Florida Weddings

This cute couple planned their day around their love of writing and used the ampersand and old typewriters to pay homage to their love of the craft. And can I just say that we are totally loving all the personal touches! It’s easy breezy beautiful beach perfection. K&K Photography, LLC captured all the gorgeous details and there’s so much more to see right here.

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From the Bride… Creating the wedding of your dreams can be a challenge when neither of you spent much of your life dreaming of your wedding. My husband and I wanted simple but elegant. We liked vintage but also loved modern. We changed our minds every day. That is until we saw Honeymoon Island. Its rustic beaches reminded us of a Florida from another era, and we loved the idea that we can always return to its beaches. Since we’re both writers, we used an ampersand symbol and a typewriter theme to represent our union on invitations, decorations and even the groom’s cufflinks. The abundance of fresh flowers contained the favorites of our mothers and grandmothers, while the lace around my bouquet was from my mother’s wedding dress. I have always loved hearing my father play Spanish guitar, and so that’s what we welcomed guests with and what we walked down the aisle to. The weather was horribly windy and rainy all day long, but we decided to keep the ceremony on the beach, and somehow a few minutes before we started, the rain stopped. Then like a scene out of a movie, the clouds parted and the sun’s rays came down just as my father and I walked down the aisle. Even though we went indoors for the reception, we choose Bon Appetit for its stunning views of the harbor and decorated it with nautical, botanical and handmade accents to keep nature all around us. We made sailor knots to hold the table cards and gave away individually-planted succulents as favors.

We couldn’t have done it without all the amazing vendors we worked with, especially the florist and photographers. They took our vision, added so much to it and captured our memories even better than we could’ve hoped for. Our friends and family made it ours, but it was really everyone’s help along the way that made it unforgettable.

Wedding Photography: K&K Photography, LLC / Ceremony: Honeymoon Island in Dunedin, Florida / Reception + Catering: Bon Appetit / Floral Design: The Bride’s Bouquet / Wedding Cake: Chantilly Cakes / Photo Booth: Get the Picture / Wedding Dress: Alyne Bridal / Hair: Professional Elegance

When perfectly pink hues meet a classically styled soiree, it’s a guaranteed day of pretty.  The kind of pretty that can only be found in beautiful blooms by Botanica International Design Studio, fab paper goods from Bella Figura and moment after moment of pure, unadulterated HAPPY.  Add in an entire gallery filled to the brim with amazing images captured by the ever-wonderful Gina Leigh Photography and, well.  You’ll be smiling from here ’till all eternity.  See so much more right here.

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Oh, and we’re not done yet.  Feast your eyes on this magical film from Voila Cinematic.  It’s amazing.

From the Bride… Kevin and I met when he moved from Arizona to Florida. I was working at a furniture store in Orlando, and he was a manufacturer’s rep who would come in the store once a month. We would always talk when he would come in, and one day, I asked him what he was going to get my for my birthday. His response was, “What, are we dating?” I don’t think either of us thought that day when he said those words, that two weeks later we in fact would be dating. Our first date was the weekend of the Florida/LSU game when I invited him to come from Tampa to Orlando to watch the game with me. Little did I know at the time, he was standing up his friends to drive an hour and a half away to watch this with me. Two years later, I had moved to Tampa to be with Kevin. Traveling to work between Orlando and the Bahamas, Kevin sneaked to Cincinnati, Ohio, to pick out an engagement ring. After a trip to Clearwater Beach and a sunset proposal, we went from, “What are we dating?” to “We are getting married!”

I had always envisioned our wedding being timeless, classic, and romantic. I wanted the color scheme to be soft and romantic, so we went with tones of ivory, champagne and soft pink. I was referred to Gina Leigh Photography from a college friend and immediately fell in love with her style. Gina shoots with film and is able to capture so much emotion, texture and feeling in every photograph. She also gave us guidance on what vendors would match our style. We could not have had such an amazing day with out all of our vendors.

Wedding Photography: Gina Leigh Photography / Ceremony: Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida / Reception: The Tampa Club in Tampa, Florida / Event Planning: Sarah Fairbairn of One Fine Day, Inc. / Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio / Wedding Cinematography: Voila Cinematic / Wedding Cake + Favors: Chocolate Pi / Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy: A Bit of Ink / Band: Phase5 / Linens: Wildflower Linen / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal via TLC Bridal / Bride’s Veil: Erin Cole via The Dressing Room / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Makeup: Colours by Linny / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm via Solutions Bridal

If you’re a lover of all things pretty, floral and feminine, you’re about to be jumping up and down out of your seat because we’ve got the prettiest of weddings to share with you which is guaranteed to make your Monday morning oh-so- fabulous! This is just the type of wedding that we love around here. It’s flirty, sophisticated and totally chic. Captured brilliantly by Divine Light Photography, there’s no detail not to love. See it all right here!

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From the Bride… Having both grown up in Florida, it was an easy decision to choose an outdoor ceremony. When we found Innsibrook Golf Resort, we knew we had a perfect match for our dream wedding. Our ceremony took place beneath a large oak tree in front of a lake on a golf course. My husband, being a die hard golfer, suddenly became much more interested in wedding planning. Though I had dreamed of my wedding since I was a girl, I never had a color theme that I could imagine. However, when my sister tried on a blush Amsale dress, I knew I had found the perfect accent to my clean, white, modern design scheme. I was extremely fortunate to have wedding planning pros in family as the youngest of three girls and the third to get married. My sister/maid of honor, who also happens to be a graphic designer, was my saving grace and made the monogram logo used throughout the wedding, invitations, a card box, thank you note fans, table names and place cards. Our florist La Vie en Rose had very similar taste to our own and created elegant arrangements, including a white peony bridal bouquet; pink rose and white hydrangea bridesmaids’ bouquets; a white flower petal scroll aisle design; trees centerpieces with crystals, crystal globes and rose petals; and orchids in water with floating candles, all in white. This wedding could never have been possible without the support and help from all our friends and family.

Wedding Photography: Divine Light Photography / Wedding Venue + Cake: Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida / Floral Design: La Vie en Rose Design / Graphic Design + Wedding Invitations: Modernize Design and Marketing (The Bride’s Sister — modernizedesignhq@gmail.com) / DJ + Lighting: Doug Decker / Chiavari Chairs: First Class Rentals of Tampa Bay / Wedding Dress: Kenneth Pool via Bridals by Lori / Bride’s Shoes: Gianni Bini / Hair + Makeup: Victoria Marino of Salon Island Estates / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaids

Every image from this stunner by Justin DeMutiis Photography and Olivier Events is take-you-breath-away gorgeous. I mean it, every.single.one is overflowing with perfect light, color and L.O.V.E. The uber-romantic florals by Events in Bloom are almost as swoon-worthy as the bride’s custom, blush Peter Langner gown and YSL heels. And the floating parasols filled with the prettiest petals? I can’t get enough! Meet me in the full gallery for the rest!

