Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

THE LAZOS - Our Wedding Day

Spring

We look forward to seeing you! (Formal invitation and RSVP details to follow)

Our Wedding

Our Story

Sarah and Andrew attended different medical schools on the East Coast just ten miles apart, one in Philadelphia and the other in New Jersey — yet their paths never crossed. They couldn't have imagined that by moving across the country to Florida, they would eventually find their "perfect match" — and fall in love midway during residency..................................................

Now, as busy first-year attending physicians, they cherish the moments they can spend time together and steal away from their demanding schedules —whether traveling to new places, exploring Tampa Bay's beaches and restaurants, or just enjoying time at home with their two cats: Cooki, their beloved Ragdoll, and her big Tuxedo brother, Toby.

Andrew's proposal to Sarah was a sweetly-orchestrated, romantic and private moment on the beach at sunset. They are excited for the future and cannot wait to share their love with family and friends onFriday, March 12, 2027 in Sarasota.

Afternoon Wedding RehearsalWelcomeThursday, March 11, 2027(Details to follow)................................................. WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTIONFriday, March 12, 2027Marie Selby Botanical GardensADDRESS: 1534 Mound St., Downtown Sarasota Venue Arrival &amp; Parking....................Guest Arrival Time: 4:45 pmCeremony seating will begin at 5:00p.m. Arrival by car: There is a spacious multi-level parking garage at the venue which provides free parking (and two EV charging stations on the first level.)Rideshare: Uber and Lyft serve the Sarasota area for guests who prefer not to drive. Scheduled reservations are recommended along with carpooling. Please allow sufficient time to walk to the South Lawn.For visitor information, go to <a href="https://selby.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marie Selby Botanical Gardens</a> and consult the <a href="https://selby.org/dsc/visit-downtown-sarasota-campus/garden-map/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">garden map</a>. ATTIRE Guests are invited to wear formal evening attire (long dresses, suits, and ties) for the celebration. Note that the ceremony is outdoors on grassy and occasionally uneven terrain so please bear that in mind.

WEDDING CEREMONY5:30 - 6:00pmThe ceremony will take place at the South Lawn wedding pavilion.... COCKTAIL HOUR6:00 - 7:00pmJoin us for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on the reception patio immediately following the ceremony as the sun sets over Sarasota Bay.... RECEPTION7:00 - 11:00pmA dinner reception will be held indoors at Michael's on the Bay at the Marie Selby Event Center.

Event Details

WELCOME TO SARASOTA

NEAREST AIRPORTS:Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) - (Recommended)Approx. 5 miles from Downtown SarasotaSarasota/Bradenton SRQ is the best airport to fly into as it's located just a few minutes away from downtown. While it’s small, it conveniently offers direct flights to major cities across the country. Tampa International Airport (TPA)Approx. 56 miles from Downtown SarasotaTampa airport is about 70 minutes away (+/-) from the venue. This option may be best for travelers who are thinking of also exploring the Tampa Bay area....

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

To assist our traveling guests, we have identified several hotels at a range of price points offering us a special wedding rate. Because March remains high season and multiple events are occurring, room availability in our courtesy blocks is limited. Please review the options below and reserve as early as possible. Hotels with room blocks:(Please click on the link to access the special rate portal).........................1. <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1778183514942&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink&amp;_branch_match_id=1540449581277678774&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5uYWhhbGpoYmliZFadmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqka1zRlF%2BbioAmLnk7GAAAAA%3D" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Sarasota Modern Hotel</a> in downtown Sarasota - 1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota (941) 906-1290 (1.5 miles from venue) Must book before 12/10/26.........................2) <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=SRQATHX&amp;arrivalDate=2027-03-10&amp;departureDate=2027-03-14&amp;groupCode=CHHCLW&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hampton Inn &amp; Suites Sarasota-Bradenton Airport</a> - 975 University Parkway, Sarasota (941) 355-8140 (5 miles from venue) Must reserve before 2/1/27.........................Just Off I-75 at the University Town Center Mall 3. <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=SRQUPHX&amp;arrivalDate=2027-03-10&amp;departureDate=2027-03-15&amp;groupCode=CHH90M&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hampton Inn &amp; Suites Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch</a> - 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota (941) 355-8619 (10 miles from venue) Must reserve before 2/1/27......................... Additional options: (** No room blocks)<a href="https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/sarasota/srqfl/hoteldetail" rel="noopener" target="_blank">voco Sarasota at IHG</a> (Next door to The Sarasota Modern Hotel, 1.5 miles from venue)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hyatt+Place+Sarasota%2FBradenton+Airport/@27.3813695,-82.5545387,17z/data=!4m7!3m6!1s0x88c33fdb45e1dc09:0x70e6f633d874db82!4b1!8m2!3d27.3813648!4d-82.5519638!16s%2Fg%2F11bbrj7gcn?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hyatt Place Sarasota-Bradenton Airport</a> - 950 University Pkwy. (15% discount with code 85917)<a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/srqal-aloft-sarasota/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Aloft by Marriott Sarasota</a> (Downtown, 0.5 miles from venue)<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/srqeses-embassy-suites-sarasota/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Embassy Suites Sarasota</a> and <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/srqwi-the-westin-sarasota/overview/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Westin Sarasota</a> (Downtown) To explore additional hotels in the area, websites such as <a href="https://www.visitsarasota.com/resorts-hotels?f%5B0%5D=listingsregions%3A1361" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Visit Sarasota</a> may provide further recommendations..........................

