Sam and Arron
“Our wedding theme was heavily inspired by Taylor Swift’s Lover album: soft, romantic, and whimsical with pops of pastel and sparkle. We pulled our color palette straight from a Florida sunset: soft pinks, warm oranges, golden yellows, and dreamy purples. We added disco balls for a bit of sparkle and fun, which brought a playful, retro energy that balanced everything perfectly. It blended our love for dreamy storytelling with the natural beauty of where we live.” -The Groom
FEATURING
Sam and Arron’s colorful downtown St. Pete wedding combined pastel hues straight from Florida’s iconic sunsets, along with whimsical details inspired by the bride’s favorite Taylor Swift album, for a unique and energetic evening surrounded by friends and family.
“We’re both laid-back people who crave color, warmth, and togetherness, so every choice had to feel inviting and not overwhelming. Long farm tables let all our favorite people share one big family-style BBQ meal, because community is everything to us,” the groom beamed.
The Proposal
“I was making breakfast at our apartment, which was bacon and eggs, and when I turned around to tell Arron it was ready, he was on one knee with his mother’s antique ring. Totally unexpected and completely perfect. He said he woke up to the smell of me making bacon and knew this was going to be the woman he was going to marry. With no other thoughts, he made it happen!”
The Furbaby
Fairytail Pet Care
“One of my favorite parts of the day was our private first look at Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. (Funny twist: it was supposed to be our ceremony site before plans shifted, but that quiet pocket of palms ended up being the perfect spot just for us.) We read our personal vows there, with only the breeze and our Frenchie, Winnie, as witnesses.
We brought in FairyTail Pet Care so Winnie could be part of the celebration without any stress. They chauffeured her to the first look, helped her pose for photos, and then handed her off to Sam’s sister so she could trot down the aisle like the proud little flower girl she was born to be. Our guests still talk about how her cameo melted every heart in the room.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“As a preferred vendor on Marry Me Tampa Bay, I already had a built-in network of friendors I trust, so the site doubled as my personal Rolodex. Whenever Sam and I hit a planning roadblock, florist, rentals, even last-minute attire tweaks, we’d hop onto Marry Me Tampa Bay, pull up my shortlist, and compare real wedding features to see how each vendor’s work translated in an actual wedding day.
Sam used the blog like Pinterest on steroids: she saved color palette ideas, ceremony layouts, and detail shots that felt ‘us.’ Having all that local inspiration (with direct links to the creative teams) shaved off so much guesswork and let us book with confidence.”
The Hair and Makeup
Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
“I pulled most of my hair and makeup inspiration from Pinterest and was going for a timeless, classic princess bride look. I went back for a second trial and worked with Aliyah both times to get it just right. She was so patient and collaborative, and the look came together perfectly.”
The Honeymoon
“We’re heading to Asheville, North Carolina, to enjoy a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with waterfall hikes by day, and local food at night. It’s quiet, scenic, and laid-back- exactly the breather we need after the wedding whirlwind.
We didn’t have a bachelor or bachelorette party, mostly to save on costs. We focused our budget and energy on the wedding itself, and we don’t regret it!”
The Photography & Videography
J&S Media
“Being in front of a camera can make me a little nervous, so it was really important that our photo and video team could capture our story in a way that felt natural and not overly posed.
Jennifer & Scott from J&S Media totally nailed that; they blended into the background and still managed to document everything beautifully.
I’d photographed enough weddings with Jennifer and Scott to see their magic up close, so choosing them felt less like hiring a vendor and more like inviting friends to bring cameras. When Sam and I met them for coffee, she felt the same instant ease I’d always felt on wedding days, calm, collected but ready to have a good time once the dance floor lights up. Their passion for giving every couple honest, artful coverage shows in the little things: quiet encouragement during portraits, seamless teamwork during the ceremony, hype-squad energy at the reception.
Scott even stepped out of his digital comfort zone to shoot Super 8 for us, which is his first time! Watching him light up over those grainy frames was priceless, and the finished film feels like a warm memory already fading at the edges (in the best way). In short, J&S Media were the perfect vibe match and talent match for our day.”
The Content Creation
“Let’s face it, it’s 2025! The short-form videos are so fun to look back on and share. It gave us a behind-the-scenes perspective we’ll cherish forever. When we got to look back at everything the next day, it was so refreshing seeing all the moments we missed and seeing the day unfold from a different angle. Also, it was nice not having all our family and friends with their phones out, since we had a content creator doing that for them.
