Gifty and Stephen’s classic Clearwater Beach wedding was a stunning blend of clean elegance and timeless charm, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico. The wedding weekend featured a traditional Ghanaian ceremony on Friday, followed by a classic white wedding on Saturday, bringing together 80 of their closest family and friends for an unforgettable celebration.

“Our wedding theme was clean and elegant, perfectly reflecting our personalities and the way we dress when we go out,” the bride beamed. “We chose a color palette of white, gold, greenery, and black to capture that timeless and sophisticated look.”

Master Wedding Planner Tammy Waterman of Special Moments Event Planning orchestrated the wedding flawlessly, even planning the proposal.

“We were looking for a planner with strong vendor connections who could secure great deals,” the bride explained. “My husband found Tammy on Instagram and initially worked with her to plan a beautiful proposal. We loved her and her services so much that I knew from that moment she had to be my wedding planner. My dream wedding came true because of Tammy. At the time I was in school full-time and had no time to look up any vendors and meet with anyone. Tammy told me not to worry she will handle everything. She’s honestly such an amazing wedding planner!”

The bride and groom hosted their February wedding in Tampa Bay, a natural choice as it holds a special place in their hearts. They fell in love with the breathtaking views at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, making it the perfect setting.

“Clearwater Beach is one of our favorite places to go to see the sunset any day of the week,” the bride beamed. “We wanted a wedding venue with a beautiful view, and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach was the perfect choice. It allowed us to share one of our favorite sunset spots with our closest friends and family. The stunning view of Clearwater Beach and the incredible food made the experience even more special—our guests still haven’t stopped raving about how amazing the food was!”

“The Hyatt on Clearwater Beach was the ideal venue for Gifty and Stephen’s wedding, combining elegance with the natural beauty of the coast,” Tammy added. “Situated along the shores of Clearwater Beach, the venue offered stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, providing a peaceful and romantic backdrop for their special day. The Hyatt’s excellent service and sophisticated spaces perfectly aligned with the couple’s vision of timeless beauty and meaningful celebration, while its close proximity to the beach allowed their guests to enjoy the serene atmosphere of a destination wedding. For Gifty and Stephen, it wasn’t just a venue—it was where their love story was shared with family and friends in an unforgettable setting.”

The outdoor ceremony took place on the hotel’s famed 16th floor Sky Terrace, which features panoramic views of the Gulf and intracoastal waterways. The couple exchanged vows before a floral filled ceremony arch with white florals, creating a stunning, romantic backdrop that perfectly complemented the breathtaking scenery. The ballroom reception was adorned with an abundance of white baby’s breath and roses, soft gold accents, glowing candles, and elegant white linens, all coming together to create a romantic and refined atmosphere. To enhance the ambiance, the couple rented gold-rimmed glass chargers, gold silverware, and gold Chiavari chairs from Kate Ryan Event Rentals, adding an extra touch of sophistication and elegance to the celebration.

The bride wore a white strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and a fitted bodice that gracefully flowed into a mermaid-style skirt. Her hair was styled in a low bun at the nape of her neck, with soft curls framing her face. An ornate hair clip adorned the side of the bun, adding a touch of sparkle and completing her elegant bridal look. For the reception, Gifty changed into a stunning white off-the-shoulder gown, featuring sparkling embellishments across the bodice and down the length of the dress, catching the light with every movement and making her shine as she danced with her new husband.

“While the food and music were the most important to us on the wedding day, we feel like our wedding was the perfect expression of our personality and relationship,” the bride reminisced. “At the end of the day, don’t plan your wedding to impress anyone—make it truly yours.”

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Clearwater Beach is one of our favorite places to go to see the sunset any day of the week. We wanted a wedding venue with a beautiful view, and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach was the perfect choice. It allowed us to share one of our favorite sunset spots with our closest friends and family. The stunning view of Clearwater Beach and the incredible food made the experience even more special—our guests still haven’t stopped raving about how amazing the food was!

What did you look for in a wedding planner?
We were looking for a planner with strong vendor connections who could secure great deals. My husband found Tammy on Instagram and initially worked with her to plan a beautiful proposal. We loved her and her services so much that I knew from that moment she had to be my wedding planner.

My dream wedding came true because of Tammy. At the time I was in school full-time and had no time to look up any vendors and meet with anyone. Tammy told me not to worry she will handle everything. She’s honestly such an amazing wedding planner!