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From Ashly Olivier of Olivier Events… Amy and Joel’s intimate wedding ceremony took place at their vacation home in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The bride wore a custom, blush, Peter Langner gown, and the groom wore a dark navy suit. Amy and Joel’s three daughters served as bridesmaids and wore champagne organza dresses. Amy and Joel’s wedding colors were blush pink, pale peach, white and green. The intimate ceremony took place in front of the living room fireplace. The mantle was covered in flowers such as peonies, garden roses, hydrangea, dahlias, tulips, ranunculus and hanging amaranthus. Following the ceremony, the couple’s home was opened up for guests to mingle and enjoy the refreshments provided by Puff N Stuff Catering. The floating umbrella pool arrangements added a unique and gorgeous touch of décor to the quaint patio area. An antique trolley transported guests to the dinner reception, which took place at the Sandpearl Resort. The night ended with an amazing firework display over the Gulf Coast.

Wedding Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography / Ceremony: The Vacation Home of the Bride & Groom in Clearwater Beach, Florida / Reception: Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida / Wedding Coordination + Décor: Ashly Olivier of Olivier Events / Floral Design: Jana Stall of Events in Bloom / Catering: Puff N Stuff Catering / Wedding Cake: Cakes Plus Tampa / DJ: Eric Harding of Grant Hemond and Associates / Wedding Dress: Peter Langner / Bride’s Shoes: Yves Saint Laurent / Makeup: Lindsay MacConnell of Lindsay Does Makeup

Wow. Not only was this wedding absolutely gorgeous, it sounds like it was one amazing day! After reading the bride’s description of her day, I am totally longing to go to a wedding just like this one where guests were entertained all day and night with super cool surprises like when the groom serenaded his bride. So cute and romantic! Marissa Moss Photography captured all the details and special moments while Simply Cinematic played a same day edit video of the couple while they were getting ready for the ceremony. Click here for so much more!

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From the Bride… When Joey and I first crossed paths in 2008 at the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance, we discovered that we were born in the same hospital, that I had attended the same high school as his mother, and that parts of our families had already known each other for years. This was only the beginning of the parallel universe we seemed to be living in. We wanted our wedding to be a culmination of the influences, events and traditions that lead us to this point in our lives.

Our ceremony and reception venues were a great jumping off point for our planning because they fit with our initial theme and concept of tradition and history. Four generations of women in my family have been married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, so it was an obvious choice. The second we stepped foot into the Ritz Theatre in Ybor City, we knew that between the full proscenium stage, the checkered dance floor, the overall warmth and the vastness of the space, it would suit our performance backgrounds and personalities perfectly. We did not necessarily want a movie-themed wedding, but we couldn’t ignore the fact that the reception was taking place in an old movie theatre, and that both Joey and I have a history in entertainment. We were able to find a nice balance of elements. On the exterior of the reception venue, our names adorned the marquee along with engagement photos displayed in the windows like movie posters. The guests entered through the main doorway where they made their entrance on the red carpet. Once inside the main corridor, there were two rooms for guests to mingle during the cocktail hour. The room on the right was “the bride’s room,” and the room on the left was the “the groom’s room.” Joey and I selected our own signature drinks and favorite appetizers to be served in our respective rooms.

Because our ceremony started at 2:30 in the afternoon, and the reception wasn’t to end until midnight, we worked very hard on the timeline of the wedding. We wanted to keep our guests engaged so that we did not lose them by 10 p.m. Throughout the night, we felt as though all of that planning definitely paid off.  We came up with several events beyond the usual speeches, dances, cake cutting and bouquet toss to fill in the time. Joey sang me a surprise song right after our first dance, which got our guests (and me) going crazy. This was my favorite memory of the night. My parents, Joey and I created an easy four step dance that we quickly taught to the guests and performed together to the song “More” by Bobby Darin in honor of my Nana who recently passed away. Finally, the same-day edit video. Simply Cinematic had shot an engagement session of Joey and I a few weeks before our wedding day. They combined it with footage of us getting ready, of the ceremony at the church and of the beginning of the reception and played it for all our guests on a large screen using a projector. It was absolutely amazing!

The final part of the night was the after party. One of the cocktail hour rooms was transformed into a nightclub, and the other was transformed into a dessert room. We had also been collecting tons of party props such as hats, glasses, boas, necklaces, masks, mustaches and more to use for the after party. You could not even recognize some people because they were disguised from head to toe in party gear. It was awesome because it gave everyone their second wind and another element of surprise. We really wanted to keep our guests entertained throughout the entire night, and I think that is exactly what we did. From performances to party gear, there was truly never a dull moment. The band did not stop playing and the dance floor was never bare. I think that our wedding was a success because everyone there was actively sharing in our love and celebration.  

Wedding Photography: Marissa Moss Photography / Ceremony: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida/ Reception: The RITZ YBOR in Tampa, Florida / Floral + Event Design: MMD Events / Wedding Coordination: Karen Wilson + Mary Alice Collins / Wedding Cinematography: Simply Cinematic / Catering: CDB’s Southside / Wedding Cake: Chocolate Pi / Monogram + Wedding Invitation Design: URBANcoast / Wedding Invitations: Smock / Band: Southtown Fever / Chair + Table Rentals: PKS Rentals / Wedding Dress: San Patrick via The Dressing Room / Bride’s Earrings + Shawl: From Her Great-Grandmother / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff

This couple is ridiculously cute. She surprised him with their tuxedo-clad bulldog for pictures. He surprised her with a pair of dream cowboy boots for her wedding day look. If the world were filled with more people like these cutie patooties, it would be a VERY happy place. Their highlight film from Voila Cinematic is one for the books. One to make you smile, and maybe just grab your sweetie for a quick snuggle. It’s perfect.

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Josh and I were both born and raised in Brooksville, Florida. We grew up in the same town and never even met each other until December 23, 2009! We were at the local Applebee’s on Christmas Eve Eve playing a trivia game and we were introduced by a few mutual friends!

We spent the next few months getting to know each other and then we started dating. One year later while traveling in Park City, Utah he asked me to marry him. It was our true winter wonderland!

