Morgan and Michael’s destination Clearwater wedding perfectly blended tradition and personal touches. The springtime soiree incorporated the bride and groom’s personalities with vibrant colors, exquisite floral designs, and a custom monogram.
“So much of the wedding was a true reflection of Michael and me and how we imagined our wedding. Our planner started with branding our event with a hand-painted design that was used on our Save-the-Date cards, wedding invitations, and other items. The monogram design was carried throughout the activities and events of the weekend,” the bride detailed. “Our wedding colors were light blue, white, and green. My husband’s favorite color is blue, and I have to say I love it, too. We went very bright and colorful for the rehearsal dinner with blue, white, and coral but kept the wedding more neutral with green, white, and blue.”
The Washington, D.C. couple chose the Tampa Bay area for its sentimental value tied to Morgan’s upbringing and her parents’ home. They sought a wedding planner known for designing luxury events to ensure the flawless execution of their vision.
“As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, there are so many things you have to think about and a ton of decisions to be made. We wanted someone who could guide us through the wedding planning process and present us with the best options from which to choose. We also wanted someone who we could trust to have our wedding go off without a hitch,” Morgan explained. “Parties A’La Carte was amazing at both. They found the right vendors for us, and our wedding day was nothing short of perfect! Other people we know used Jessica and loved her just like we did. She and her team are amazing at what they do. I would highly recommend them to anyone who asks.”
To reflect their collegiate rivalry, a close family friend and talented painter created a pair of unique shoes for the couple to wear during the reception. Morgan’s shoes showcased their wedding theme, while Michael’s shoes paid homage to their alma maters, Alabama and Auburn.
Upon entering the reception venue, guests were enchanted by the captivating champagne wall, serving as a creative seating chart with escort cards delicately attached to champagne flutes, adding a touch of glamour and guiding each of their 175 guests to their designated seats. The yacht club ballroom was adorned with lush greenery and mesmerizing floral chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, creating an enchanting garden ambiance that set the stage for a truly unforgettable and romantic evening.
Incorporating their signature double-M monogram into every detail, from the elegant white dance floor adorned with a gold monogram logo to the delicate light blue embroidery on the linens, the couple infused a personalized touch into the décor, elevating the evening with exquisite attention to detail. Kate Ryan Event Rentals provided gold Chiavari chairs to elevate the design, while A Chair Affair‘s rentals transformed the space.
“Prior to our entering the reception, Michael and I had a private walkthrough, and I got to ‘take it all in.’ It was such a beautiful transformation of the space, and it was just what I wanted,” the bride beamed.
As Morgan looked back on her April wedding day, she treasured prepping the morning of at her parent’s house and the big reception reveal.
“The most memorable moments were getting ready at my parent’s home with all my bridesmaids and having a first look with my dad. He had not seen me in my wedding dress until that moment. My mom, dad, and I all got to have a moment together before heading to the church. The church ceremony was perfect; there were laughs and tears. It meant so much to have our families and friends there,” the bride reminisced. “We are so thankful for the photos and videos we have of all these special moments, my first dance with Michael as Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer, my dance with my dad, and Michael’s dance with his mom.”
What was your bridesmaid dress inspiration?
I knew I wanted a long light blue dress, but there were so many different shades to choose from. It’s hard to tell the true color of something online, so being able to go to the store and see the color in person was helpful.
Bella Bridesmaids seemed to have the largest selection of dresses that I could see all in one place. Once I found a blue that matched our wedding colors, I looked through that designer’s dress style and chose the one I liked. My bridesmaids live all over the country, so it was nice that everyone could order their dress online or go to one of their many locations.
The sales associate was very helpful and made the process easy. She kindly followed up with all the girls when the order deadline was approaching. She also followed up with them again when the dresses arrived. All in all, it was a very positive experience with no issues.
The Proposal:
Michael proposed in Bishop’s Garden on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. I later learned that he had planned something different, but with COVID restrictions canceling his original plan twice, he finally decided to propose in D.C. It was perfect!
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, there are so many things you have to think about and a ton of decisions to be made. We wanted someone who could guide us through the wedding planning process and present us with the best options from which to choose. We also wanted someone who we could trust to have our wedding go off without a hitch.
Parties A’La Carte was amazing at both. They found the right vendors for us, and our wedding day was nothing short of perfect! Other people we know used Jessica and loved her just like we did. She and her team are amazing at what they do. I would highly recommend them to anyone who asks.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent our honeymoon in Highlands, N.C. at Old Edwards Inn. With the pandemic hindering most major travel plans this was the perfect escape that wasn’t hard to get to.
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
My bachelorette weekend was spent on Kiawah Island, SC. I wanted something low-key and relaxing, not to mention my and Michael’s relationship started while on a trip to Kiawah. Between the special meaning to me and its proximity to Charleston, I knew it would be a great place. We spent part of the time in Charleston and part of the time on Kiawah Island.
“So much of the wedding was a true reflection of Michael and me and how we imagined our wedding. Our planner, Parties A’La Carte, started with branding our event with a hand-painted design that was used on our Save-the-Date cards, wedding invitations, and other items. The monogram design was carried throughout the activities and events of the weekend. Jessica and the PALC team are amazing at what they do. Our wedding day was nothing short of perfect!”
-The Bride
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
So much of the wedding was a true reflection of Michael and me and how we imagined our wedding. Our planner, Parties A’La Carte, started with branding our event with a hand-painted design that was used on our Save-the-Date cards, wedding invitations, and other items. The monogram design was carried throughout the activities and events of the weekend. Our planner and florist were able to take all the different pieces of other weddings I liked and put them together to create an event that was unique and exactly what I wanted.
What were your colors?
Light blue, white, and green. My husband’s favorite color is blue, and I have to say I love it too. We went very bright and colorful for the rehearsal dinner with blue, white, and coral but kept the wedding more neutral with green, white, and blue.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our florist and designer went above and beyond to make sure every part of the wedding looked exactly like we imagined. The floral arrangements were so beautiful, and we loved the dinner napkins stitched with our monogram and the monogrammed dance floor.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
If you are looking for a wedding planner, check out Parties A’La Carte! Jessica and her team will make all your wedding dreams come true. Save pictures and ideas from Marry Me Tampa Bay and other sites so you can share these to convey your wedding vision.
