Kimmie and Gordon
“Classic elegance and authenticity were the heart of our inspiration. When we found our venue we knew it was an immediate fit with that vision, a perfect blend of Old Florida elegance and laid-back style. We love the color blue and using a mix of lighter and darker hues helped bring our color scheme into the fall for a November wedding.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Kimmie and Gordon’s Clearwater wedding was a timeless celebration filled with classic white flora accented with pops of soft blue set against the backdrop of a historic inn. The couple exchanged vows on the staircase of the wrap around porch of the charming property before dining and dancing under an open-air tent on the pristine lawn.
“Classic elegance and authenticity were the heart of our inspiration. When we found our venue we knew it was an immediate fit with that vision, a perfect blend of Old Florida elegance and laid-back style,” the bride shared. “We love the color blue and using a mix of lighter and darker hues helped bring our color scheme into the fall for a November wedding.”
The local Tampa couple sought a skilled wedding team who could gently guide them through the planning process for their fall nuptials. Upon meeting Lemon Drops Weddings + Events and discovering their portfolio of floral artistry in addition to their event planning reputation, they knew they were in excellent hands.
“We wanted someone who understood our overall vision and had the expertise and experience to guide us through the process while adding elements we might not have thought of,” Kimmie explained. “Lemon Drops Weddings + Events did a fantastic job with executing on our vision and were so easy to work and communicate with. They were responsive, answered any and all questions we had, and stayed on top of everything for us.”
The pair prioritized their 110-guests’ experience, keeping the focus on their relationships above all else.
“We wanted the day to be a celebration of our love, as well as a celebration of our families and friends coming together for a joyous occasion. All of the decisions we made during the planning process revolved around whether it felt authentic to us as a couple and whether it would make our guests feel welcome and included,” the bride detailed. “Our family and friends play such an important role in our lives, and we wanted our wedding to honor and celebrate that.”
Knowing such an important day would be filled with memorable memories, the bride relied on Eddy Almaguer Photography to capture the festivities as they unfolded, forever preserving the moments while allowing the couple to enjoy being present with their loved ones.
“We wanted someone who would capture us authentically and make us feel at ease. We love the light and airy look for photos, and Eddy Almaguer Photography does that flawlessly!” Kimmie raved. “Eddy was amazing! His creativity and expertise allowed us to be fully in the moment. He captured both the big and small moments perfectly. We trusted him completely with our vision, and the final photos were absolutely stunning. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding photographer experience!”
Being surrounded by their closest friends and family on the dance floor was a highlight of the evening, with DJ Eric of Grant Hemond & Associates taking charge of the reception. While the entire day was truly memorable, Kimmie maintained a refreshing outlook on the experience while thinking back on any little moments that didn’t go as planned.
“Seeing all of our family and friends together, having fun, was such a special experience for us. When we think about our favorite moments from the wedding, it’s actually all the little hiccups that we laugh about and reminisce over,” the bride revealed.
What was your wedding day beauty inspiration?
I wanted my hair and makeup to feel classic and glamorous. My hair stylist, Shawn Mckelvey captured that vision flawlessly.
Nana with Michele Renee The Studio did an amazing job at giving me a natural and elegant look with my makeup. They did a great job with my makeup and my bridal party’s hair and makeup. Michele Renee The Studio were professional and wonderful to work with.
The Proposal:
Gordon and I drove down to Siesta Key to supposedly celebrate my best friend’s (and maid of honor) recent job promotion. After we finished dinner, we took a walk on the beach, and Gordon proposed with the most beautiful sunset backdrop! After staying the night at Lido Key Resort, we drove back home to Tampa where he had arranged a surprise engagement party with our immediate families. He truly thought of every detail and executed it perfectly!
What did you look for in a wedding planner and florist?
We wanted someone who understood our overall vision and had the expertise and experience to guide us through the process while adding elements we might not have thought of. Lemon Drops Weddings + Events did a fantastic job with executing on our vision and were so easy to work and communicate with. They were responsive, answered any and all questions we had, and stayed on top of everything for us.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We chose Saint Lucia and had an amazing experience. It was a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. We stayed at two different resorts: one on the north part of the island, Sandals Grande, and one at the south end of the island, Stonefield Villas, which was the best decision for us. We got to see so much more of the island and experience two different styles of resorts. Sandals was a more energetic environment with lots of excursion opportunities, while Stonefield was a super romantic and laid back vibe with your own private villa. We highly recommend both of those resorts!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Key West. I wanted something fun, laid back, with a beachy vibe, and that was still relatively easy for my bridesmaids and I to travel to. We had an amazing time!
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted someone who would capture us authentically and make us feel at ease. We love the light and airy look for photos, and Eddy Almaguer Photography does that flawlessly! Eddy was amazing! His creativity and expertise allowed us to be fully in the moment. He captured both the big and small moments perfectly. We trusted him completely with our vision, and the final photos were absolutely stunning. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding photographer experience!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Classic elegance and authenticity were the heart of our inspiration. When we found our venue we knew it was an immediate fit with that vision, a perfect blend of Old Florida elegance and laid-back style.
What were your colors?
We love the color blue and using a mix of lighter and darker hues helped bring our color scheme into the fall for a November wedding.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We chose Grant Hemond & Associates because we wanted a DJ who understood our music taste and would make sure that all of our families and friends were on the dance floor and having a great time.
Dj Eric’s communication and professionalism were fantastic throughout the entire process. He made the evening so fun for us and our guests!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
The Tampa Bay area is fortunate to have so many types of venues, each with their own vibe (beach resort, historic, urban, rustic, etc.). Keep an open mind when touring locations and try out a few different venue types to really feel confident in your decision. It’ll help you know when you find the right one!
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations ?
Eddy Almaguer Photography and Lemon Drops Weddings + Events were absolutely amazing. Eddy is such a joy to work with, and the quality of his work is second to none. Lemon Drops was also phenomenal. We’re so happy we used them for both the florals and our month of and day-of coordination because they were completely in sync with the vision we had and making sure that was brought to life. They really made our lives so much easier and less stressful those last few months!