Which triggered our vision of a winter wonderland in Florida! We both had the same vision…Southern, eclectic, and very RUSTIC! We met with a wedding planner, Mrs. Georgia Watson and fell in love!! From right then and there she got us and exactly what we wanted for our big day! We wanted nothing to match! We also a signature whiskey and hot apple cider cocktail that everyone took home in a mason jars as a thank you!

She then set us up with Botanica International Designs and Ian took our vision and exceeded our expectations times 100! Our photographer Mr. Michael Schuhmann Captured our wedding day and we will forever use him for any other big event/day we will have in the future! He was simply amazing! Our videographer Voila Cinematic put together the most breathtaking video of our wedding that we could have ever imagined! We watched it 22 times in 2 days! It’s like our own little country music video! Love love love it!

Southern hills plantation is the venue where we got hitched and it’s one of the most gorgeous places in Brooksville. Early in our relationship we went there for brunch and I made the comment “if we get married one day…this is we’re it will be” so that happened.

One big thing that was super special at our wedding was not only tricking Josh with a pair of bulldog cuff links but incorporating our dog Tank into the mix. Josh had been asking over and over “can he please be in the wedding?” and I kept telling him NO! What he didn’t know was I had him showing up in a tux for pictures! Josh was so HAPPY! Josh surprised me with a pair of Old Gringo Swarovski crystal cowboy boots that I saw in park city when we got engaged! That was definitely a highlight for me! I rocked them out underneath my Carolina Herrera Gown. We feel that through the help and hard work of our wedding planner, photographers, and videographers we had the wedding that we had dreamed of. Most importantly we had our Winter Wonderland in Florida. Complete with a snow shower after we said ,”I do,” kissed, and as we were introduced for the first time as Mrs and Mr. David.

Photography: Michael Schuhmann Photography / Cinematography: Voila Cinematic, Alex Karas / Winter Decor Elements: Botanica International Design Studio / Event Planning: Georgia Watson Events / Ceremony & Reception Location: Southern Hills Plantation Club / Chairs: Signature Event Rentals / DJ: Grant Hemond and Associates / Make-up: Beauty Brought Out / Linens, Details, Bride Bouquet, Wedding party pinecones, boutonnieres, signs: Georgia Watson Events

Get ready to say “hello” to one of those weddings that will take your breath away. Everything, and I mean everything, from this tasteful Tampa wedding by Chris Cornwell Photographer radiates style and grace. My jaw dropped when I first laid eyes on this couples stunning ceremony at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and exquisite Mona’s Floral Creations. There are so many more images to lust over in the full gallery here.

From Chris Cornwell Photographer… Hidden in a paper bag was another paper bag. It was blue — Tiffany blue to be precise. Whatever it was, it was undeniably special. Ashley is special. To James. She is everything to him and he knew it the first evening they spent together. Little surprises might as well be James’ trademark. He always has something planned, something well-thought out — from their travels together to their engagement at Central Park. And on May 5, another little surprise was in a little blue bag. It was a token of his love and written on the note, “Together Forever.”

Wedding Photography: Chris Cornwell Photographer / Second Shooters: Khaled Mosli of Kismis Ink Photography + Cat Cornwell (cornwellcat@aol.com) / Ceremony: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida / Reception: Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa Florida / Floral Design: Karla of Mona’s Floral Creations / Wedding Day Coordination: Jennifer Burkle + Natalie Codella of Burkle Events / Catering: Aramark + Glazer Children’s Museum / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Laurie Cinelli of A Piece of Cake / Wedding Stationery, Monogram, Tent Cards + Signs: Diane Berube Tampa Calligraphy (813-854-6100) / Linens, Table Decor + Milk Glass: Bess Combs, The Mother of the Bride / DJ: DJ Heist a.k.a. Joe Faucy (813-449-5298) / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Jon’s Bridal / Alterations + Hair Piece: Hugh Nguyen (727-744-8095) / Bride’s Shoes: Guess / Hair: Amanda Rourke of Salon Lofts (813-419-7992) / Makeup: Mariel Fritscher (504-402-4742) / Men’s Tuxedos: Sacino’s Formalwear

One part beach chic, one part classic and all parts seriously fabulous, this stunning Clearwater soiree is about to turn your Monday into the prettiest day you’ve ever had.  It’s an ode to the traditional with dashing men in bow ties, a sophisticated color palette and a ball gown that will literally take your breath away – and it’s all set against an uber-romantic seaside location with beautiful images by Stephanie A. Smith Photography.  Prepare for a day of gorgeous, SMPers and join me in the gallery for more.

From Stephanie A. Smith Photography… I so enjoyed being a part of Devon and Mike’s wedding. It was classy and beautiful, just like the two of them. I loved Devon’s soft-colored flowers, her gorgeous dress, and the bow ties and suspenders on Mike and his groomsmen. And then of course the vintage MG, which is part of Devon’s dad’s personal car collection, as the gift table. So many special elements made their day quite an elegant occasion.

Wedding Photography: Stephanie A. Smith Photography / Photography Assistant: Blue Lane Studios / Wedding Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater, Florida / Floral Design + Decor: conceptBAIT / Wedding Cake: Publix / Music: Grant Hemond and Associates / Wedding Dress: White One by Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Nina + Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Flower Girls’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Tuxedo: Joseph Abboud

There’s nothing quite like the breathtaking crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico to set the stage for your Big Day… well, that and the oh-so-talented team at URBANcoast.  Together they make one VERY fabulous combination of wedding goodness – and this gorgeous Clearwater soiree is the perfect example of what I am talking about.  A beautiful blue and green color palette, a stunning ceremony setting and seaside chic every which way you turn.  Paul Johnson Photography captured all of the love-filled moments… and the gallery?  Chock-full of amazing.  Join me there for more.

From the Bride… We gravitated to each other through a series of events that can only be described as serendipitous. Tyler and I both attended Florida State University and had mutual friends but never were never aware of each others’ future importance to our lives. Fate, otherwise known as my best friend Kristen, brought us back together a few years later when I was in nursing school at the University of Florida. Shortly after we started dating, Tyler’s job required him to take a six-month stint in London. In the midst of his time overseas, he told me couldn’t stand to be away from me any longer and decided to fly me to Europe. We spent a week jet-setting between London, Paris and the Netherlands for my birthday. Sipping Bordeaux in front of the Eiffel tower with the man of my dreams was one of the most romantic moments of my life — that is, until we locked eyes on our wedding day. 

