Scene Together

MADDIE GIBBS + ALEX DEME
As youngsters, Maddie Gibbs visited Sarasota every summer with her grandmother and family, and Alex Deme constantly visited his grandparents in Sarasota. They both loved it here, so it comes as no surprise that both would eventually make Sarasota their home, meeting on the first day Maddie moved here two years ago.
Maddie graduated Purdue University with a degree in speech language pathology and is working as a PreK diagnostic specialist for Sarasota County. Alex, who moved to Sarasota three years ago, attended the University of Florida and is now an excavation and underground utilities project manager and estimator for Sarasota Land Services.

This beautiful couple chose the bayfront Powel Crosley Estate for their special day because of their mutual love of the water and boating. Maddie’s entire family from the Midwest was able to be there, including her 93-year-old grandfather, and close friends from Sweden and Norway. After the ceremony, the couple’s dog Bentley joined the festivities.

With their affinity for nature and outdoor sports, Maddie and Alex chose Costa Rica for their honeymoon, doing lots of zip-lining, white water rafting, fishing and hiking, and, of course, enjoying a few days of rest and relaxation on the beach. Maddie’s parents are Karen and Gary Gibbs, and Alex’s parents are Andrew Deme, Sr., and Kim Deme-Fulcher and Kevin Fulcher.

JILL LONSTEIN + STUART MEISTRICH
The meeting and eventual union of this dynamic couple is indeed a feel-good story.
Jill, originally from St. Petersburg, graduated from USF with a degree in marketing and moved to Sarasota over 21 years ago. She married, had a son (who is now 14 years old), co-owned a medical billing and coding company, and is now retired. She is involved in charities such as Make-A-Wish, Saks Fifth Avenue’s Key to the Cure benefiting Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, and Embracing Our Differences.

Stuart is originally from New York. He graduated from Columbia University, practiced law and was also an investment banker. He moved to Sarasota over 17 years ago, has two sons and is now President of R&W Distributors, a construction materials company.

Both Jill and Stuart enjoyed downtown Sarasota condo living for several years and lived only a half a mile apart; but while they may have passed each other a few times, they never met. Both wanting to find their forever mate, they joined a professional dating service. They were matched, fell in love, and married one year after their first date. Now, two downtown condos have become one on Golden Gate Point, which they now call home.

The couple chose to have a small, intimate wedding with close friends and family, tying the knot in a heartfelt ceremony officiated by Rabbi Brenner Glickman under a stunning red chuppah in the beautiful atrium at Michael’s on East. They also wanted a fun affair with surprises, which started with Jill being introduced with trumpets blaring “Super Freak” by Rick James, and then walking down the aisle to Sarasota Orchestra musicians playing a beautiful rendition of Ravels “Bolero.” So Staged elegantly decorated the reception in Michael’s Wine Cellar, and stunning chandeliers were placed by Affairs in the Air. Guests enjoyed a delicious family-style dinner and danced the night away to the awesome SoulRCoaster band. Jill credits the absolute perfection of her special day to the talent of Maria Brady of Choreographed Events, who, Jill says, “is truly amazing.” The couple cruised the Eastern Caribbean for their honeymoon.

JORDAN ELIZABETH LAND + CHASE BARTLETT LINDSAY
The magnificent setting at Bay Preserve at Osprey on Little Sarasota Bay made the perfect backdrop for everything this couple dreamed their wedding would be.
Chase, a Sarasota High School graduate, was born and raised in Sarasota. When it came time to select a college, he decided on Florida State University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Chase is now a Sr. VP & Sales Team Leader for Brown and Brown Insurance. But it was his college selection of FSU that would prove to be the choice that would steer the course of his love life. That is where he met and fell in love with the beautiful Jordan Land, an Orlando native, who also attended FSU, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is now Director of Recruiting at Kforce, Inc.

Jordan always dreamed of a glamorous southern wedding with a modern twist, and that is exactly what she got. Guests were greeted with glasses of celebratory champagne (the bride’s favorite), and the contemporary sounds of a live saxophone. Chase wore a navy Tom James tux with black peak lapels. Jordan was escorted down the aisle to a live sax rendition of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do.” During the lively cocktail hour, the “get up and dance” sounds of the sax delighted all as the groom’s hors d’oeuvre choice of bacon was served (as well as other delectable choices). Clear “ghost” chairs made the remarkable sunset glow even more magnificently and everyone danced until evening’s end to the sounds of the Matt Winter Band. The sentiments of family and dear friends made throughout the evening, along with Chase and his closest fraternity brothers singing the FSU Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) song, brought lots of tears and laughter. The couple closed the night with the cutting of their naked cakes (beautiful bare cakes minus the fondant decals or buttercream ruffles are all the rage now), and piping hot chicken fingers and fries were ready for guests to enjoy on their ride home. They stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for a few nights and will be honeymooning in St. Barths in November. Jordan and Chase pronounced their wedding day “the best day ever.”

The couple loves the beautiful waters of Siesta. Chase’s father, Bob Lindsay of Bob Lindsay Insurance Agency, and his stepmother Kristen Lindsay, are the couple’s boating partners on weekends. Chase’s mother, Kem Lindsay, is their fashion and fitness advisor since most of her career has been devoted to in-home luxury shopping and personal training. Jordan’s mother, Ann Land, lives in New Smyrna Beach.