Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Josefina & Joel — Our Story

We met while I was working at Shaffer Cormells Law Office. My first impression of Joel was that he was quiet and very serious — but I was wrong. Beneath that calm exterior is a man with a sharp, dark sense of humor who can still make me laugh harder than almost anyone, while remaining the steady, serious person I first noticed. He’s also fiercely protective.Our first date was simple and perfect: dinner and a movie at my apartment. From that night on, our path wasn’t always straight; for the better part of ten years we were on and off, finding our way back to each other again and again. About two years ago everything finally clicked into place, and Joel became the intentional partner I’d always hoped for.One quiet evening he looked at me and said softly, “I want you to be my wife.” On August 25, 2023, he told me he loves me — words that still mean the world.We share so many of life’s simple joys: long sessions at the gym, an endless love for dogs, trading jokes (the darker the better), and a shared passion for travel. I often say Joel is a better person than I am, and I feel deeply grateful and blessed to have him in my life. After everything we’ve been through, we both know this love was always meant to last.Now we’re ready for the next chapter — as husband and wife.

Our Story

Photos

Lizbeth has been like a sister to Josefina—proof that while you can’t choose your family, you can choose friends who become family. Warm, dependable, and endlessly supportive, she’s stood by Josefina through every milestone. As Maid of Honor, Lizbeth will lead with love, humor, and a steady hand on March 17, 2027 at Siesta Key Beach, FL.

Lizbeth Romo

Leland has been a loyal and steadfast friend to Joel for many years. Always ready with support, laughter, and level-headed advice, he’s stood by Joel through life’s highs and lows. We’re grateful to have Leland at our side as Best Man.

Leland Cormell 

Jacquelyn is our sweet granddaughter and honorarily chosen flower girl. At [Siesta Key Beach, FL] on March 17, 2027, she’ll sprinkle petals with a big smile and warm everyone’s heart as she leads the procession.  Thank you for wearing a dress for us on our special day.  

Jacquelyn Rehrig

Little Leland is a cheerful and brave little guy who gladly accepted the role of ring bearer. He lights up the room with his smile and we’re so excited to have him walk down the aisle on March 17, 2027 at Siesta Key Beach, FL.

Little Leland Cormell

Karina has been indispensable in planning our day — helping choose colors, vendors, and patiently taking every late-night planning call. Her creativity, calm support, and attention to detail made this process joyful;   We’re so grateful for everything she’s done.

Karina Cormell

Wedding Party

Map of the Beach of the Wedding Ceramony 

5:15 pm Bride and Bridesmaids should arrive at the beach 

We will meet the bride, and your bridal party, at the beginning of the designated walkway (exact details will be in your final ceremony agenda). Please make sure you have everything you need to walk down the aisle: bouquet, rings, vows (if applicable) Any unnecessary items, such as purses, phones, etc...should either be left in the car, or given to a designated guest to bring down the ceremony site. Make sure this person is aware, in advance, that this is their assigned job.

5:30 pm Your Ceremony Music will begin at this time 

We will begin to play the first song. If you will be having a bridal party, they will start first, then your ring bearer(s), flower girl(s) and then the bride. Please make sure that your bridal party knows their line up ahead of time (remember that you walk in reverse order and Maid of Honor walks last). If they will be walking down with a groomsman, make sure they know who they are paired with. The music will fade once you arrive at the ceremony site. We do not time any ceremony music to your walk. The bridal party song is slowly faded as the song for the bride to walk down the aisle begins. If you have hired our ceremony photographer, they will let you know when to walk. Ceremony will start: Marriage address, vows, ring ceremony, sand ceremony, closing, then kiss!

5:30 pm Your Beach Wedding Ceremony Photography will begin 

Your photography will begin with the bridal party walking down the aisle. If you will not be having a bridal party/ring bearer/flower girl walk before you, the photography will start when the bride/spouse walks down the aisle. The photography will continue through the duration of the ceremony, capturing the first kiss after the officiant pronounces you married! You will then walk back down the aisle towards your photographer, and the bridal party will follow. The photographer will take the newly weds and the rest of the wedding party to take one big group photo. We suggest after the group photo, anyone who is not immediate family or apart of the bridal party, head to the reception. This will allow you some time to "breathe" and get some nice photos with immediate family members and any bridal party. The photographer will then finish up the photography by asking just the bridal couple to come down by the ocean. NOTE: Our in-house beach wedding ceremony photographers are more than happy to do a specific pose or picture with a certain guest ON THE BEACH only. Please keep in mind many wedding poses in a traditional setting may have to be modified for the beach (lighting is different, different editing, etc). We do not take photo lists.

Q + A

Hotels, Resorts, Rental Homes, etc…..: Siesta Sands on the Beach118 Beach Road (941)349-1929 https://www.siestasands.com/ The Capri at Siesta6782Sarasota Cr, Sarasota (941)684-3244 http://capriinternational.com/capri/ Siesta Key Beachside Villas124 Columbus Blvd, Sarasota, FL (941) 203-5985 https://siestakeybeachsidevillas.com/ Tropical Breeze Resort120 Columbus Blvd, Sarasota, FL (941) 256-2686 https://www.tropicalbreezeresort.com/ Tropical Beach Resorts6717 Sarasea Cir, Siesta Key, FL (941) 349-3330 https://www.tropicalbeachresorts.com/ Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites5311 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34242 (941) 349-3211 https://siestakeybeachresortandsuites.com/ The Inn on Siesta Key515 Beach Rd, Sarasota, FL34242 (941) 346-7196 https://innonsiestakey.com/ Sunset Beach Resort76AvenidaVeneccia, Siesta Key, FL 34242(941) 284-7637 https://www.sunsetbeachresortsiestakey.com/ J Jamaica Royale 5830MidnightPassRd,SiestaKey,FL34242 (941) 349-1800 https://jamaicaroyalesiestakey.com/ Captiva Beach Resort6772Sarasea Cir, Sarasota, FL 34242 (941) 349-4131 https://www.captivabeachresort.com/ Siesta Key Luxury Beach Home555BeachRoad,Sarasota, FL https://www.vrbo.com/802548 Groupof4Cottages (canrent1andupto4totalcottages-sleeps24guests) https://www.vrbo.com/1332904?noDates=true&amp;unitId=1891227 Downtown Hotels:-Please note that these hotels are more affordable than beach view/ocean front hotels because they are farther away from Siesta Key Main Beach. If you decide to stay farther away from the beach , please keep in mind that beach traffic is very busy March-October.Adjust your arrival time and plan accordingly as there is a high chance there will be parking and/or traffic delays. Hibiscus Suites 1735 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL (941) 921-5797 https://www.hibiscussuitesfl.com/ Siesta Key Palms Resort1800 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL (941) 786-4778 https://www.siestakeypalmshotel.com/ Best Western Plus Siesta Key 6600S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL34231 (941) 924-4900 https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-sarasota/best-western-plus siesta-key-gateway/propertyCode.10392.html

Travel

ThingsToDo:

Parasail Siestahttps://www.parasailsiesta.com/ Visit downtown Siesta Key Villagehttps://www.siestakeychamber.com/explore-the-key/our-villages/siesta-key-village/ Mote Marine Laboratory &amp; Aquariumhttps://mote.org/ The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature https://bishopscience.org/ Visit St. Armands Circle https://starmandscircleassoc.com/ Siesta Key Watersportshttps://siestakey watersports.com/ Key Life Chartershttps://www.keylifecharters.com