I wanted to capture our personality in our wedding style and was able to successfully do that with the help of Soosie and Brittany’s team at URBANcoast. After a year of planning and countless meetings, URBANcoast and my florist Dana Dineen brought my lifelong vision to life. The end result was absolutely flawless. The ceremony took place on a grassy area surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees. Our altar piece was a piece of furniture from our home, and its shelves were filled with large coral pieces, finger sponges, and oyster shell votives — a very thoughtful wedding gift from the girls at URBANcoast. The entry to our aisle was framed with custom-made stands and shabby-chic lanterns adorned with coral and spider mums. Our reception was illuminated with aqua back-lighting and the soft glow of candlelight. Atop the tables were floating votives over submerged coral branches and sea fans. The centerpieces were without a doubt the most unique piece of our wedding. Dana’s team custom-made distressed wooden risers that created the perfect base for our coral reef creation. Small floating votives hid beneath the driftwood and sea life. The dessert table was one of my favorite things, as we are avid macaron lovers. The cake had alternating tiers of key lime and banana bread cake and was supported by white chocolate sand dollars, all of which were surrounded by plates overflowing with our favorite macarons. Glass orbs filled with sea grass and flowers hung from all of the chandeliers, which were covered with sea grape leaves and sea fans.

After the ceremony, Paul and Mecheal Johnson took us out to the beach for some post-ceremony photographs. It was our first moment “alone” as a married couple, and it couldn’t have been more serene. The sun was beginning to set, the sea breeze was gently blowing through the sea oats and dunes, and we were able to take in everything after our whirlwind of a day. When we were walking through the dunes, I stepped, barefoot, in a sand spur patch. I was rendered defenseless and couldn’t move without stepping on more spurs. Without hesitation, my chivalrous husband whisked me up and carried me through the sand dunes. Paul captured the moment perfectly.

Wedding Photography: Paul Johnson Photography / Wedding Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater, Florida / Event Planning + Paper Goods: URBANcoast / Floral Design: Dana Dineen Floral Design / Wedding Cake: A Better Cheesecake / Macarons: Cake City / Ceremony Music: Classern String Quartet / Reception Music: Sultans of Swing / Lighting: Bay Stage Lighting / Tableware: Panache / Photo Booth: Shutterbooth / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Hairpiece + Large Shell Mirror: Custom by Heather Kendall / Hair: Michael Angelo Hair Studio / Makeup: Shirley Gregory / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate via Bella Bridesmaid / Men’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank

If the first dreamy image from K & K Photography of the big, romantic bouquet of peonies from Botanica International Design Studio is any indication of the rest of this wedding (and OH it is) I don’t think I’d be going out on a limb by saying we are ALL in for a treat. With URBANcoast in charge of the rest of the decor, it was destined to be fabulous, but even with this all star team behind it all, we were still blown away. So plant your feet firmly and promise me you’ll visit the full gallery, because it is a pretty dream in every single image!

From the beautiful bride … Alex and I went to medical school in Tampa and Bradenton respectively. We met when my best friend Michelle invited me to a party to celebrate the end of the third year of medical school at a fun outdoor restaurant, Sail Pavilion in Tampa. Even though she didn’t have the idea in mind to set us up, she saw us talking at the bar and knew that I was developing a crush on Alex. She wasted no time in telling his best friend, Ben, who promptly told him. I could not have been more embarrassed. A few weeks later Michelle and I were planning to go to Tennessee for the Bonnaroo Music Festival and at the last minute, even though we had only spoken the one time at the bar, Alex took a leap of faith and decided to make the 10 hourr drive to the festival as well. He and Ben made 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hit the road following us to TN. We had a blast at the music festival and went on our first date a few days after returning to FL.

The proposal happened when I was least expecting it. Alex told me we were going to dinner with friends but were meeting them at Sail Pavilion beforehand. We ordered drinks and sat down. He began acting very nervous. He asked me if I knew what day it was and after thinking about it I realized it was one year ago to the day that we met at this same restaurant. He told me that he never anticipated all the wonderful moments that had come about in the past year of our relationship and asked me to marry him. I tearfully said yes! He pointed across the water to a nearby restaurant where our families were watching the whole proposal. It meant so much that he planned such a great surprise and knew that having our families present was important.

From URBANcoast … The wedding took on a beautiful Saturday in April right after a fresh rain. The hotel looked amazing as it boasted the greenest grass and most luscious flowers. The bridal party arrived in style in a traditional Trolley. Lisa in a breathtaking Kenneth pool gown with full skirt was the epitome of a beautiful, natural bride. Ever the fun couple they lead the way to the reception in coordinating sunglasses with “Lisa and Alex’s Wedding” printed on the sides.

The cocktail hour décor was quietly elegant. Small vintage mercury glass vessels filled with babies breath and peonies adorned the tables covered in simple ivory linens. Large mercury glass vases illuminated with candlelight helping the guests find their place cards. The bar had all of the couples favorite cocktails along with fun koozies and straws to make them special.

The curtains opened to let the guests enter the reception room and you could hear the oohs and ahhs all the way down the hall. The dance floor was strategically placed under the enormous custom Chihuly chandelier. The guest tables displayed two different types of floral arrangements. Giant babies breath spheres were placed atop vintage silver vases creating a romantic atmosphere. Low arrangements of large peonies, ranunculus, and roses filled mercury glass vessels to add a bit of spring to the reception. Every table had a collection of mercury glass candlesticks and votives at varying heights to bathe the room in candlelight. The mother of the bride spent 6 months collecting the mercury glass! The giant “U” shaped head table held the babies breath arrangements, mercury glass, and a swag of greenery, babies breath, and peonies that went the length of the table.

The reception wasn’t complete until the white shoes came out. A tradtion that started at the Father of the Bride’s birthday. 2 Blues Brothers brought out a suitcase with 2 pairs of large white mens dress shoes. The bride promplty flug off her wedding shoes and slipped on a pair. The father of the bride followed soot. The shoes allow the wearer to dance wildly! After a few moments the groom joined his wife and as time went on the whole wedding had taken their turn in the wild shoes! It was a beautiful wedding where the couple surrounded by family, friends, and faith celebrated their love.

Photography: K & K Photography / Event Design and Printed Materials: URBANcoast / Florals: Botanica International Design Studio / Linens: Linens by the Sea / Chiavari Chairs: PKS Rentals / DJ: Ben Daniele, Grant Hemmond and Associates / Transportation: Jolley Trolley / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Cake & Lighting: The Renaissance Vinoy / Brides Attire: Solutions Bridal / Brides Shoes: Kate Spade

Seriously stunning and down.right fabulous, this Tampa soiree is all about the pure, unadulterated glamour.  I’m talking a too gorgeous for words Sottero & Midgley gown, beautiful images by Tina Sargeant Photography and hints of dazzle every which way you turn – aka, a traditional lovers dream come true.  Yep, Stonehouse Events & More, Inc. most certainly worked their magic with this one and the result is a day of non-stop sophistication.  We are in love.  See it all here.

