Cody & Eric's Manasota Key Wedding at Magnolias on the Bay

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be stressful! It can be carefree and fun and everything you want can to come to life! That’s what we try to do here at Magnolias on the Bay!

Two men in matching cream outfits stand smiling in front of Magnolias on the Bay, a Manasota Key wedding venue.

Two men in white shirts stand outside a pink building with a black and white striped awning and a sign that reads Magnolias on the Bay.

A wedding sign on grass reads “Welcome to our wedding! Cody & Eric, May 2nd, 2026” A stone path leads to chairs by the water, decorated with flowers.

An outdoor wedding ceremony setup on Manasota Key overlooking Lemon Bay with white chairs, lush green and white floral arrangements, and a wooden arch by the water on a cloudy day.

When I met with Cody and Eric over a year ago our place was under construction. She was messy and out of sorts, but these guys loved her before and they trusted our vision for what she would become! They booked their wedding date for spring of 26’ and we hit the ground running with plans. They were so laid back and knew they wanted coastal chic vibes with a party that screamed fun for all!

Ashley Dignam arranges decor on a table set with woven placemats, blue napkins, and a floral centerpiece at an outdoor event.

Tables set for a wedding with white tablecloths, blue napkins, glassware, and tropical floral centerpieces in an outdoor setting with greenery in the background.

tables set for a wedding at Magnolias on the Bay in Manasota Key, Florida

Large tropical flower arrangement with green leaves, orange, white, and yellow flowers in a textured, shell-shaped vase

Rows of white folding chairs are set up on green lawn facing a driftwood wedding arch decorated with tropical greenery, positioned on a gravel pathway near the water at Magnolias on the Bay

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Magnolias on the Bay setup by Lemon Bay with white chairs, a floral arch, and a stone pathway, viewed from under a scalloped umbrella on a grassy lawn.

Two women stand at an outdoor table under a white umbrella, looking at food items, while a man in black attire assists them.

Magnolias on the Bay's marble bar counter with a wedding specialty cocktail menu, a box with drink stirrers, and a background of liquor bottles and beer taps on shelves.

A Magnolias on the Bay bartender prepares drinks behind a modern bar with shelves full of liquor bottles, glasses, and beer taps.

People gather and socialize inside an open-air wooden pavilion and string lights and flowers at a Manasota Key wedding at Magnolias on the Bay

A cocktail with ice and a black straw sits on a wooden table outdoors. A stir stick in the glass reads Cody & Eric May 2, 2026.

A sign reading “Entry Fee: The entry fee for our wedding is one shot!” sits on a table with shot glasses

They chose food selections they loved and their guests seemed to thoroughly enjoy as they left no crumbs! From sushi to short rib pasta, the variety was incredible and showed off what Executive Chef Ron could do! The staff cranked out a stunning apps and sushi display and plated dinners for this 85 person gathering. Things ran so smoothly and everyone raved about the meal!

An outdoor waterfront wedding ceremony on Manasota Key, with guests seated on both sides of an aisle, a floral arch, and a couple standing with an officiant and attendants.

Two grooms in matching cream shirts walk hand in hand down an outdoor aisle by the water on Manasota Key, smiling, as wedding guests seated on either side clap.

Two men in white shirts and beige pants stand on a wooden dock by the water. One man tosses a green leafy object, possibly a plant or flower, into the water.

Five people, including two grooms, dressed in light shirts, sit and stand around a bar table, smiling and raising their glasses in a toast.

A platter of sushi rolls topped with crispy fried strips, green onions, and sauce, arranged on a dark serving board with a decorative net in the background.

A person drizzles sauce onto two meatballs on a black plate at a buffet, while another holds a drink.

Chef Ron and Ashley Dignam hold a tray of sushi at a Magnolias on the Bay wedding

People serving themselves assorted sushi rolls from large platters at an outdoor wedding on Manasota Key

A buffet table at Magnolias on the Bay with a framed menu listing appetizers: Crab Cakes, Calamari, and Charcuterie.

Charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, nuts, and berries in the foreground; trays of hot food in the background; tongs and breadsticks nearby.

Three white plates on a dark table, two with steak, brown sauce, and mashed potatoes, one with a piece of fish, sauce, and green vegetables, garnished with fresh greens.

Outdoor table set for a wedding dinner with plates of salad, wine bottles, glasses, woven placemats, blue napkins, and a floral centerpiece.

