Jessica and Josh wanted their wedding to reflect their love of the simpler things in life; Southern food, cowboy boots, their Christian roots, and close friends and family. The bride wanted to combine rustic elements like wood barrels, burlap, and mason jars, with elegant touches like pearls, lace, and garden roses. The soft pastel color scheme was reflected from the chiffon and lace gowns to the soft romantic flora. The bride arrived at the outdoor ceremony under a Great Oak tree via horse and carriage, and the aisle was lined with wood planks etched with Bible verses. The couple also participated in a unity cross ceremony where they assembled a cross together signifying the outer structure of the groom sheltering his bride, and the bolts of their faith binding them together. During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a display of Baseball snack favorites as a nod to the couple's first date to a Tampa Bay Ray's game (the bride is a huge baseball fan!) Guest names and table assignments were printed on lace trimmed cards displayed on wood 'cookies'. Inside the Garden House, tables were topped with vintage lace doilies that belonged to the bride's grandmother, and accented pastel napkins. Soft pastel flowers accented with strands of pearls were combined with candles for a romantic look. A small and simple wedding cake was displayed with various cupcakes tucked inside wooden crates, which included fun Southern flavors like Peach Pie, Root Beer Float, and Strawberry Shortcake. And to reflect the importance of family, heirloom wedding photos were displayed for guests to enjoy. Guests were sent home with favors of home-made apple butter jars!
Katie and Adam - A Southern Summer Wedding at the Farm
What better color combo for a summertime wedding than Strawberry and Lemon?! This bride and groom had a Southern summer vision for their wedding day with accents of wine barrels, mason jars, watering cans, and stacks of books to represent the bride’s love of reading and career as a teacher. Guests even found their custom escort card bookmarks elegantly placed in between the pages of some of the couple’s favorite novels! With a nod to the fruity color combo, a self-serve Arnold Palmer station offered guests refreshing lemonade, strawberry lemonade, and southern sweet tea. A tower of assorted cupcakes satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth before sending off the bride and groom as through a sea of fluttering pom poms showing off their University of Florida and Michigan State pride!
Megan and Miles - A Midsummer Night's Dream Wedding
Meghan and Miles described their wedding vision as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and wanted to make sure their garden wedding was filled with whimsical details and plenty of handmade accents. After exchanging sacred vows during a Catholic mass, guests rode the Tampa Water Taxi to the Davis Island Garden Club, where they partook in a bountiful cocktail hour held on the waterfront veranda. Guests signed Jenga game pieces as a guestbook. Canopy lighting suspended from tree to tree gently lit the sprawling communal dining table below. Gold candlesticks and vases filled with an abundance of coral roses and peonies were strewn down moss table runners. Tying in the garden theme, guests' names were scribed on cut wood discs displayed on a bed of moss. Place settings were composed of sophisticated gold-rimmed china, glassware, and an individual pink rose resting on each napkin. A three-tier cake of buttercream frosting was embellished with a few flowers for a classic look. Music filled the air and a shoe valet display was a wonderful spot for guests to kick off their heels for a night of dancing and merriment! Meghan and Miles couldn’t have dreamt of a better way to start their new journey as husband and wife.
Jen and Alex - An Autumn Aqua and Aubergine Wedding
Jen and Alex desired a wedding filled with southern simplicity, and planned to DIY many wedding details to help maximize their budget. Their Florida roots inspired such details as the painted blue mason jars, cut log risers, collection of bud vases and lanterns, program fans, burlap table runners, and Southern-inspired menu items. They wanted a rustic Autumn feel to the day but were drawn to shades of Aqua and Aubergine (the shade of purple was in honor of the bride's Dad who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer; she was surprised with a photo locket on her bouquet so he would be walking her down the aisle). The couple wanted to honor their family members who could not be present with them that day, while also providing a great experience for their closest friends and family who were present. Although a thunderstorm thwarted their outdoor ceremony plans, they did not let it ruin our day because they remembered the big picture and what was really important that day which was being with all the people they love, and marrying your best friend (all brides and grooms should have this outlook!) The Magnolia Building's vaulted ceilings, wood floors, and stone fireplace made for a stunning backdrop for both the indoor ceremony and the reception that followed.