Sarah and Nick's Tampa Bay garden wedding took place at the beginning of March on a perfect Florida spring day. The outdoor affair featured a timeless color palette of creams and gold and added a splash of something blue.
“The theme was a minimal and timeless spring wedding. I’ve always wanted a spring wedding,” the bride shared. “I wanted to go the more minimal route with cream and champagne, and my husband wanted color. We agreed on shades of light blue in the end because it matched the spring theme, it’s my favorite color, and I loved how it looked with gold. The groom and groomsmen wore baby blue and slate blue suits.”
The St. Petersburg bride and groom searched for a wedding venue surrounded by nature for their 65 guests and chose Mill Pond Estate for its 18 lush acres of open spaces and picturesque backdrops. The pair shared their first look in the property's flower garden, then said their “I do's” under a centuries-old oak tree accented by a gold ceremony circle arch adorned with shades of blue and complemented with white florals and candles. After the vows, guests were escorted to the flower garden, where the open courtyard space and sailcloth tent were illuminated for cocktail hour and the reception.
“We wanted something unique, and I wanted a greenhouse and botanical garden look. We were sold the minute we arrived on the property. The sail tent, the beautiful garden courtyard, and the string lights everywhere were so dreamy!” Sarah exclaimed. “Meeting Toni, the owner of Mill Pond Estate, was a big part of the decision as well, and she was so sweet! Toni was so communicative and helpful!”
To incorporate their personalities, Sarah added personal touches to their tablescape with nods to their shared love of music.
“We met at a house show, and my husband is a musician, so music has always been a big part of our relationship,” the bride beamed. “The music was most important and having a warm vibe. We had live musicians at the cocktail hour and used songs as table numbers. We wrote the songs on mini records as table numbers.”
Family was the center focus of the reception and contributed to the day through their creativity and talents.
“We wanted our wedding to be warm and feel more like a dinner party. We thrifted most of our décor, which is something we love to do, so it was special,” the bride articulated. “We are both very close with our families and they wanted to be a part of it as much as they could. We gave them little things to do that would make the day extra special. Nick's grandma made cookies that they have been making together ever since he was a little boy. My mom did the floral arrangements except for my bouquet. My grandpa made the arches, and I had a first dance with him as well.”
Eager to spend the day with her best friends all in one room, the bridal party enjoyed a pre-wedding getting ready party. The bride modernized her timeless wedding dress from Truly Forever Bridal Tampa with oversized pearl teardrop earrings that matched her hairpiece and engagement ring.
“I wanted something off-white or cream, minimal but not basic, and no lace! My mom had also recently gotten married and chose her dress at Truly Forever Bridal Tampa. When I was with her, it was such a great experience, so it was one of the first places I booked an appointment,” the bride revealed. “I also loved that you can take your dress home that day! Due to COVID delays ordering a dress was stressful for me!”
Looking back on the magic of their whimsical wedding, it was the private first look outside in the courtyard that meant the most to Sarah.
“Our first look was the most memorable! We said our vows then, and it was just great to have that time together,” the bride reminisced. “Time went by so quickly after that, so I loved getting to actually see and spend time with each other without everyone around on our wedding day.”
The Proposal:
On our anniversary, Nick told me he had dinner planned. When we were on our way there, he stopped to turn into a park, and I was like, “What are you doing?” He told me he planned a couples photoshoot before dinner. I was excited but also hangry, so I was mad he didn’t tell me.
We started the photo shoot, and the photographers looked straight ahead to do a pose where Nick was going to hug me from behind. Then the photographer said, “Nevermind,” and turns around, and Nick was on his knee! I said a mad, “Nicholas!” because he did trick me, but of course, I said yes!
We had the photoshoot, and he did actually have a dinner planned afterward with our family and close friends.
What did you look for in a wedding dress?
I wanted something off-white or cream, minimal but not basic, and no lace! My mom had also recently gotten married and chose her dress at Truly Forever Bridal Tampa. When I was with her, it was such a great experience, so it was one of the first places I booked an appointment. I also loved that you can take your dress home that day! Due to COVID delays ordering a dress was stressful for me!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted something unique, and I wanted a greenhouse and botanical garden look.
We were sold the minute we arrived on the property. The sail tent, the beautiful garden courtyard, and the string lights everywhere we’re so dreamy! Meeting Toni, the owner of Mill Pond Estate, was a big part of the decision as well, and she was so sweet! Toni was so communicative and helpful!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We went the untraditional route and went to New York! We live 20 minutes from the beach, so a beach resort was not what we wanted. We love to eat and have experiences, so what better place than a city?
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Orlando. I had some bridesmaids who lived in Miami, so somewhere they could meet us was important. I also wanted more of a staycation-sleepover vibe that wasn’t exhausting!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Minimal and timeless. I’ve always wanted a spring wedding.
What were your colors?
I wanted to go the more minimal route with cream and champagne, and my husband wanted color! We agreed on shades of light blue in the end because it matched the spring theme, it’s my favorite color, and I loved how it looked with gold. The groom and groomsmen wore baby blue and slate blue suits.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The DJ was amazing and really listened to what we wanted and had a perfect mix for the both of us! We have very different music tastes, so it was great!
Toni from Mill Pond Estate was amazing and so helpful.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Everything will go wrong, but it will still be the best day of your life because you’re marrying the person of your dreams!