The weather was making us nervous but the rain that came down during dinner didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and the clouds parted just in time for dancing to start! Now here’s a story about the dancing. One of the groom’s family had deep Greek roots and they wanted to honor that at the wedding. They decided they were going to do the traditional Zorba dance. So they sent a tutorial video to all guests and encouraged everyone to join in! So we did too!!! A few servers, a busser, Chef Ron and myself learned this dance and were right there with the guests laughing and enjoying the circle! It’s moments like these that show our guests, we really are family now!

Two grooms in light-colored linen shirts and pants dance together on a paved patio in front of an open-air pavilion at Magnolias on the Bay in Englewood, FL. A wedding reception with guests seated at tables under the pavilion.

a group of people dancing a traditional Greek Zorba at a Manasota Key wedding.

Large tropical flower arrangements in white shell-shaped planters sit in front of a table set for a wedding reception, with an abundant green leafy wall as the background. Glasses, bottles, and decor are visible on the table.

A wedding seating chart sign on an easel titled “Welcome to Paradise!” for Cody & Eric, dated May 2nd, 2026.

A wedding card box, glass jars with tags, pens in a glass, seashells, driftwood, and painted fans with guest names arranged on a table.

Two grooms in white shirts with floral boutonnieres sit smiling at a table decorated with tropical flowers and greenery, with a lush green leafy wall as the backdrop.

Two grooms in matching white shirts smile and hold hands while dancing at their outdoor wedding on Manasota Key, surrounded by palm trees, string lights, and pink flowers.

two grooms stand on a dock looking out at Lemon Bay from Manasota Key, Florida.

Two grooms in matching tropical shirts and light pants stand smiling on a wooden dock by Lemon Bay

Two grooms, seen from behind, raise their left hands to display matching rings, standing by a Lemon Bay.

Two men in matching light-colored button-down shirts sit on a concrete edge by a calm bay, looking out at the water on Manasota Key. Beside them is a wooden boat dock with tall pilings.

Two people dressed in white stand at the end of a dock by the water, framed by a wooden wedding arch decorated with green leaves and flowers.

a group of people dancing outdoors at a Manasota Key wedding reception at Magnolias on the Bay

Wedding guests gather at an outdoor patio bar at Magnolias with string lights, socializing and enjoying drinks.

Wedding season ended with this blow out and we are so glad this was the one to bring it home for us! We enjoyed this couple, their families and their friends so much! The vendor team for this one was the ultimate dream team! From Cheyenne at ByWater Collective Photography to Ana at Venetian Flowers we had ourselves a stunning party that was captured with perfection!

Magnolias on the Bay staff at a wedding reception

Magnolias on the Bay staff standing by the Bay Bar

Ashley Dignam poses with the grooms, Cody and Eric, after their Manasota Key wedding

white wedding cake surrounded by small dessert cups

dessert cups prepared for a wedding reception

Two grooms in tropical attire prepare to cut a three-tiered, coastal-themed wedding cake. Beside them, an older man in a blue shirt smiles. The cake sits on a table filled with small individual desserts.

Magnolias on the Bay's outdoor patio at night with string lights, empty tables and chairs in the foreground, and a group of people gathered under a lit canopy in the background. Wet stone path leads through the scene.

Cody and Eric smile and walk outside during the evening of their wedding reception, standing on wet pavement with string lights and people in the background.

Two grooms sit together, smiling, in front of a floral wall with a pink neon sign that says Magnolia's.

Two people in white shirts stand together inside, seen through a window with “Magnolia” in pink neon and floral decor. The building exterior is pink with green shutters and a black-and-white striped awning.

Magnolias on the Bay sign illuminated at night

Our Magnolia family takes an extreme amount of pride in what we do for our client’s most special moments. We take the time to not only get to know our couple, but their parents, their wedding party and everyone in between. We cater to these families so that every detail is looked at. We plan ahead, we prepare for everything and we work together as a team to master the plan we laid out! I couldn’t do what I do without these incredible people I work with. We strive to set the bar high for the hospitality we dish out and I’m so confident in the team we have to bring these dreams to life!

We are quickly filling up for Spring of 27’ and we can’t wait to roll out the pink carpet for our next season of clients! Cheers Mags fans! Stay tuned for more!

Xoxo,
Ashley