Inspiration #50: The Circus+ Venetian Style

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I'm a happy-go-lucky do-gooder and owner of Va de Vie Events. Through this blog, I hope to share inspiration, budget ideas and DIY tips on how to pull off a budget wedding. {Savvy shopping, a bit of craftiness, and flexibility is what it takes!} I would love to hear from real brides, vendors, photographers, and more with their budget savvy tips or real weddings. Please email me at vera at vadevie-events.com.

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Monday, December 21, 2009

Inspiration #50: The Circus+ Venetian Style

Filed under inspiration, southern wedding

I apologize for being MIA for a few days. Last Friday, Guitar Fred and I traveled to St. Petersburg, FL, to visit his family and friends, and today is the first day I've been able to get online!

Today, we headed about 50 miles south of St. Pete to Sarasota, home of the Ringling Bros. Museum of Art at the University of South Florida. John Ringling was not only the founder of the most famous big-top in America, but also an avid art collector. It was a real treat walking the grounds (lot of Spanish moss and banyan trees) and visiting the exhibits on-campus, including two galleries dedicated to circus life, John and Mable Ringling's Venetian mansion (Ca d'Zan), and a Italianate art gallery and courtyard with exhibits spanning Medieval times to the 19th century.

The Ringling Museum is a lovely place to have a wedding and also a good source of inspiration for the carnival look and feel (font, colors, decor, spirit). Here are my fave pics of the day, including the miniature circus and the Ringling's posh digs: