Bakers Ranch

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Little did we know, that both deciding to go on vacation with friends to the same place at the same time would turn into us getting married&nbsp;3 years later. Sam was on vacation with friends and Julia was at the beach with friends and family. The beach that Julia had grown up going to her entire life. Julia and her friend Jaelyn&nbsp;were killing time waiting to meet friends later in the night,&nbsp;so they decided to go to CVS to pick up some things that they had forgotten to pack into their suitcases. They had a lot of time to&nbsp;kill, so they walked around the CVS aimlessly for&nbsp;15 minutes and ended up walking out the door, forgetting what they had originally gone inside for. They turned back around to buy what they needed and eventually made it back to the car, where they sat trying to figure out what to do for the next 2 hours. After a few minutes, Jaelyn nudged Julia and told her to look to her left and tell her if the guys that&nbsp;parked in a golf cart next to them were cute or not. Of course, Julia looked and made direct eye contact with one of them before they walked inside. They quickly determined that yes, they may have been cute, and yes, it was awkward that they made eye contact, and they needed to leave asap! As Jaelyn and Julia went to pull out of the parking lot, they quickly wrote their contact information on a napkin and Jaelyn ran and put it on their golf cart. A few minutes later, the boys messaged them asking, "So when are we hanging out?" They laughed and told them that they were just messing around and that they had plans to go out later and hang out with friends. To this, they responded with, "Alright, we'll be there." Julia and Jaelyn told their friends what had happened and Sam and his friends showed up later that night. They got to talking and discovered that one of the guys, Sam, and Julia attended the same college. This small conversation led to a night of hanging out and eventually continuing to hang out when Julia and Sam both got back to college that fall semester. Little did they know, that the awkward eye contact they made in the CVS parking lot would turn out to have been the first time they both saw their future spouse and best friend.

Our Story

Photos

Venue Address

Bakers Ranch5015 Fort Hamer Rd, Parrish, FL 34219

Parking Details

We are happy to offer parking at the wedding venue for your convenience. However, if you plan to indulge in a drink or two, we kindly ask that you arrange for transportation to ensure everyone’s safety. Please consider carpooling, using a rideshare service, or designating a sober driver. We want all our guests to enjoy the celebration responsibly and get home safely.Thank you for your understanding!

Venue Details

Q + A

Local Airports

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)Approximately 35 minutes from venue St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Approximately 45 minutes from venue Tampa International Airport (TPA)Approximtely 1 hour from venue

Local Hotels

Tru by Hilton5510 Manor Hill Lane, Bradenton, FL 34203Approximately 20 minutes from venue Home2 Suites by Hilton6015 Exchange Way, Bradenton, FL 34202Approximately 25 minutes from venue

Travel

Looking for Something Fun to do in the area? 

We know that some of our guests will be traveling from out of town, and some may be staying a day or two before or after the wedding. If you're looking to make the most of your time here, we’ve put together a list of some fun and exciting things to do in the area! From local attractions and beautiful parks to great dining spots and hidden gems, there's plenty to explore. Whether you’re looking to relax or have an adventure, we hope this list helps you make the most of your visit. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and, hopefully, see you enjoy some of the amazing things this area has to offer!

local beaches

Anna Maria Island Siesta Key

our favorite restaurants

Pier 221200 1st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 Stottlemyer's Smokehouse19 E Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240 Cooper's Hawk Winery &amp; Restaurant3130 Fruitville Commons Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240 Cheesecake Factory130 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243

shopping

The Mall at University Town Center 140 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243 Ellenton Premium Outlets5461 Factory Shops Blvd, Ellenton, FL 34222

activities

Bob Gardner Community Park2710 White Eagle Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34211 Downtown Bradenton Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Samuel & Julia

Samuel & Julia

Registry