Oh, and we’re not done yet.  We have this sweet film from RisingSky Productions to take us into the weekend.  Enjoy!

From Stonehouse Events & More, Inc.… Amanda and Mike Couch’s wedding was full of gorgeous details! Amanda wanted her day to be elegant with a gorgeous color palette of purple, pinks and champagnes! With their last name as Couch, we were sure to incorporate couches into the day! As a cake topper, Amanda purchased a small antique couch and adhered “Mr & Mrs” to it! All of the table numbers were framed antique couches with the table number elegantly displayed for the guests to easily find their seats. The bride chose Ferrero Rocher chocolates to hold the name of each guest for the escort card display. As a wedding favor, the bride prepared small jars of honey for the guests to take home — she chose honey because that is the endearing name the couple calls each other. The guest tables were covered in the beautiful, ivory linen with stunning mahogany Chiavari chairs surrounding them. The deep purple napkin was in a cummerbund fold and sat atop of the gold chargers. The centerpieces were a combination of tall pedestals with gorgeous florals sitting on top, one smaller arrangement with votives and then a pillar candle with roses, hydrangea, and purple stock surrounding it. The room was just glowing! The intimate ceremony was full of floating candles lining the aisles and displayed at the altar with soft touches of roses and hydrangeas. With the sounds of a harp in the background, the ceremony was beautiful as the two exchanged their Tiffany wedding bands. A couple of guests who were not able to attend but were able to send their best wishes were the President of the United States and the First Lady Michelle Obama, as well also two other favorites, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The guests and the bride and groom enjoyed dancing the rest of the evening. It was a magical night full of amazing details as this beautiful couple came together as one!

Wedding Photography: Tina Sargeant Photography / Wedding Venue: Avila Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida / Event Design + Planning: Stonehouse Events & More, Inc. / Floral Design: Artistry Designs / Wedding Cinematography: RisingSky Productions / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Nomeda / Harpist: Jessica Cardwell / DJ: Inspire Entertainment / Chair Rental: Signature Event Rentals / Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental / Wedding Dress: Sottero & Midgley “Linda” / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Let me just start off by saying that burlap and mason jars make my heart sing.  Like, seriously sing. So, when I saw them popping up in this gorgeous Tampa affair, I knew we were in for a day of non-stop lovely.  And lovely.it.is – with my fave organic details and pretty purple hues joining forces with a garden party extravaganza like you’ve never seen.  It’s lush whimsy meets downright perfection meets a gallery full of breathtaking images by the ever-so-talented Justin DeMutiis Photography.  See them all here.

From Justin DeMutiis Photography… Rob and Caitlin met way back in 2003, the summer before Rob went to college. Caitlin’s childhood friend, Mandy, and invited over three friends (Rob included) from school to Caitlin’s house. It was raining, and for some reason, everyone was hanging out in Caitlin’s garage. After an hour or two, Caitlin got bored of the boys being there and went inside to have her mom come out and tell them to leave. Little did she know that a few months later she would run into Rob again. The next time the two met, Caitlin was eating a lime, which Rob thought was weird. After becoming friends over the next few months, they started dating. After years of long distance, while Rob was in college at Ohio University and Caitlin was at home in Maryland, then when Caitlin was in college at University of Florida, then Rob was in Tampa and Caitlin was in Gainesville — finally, the two were ready to be together in the same town. After Caitlin graduated from nursing school, she moved to Tampa to live with Rob.

On an ordinary Wednesday, Caitlin was on her way home from work and the gym, hands full with work bag, scrubs and yoga mat, when she was welcomed with a little surprise. She unlocked the door and saw Rob standing in the shirt he was wearing that day in the garage with flowers and candles on the table. He had recreated the first meal she had ever made for him and was playing “their song.” At that point, he told her to put down everything while he got on one knee and asked her to marry him! (And of course, she said “Yes!”)

Wedding Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography / Wedding Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club in Tampa, Florida / Floral Design: Ian of Botanica International Design Studio / Event Design: Caitlin Williams (The Bride) / Catering: Ken Jurgenson of Chives / Music: DeLair Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Ella via Cindy of The White Closet Co. / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Hair + Makeup: Donna Camposecco of Camposecco Artistry

An epic dose of pretty.  That’s what I’m calling this gorgeous Tampa engagement session, because, well… it’s just that good.  Picture perfect scenery, an uber-stunning duo and a plethora of sweet, sweet moments – all wrapped up in a whole lot of HAPPY and oh-so-chic style that will literally stop you in your tracks.  Sounds fabulous, no?!?  Justin DeMutiis Photography captured all of the oh.em.gee… and the gallery?  It’s where you NEED to be.  Join me there for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

Dying to see these two lovelies tie the knot?!?  Well, you don’t have to wait long.  Check out the gorgeous sneak peak below (SWOON) and then see every last ounce of their fabulous affair here.

From Justin DeMutiis Photography… Since their wedding was in Sarasota, Katie and Erick wanted to capture a little of the Tampa feel for their engagement shoot. Nothing says Tampa Bay like water, mossy oaks and the Tampa skyline. We started around the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, made a short stop at Ballast Point to get a great view of the Tampa skyline, and finished at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa.

Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography / Location: Tampa, Florida

No doubt about it – you are going to love this wedding.  Love it SO much, in fact, that you’ll spend your entire Monday swooning over the glorious images captured by Concept Photography, holding back tears as these two sweethearts say “I do” under a breathtaking canopy of trees and drooling over that stunning gown and fabulous head piece.  Yep… you are going to love it THAT MUCH.  And what you’ll adore even more?  The uber-gorgeous couple behind the whole shebang.  They are Awesome with a capital A and their glowy faces and fab (+ funny) description just made a mad dash into the SMP Hall of Fame.  Click here for SOO much more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Ryan and I met 10 years ago at a summer job. He asked me out, and we went on a few dates, then BAM, seven years later Ryan and I were officially a couple. Ryan is smooth like that. He is very caring, even for people he doesn’t know. He spent 6 years of his life in the military fighting for our country, and now he is a firefighter. He has a huge heart. I also love his tattoos and his gorgeous blue eyes (I am very jealous of them).

