Victoria and Luke’s chic Lakeland wedding featured modern decor and gorgeous greenery that elegantly tied together their romantic color palette.

“Our colors were gold, vintage rose and white, topped off with lots of greenery. We chose these colors because we loved the timeless and elegant look to them when combined together,” the bride shared. “We both are more on the simple side and didn’t want anything too colorful.”

MORE: GOLD WEDDING INSPIRATION

While planning their destination Tampa Bay wedding, the Georgia couple searched for a Lakeland wedding venue that not only met the needs of their chic modern style but that could also fit at least 400+ people.

“I love old buildings and chose Haus 820 because of the modern elegance it offered. They were able to turn a historic building into a beautiful event space large enough to fit everyone in one room. We strung market lights across the ceiling that shined in our pictures and made the whole room seem dreamy,” the bride gushed. “I thought Haus’ service was great. They were very professional, answered all my questions, and made sure I had everything taken care of.”

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Victoria and Luke knew they needed guidance in front of the camera to get those perfect wedding portraits, so they turned to the posing expert, Andi Diamond Photography.

“Neither Luke and I are very good at taking pictures and doing different poses so it was important for us to find someone who made us feel comfortable. I looked for someone who had experience and a great personality who was able to position us and basically boss us around,” the bride joked. “I was blown away by Andi Diamond Photography’s service. Andi captured all of our most special moments, and the pictures turned out absolutely beautiful. She was also very efficient, made everything fun, and kept the vibe relaxing for us. I had multiple guests compliment her and how great she was.

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With such a large guest list, it was important to the bride and groom that everyone was well fed.

“We wanted to make sure we had a little of everything for our guests. Olympia Catering came highly recommended by several people and did an absolutely amazing job,” Victoria gushed. “They were so easy to work with, have had a lot of experience, and the food did not disappoint. They did way more than what was asked of them and helped out with multiple things throughout the wedding process.”

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Looking back, the bride’s most cherished memories included key moments from her wedding with her new husband.

“One of the most memorable moments for me was walking down the aisle and knowing that Luke is, and always be my forever,” the bride gleamed. “Also, our first dance. It really gave us that time to slow down enjoy each other after tying the knot.”

What was your wedding beauty inspiration?
I always do a full face of makeup every day so it was difficult to decide what I wanted to have done. I chose to do something similar to what I always do so I still looked like me.

I hired Michele Renee The Studio because they came recommended to me as well. I was so happy I chose them, Anastasia blew me away. We paid extra to have her stay with me during the first look, and it was absolutely worth it! I highly recommend that to anyone who is having a summer wedding and taking pictures outside. I was dripping in sweat, and in between every few pictures she touched up my face so my makeup wouldn’t come off. It would have definitely been a different experience during that time had I not hired her.

The Proposal:
I was living in Tampa at the time, and Luke was in Macon, Georgia going to law school. We had planned on meeting each other for the weekend in Fort Walton Beach, FL, where Luke is from, to see each other and enjoy a weekend on the water. I had been traveling a lot so I told Luke I didn’t want to leave for another weekend and would see him the following weekend. He then proceeded to tell me that his younger sister, Lydia, was going to get engaged, and I needed to be there for it. So I made the trek to Fort Walton so I could be there for her. There were a couple times I was suspicious, but kept telling myself it wasn’t my weekend, it was Lydia’s, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Saturday evening, Luke and I went shopping where I continued to joke around with him and even patted his pockets down asking if he had the ring. After shopping, we walked along the beach at sunset where he popped the question! He had a photographer there to capture the whole thing, and it was an absolute dream. We headed back for his parents’ house, where he surprised me with both our families and some of our close friends there to celebrate with us. It was the perfect day spent with all of my favorite people.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I looked for someone who had experience and a great personality who was able to position us and basically boss us around. Neither Luke and I are very good at taking pictures and doing different poses so it was important for us to find someone who made us feel comfortable.

I was blown away by Andi Diamond Photography’s service. Andi captured all of our most special moments, and the pictures turned out absolutely beautiful. She was very efficient, made everything fun, and kept the vibe relaxing for us. I had multiple guests compliment her and how great she was. I cannot thank her enough for everything she did.

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We invited over 400 people to our wedding, so most importantly a place big enough. I really liked the industrial, modern look and love brick as a backdrop, so I had a general idea of what I was looking for.

I love old buildings and chose Haus 820 because of the modern elegance it offered. They were able to turn a historic building into a beautiful event space large enough to fit everyone in one room. We strung market lights across the ceiling that shined in our pictures and made the whole room seem dreamy. I thought Haus’ service was great. They were very professional, answered all my questions, and made sure I had everything taken care of.

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Classic chic. I was the complicated bride who liked almost every style from traditional to modern. I have always loved the classic elegant look for weddings, but also like a lot of trendy styles and decor as well. I found a happy medium by having a church ceremony and the reception at Haus 820 in Lakeland, FL, which is a beautiful white brick building with industrial elements added in.

What were your colors?
Gold, vintage rose and white, topped off with lots of greenery. We chose these colors because we loved the timeless and elegant look to them when combined together. We both more on the simple side and didn’t want anything too colorful.

What was your wedding menu inspiration?
We wanted to make sure we had a little of everything for our guests. So we chose a chicken and brisket for protein, vegetable melody, and scalloped potatoes. Our wedding was also in July, so we thought a summer salad would be appropriate. We both love Mexican food and had mini tacos as one of our hors d’oeuvres as well.

Olympia Catering came highly recommended by several people and did an absolutely amazing job. They were so easy to work with, and the food did not disappoint. They did way more than what was asked of them and helped out with multiple things throughout the wedding process. They also did a great job taking extra care of my honey and I, bringing us whatever we needed during the reception. They were so sweet and accommodating. We were very happy with them and see why so many people recommend them.

How did you incorporate you and your spouse’s personalities into the wedding?
My husband and I met at Florida State University and go back to Tallahassee for all the football games. Thanks to one of my amazing bridesmaids, we had koozies that said, To have and to hold and cheer on the ‘Noles, as favors for our guests. We also had an FSU cake of the football field for the groom’s cake. Luke was on the football team at FSU. Finally, we are both very close to our family and had portraits of our parents and grandparents on their wedding day at the reception for everyone to enjoy.

What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
I wanted someone who had experience and knew how to get a crowd excited and dancing. The DJ was the hardest part for me because there was no trial run or walkthrough before the big day.

Adam from Grant Hemond and Associates did an amazing job. I could not have been happier with him. I gave him a list of music we liked so he had a good example of our style, and he did awesome keeping everyone on the dance floor. Having a fun time was one of the most important things to me and Grant Hemond helped make that happen. Everyone had a blast and danced the night away.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t sweat the little things and enjoy every second of it. Also, stick together the whole night, and remember it’s about the love you share between the two of you.

Reception Venue: Haus 820 *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Photographer: Andi Diamond Photography *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Trinity Wedding Cinematography
Planner: Jennifer Lee Events
Florist: Flowers by Edith
Caterer: Olympia Catering *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Rentals: A Chair Affair *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: Publix
DJ: Grant Hemond and Associates *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Melissa Stump from FUMC
Invitations: Minted.com
Dress Designer: Justin Alexander
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: Sorella Vita
Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro