Ashlyn and Rhett
Hardeman’s Secret Garden
“Our wedding design inspiration was a classic, elegant, romantic garden party. We focused on timeless elements that highlighted the venue’s natural beauty and created a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests. We went with a neutral palette and white florals, paired with plenty of candles to create a romantic feel. We incorporated hints of black in details like velvet bows on the place settings, signage, and the bridal party attire.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Ashlyn and Rhett’s modern, luxe Dover wedding paired a classic garden-party style with a crisp black-and-white palette, layered white florals, and candlelit details. The couple exchanged vows beneath sprawling oak trees and a large white floral arch in front of 150 guests, before moving into a greenhouse-style reception space filled with hanging greenery, black velvet accents, clear acrylic chairs, and tables lined with tall vases filled with white blooms. The live band kept the dance floor packed all night as guests sang along and celebrated late into the February evening.
“Rhett loves to golf, so we added a putting green during cocktail hour as a playful nod to him,” the bride beamed. “The custom golf balls with our wedding logo were a fun and personal touch!”
The Proposal
“We got engaged on the beach in Playa Mujeres, Mexico!”
The Florals
Monarch Events and Design
“We were looking for a florist who could bring our vision to life, and Jean King with Monarch Events and Design came highly recommended by my sister-in-law after her amazing experience for her and my brother’s wedding. After our first meeting, we knew she was the perfect fit, and we couldn’t be happier with how she helped create the look and feel we envisioned for our day.
We chose Monarch Events and Design because Jean was kind, genuine, and truly committed to bringing our vision to life. She offered thoughtful recommendations when I wasn’t sure what I wanted, and she was incredibly flexible even when I changed my mind very close to the wedding. Her professionalism and care made the entire process so easy, and I would highly recommend her to any bride searching for a florist.”
Most Memorable Moments
“It’s hard to pick just one most memorable moment because the entire weekend was amazing, but a few highlights really stand out. On the morning of our wedding, before getting ready, one of my favorite moments was reading through a book filled with letters from my soon-to-be husband and our closest friends and family. It was such a special way to start the day.
Our first look was another unforgettable memory, giving us a private moment before celebrating the night with everyone. And dancing and singing along with the band all night is a memory I will never forget.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I celebrated my bachelorette party in Cancun, Mexico. It was a quick flight from Florida, perfect for a weekend getaway. I loved spending time on the beach with my best friends, and our boat day was definitely a highlight of the trip.
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon, visiting both Maui and Kauai. We wanted a tropical getaway that was different from the Florida beaches we’re used to, with the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. From hiking and whale watching to a helicopter ride and relaxing on the beach, the entire trip was incredible. We would highly recommend Hawaii for a honeymoon!”
The Rentals
Gabro Event Services
“We rented our dance floor, champagne wall display, and chargers from Gabro Event Services, and each element truly elevated the atmosphere of our wedding. The dance floor was a focal point for our reception and set the stage for an unforgettable night of celebrating.
The champagne wall was set up during cocktail hour and was both a stunning visual feature that guests loved and practical because it allowed champagne to be ready for guests to quickly grab and eliminate a line at the start of happy hour. The chargers added the perfect finishing touch to our tables and helped bring our overall design vision to life. Their pieces played such an important role in creating the elegant yet inviting ambiance we hoped for.”
The Design
“Our wedding design inspiration was a classic, elegant, romantic garden party. We focused on timeless elements that highlighted the venue’s natural beauty and created a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests. We went with a neutral palette and white florals, paired with plenty of candles to create a romantic feel. We incorporated hints of black into details such as velvet bows on the place settings, signage, and the bridal party attire.
To incorporate a more personal touch into the celebration, we added a putting green during cocktail hour as a playful nod to Rhett’s love of golf. The custom golf balls with our wedding logo were a fun detail for guests to enjoy throughout the evening.”
The Photobooth
Why did you choose to have a photobooth?
Having a photo booth was important to us because it’s always one of my favorite parts of attending other weddings and events. It’s fun for guests and also gives them a keepsake to take home. We chose Gala Photobooth, and we had a wonderful experience working with them. The photo quality was great, the attendant was helpful and our guests really enjoyed it. We’ll forever cherish the photo booth pictures, and we even added them to the end of our wedding album!
The Special Effects
Tampa Bay DJ Company
“We worked with Tampa Bay DJ Company for our cold sparklers, and their service was great. We wanted a fun, celebratory moment during our first dance, and the sparklers added just that.
Their team was professional, organized, and executed everything flawlessly. It added a memorable wow factor to the night, and we are so glad we included it.’
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
All of our vendors were incredible, and we are so grateful to each of them for helping bring our vision to life. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted a live band to create a lively and unforgettable atmosphere. Bay Kings Band exceeded all expectations and kept our guests dancing the entire night. Our florist, Monarch Events and Design, our photographer, Cornelia Zaiss, and our planner, Kandace McElroy, truly went above and beyond to make our wedding day perfect.
