OCCASIONS

The Newlyweds: Montana and Irwin Taplinger

Perhaps the most anticipated wedding of the season took place Saturday, May 19, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, when Montana Ross and Irwin Taplinger said their vows in the gazebo overlooking the harbor on a perfect spring day. The bride wore a one-of-a-kind Priscilla of Boston gown of silk taffeta and silk organza embroidered with real pearls and Swarovski crystals. She is the daughter of jewelry designer and retailer Nikki Sedacca and stepdaughter of Jeff Sedacca; Steve Ross is her father. The groom is the son of Birgitta and Robert Taplinger, of Philadelphia. Attorney Dan Bailey was the officiant-with-a-sense-of-humor, advising the groom, “You may now osculate your bride.”

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds welcomed 200 guests at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The mother of the bride designed both settings. Lace and a chandelier from Posh on Palm, flowers galore and tulle enhanced the exquisite setting of Selby Gardens. Nikki Sedacca and a team of friends personally transformed the ballroom into a fantasy of pink.

“We’re doing it all ourselves,” she proclaimed. “Ourselves” included Robert Day, Katherine Ebbeson, Patricia Essenfeld, Kim Githler, Diane McNeil, Raul Molina, Julie Murray, Mollie Nelson, Joy Rowe, Todd Schneider, Yara Shoemaker, Suzy Steenbarger and Kathy Van Praag.