Jessie and Seth
Bob Buckhorn Center
“I’ve always wanted a classic wedding. I love flowers and greenery, and knew I wanted my venue to be filled with that. My colors were emerald green, white, and champagne. It is classy yet a little different, and all three colors go so well together; it was stunning.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Jessie and Seth’s classic Tampa wedding was elegant, warm, and filled with thoughtful personal touches. The couple focused on creating a day that felt true to them and centered around meaningful moments. With 90 guests in attendance, their emerald green, white, and champagne palette paired with lush florals created a timeless fall atmosphere, while details such as custom napkins featuring their dog Ginnie, his-and-hers signature drinks, and flip-flops for guests added personality. A sand ceremony with their mothers and private vows were among the most cherished parts of the day.
The Honeymoon and Bach Party
“I had my bachelorette party in Austin, Texas. I chose Austin because I heard really great things about it, and I had never been.”
We went to Ireland for our honeymoon—more specifically, Dublin, Dingle, and Galway. We live in a tropical place, so we wanted to honeymoon somewhere different. We are outdoorsy and like history, and felt Ireland would be the coolest place.”
The Proposal
“Seth planned a winter trip to Maine to visit his longtime friend. We took out our snowmobiles and rode around the countryside with his two friends. The whole time we were riding, Seth was fixated on keeping his backpack safe. I had no clue why. At one point, Sethhe almost drove our snowmobile up a tree. I didn’t know what was up with him. Little did I know it was because he was so nervous.
We eventually made it up this beautiful overlook on East Kennebago Mountain. Seth handed me a pair of binoculars and told me to look for moose. After I couldn’t find anything, I took the binoculars off and turned back to look at him. He was down on one knee and asked me to marry him!”
The Planning
Wilder Mind Events
“I wanted a planner who I would get along with, who was well organized, and who would listen to what I liked and disliked. I also wanted someone who would come up with their own ideas and get creative with my vision. I’m not good at planning so I knew I needed someone who was able to take care of everything and make sure everything got done.
I was talking with my friend about my search for wedding planners, and she said her friend was one who ran Wilder Mind Events! She raved about how organized Delaney Driver was and how dedicated she was to her career.
I then looked up Wilder Mind Events, and I instantly was drawn into their website. It was fun and creative. I reached out to have a call and their response was prompt. I spoke with Delaney and loved how transparent and organized she was. She had tons of experience, which I liked. She showed me weddings she has done, and I loved her work. She was also local to the area and had tons of connections.”
The Photographer
Mary Anna Photography
“Finding a photographer who meshed with my personality was a top priority for me. I really wanted someone friendly, down-to-earth, and genuinely passionate about their job. I also wanted a photographer who matched the bright, romantic style I liked.
In my first conversation with Mary Anna Photography, I could tell Mary was genuine. She was easy to talk to and so easy-going. When she talked about her business, I could tell she really cared about her work and enjoyed working with couples. She works alongside her husband, and I thought that was so cool.
I knew Mary was very talented from her sample photos, but when we got our engagement photos back, I was blown away. They were so stunning. I was nervous about looking awkward because I wasn’t used to being in front of a camera, but Mary gave us prompts and poses, which made it a fun, natural experience. She had only shot at our wedding venue once before, and I liked that because I felt she would bring a fresher perspective than someone who had photographed there many times.”
Most Memorable Moment
“The first look with my dad and Seth was such an emotional moment, very special to me. My dad is my number one supporter, and seeing how he reacted was very important to me.
Having private vows with Seth was another emotional moment that I will never forget. The feelings I had and shared with him during that special moment will never leave me.”
The Design
“I’ve always wanted a classic wedding. I love flowers and greenery, and knew I wanted my venue to be filled with that. I loved the color combination of green and white, and since our wedding was in October, I knew I could play into those colors. I told Wilder Minds Events what I wanted to incorporate because I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for, but I knew I could trust them, and they created a space I couldn’t have imagined myself.
My colors were emerald green, white, and champagne. I had always wanted mauve pink and sage green, but when I saw an Instagram post of a woman who did emerald green and white, it changed my mind. Once I saw that color combination, I was sold. It is classy yet a little different, and all three colors go so well together; it was stunning.”
The Signage
madWOLFE Designs
“I chose linen signage because I wanted an elevated classy look. I felt it would match the aesthetic of my wedding. That type of signage was trending at the time, and I fell in love with it when I saw it. I was also drawn to the fact that it was an eco-friendly option. My mom was always against paper products growing up, and she has instilled those same values in me. It was a good feeling being able to carry that out in my wedding.
When I told my wedding planner I wanted linen signage she directed me towards madWOLFE Designs. I looked at their work, and I saw quality products and good reviews. I loved how everything turned out, they made my vision come true!”
The Catering
Elite Events Catering
“I wanted something that everyone would love and that was traditional. My favorite was the mushroom tortellini.
I hired Elite Events Catering because I loved the food we tried during our tasting. They were flexible with items we wanted and could make changes where I wanted them. Their staff was attentive and polite. The food was great. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
The Dessert
Cafe Ala Carte & The Gelato Carte
“I wanted ice cream for dessert, and I loved the idea of a cart; it would be a unique experience.
Cafe Ala Carte had many flavor options, and they were affordable. I highly recommend.”
The Details
“One thing that was actually my favorite detail was having Ginnie’s face, our dog, put on custom napkins. We love her so much and wanted her to be there in some way. We also had his-and-hers drinks, each of which we picked.
I had my mom and mother do a sand ceremony, and I loved having something that resembled our lives blending. It is a piece that I will cherish forever. I really wanted to do was have private vows. Having that private time with Seth was so special and is something I will never forget.
Many of our guests loved that we had flip-flops available for anyone who wanted to take off their shoes. We had personalized napkins, and our signage was on linen.”
The DJ
Graingertainment
“I wanted a DJ who was talented and would listen to what I wanted. I wanted a fun atmosphere. I loved working with Graingertainment; they were amazing!”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My photographer exceeded my expectations. Mary Anna Photography had our engagement photos done within three days. On the day of my wedding, she showed us a preview of our pictures and had the rest finished within two weeks. She went above and beyond!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Be picky with who you choose to work with. Take the time to find someone with whom you get along and who is serious about their work. Also, don’t skip the details you want; make them a priority.
