Sarasota Historic Courthouse Wedding | Jason + Lauren

Jason has been coming to Sarasota his whole life. Beaches, palm trees, fresh seafood, that specific kind of slow that this part of Florida just does better than anywhere else. So when he and Lauren started talking about getting married, Sarasota made sense. And when they found the Historic Courthouse with its gorgeous blue tile and the kind of character most courthouses do not come close to, they were sold. Seriously, the most gorgeous courthouse. Their Sarasota Historic Courthouse wedding was in May and it was just the two of them. And honestly it turned into one of those days that felt way less like a wedding and way more like the best night out with the coolest couple. Arcade games, cocktails and cake at a beachside hotel, private vows at blue hour on South Lido Key, and a fun champagne pop right after the sun went down.

The Sarasota Historic Courthouse… Where the Day Began

I met Jason and Lauren outside the Historic Courthouse and from the very first minute the energy was exactly what I love most about elopements. Excited, a little nervous, completely themselves. The Historic Courtroom is the most popular ceremony space at the Sarasota Historic Courthouse and honestly for good reason. Floor to ceiling blue tile, high ceilings, all these architectural details that make every single photo look like it belongs in a film. For a couple who picked Sarasota specifically because of how beautiful this courthouse is, it deeeelivered.

The ceremony itself was short + sweet yet still so meaningful. Jason and Lauren honored Jewish tradition by breaking the glass. A cloth wrapped glass set on the floor, stomped together, shattered into a hundred pieces while the whole room erupted with Mazel Tov energy. The breaking of the glass represents how fragile and precious the bond they were building is + the pure joy of a moment you felt to your core, it was the perfect way to close out the ceremony.

Then we headed outside for portraits in front of the courthouse and here is the fun part. In our planning questionnaire, Lauren had told me beforehand Jason was not comfortable in front of a camera and could not smile on command and a few of their insecurities. But this is my magic sauce my friends, when I say I gotchu, I gotchu, I will always create a space where you feel comfortable being yourselves. And being yourselves turns out to be super photogenic. I will always lead you with fun prompts vs posing you. Its where you can move, laugh, and just be vs stand stiff and awkward. And they look happy af + in love. That “just married” glow!

Wanting to elope in Florida and need some help with the legal thangs + details here is some more info!

St. Armands Circle + Cirque St. Armands Beachside

From the courthouse we drove over to St. Armands Circle, one of Sarasota’s most iconic neighborhoods. It is this circle of upscale shops, restaurants, and local gems sitting right between the city and Lido Key beach. It is honestly Sarasota at its’ most Sarasota. A little elevated + fancy, a little relaxed, palm trees lining the streets, the water right around the corner.

Cirque St. Armands Beachside is a hotel right in the heart of the circle and it is genuinely one of the coolest spots in Sarasota right now. The Ringside Restaurant and bar attached to it has quite the viiibe. New, thoughtfully designed, the kind of place where the cocktails are great and the vibe is even better. And the best part for a wedding day? The beach is literally at the front steps. You walk out and you are right freakin there. Chefs kiss for logistics!

Jason and Lauren stayed at Cirque St. Armands for their wedding night before heading down to Jason’s family’s place at Manasota Key the next day, so this hotel was not just a stop on the itinerary. It was theirs for the night. They shared a cocktail at the Ringside bar and had cake to mark the moment + the vibe was just right! Then Jason showed the floor they were on that had a super cool lighting situation for cool portraits + asked if I would be down and I am always down to get creative! Their Sarasota elopement was off to a great start, low key, easy flow, easy breezy in love vibes. My favorite.

This is the kind of day I help my couples build from scratch. If this sounds like your kinda vibe, I’m your girl!

Arcade Monsters

Then we drove down the street to Arcade Monsters + the whole energy of the day shifted into let’s have some fun. I learned from the planning questionnaire Lauren and Jason are naturally touchy and playful with each other when they are comfortable. They are the kind of couple who cooks dinner together every night and loses track of time just talking. And at Arcade Monsters that side of them came all the way out. Flirty, competitive, and that “just us” vibe was really in the air. Luckily the arcade wasn’t packed or crazy so it truly felt like they had the place all to themselves.

The best part and I mean this personally because I am a total sucker for nostalgic stuff. They did photo booth photos. I love photo booth photos, they’re just super fun. There is somethin about the physical little strip, the grainy quality, the fact that you are crammed into a curtained box with one second to figure out what your face is doing. So. Much. Funnnn.

South Lido Key Beach…Vows, Tears, and Blue Hour Champagne

We drove out to South Lido Key next! If you have never been to South Lido at that time of day, it is the kind of light that makes you get why people fall in love with Sarasota. West Florida sunsets are unreal dude. Just unreal.

Jason and Lauren adventured around to all the little nooks I got them in and just let loose. They held their personal vows until the very end of the evening on purpose. They wanted to share their vows at the end because well… tears. Private vows are probably my favorite part of any elopement. It’s a moment to truly just connect and be vulnerable. And a lot of times when couples elope they don’t get to share a first dance. As your Florida elopement photographer I love to find pockets in your day where we can share that special moment and take a min to slow it down, connect, dance, and then jump into vows. Plus I knoooow every couples has a song + it’s so fun learning each couples style. Slow dance, cool! Dance like silly animals, cool! No wrong way to share a first dance together if ya ask me.

We closed out the night with poppin’ champagne, right as the light hit that blue hour magic and snaggin some cute detail photos.

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What Made This Sarasota Historic Courthouse Wedding Feel Like Theirs

Jason and Lauren told me they wanted the day to feel intimate and beautiful. They wanted to be present, make memories that last + have great photos of a day that actually felt like them. And what it felt like from where I was standing, as a enthusiastic af third wheel, was just a really good day between two people who genuinely love each other’s company.

I learned that they cook dinner together every night. They lose hours just talking without even noticing. They are the kind of couple where hanging out is not the background, it is the whole point. And that is exactly what their wedding felt like. Just them two, enjoying each others company, havin’ some fun, and truly living in the moment. The courthouse was where they made it official, breaking the glass was a nod to Jason’s heritage and to the weight of what they were doing. The cocktails + cake were the celebration. The arcade was fun + totally them and made it feel like their first date night as newly weds which is freakin’ rad. And the vows at South Lido were the sweetest way to end their elopement.

Planning Your Own Sarasota Historic Courthouse Wedding?

I’m Kathryn, a Florida elopement photographer based in Sarasota, and days like Jason and Lauren’s are exactly what I live for. A Sarasota Historic Courthouse wedding does not have to be just the legal part. It can be the start of a whole day. Cocktails, adventures, private vows somewhere beautiful, champagne at blue hour.

If you are thinking about eloping in Sarasota + you want someone who builds the whole experience with you, reach out here. Tell me your vibe + I’ll take it from there

Tell me your vibe + I’ll take it from there.

Kathryn Johnson Photos | Sarasota Historic Courthouse Wedding Photographer

Love To The Vendors:

Venue: Sarasota Historic Courthouse + South Lido Key Beach

Hotel: Cirque St. Armands Beachside Restaurant +

Bar: Ringside Restaurant at Cirque St. Armands

Arcade: Arcade Monsters

Hair + Makeup: Ashley Webb: Boho Babes | Website + Instagram

Cake: Publix