Oak and Stone - Downtown Bradenton

Welcome Reception

PIER 22

Erika & Geoff's Wedding

Ceremony

PIER 22 Catering & Special Events

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our story began not with a dating app or a chance encounter, but with two chatty moms waist-deep in a pool. One morning, during an aqua aerobics class, my mom, Nancy, found herself talking about my twin brother’s recent mountain-biking mishap—specifically, the collarbone he’d heroically not avoided breaking. Geoff’s mom, Carla, overheard and chimed in that her own son had suffered a similar injury in a similar “adventure.” As moms do, they kept talking, and before long Carla casually mentioned that this son—Geoff—also lived in the neighborhood… and was single. The next day, during our usual weekday walk, my mom told me she’d met “the nicest, friendliest Midwestern woman at the pool” and that her son was available. “If he’s anything like her,” she said, “he must be the sweetest guy!” (Spoiler: Geoff is wonderful, but he and Carla are not exactly carbon copies when it comes to personality.) Still, I figured—why not? Mom passed along my number to Carla. Carla passed Geoff’s number back with the message that he didn’t want to text me first because he thought that might be creepy. So yes, I sent the first text. Reluctantly. And yes, he answered. A few days later, we met at Rocco’s Tacos in Sarasota. One date a week quickly became two, then three, then basically anytime life allowed. Eventually, I talked him into moving in… and adopting the two dogs. (He’ll tell you it was against his will. I’ll tell you he never stood a chance.) He may have settled on me because as he has said, dating in Florida hasn’t exactly brought out the best options, and I had 10 fingers, 10 toes, a head of hair, and a set of teeth…but I’d like to think there’s a little more between us than being one of the few single people under 50 in the Sarasota area. And that’s how a broken collarbone, a poolside conversation, and a very polite Midwestern hesitation led us here—celebrating the best twist of fate we could’ve asked for.

How We Met

Our Story

Photos

Madeline Alesio

John Herrera

Joseph Herrera

Karina Alesio

Anton Samrai

Erika's twin brother (but best known as our friendly local meteorologist on Bay News 9), this will be his first appearance as a wedding officiant! 

Kyle Hanson

Wedding Party

Preferred Rates available on Sunday evening (4/12)! This is the closest hotel, directly across the street from out venue with beautiful views of the river and a rooftop restaurant and bar. We have a block of rooms for Sunday evening (unfortunately, local hotels were not offering blocks for Friday or Saturday night due to high demand). You can make reservations by calling 941-226-2200 and referencing the Hanson/Orland Wedding or online via the booking link&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1767902570654&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink&amp;_branch_match_id=1359920029485982416&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5mbmlgZGpuYGZqYladmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqka1rSnoqAMoimIxeAAAA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reservation-Link</a>. Reservations must be made by 3/12 to take advantage of the preferred rate!

SpringHill Suites Bradenton Downtown / Riverfront

Within walking distance of the venue.

Hampton Inn & Suites Bradenton Downtown Historic District

Courtyard by Marriott Bradenton Sarasota/Riverfront

The Palmetto Marriott is a brand new hotel &amp; spa a little over 1 mile away, on the other side of the Manatee River.

Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy is a unique hotel &amp; spa on the grounds of one of the most prestigious preparatory sports academies in the world. The hotel includes a spa and public golf course. It is about 6 miles from our venue, but centrally located to area beaches and museums.

Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy

Travel

The Bradenton Riverwalk is a 2.03-mile stretch of land lying between the Green and DeSoto bridges along the banks of the Manatee River. It is a major expansion of Rossi Park. Visitors can enjoy a safe walking path along the river, fishing, interactive public art, a splash pad and playground, beach volleyball, a skateboard park, entertainment events and many educational activities along the way

Bradenton Riverwalk

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural history museum on the states Gulf Coast, focusing on the regions history from the Pleistocene to the present. It features a planetarium, a Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat for rescued manatees, and exhibits on Floridas natural and cultural history, including fossils and artifacts. 

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

While there are so many great places to kayak and paddleboard in the Sarasota / Bradenton area, there’s nothing quite like exploring the beauty and wildlife of Lido Key. Once you get to this parking lot, there are several vendors to rent paddleboards and kayaks. Many do guided tours a few times per day. Within a short distance of shore, there are mangroves with a dozen or so man made paths (watch for crabs!), beautiful estates, paddle up beaches, and great viewing potential for manatees and dolphins! If you don’t do a tour, most vendors have maps for you to use. 

Kayak the mangroves

Big Cat Habitat is a non-profit sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 1987 by Kay Rosaire, that provides a permanent home for rescued exotic animals like big cats, bears, and primates. It focuses on rescue, education, and conservation, offering a place for visitors to learn about animal care and see these animals in spacious enclosures. The sanctuary also includes a petting zoo, live animal presentations, and optional animal feeding experiences. 

Big Cat Habitat

The John and Mable Ringling Museum is a 66-acre estate in Sarasota, Florida, that is the legacy of circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable. It features three main attractions: the State Art Museum of Florida, the Circus Museum, and the Ca dZan mansion. Visitors can also explore the beautiful Bayfront Gardens, the Historic Asolo Theater, and a variety of galleries and special exhibitions.

The Ringling Museum

There are so many great beaches to explore while you’re here! The Sarasota Bradenton area is home to famous white quartz sand. The most popular beach is Siesta Key Beach (consistently ranked #1 beach in the United States), but it is often packed in April and can be difficult to park at. Anna Maria Island has absolutely beautiful beaches (Coquina, Bradenton, and Holmes Beaches) that tend to be a bit quieter than Siesta or Lido Key. Again, parking can be tricky, so plan to Uber or give yourself a little extra time. 

Beach Day! 

The Mote is dedicated to marine science, conservation, and education. It features numerous exhibits with local and international marine life, interactive science stations, a large shark tank, and a focus on connecting the public with the research happening at the Mote Marine Laboratory. The facility is brand new and just moved from the other side of town in October! 

The Mote Aquarium

Myakka River State Park is one of Floridas largest and oldest state parks, covering 37,000 acres with diverse ecosystems like wetlands, prairies, and hammocks. The park is popular for activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing, and is a well-known spot for wildlife viewing, including alligators. It also features the Myakka Canopy Walkway and observation tower, offering unique views from high above the treetops.

Myakka River State Park

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a unique botanical garden in Sarasota, Florida, known globally for its living collections of epiphytic (air) plants, especially orchids and bromeliads. It’s also where we got engaged! The 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus includes a rainforest garden, historic Selby House, and views of Sarasota Bay. The gardens focus on botany, horticulture, education, research, and sustainability

Erika & Geoffrey

Erika & Geoffrey

Registry