Scene Together: Couples on Their Wedding Day

By Wendy Lyons Sunshine

August 15, 2020
Megan Krouse + James O’Quinn

October, 2020 – James proposed to Megan at the top of a mountain, while they were hiking in Colorado. Her reply? A resounding “Yes!” 

Friends since high school, Megan and James had reconnected while visiting family in Sarasota and immediately became inseparable. The couple was eager to begin their new life together and wouldn’t let a virus delay the happy occasion. Instead, they adjusted the celebration and event to fit the moment. 

“In light of the pandemic, we chose to have our wedding close to home,” says Megan. “We love Sarasota and, in lining up vendors for my dress, the music, flowers and cake, we chose to patronize only local businesses to help support them during this difficult economic season.”

Megan is the daughter of Lisa and Mitchel Krouse. She currently works as an attorney and is the president of nonprofit legal group, Priority for the Disabled. James is the son of Tina O’Quinn. He is president of the textile and agriculture business holdings group, Palm Group Global.

For planning the wedding, their first priority was following health and safety guidelines for the protection of friends and family and to help everyone feel comfortable. For example, instead of the usual wedding buffet, meals were planned in advance. The guest list was reduced from 150 to 20 and the event was held in the open air, with covered seating in case of bad weather. 

“Our venue was head and shoulders above the required regulations,” says Megan. They had sanitizer stations, social distancing signs, and suggestions for masks at certain times. Staff wore masks and were always available to meet individual guests’ needs.  

Despite the scaled-back guest list, the couple still enjoyed live music, tossing the bouquet, popping champagne bottles, and fun photo shoots. Their best friend’s dog, a pocket-sized Pomeranian, wore a tuxedo for the occasion.

Megan and James included guests who couldn’t attend in person, thanks to livestream and online technology. Beautiful pictures were shared through an online link. 

For their honeymoon, Megan and James will be going to North Carolina to enjoy a bed-and-breakfast and see the seasons change.

VENDORS | Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | Photography: Imely Photography | Florals: Fantasy Flowers | Live Music & DJ: David Turner Music | Wedding Dress Shop: The Perfect Dress | Cake: Sweets Bakehouse | Makeup Artist: Amy Shaw

February 1, 2020
Lauren Frieler + Christian Ruiz
Photography by Lisa Marie Photography

Shortly before Covid-19 took hold, Lauren and Christian celebrated their mutual love for each other – and for Harry Potter. 

Lauren, who grew up in Bradenton and graduated Class of 2011 from Braden River High School, is the daughter of Scott and Sherri Frieler. She currently works as a manufacturing technician at Lumos Diagnostics.

Christian grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and graduated in the Class of 2007 from Bayshore High School in Bradenton, FL. The son of Alicia Martinez, he is currently General Manager for Comcast/ Xfinity Sarasota.

The pair connected while working in different departments of an electronics store in 2012. “We originally bonded over our love for the same comics and video games. The mutual love for Harry Potter evolved as our relationship did,” says Lauren. “He had only seen a few of the movies before we got together and has since sat through my many countless marathons. The real love for Harry Potter came after we became passholders to Universal Studios Orlando.” 

Christian proposed during a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Adjacent to the “Escape from Gringotts” Ride, with the Dragon as the backdrop, he offered her the engagement ring using the 6th Harry potter book as a holder.

Their backyard wedding was magical and whimsical, with close to 100 guests. The event drew inspiration from the wedding of Fleur and Bill, two characters in the Harry Potter movies, along with traditional wedding styles. 

Lauren’s 3-year old daughter Serena and niece Mila joined the festivities as flower girls. Nephew Aiden was the ring bearer. Following a delicious meal of prime rib and roasted turkey, the couple treated guests to an exclusive wedding cake–toasted coconut with coconut cream frosting and topped with the couple’s favorite anime characters!

The newlyweds hope to honeymoon on a 7-day cruise with a stop in San Juan, PR, next year.

VENDORS |Officiant: Harmonious Weddings – Marci Vitkus | Photographer: Lisa Marie Photography | Hair: BH Hair: Becca Hochstetler | Make-up: Glammed by T- Tiana Sierra  | Catering:  Get-Chew-Sum BBQ | Cake: Thompson’s Cakes | DJ: Harry Wright | Venue and Wedding Planning: The Barn at Chapel Creek -Kimberly Ann Events | Flowers: Sue Ellen’s Floral Boutique