The proposal story: we go to my parent’s vacation home in North Carolina every year the week before Christmas, and every year there is always some sort of disaster — I’m not sure why we continue to go at that time of year. This year it took us three extra hours to drive the icy roads — it was a warm seven degrees with two feet of snow, and all the water pipes were frozen when we got there. After two hours of digging up snow to find the water main, crawling under the house at 11 p.m. to make sure there wasn’t a leak, me tripping and falling face first in the snow while sliding down the hill and hysterically crying, we decided to give up, bathe ourselves with wet ones and drink several bottles of wine to drown our sorrows. We had one bottle down and Ryan got up and started putting on deodorant and brushing his teeth (with a water bottle) and sweating profusely. Obviously I found this strange because it was so cold, so I asked what he was doing in my normal sarcastic form. That’s when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, then I started sweating and threw up because I was so excited — it was a magical night!

I have had most of my wedding planned since I was 4, when I put my first veil on and made my neighbor marry me in the very elegant setting of my parent’s garage. After I got my dress, everything fell into place. My favorite colors are gold, silver, and copper so that part was easy. I love all things shiny and sparkly. I always wanted to get married under huge trees in the fall. I wanted everything to be really romantic with candle light. My top priority however was, that everyone had fun — and since the bar ran out of alcohol three times in five hours, I am going to say everyone had a good time. We were originally going to have the wedding at my uncle’s restaurant, but the guest list kept getting bigger and bigger, and I was getting really worried about space. I was getting a facial and the lady was telling me about the Tampa Firefighter Museum. My husband is a firefighter, and if you have ever had a conversation with a firefighter, you know they REALLY love their job! So I called six months before my wedding and happened to be the only date they had open in the fall — it was fate.

Instead of a guest book, my cousin made me little books to put on each table with questions like “ What should we name our kids?” “Where should we go on our 5th anniversary?” and “Favorite recipe?” Guest got to write personal messages to us. It was a lot of fun for us to read after the wedding — especially the messages you get after giving people a few cocktails. The most memorable moment for me was my sister’s maid of honor speech. It was without a doubt the funniest speech I have ever heard at a wedding. She mentally tortured me for 10 months about how she was going to humiliate me — she did, but it was funny and she rocked it.

Wedding Photography: Concept Photography / Wedding Venue: A Private Estate in Tampa, Florida / Wedding Planning: Ashly Olivier of Olivier Events / Floral Design: Heather Taylor of Taylormade Wedding & Event Flowers / Catering: Bailey’s Catering & Restaurant / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Chocolate Pi / Linens: Panache / Ceremony Music: Alafia String Quartet / DJ: Howard Entertainment / Transportation: VIP Valet & Limousine Inc. / Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Hair + Makeup: Tribeca Salon / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew + Saks Fifth Avenue + Cache + Dillard’s + Lord & Taylor

Give us a modern wedding to blab about for an afternoon and we are happy campers. There’s something about clean lines and a striking color palette that speaks directly to our adoring souls. MMD Events knows their way around just such a fête and whipped up bright yellow details and streamlined tablescapes that modern dreams are made of. Tucked away in this Florida beauty is also one of the best sparkler send offs we’ve seen in quite awhile captured by Life Writing Photography. See it all right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When Josh and I got engaged, we knew we wanted to have the event in Tampa and wanted it to reflect old Tampa with a southern twist — we felt like our roots were both. I am also big on textures and shapes, which can be seen in every detail of our day. The ceremony was at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, which is where my parents and my sister were both married. I grew up in that church, so it made our day that much more special. I wore my mother’s cathedral veil with a one-shoulder, fitted gown and walked down the aisle to the song that Queen Elizabeth entered to on her wedding day “Praise my soul the King of Heaven.” A fun touch was exiting the church with a bagpiper leading the way! MMD made the most gorgeous bouquet with fragrant gardenias, white roses and fringed tulips. My bridesmaids wore gray dupioni silk dresses and carried bouquets of football mums, yellow roses and yellow craspedia. My husband wore a white gardenia boutonniere, while the groomsmen had a craspedia with a cockscomb collar resembling sea coral and the surprise of a silver crab claw.

We chose to have our reception at the historic Italian Club in Ybor City because it had the classic Tampa feel that we were going for. Guests entered from historic Seventh Avenue and were greeted with refreshing white sangria. Catering by the Family designed a custom menu that reflected historic Tampa with that southern charm we were going for. Place cards were hand-punched scalloped cards affixed on dulce de leche cake pops. Suspended from silver ribbons on a wrought iron gate above the table were wedding pictures of the bride and groom’s families. The custom shaped and painted signage was done by Salty Sisters. There was a sign directing guests to parking, the reception and balcony.  Guests retreated to the balcony area overlooking Seventh Avenue while they puffed on locally hand-rolled cigars.

The stage of the ballroom was set with refinished vintage furniture brought in by MMD Events. The sleek, white finish with a vintage silhouette was the perfect combination of modern and historic. Tables dressed in platinum crinkle taffeta and lemon bengaline linens laid the perfect foundation for the tablescapes created by MMD. There were several different centerpieces, all with their own creative touches. Yellow urns filled with hydrangeas and yellow calla lilies were accented with silver sea fans. Long, mirrored containers for the low and high top banquet tables were modern and elegant but had painted crab claws nestled inside. Low boxes had a pattern of gray and yellow formed by florals and painted oyster shells. The cake by A Piece of Cake was a four-tier cake with varying flavors, such as guava, dulce de leche and passion fruit. I wanted a lot of texture in the cake, so each layer was decorated with a different buttercream effect. Shutterbooth was the big hit of the night and guests wrote us well wishes on custom chalkboard cut-outs. Before guests sent us off with a sparkling farewell, they had one last opportunity for a sweet treat: Peeps with a sign that read, “We want to thank our favorite peeps for sharing our special day.” When guests arrived to their hotel rooms for the night, one last detail was a door hanger: “Shhhh… we’ve been partying at The Crum’s wedding.” Josh and I had the best wedding day and are so thankful to our wonderful vendors and friends who brought our vision to life.