We wouldn’t have chosen anyone else! Gabi felt like an extra friend at the wedding (Even though she and her husband are our friends). Gabi and Behind the Vows are truly a dream to work with. She is beyond kind, creative, and so in tune with what matters most when it comes to the wedding day.”
The Experience
“Our wedding was truly us. From my dress, to including our dog Winnie, to the Swiftie vibes and Arron’s little dance with his aunt, it was our day. It was all about the overall vibe. We really wanted the day to feel relaxed, easy, and joyful.
For Arron, photo and Super 8 film were definitely the most important pieces. Since that’s his world professionally, he knew how meaningful it would be to have those moments captured. He had the genius idea of filming me on Super 8 film as I walked down the aisle with my dad. He loved capturing his own angle and it helped calm the anxious jitters.
My deep cut love for Taylor Swift inspired my favorite DIY: in his little backyard wood-shop Arron built a friendship bracelet wall. Every guest found their name on a handmade bracelet, plucked it off the peg, and *boom*, instant seating chart and ice breaker.
Walking into our reception and being introduced by JayZ as husband and wife with our pup Winnie by our side—was unforgettable and awesome. Seeing everyone there to celebrate us made us feel so loved beyond what words can describe.”
The Planning
Wilder Mind Events
“I didn’t grow up imagining my ‘dream wedding,’ so planning everything felt really overwhelming at times. I needed a planner who understood that, who could help me figure out what I actually wanted and take the pressure off.
Delaney from Wilder Mind Events was amazing! They were calm, thoughtful, and truly helped bring our day to life in a way that felt like us. She truly heard our vision and brought it to life better than I could have imagined.
On the day of the wedding, I was honestly in awe of how everything came together. Her positive attitude and quirky self truly made the day fly by with ease. And she is a big helper in getting the dance floor going with her killer dance moves!”
The Design
“Our wedding theme was heavily inspired by Taylor Swift’s Lover album: soft, romantic, and whimsical with pops of pastel and sparkle.
We pulled our color palette straight from a Florida sunset: soft pinks, warm oranges, golden yellows, and dreamy purples. We added disco balls for a bit of sparkle and fun, which brought a playful, retro energy that balanced everything perfectly. It blended our love for dreamy storytelling with the natural beauty of where we live.”
The Entertainment
Grant Hemond & Associates
“When it came to music, we ditched the typical top 100 wedding playlist and curated a soundtrack that felt like the inside of our living room: Taylor bops, old-school reggae grooves, chill lo-fi vibes, rolling into late-night house tracks. We still listen to that playlist around the house, and it zaps us right back to the dance floor every time.
We were looking for someone who could read the room and keep the energy flowing, while still reflecting our taste in music, from Taylor Swift to old-school reggae. Our DJ managed to blend our styles perfectly and keep the party going all night! Jason was an absolute blast to work with! He kept the energy high and the party going all night, while also ensuring the intimate moments were special and memorable. He is a truly caring person and a kind soul who wants to make sure everyone is having a good time!”
Being in the wedding industry—how was it different with planning your own wedding, versus working as a vendor?
I honestly thought having insider knowledge would make planning a cinch, but it was tougher than I imagined. Because I’m friends with so many talented vendors, choosing just a handful felt like picking teams at recess: I didn’t want to leave anyone out or ruffle feathers. Delaney from Wilder Minds Events became our compass; she kept us focused on what truly mattered and reminded us that the day was about Sam and me, not about pleasing everyone in the vendor directory.
Industry experience helped demystify timelines and contracts for Sam, but being on the client side showed me how different each vendor’s process is. One eye-opening takeaway: I wish more vendors featured friendly photos of themselves (or their team) prominently on their websites and Instagram highlights. When you’re the one doing the hiring, putting a face to the name builds instant trust and makes the decision-making way less stressful for us.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations and how?
All of them. The way every vendor worked together on the day felt like one big, coordinated team/family, and it was phenomenal.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Always have a wedding planner! I didn’t think we needed one at first, but once we started planning, I realized how essential it was. It made everything easier and stress-free.
Also, really choose vendors that you will be around all day, such as your planner and photo/video team, based not just on the work they produce or sell you, but also on how you interact with them and vice versa. Find vendors that feel like long-lost friends; it’ll make the day even better and take away any anxious jitters.
