00AM - 3:00PM

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) anna maria island easter florida https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2018/3/amieaster Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:55:10 GMT
eco https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2017/1/eco A shining jewel hugs the Sun Coast of Florida just a short distance from the place where Hernando DeSoto first landed on the shores he christened ‘Anna Maria’, hoping to discover gold. The Florida jungle proved too challenging in 1539 and DeSoto and his party left without any gold. What they missed was a small, 7 mile island jewel nestled in the Gulf of Mexico, where the multi-hued crystal-clear blue waters beckon visitors to relax and the white sandy beaches are beyond compare. Here, the true treasure of the island is the ‘golden’ sunshine, peace and tranquility in a unique sanctuary for man and beast. Nestled on Florida’s West Coast, our aquamarine waters lure worldwide visitors to restorative sugar sand beaches which have been a haven for a variety of Flora and fauna for centuries.

Anna Maria Island provides quaint, friendly laid back ambiance. Experience old world charm and natural beauty. It is no wonder this little paradise continuously gets top billing, including being rated 3rd best island in the U.S. by Trip advisor, rated as one of the Top 30 islands and 3rd best beach in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and the best beach in the world by Men’s Journal. Located just south of Tampa Bay, Florida – Anna Maria Island proves that size doesn’t matter when it comes to fun in paradise. Believe it or not, it has 3 cities full of activities for visitors of every age. 

Thinking of an eco-friendly outdoor island getaway?  With 7 miles of uninterrupted beach there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy fun in the sun and explore nature. We share our beach life with Florida’s abundant wildlife. If you crave a glimpse of the local wildlife you will find boundless opportunities: dolphin, manatee, turtles, seabirds and many exotic fish can be observed on, in or near the local waterways. Our island is has a nationally registered wildlife sanctuary where birds and turtles nest, manatees and dolphins play and people relax. Each year sea turtles nest on our island from May – November during our ‘turtle nesting season’. Should you be visiting during this time, be advised of the ‘lights out’ curfew and yellow light districts that keep nesting turtles heading toward the Gulf as they emerge from their police taped nests on the beaches. (Remember, state laws prohibit the feeding of all Florida wildlife.) These sanctuaries and estuaries make Anna Maria Island the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. Nature friendly activities include kayaking, sailboat tours, paddle boarding, biking, walking and hiking. Don’t miss the eco-experiences Anna Maria Island offers.

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[email protected] (AMI Beach Weddings) https://www.amibeachweddings.com/blog/2017/1/eco Mon, 23 Jan 2017 06:00:57 GMT