Wedding Photography: Janie Koike of Life Writing Photography / Ceremony: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida / Reception: The Italian Club of Tampa in Tampa, Florida / Wedding Décor, Floral Design, Pipe + Draping: MMD Events / Wedding Planning: Christi Winsor of Winsor Event Studio / Catering: Catering by the Family / Wedding Cake + Cake Pop Place Cards: A Piece of Cake / Signage: Angelique Muller of Salty Sisters / Linens: Connie Duglin Linen / Chiavari Chair Rental: Signature Event Rentals / Photo Booth: Shutterbooth / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Hair + Makeup: The Michele Renee Hair and Makeup Artist Group / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom

I’m just going to go ahead and say it, the florals designed by MMD Events in this gorgeous Florida fête make me SO happy. Bright, vibrant and overflowing – what more can you ask for? Actually this entire soiree snapped up by Gina Leigh Photography is making my grin go from ear to ear, and it’s sure to do the same for you. Want even more of this beauty (of course you do)? Well, skip on over to the grin-inducing gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Jackie of MMD Events… We had so much fun being a part of the creation of Natalie and Bryan’s big day! Natalie, the bride, was such a joy to work with from start to finish — she came through our doors, bursting with wonderful and unique ideas! Their ceremony took place at the Hyde Park United Methodist Chapel, where the altars were adorned with vintage French floral buckets filled with crespedia, white O’Hara garden roses, yellow mums, tulips, ranunculus, dusty miller and a few hydrangeas. The bride was beaming as she and her bridesmaids walked down the aisles, holding their bouquets, toward her future husband. Natalie’s bouquet was just as she envisioned: an asymmetrical shape with white O’Hara garden roses, crespedia, pale yellow roses, white and yellow ranunculus all tied together with white dupioni silk and buttercup yellow vintage French seam building. The special detail was the mini photos of her family members that she asked MMD Events’ floral designer, Amanda Allen, to add to the handle of her bouquet. Her bridesmaids carried smaller yellow bouquets that featured small rosette succulents and dusty miller — the handles were wrapped in the same fabric that had been trimmed from their dresses during alterations.

Following the ceremony, the reception was located at The Straz Center, on the waterside in downtown Tampa. Guests were able to move freely between a tented area with high tops and cabaret tables to an outdoor area that also had places for guests to lounge. The main feature outside of the tent was a cigar bar and custom matches with the couple’s names, date of their wedding and a picture of cowboy boots. Inside of the tent, guests were able to visit different food stations for dinner, and rather than the customary wedding cake, Natalie and Bryan had a “his” and “hers” cupcake bar catered by GiGi’s Cupcakes with champagne-flavored cupcakes for the “hers” and red velvet and German chocolate for the “his.” The cupcake table was beautifully decorated on the “hers” side with a vintage-inspired mix of crates, and dishes, and gradually morphed into a more “manly” theme for the “his” flavored delicacies.

Natalie and Bryan wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and be comfortable, so when it was time to get down and dance to their favorite band “Lucky Penny,” they had arranged two crates filled with flip-flops, labeled “dance your feet off.” The night was all captured beautifully in still life by the talents of Gina Leigh Photography. 

Wedding Photography: Gina Leigh Photography / Ceremony: Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida / Reception: David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida / Floral + Event Design: MMD Events / Wedding Invitations + Menus: A+P Designs / Cinematography: Indie Atlantic Films / Band: Lucky Penny / Transportation: Tampa Water Taxi Co. / Cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes / Wedding Dress: Vineyard Collection via Malindy Elene / Bride’s Shoes: Grazia via Malindy Elene / Bridesmaid Dress: Jenny Yoo via The Dressing Room / Hair + Makeup: Tanja Handling of Coiffeur Inga Salon / Groom’s Tuxedo + Shirt: Tom James

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There’s just something about a traditional ballroom affair that gets me every.single.time – and this pretty, pretty Tampa soiree most certainly has me head over heels.  The soft pink and blue color palette, the intimate setting, the beyond breathtaking blooms by Dana Dineen Floral Design… swoon, swoon, SWOON.  All captured brilliantly by K&K Photography, I’ll be spending my ENTIRE day soaking in every last glorious detail, including that STUNNING gown and those sparkly blue heels.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… From the moment I met Scott I knew I wanted to marry him, as cheesy as it sounds. We dated a little over a year before he popped the question on one knee in my kitchen on some random Thursday after work. I was completely surprised and overjoyed. Since Scott is still in pharmacy school, we decided to have a long engagement, which suited me quite well because I knew I’d be planning the wedding by myself. While we met and fell in love in Birmingham, we both knew we didn’t want a usual Birmingham wedding. We quickly decided a Tampa wedding would be perfect. My sister lives there with her family, and my parents live there part-time, so it would be a perfect excuse to visit while planning. After researching many different reception locations, we finally picked Avila Golf and Country Club. The old world architecture, intimate setting and helpful staff were a perfect fit.

Since I had about a year-and-a-half to plan, I tried to think of every little detail. After trying on countless dresses, I finally settled with one, which was featured on TLC’s “Say Yes To The Dress.”  I recruited my coworkers to help make paper flowers as the place cards. I made the favors, seating chart, coasters and the drink stirrers. To bring in the Tampa feel, we had a cigar roller during cocktail hour while my favorite drink, a bellini, was passed around. In addition to the band, a doo-wop group sang acapella to oldies as background music during dinner. The two most important things to me about the wedding were the flowers and the cake, which far exceeded my expectations. Scott’s groom cake, a surprise gift from his parents, was a hit. After dancing the night way, the guests threw confetti as Scott and I left to begin the rest of our lives together.

Wedding Photography: K&K Photography / Ceremony: Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Temple Terrace, Florida / Reception: Avila Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida / Floral Design: Dana Dineen of Dana Dineen Floral Design / Wedding Cake: Cakes Plus / Linens: Connie Duglin Linen / Chairs + Chargers: Signature Events by Design / Band + Cigar Rolling: Delite Entertainment / Doo-Wop Group: The Boomerz / Wedding Dress: Kenneth Poole via Bridals by Lori / Hair: Ian Hensley / Makeup: Melissa Brown / Groom’s Tuxedo: Jos. A. Bank / Bridesmaid Gowns: Priscilla of Boston / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West

This darling duo didn’t let a venue cancellation ruin their big day.  Nope, instead they moved the party to their very own backyard… and the result was nothing short of spectacular with a day literally overflowing with love, family and friends.  Mandy and Me Studio was on hand to capture every moment of this intimate affair and from the sunny yellow hues to the succulent-filled blooms by FH Weddings & Events to a backyard bathed in hanging candlelight, the gallery is bursting with special moments between this adorable bride and groom. I think I’ll spend my day soaking in every ounce of lovely. Join me, won’t you?

