Conley and Jackson
JW Marriott Tampa
“We love the elegant gold, silver, black, and white theme, and it fits great with New Year’s! We both wore white tuxedo jackets with black pants. We were kind of indecisive when it came to clothing, so we decided that we were going to do two different jackets: one for the ceremony and another for the reception.” -The Groom
FEATURING
Conley and Jackson’s chic downtown Tampa wedding featured bountiful neutral flora and greenery and a monochromatic color palette accented by metallic silver and gold details befitting the New Year’s celebration. Following a rooftop ceremony, guests enjoyed a delectable dinner in a luxurious ballroom setting.
“We love the elegant gold, silver, black, and white theme, and it fits great with New Year’s!” the groom shared. “We both wore white tuxedo jackets with black pants. We were kind of indecisive when it came to clothing, so we decided that we were going to do two different jackets: one for the ceremony and another for the reception.”
The St. Petersburg pair turned to seasoned wedding planner Tammy Waterman at Special Moments Event Planning to assist them in planning the December fête for their 175 beloved guests. Tammy’s expertise, attention to detail, and connections in the wedding market impressed the grooms throughout the planning process.
“We wanted someone who asked us questions that we didn’t even know to ask, nor would we have even thought of, and who also answered the questions that we didn’t even have and someone who was able to stretch our budget as far as it could go. We loved Tammy’s interpersonal skills; that’s what caught our attention immediately,” Conley raved. “Throughout getting to know her, we found out how knowledgeable she was and how much experience she had. We did more research before signing with Special Moments Event Planning and found that her reviews were glowing, and they did not lie.”
The couple personalized their wedding day experience through style selections as well as family involvement.
“We both love nice things, so we made our wedding very elegant. We also love fine wine, so we had a wine ceremony that was very similar to the sand ceremony,” the groom detailed. “We chose to have a child-free wedding, so Jackson asked his grandmother to sprinkle the flower petals at our wedding. Both of our godmothers played significant roles in our wedding, and we had guys and girls in our wedding parties; it was amazing!”
The talented artists at Michele Renee The Studio beautified the wedding party, providing on-location hair and makeup services so everyone looked gorgeous and camera-ready.
“We chose Michele Renee The Studio because they were a referral from our wedding planner, and when we researched their website, it looked great. As for their service, they were on time, very professional, and friendly. Everyone was very happy with their hair and makeup,” the groom beamed.
Although Conley and Jackson were thrilled to be surrounded by their closest friends and family for the big day, it was a quiet and tender moment before the ceremony that stood out as a favorite memory.
“The most memorable moment was the first look! We chose to have a private first look and reading of our vows, so it was very intimate and special.”
Why did you hire Michele Renee the Studio for your bridal party?
We chose Michele Renee The Studio because they were a referral from our wedding planner, and when we researched their website, it looked great. As for their service, they were on time, very professional, and friendly. Everyone was very happy with their hair and makeup.
The Proposal:
We went to Cancún with Jackson’s family, and his mother and I set up a “family portrait” photoshoot that we all attended. Towards the end of the shoot, the photographer had Jackson turn towards the ocean, and I came in while he had his back towards me and proposed.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Costa Rica.
Where did you host your bach party?
Nashville, TN, for both of us. We wanted to see what the hype was about, and Vegas is overrated. We had amazing times! We did a combined yet separate bach parties. We had separate Airbnbs, but we did some activities together, including an in-house hibachi chef.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We wanted someone who asked us questions that we didn’t even know to ask, nor would we have even thought of, and who also answered the questions that we didn’t even have and someone who was able to stretch our budget as far as it could go.
We loved Tammy’s interpersonal skills; that’s what caught our attention immediately. Throughout getting to know her, we found out how knowledgeable she was and how much experience she had. We did more research before signing with Special Moments Event Planning and found that her reviews were glowing, and they did not lie.
What were your colors?
We both wore white tuxedo jackets with black pants. We were kind of indecisive when it came to clothing, so we decided that we were going to do two different jackets: one for the ceremony and another for the reception.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
All of the vendors well-exceeded our expectations. Every single one of them was beyond on top of it, and it was even better that they had all worked together in the past, so it drastically helped with the flow of things. The coordination was off the charts, and they were all absolutely amazing.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
People remember the food, the entertainment, and the ceremony the most. Make those count. Even if you have to spend a little extra on the food, do it. We did, and we do not regret it. The food was amazing and was loved by everyone.
Don’t overkill on the Save the Dates and the invites; they get thrown in the trash. Keep your ceremony short and sweet (30 mins max.). People want to eat, dance, and drink! We also chose to have a band over a DJ, and it was a hit! I would almost say having a band is a must! They know how to keep the energy alive in the crowd.