PRIVATE HOME RENTALS

Sarasota's proximity to the Gulf beaches (Lido Key, Siesta Key and LongBoat Key) means there are numerous opportunities for a getaway using AirBnB and VRBO. Rentals book many months in advance so we suggest exploring this option early if you are planning a more extended trip.

Travel&Hotels

Siesta Key Beach - renowned for its pristine, powdery white sand and unique composition (99% pure quartz.) It has recently been named the #1 best beach in the country in U.S. News &amp; World Report’s 2026 Best Vacations rankings.Longboat Key and Lido Key also stretch between the Gulf and Sarasota Bay, offering beautiful family-friendly beaches, recreation areas and water activities.

The Ringling Museum - At the heart of the estate is the Museum of Art, known for its strong holdings of European paintings and decorative arts. The vision behind the estate belonged to circus impresario John Ringling and his wife Mable, who endeavored to establish a world-class art museum with Italian-inspired architecture. The Ca d'Zan Mansion is also an iconic estate with beautiful views of Sarasota Bay.

Mote Aquarium and Marine Lab - a non-profit facility dedicated to marine research and education. The aquarium component of the laboratory offers interactive exhibits that are designed to educate visitors about marine life. Among the highlights are the shark tanks, manatee rehabilitation areas, touch pools, and a sea turtle hospital.

St. Armand's Circle - built on an island in Sarasota Bay adjacent to Lido Key, the circle is a charming outdoor shopping area with 130 retail stores, restaurants and galleries.

Anna Maria Island - a beautiful 7-mile barrier reef island nestled between Tampa Bay and Sarasota. Its vintage charm, history, arts, and culture are a big draw for visitors who cherish the Old Florida way of life.

Tampa - a vibrant city that blends rich history, diverse culture, and modern attractions. Tampa offers a unique slice of Floridian life, from its trendy restaurant hotspots and hidden gems downtown, a bustling port with cruise ships heading to the Caribbean, the Riverwalk and Bayshore Blvd. offering miles of stunning views, and close proximity to world-class Gulf Coast beaches. A great place to visit and discover....

Things to Do

Our Wedding Party

Annie Pappenhagen

Angel Lazo, III

Anusha Sunkara

Alex Carr

Amber Johnson

Sahib Singh

Carolyne Face

Youssef Elfatatry

Ariel Kuciel

Jack Minishak

Lily Katherine Head

Artur Leo Tagayev

Wedding Party

Q & A

When will formal invitations be sent?Formal invitations will be mailed at the beginning of September. We are very thankful to our family and friends, near and far, for making arrangements to be with us on our wedding day.... When is the RSVP deadline?RSVP details will be included with your invitation. (*If you already know that you are unable to attend, we are truly sorry to hear it - but kindly let us know by sending us a message.)... What if I'm closed out of the hotel room block?We highly recommend reserving your rooms as soon as possible. If you are closed out of the room block at your preferred hotel, please notify us immediately — we may be able to ask to extend the group rate for more rooms if there is availability.... What should I wear to the wedding?Requested attire is formal: suits and ties for gentlemen and full-length dresses for ladies. Please note the outdoor ceremony will be on grass and occasionally uneven surfaces, so choose your footwear accordingly.... May I bring a date?Everyone named on the invitation is invited, as well as anyone that received an "&amp; Guest " designation. If you did not receive a +1, but you have a serious partner that we were not aware of, please let us know. While our capacity is limited, we will see if we can still accommodate an extra guest with enough notice.... Will there be a shuttle to and from the venue?Group transportation is still being explored and has not yet been finalized. We will keep everyone updated as we get closer to the date.... What time should I arrive?Wedding guests should allow plenty of time to account for Friday traffic. Ceremony seating will begin at 5:00pm. We kindly request all guests to be seated by 5:15pm.... Is the facility ADA accessible?Yes, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has paved paths and ramped walkways. If anyone should require a wheelchair, please inquire with Guest Services at the Welcome Center.... Will there be a vegetarian meal option at the wedding?Yes! You may indicate your dinner choice for the wedding reception when you RSVP. If you have any serious food allergies, please add that in the notes section so that we can accommodate your needs.... Is the wedding child-friendly?We wish we could invite all children. However, due to necessity, only children in the wedding party and close family can attend the evening reception. We hope you understand and are still able to join our special day.... Whom should I call with questions?Please feel free to text or email either of us.............................

Sarah & Andrew

Sarah & Andrew

Event Details