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Mandy of Mandy and Me Studio… A few weeks after Lauren and Jonathan booked us, they found out that their venue had double booked their date, so they had to start their search all over again. They wanted a fall wedding and, given this was already spring, they were having trouble finding a venue they like that had a date open. In the end, they chose to get married at a small park down the street from their home and have their reception in their backyard. It turned out awesome. We think more people should have a backyard wedding. Why? It brings the intimate feel that you get at weddings to a whole new level. Lauren and Jonathan’s wedding was quite awesome. Between the two of them and their family and friends, there was a lot of effort put into making this a night to remember. We know we won’t forget this sweet wedding anytime soon.

Wedding Photography: Mandy and Me Studio / Flowers: FH Weddings & Events / Food: DIY / Cake: Publix / DJ: A family friend / Wedding Dress: La Sposa Bridal / String Lights: Home Depot / Hanging Candle Lights: CB2 / Tables + Chairs: Signature Events By Design

Weddings at home never fail to make my heart sing, so it goes without saying that it was love at first sight for this stunning Tampa Bay affair and me.  The intimate seaside setting combined with the classic stylings of Zoe Gallina, the soft color palette of white and cream and the lush florals by Botanica International Design Studio is almost too much for my wedding loving heart to handle… and for a bride who lists Father of the Bride as one of her all-time favorite movies (Me, too!), it was definitely meant to be.  Thankfully, Ryan Joseph was on hand to capture every dreamy moment and you can see them all in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Ean and I met through my older brother, Jordan.  We were good friends for a while and then one day it clicked.  We should be  together. Ean asked my brother’s permission to take me out on a date and from that day forward things moved pretty quickly.  We were engaged six months later! One of my all-time favorite movies is Father of the Bride, so when my parents offered their beautiful home for the wedding, I didn’t have to think twice.  I always wanted an intimate wedding (simple and elegant) with close friends and family. Thank goodness for my mother, she took something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little girl and made it a reality. Better than I could have imagined. We got married on a perfect day in March. It felt like a fairytale.  My mom and dad walked me down the aisle where the man of my dreams, the ocean, and a magnificent sunset awaited. In that moment nothing else mattered!

Zoe Gallina’s inspiration for the colors of the wedding came from the beautifully designed family home.  The varying shades of whites and creams that canvased the home’s walls made the family’s artwork stand out just that much more.  Truly evoking a gallery-like feeling, which reminded us a little of our own studio.  The elegance of such a subtle color combination was conveyed as family & guests joined the bride and groom for dinner.

Wedding Photography: Ryan Joseph Photographs / Event Planner: Zoe Gallina / Floral Design: Botanica International Design Studio / Venue: Private Residence / Caterer: Puff n’ Stuff / Hair + Makeup: Elena Joseph / Cinematography: Voila Cinematic / Cake: Cakes Plus / DJ: Josh Walther of Inspire Entertainment / Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston

Good Morning and welcome back to another pretty, pretty week here at SMP Florida! We seriously couldn’t think of a better way to start your week than with this gorgeous, vintage chic Tampa fete. Zoe Gallina, Inc. coordinated and designed this elegant backyard wedding and just wait until you see the phenomenal aisle style created by Botanica International Design Studio. I can’t even begin to try and choose my favorite part of this wedding. Maybe it’s the delicate lace dress, the amazingly delicious looking cakes, or the super cool cocktail lounge on the lawn…Ryan Joseph Photographs captured the whole fabulous soirée and lucky for all of us, there’s so much more in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Be sure to check out this super sweet and romantic film by Voila Cinematic.

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From the Bride…Greg and I met through mutual friends the first week of our freshman year at the University of Texas. Having just moved from Tampa, I knew only a handful of people; Greg knew everyone and all of the girls knew Greg. We remained close friends throughout our college days, spending almost every weekend together, along with a dozen or so of our best friends. Five years after we met, we kissed for the first time on NYE—a circumstantial kiss that only happened because we were standing next to each other when the ball dropped. He was my New Year’s kiss for the next two years. Nothing came of those kisses because we lived hundreds of miles apart—he in Houston and I in Dallas—and we thought we valued our friendship over a silly relationship. But alas, we realized that guys and girls weren’t meant to be best friends and we began dating. Three years after our first kiss, I moved to Houston (by way of Austin—long story) to be with Greg.

Greg proposed while we were on a bike ride in Houston. We were training for an upcoming trip to Italy where we were planning to bike across the Tuscan region. After riding for about two miles, Greg needed a break, which was worrisome because in a few weeks, we would be biking 30-40 miles a day. Concerned and frustrated, I was reluctant to join him on a park bench when he told me he needed to sit down. The only thing more troubling than resting on a park bench after a 2-mile stroll was the suspicious camouflage bag sitting on the bench. After resisting his countless requests to sit on the bench with him, Greg looked at me and said: “Well, if you won’t sit with me, will you at least marry me?” It took me a while to understand what he was saying, but once I saw the look on his face and the ring in his hand, I tearfully said yes! The proposal was thoughtful and organic, but I still wouldn’t sit down on the bench for fear the camo bag might explode and ruin our beautiful day. Against my fearful requests that he not touch the bag, Greg reached inside to retrieve a bottle of champagne and two glasses he had packed earlier that day. He popped the cork (which ricocheted off of a tree limb and onto my head), and we toasted to each other on our new favorite park bench. Thankfully, we only had two miles to ride home.

From Zoe Gallina, Inc.…The layout was organized by architectural blue prints of their property. We started planning the June before the wedding. The house and Bayshore was used throughout the wedding since the home has such special meaning to the family. The bride always dreamed of the day she got married, she and her Dad would walk out the front door and into the ceremony. Bayshore Ballastrading (the street the house is on) was used on the stamps for the wedding invitations and the wedding invite itself had a letterpressed image of the house in the background. Kelsey’s older sister also got married at the home 10 years prior.

Wedding Photography: Ryan Joseph Photographs / Event Styling + Coordination: Zoe Gallina, Inc. / Décor + Floral: Ian Prosser of Botanica International Design Studio / Food + Beverage: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering / Quartet: Dillingham Quartet / Cocktail Music: Simply Irresistible / Wedding Videography: Jocelyn Karas of Voila Cinematic / Rentals: U.S. Tent Rental / Lounge Furniture: Room Service Rentals / Tent Draping: Design Elements / Lighting: Baystage Lighting / Wedding Cake: Chocolate Pi / Bride’s Hair + Make-up: Elena Joseph / Bridal Party Hair: Michael Cimino of Cimino Salon / Shuttle Buses: Skyline Limousines / Valet: 717 Parking / Getaway Car: Cole’s Classic Cars