Sarah Stechschulte knew ever since she was a little girl that she would someday get married at the luxurious hotel on prime beachside real estate known as The Breakers. Her father even encouraged her by telling Sarah he wanted her wedding reception to be held in the Circle Ballroom because it was the most romantic space that he and her mother had ever seen. When it was time for Sarah and Anthony Cerminara to begin planning their wedding, they didn’t have to think long before confirming their fall nuptials at the posh palace where the bride’s childhood dreams would soon become a remarkable reality.

Because of the extraordinary amenities of the location, the couple was able to treat the weekend as a destination wedding and offer a mini vacation to their guests. Attendees were able to enjoy beach activities, golf, and tennis in addition to the noteworthy accommodations and stellar service attributed to the venue. “Not a single person had to leave the vicinity,” remarks Sarah. “Everything, including famous sites such as Flagler Museum and Worth Avenue were within walking distance.”

The couple favored a palette of tropical colors inspired by the Florida sunset. “Dusk is the time of day the sky truly becomes streaked with a beautiful shade of coral,” describes the bride. While Sarah concentrated on elements of the décor, Anthony focused on the menu and drink selection. “I really wanted everyone to have a fun, memorable time,” he says.

In a beautifully gilded room of the hotel, an arch composed of peach, ivory, and coral roses created the stage for the vow exchange. Treatments of bright white blossoms topped with hurricane candles stood at the entrance to alternating rows of guest seating. A golden chandelier illuminated the room and highlighted the marvelous artwork and structural design of the space. Bridesmaids outfitted in understated dresses in a neutral shade of sand proceeded down the aisle to the gentle sounds of string quartet.

Beautiful in a strapless gown with a full skirt of multiple layers of progressively lighter lace, Sarah carried a lovely bouquet that boasted roses, orchids, and valley lilies in the same combination that composed her grandmother’s wedding bouquet in 1946. The bride also wore a ring of diamonds and pearls once owned by her grandmother as her special “something old.”

The traditional nuptials included an intimate unity candle ceremony and heartfelt readings from selected loved ones. Once the ceremony was concluded, guests made their way to the cocktail hour, where petite floral arrangements decorated the tops of tables covered in tangerine linens. An impressive floral sculpture in which 3,000 flowers shaped a six-foot-tall “C” was situated at the head of the room.

A table decorated with glass cylinders set in a staggered design offered seating cards to guests, who wrote their well wishes and words of wisdom on notes collected in a crystal bowl for Sarah and Anthony to read after the wedding.
Inside the storied Circle Ballroom, champagne table cloths laden with roses made of the same silky fabric lined each table. Tall trumpet-shaped vases with mixtures of pearl dendrobium orchids, sherbet amaryllis, Blizzard roses, and Tibet roses served as striking centerpieces. Votives with tea lights surrounded each base alongside low vases filled with vanilla hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, and coral and blush English garden roses. The vaulted ceiling of the room displayed incredible artwork and a dazzling chandelier, while windows featured immaculate treatments and artful drapery. Indeed, it was a room as romantic as Dr. Stechschulte had once described.

A 10-piece band maintained the high level of energy in the room, and the couple was quite satisfied with the result. “When choosing a band, make sure there is a horn player,” advises Sarah. “That trumpet truly adds a lot to the performance.”

Sarah’s second recommendation for other brides? “Get a wedding planner to help with organization and the endless choices – they’ve seen it all.” She also emphasizes the need to select a venue that offers a diverse, talented, and professional staff. “The Design Studio at The Breakers created stunning floral arrangements as well as a menu that was creative and delicious.”

The groom agrees. “I don’t think we could have picked a better place for our celebration,” he states. In fact, the one thing he would change would be to make the weekend longer. “It was a great opportunity for everyone to spend time together,” shares Anthony in summation. “It was fun, it went smoothly – it was perfect.”