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Amanda and Brian - A Celebration in Historic Ybor City

Amanda and Brian - A Celebration in Historic Ybor City

Brian and Amanda share Tampa roots (they went to the same PreK class and grew up only a quarter mile down the street from each other) so they knew they wanted to get married in the city they grew up in and loved. They began planning their nuptials for their 300 closest friends and family in historic Ybor City, known for the area's former life as a cigar capital of the US.  The bride wanted to make sure the wedding was above all else FUN, and she didn't want anything too theme-y, but rather wanted classic elements and to embrace the feel of the city.  

Jessica and Alex - A Wine-lovers Wedding

Jessica and Alex - A Wine-lovers Wedding

Alex and Jessica had their first date on November 22, 2011 and they had an instant connection. They elected that same date for their nuptials three years later, and wanted their wedding day to be a celebration of their love with an intimate group of their closest friends and family. Both food and wine lovers, they recalled one of their first romantic getaways together in Sarasota where they attended a food and wine pairing dinner at Michael's on East, and they knew they wanted to treat their guests to that same experience. They exchanged vows in front of the towering Wedding Oak at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens nearby, and during their ceremony they participated in a wine box ceremony where they sealed a box containing wine and love letters to be opened on their anniversary. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while enjoying live piano music in the Michael's wine shop. In a dramatic unveiling, the rolling divider doors of the wine cellar were hoisted at the end of the cocktail hour, revealing the space for dinner. Long feasting tables featuring iron candelabras and grey-washed hedgeboxes of flora were immaculately set with gold beaded glass charger plates and custom printed menus detailing the five course meal with wine pairings. Wine details appeared everywhere from the wine cork table numbers, to the wine bottle guestbook, to the bottle of wine keepsakes the couple sent home with each guest (from their favorite Napa winery, the Mayo family estate).  The chef presented each course, and sommelier explained each wine pairing. It was truly an unforgettable experience for guests! Following the world class meal, guests danced and mingled before savoring the wedding cake and surprise groom's cake the bride ordered for the groom in honor of his alma mater!  When the night came to an end, guests?sent off the couple under a blaze of sparklers.

Paolette and Josh - A Romantic Peruvian Wedding

Paolette and Josh - A Romantic Peruvian Wedding

Five years after Paolette and Josh felt the lightning strike of love when their paths crossed at a bar one night, they declared their love for each other in front of friends and family at the Davis Islands Garden Club. The bride's color palette of pink and black was accented with pops of yellow, a color that is auspicious in the Peruvian culture.  We also incorporated other cultural elements as a nod to her heritage, such as Peruvian lilies in the floral arrangements, boxed alfajores cookies for favors, and traditions like cake charms for the bridesmaids to pull out of the cake, as well as La Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour) where guests dress in costume and dance to fast-paced festive music for the last hour of the evening.  The couple wanted a fun experience for all of their guests; even their dog stood in as the ring bearer!  They also incorporated some whimsical and romantic elements, such as rows of candles along the veranda wall, storybook love quotes as table names, and heartfelt personal vows exchanged during the ceremony.  Paolette said "The most memorable part of our wedding was when my husband and I said our vows to each other. We wrote our own vows and hearing him say his vows made my day, as he is normally not that verbally expressive." 

Chantel and James - A Southern Garden Wedding

Chantel and James - A Southern Garden Wedding

What started as a chance encounter while out with friends in Orlando (James was visiting from Seattle and Chantel was out with friends) turned into an instant connection and a long-distance romance with two people who knew they would spend the rest of their lives together.  Chantel and James wanted a classic wedding style, and opted for shades of ballet pink and taupe.  From the white ceramic pitchers filled with hydrangea and tea roses, to the lace overlays, to the quilted fondant cake, all of the details were soft and romantic for this waterfront garden wedding.  The bride's bouquet consisted of her favorite flower, peonies, and was accented with a locket and photo of her late grandparents (who had the same wedding date/anniversary!).  The gentlemen relaxed that morning by fishing off of the nearby seawall, while the ladies enjoyed mimosas.  Overcome with emotion, the bride had tears of joy in her eyes as she prepared to walk down the aisle to marry the love of her life.  The dinner under the trees featured a hilarious best man speech, before dancing commenced on the veranda.  The bride and groom shared a last dance in a cloud of bubbles before departing on a water taxi send off at the end of the evening. 

Elizabeth and Matt - An Elegant Homespun Wedding

Elizabeth and Matt were married at a beutiful private waterfront estate in Odessa, Florida.  The sprawling lawn would be the perfect setting for their all outdoor wedding, and although a forecast of rain threatened their day, the skies cleared just in time to move the chairs back out to the water's edge for the ceremony, as everyone walked down the aisle to the sweet sounds of a string trio.  Canopy lighting and chandeliers were suspended under a wall-less tent, and wood feasting tables were surrounded by round tables dressed in neutral linens.  Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet before dancing all night long on the pool deck to the live band.  When it was time for dessert, guests had their choice of wedding cake or smores toasted at the dockside fire pit. 

               The couple were married at a private estate, surrounded by lush landscaping and lakefront views

The bride carried a bouquet of ivory hydrangea & garden roses, suited perfectly for her lace gown

The aisle was lined with an abundance of petals & lanterns, which were repurposed on the tables

                        A decorative chalkboard seating chart directed guests to their tables

          A ruffled fondant cake sat perched atop a vintage barrel, while a firepit beckoned guests with smores

                                                    The bride and groom exited through a path of sparklers

Venue:  Private Estate, Odessa

Photographer:  Robin Reiss Photography

Florist:  Botanica

Catering:  Puff n Stuff Catering

Specialty Rentals:  WISH Vintage

String Ensemble:  Dillingham Quartet

Band:  The Cover Band

Makeup: Lindsay Does Makeup

Hair:  Signature Salon

Lighting:  Tampa Lights

Cake:  Sylvia Tampa Cakes

Your dream wedding is within reach...