Michelle and Patrick’s Clearwater wedding blended their shared heritage with all of the excitement that comes with having 270 guests gather to celebrate the couple. Inspired by the beauty of Italian wine country, the 11/11 wedding featured a design filled with a neutral color palette and floral arches.

“My wedding theme and inspiration were an Italian garden, lots of twinkle lights, and greenery. We actually wanted to get married in a more intimate setting, such as a vineyard in Napa or a small Italian countryside, so I wanted to incorporate those details into my wedding,” the bride revealed. “Our colors were mostly neutrals, champagne, ivory, and greenery. I chose these because I wanted something timeless and classic.”

Wanting photography and videography style that was cohesive and could convey their love story, the Dunedin couple hired J&S Media to capture their day. Knowing how much planning had been put into the day, Michelle and Patrick looked for a media team that would encompass all elements.

“The most important component was being able to truly capture our feelings and love for one another, as well as creating photos that we will adore for a long time,” Michelle explained. “I chose J&S Media because I loved how our engagement photos turned out. I don’t enjoy being in front of a camera; therefore, I was very nervous, but Jen made us both feel comfortable, and I actually had so much fun!”

“From the moment we walked into Michelle and Patrick’s home for their engagement session, we knew that they had amazing taste. Their home was beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, and we knew their wedding was going to be no different,” -Jennifer Reed, owner of J&S Media, shared. “Whether it was their invitation suite, the bouquets, or the reception decor, Michelle and Patrick’s wedding was full of soft tones that represented the romantic garden aesthetic and ambiance that they envisioned.”

With an eye for style, the bride curated every detail of the day, from wardrobe choices to lighting selections. The sparkle of her chic ballgown echoed off the champagne bridesmaid dresses from Jenny Yoo.

The day commenced with the Blessing of the Bread, a cherished Polish wedding ritual. To honor family traditions, a top-tier Polish Polka band flew in from Chicago, filling the day with festive music.

“We loved how Michelle and Patrick chose to incorporate their Polish culture into their wedding day. The Polish bread ceremony at their home, the Polish attire many family members wore, and the amazing Polish dessert table were just a few ways they incorporated their culture into their day,” the photographer beamed.

Michelle’s eye for design transformed the traditional banquet hall into an enchanting fairytale setting, complete with personalized touches like customized Limoncello bottles at each table and Opera Coupe glasses for the champagne tower from Kate Ryan Event Rentals. The team at Wilder Mind Events was on-site to ensure the bride’s day ran seamlessly.

“The thing that made our wedding unique was the entire banquet hall was transformed,” the bride detailed. “It was entirely unrecognizable. It felt like a fairytale.”

As one to set the trend, Michelle hired a wedding day content creator to document the venue’s stunning transformation and capture candid moments throughout the day. Marry Me Tampa Bay’s wedding day content creation service, Behind the Vows, was there to record it all and deliver a recap gallery the following day.

“We wanted to ensure we had the candid moments captured. The Behind the Vows team’s service was great; they provided expectations and exceeded them! I would highly recommend them!” Michelle raved.

Reflecting on their magical day, Michelle and Patrick found the heartfelt speeches delivered by their closest friends to be the most impactful. Each speech beautifully captured the unique journey that brought them together as a couple.

“The most memorable moment were the speeches, our friends really poured their hearts out and provided us with an unforgettable memory,” Michelle reminisced.

The Proposal:
It took place at home, one of our favorite places. It’s our first home, and we have completely remodeled it to make it our own. I came home, and there were candles and rose petals. Pat got down on one knee and popped the question. 

Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We are going to Poland, Switzerland, and Italy. Since our dream of an Italian wedding was a possibility, we wanted to spend our honeymoon there. 

Where did you host your bachelorette party?
The Bachelorette was in Napa. It was one of the best trips of my life! 

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
An Italian garden, lots of twinkle lights, and greenery. We actually wanted to get married in a more intimate setting, such as a vineyard in Napa or a small Italian countryside, so I wanted to incorporate those details into my wedding.

What were your colors and why did you choose them?
Mostly neutrals, champagne, ivory, and greenery. I chose these because I wanted something timeless and classic.

How did your rentals enhance the ambiance of your wedding?
We rented chairs, plates, glassware, and flatware from Kate Ryan Event Rentals. 

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our florist exceeded my expectations tenfold. I sent a few inspo photos, and the florals were even better than what I had envisioned. Our sushi station was delicious, and the service was unbeatable! Our photo booth was also amazing; the whole process of hiring was a breeze, and everyone loved the photos. 

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t overthink the little things. I am very detail-oriented, so I did just that, but looking back, I realized I spent too much time fretting about the things that don’t matter.