Elizabeth and Jack's destination Clearwater Beach wedding featured a relaxed, yet elegant vibe with a yellow and blue color palette and nautical elements centered around oysters.
“We went for a coastal feel with oysters being our design inspiration. While Clearwater Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, my husband is more of a mountain/fishing kind of guy. We decided to focus on the parts of the area that reflected both of us, hence the coastal feel,” the bride explained. “We chose oysters as the design inspiration because we had oysters on our first date, and it continues to be our favorite date night meal.”
“We chose oysters as the design inspiration because we had oysters on our first date and it continues to be our favorite date night meal.”
MORE: BEACH WEDDING INSPIRATION
Planning from out-of-state, Elizabeth turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay for local inspiration.
“I've always dreamed of doing a classic hometown wedding which for me is Clearwater,” the bride explained. “It was really helpful to get inspiration and ideas from the articles and features on Marry Me Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay has so much to offer, and I wouldn't have thought of some of the unique touches without using Marry Me Tampa Bay's reviews and spotlights.”
To plan an unforgettable experience for their 220 guests, the Atlanta, Georgia couple searched for a wedding planner who was “organized, with excellent knowledge of the venues and the ability to offer ideas/opinions based on experience.”
“Parties A'La Carte was the only recommended planner from both the church and the reception site. Since they came so highly recommended, it was almost a no brainer,” the bride gushed. “Jessica and her team at Parties A'La Carte took my vision to the next level with everything from concept design to guest experience. I never once stressed about any of the details coming together because I knew they were on it. On the day of the wedding, my husband and I joked that we felt like celebrities because our ‘handlers' were always right there to get us whatever we needed: a fresh drink, a change of shoes, an excuse to escape a particularly chatty guest; they thought of everything and executed flawlessly.”
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To add personalized touches, Elizabeth and Jack recited their own vows, included their sheepdog, Phil, on the cocktail napkins, and incorporated their unique traditions.
“I really wanted the weekend to reflect us in every detail,” the bride beamed. “We buried a bottle of bourbon at our engagement shoot and dug it up the day of the wedding. (It's an old southern tradition that is supposed to bring good weather, and it was truly a beautiful day). We also did a cake pull with the bridesmaids instead of a bouquet toss. (A Louisiana tradition where the charm they pull from the cake is supposed to bring them that specific fortune).”
The newlyweds enjoyed the sweetest detail of the day as well, the cake!
“We wanted unique flavors and classic design. We went with The Artistic Whisk because their cake flavors were exciting, they were reasonably priced, and their design proposal was exactly what we were looking for,” Elizabeth shared. “We chose orange creamsicle and chocolate-covered banana. The end product looked like a piece of art (my husband actually thought it was fake when he first saw it), and the cake flavor was an area of the day where we got to have a bit of fun!”
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Looking back, the ceremony was the most meaningful moment for the bride.
“Saying our own vows alongside the traditional ones and walking to the church with my parents from my childhood house where we got ready were elements that I've always dreamed about,” Elizabeth reminisced. “We tried to capture the story of our relationship in every choice we made. When we ask guests what their favorite part was, they all have different answers (some say the band, some say the ceremony, some say the food), but I think everyone came away feeling the love Jack and I have for each other and feeling our appreciation for having them as a part of our village for the years to come.”
The Proposal:
Jack had big plans to propose on a Saturday hike while my friends and family gathered at our house to surprise me afterward. Turns out he was so nervous on Friday that he couldn't wait. He got down on one knee a night early when I got home from work. I did say yes, but it was tricky for him to keep me distracted the entire next day in order to keep the house party aspect a surprise.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I wanted someone organized, with excellent knowledge of the venues and the ability to offer ideas/opinions based on experience.
Parties A'La Carte was the only recommended planner from both the church and the reception site! Since they came so highly recommended, it was almost a no brainer. Jessica and her team at Parties A'La Carte did not disappoint. They took my vision to the next level with everything from concept design to guest experience. Not only were they amazing at building the concept, but they are also incredible executers. I never once stressed about any of the details coming together because I knew they were on it. On the day of the wedding, my husband and I joked that we felt like celebrities because our “handlers” were always right there to get us whatever we needed: a fresh drink, a change of shoes, an excuse to escape a particularly chatty guest; they thought of everything and executed flawlessly.
Where did you spend your honeymoon and why did you choose that location?
We plan on doing Ireland over Christmas. It's a country neither of us has visited and has all the things we both love about travel: beautiful landscape, interesting history, and kind people.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We went for a coastal feel with oysters being our design inspiration. While Clearwater Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, my husband is more of a mountain/fishing kind of guy. We decided to focus on the parts of the area that reflected both of us, hence the coastal feel. We chose oysters as the design inspiration because we had oysters on our first date, and it continues to be our favorite date night meal.
What were your colors?
Yellow and watercolor blues. Yellow is my favorite color, and the blue accents helped incorporate the nautical vibe.
What did you look for in a wedding bakery?
We wanted unique flavors and classic design.
We went with The Artistic Whisk because their cake flavors were exciting, they were reasonably priced, and their design proposal was exactly what we were looking for. We chose orange creamsicle and chocolate-covered banana. The end product looked like a piece of art (my husband actually thought it was fake when he first saw it), and the cake flavors where an area where we got to have a bit of fun!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
At the end of the day, it's just you and your partner committing yourselves to each other. Nothing else matters as much, so try not to let the details/unwanted opinions stress you out.
Ceremony Venue: Episcopal Church of the Ascension
Reception Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club
Photographer/Videographer: Life's Highlights
Planner: Parties A'La Carte *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Production Company: MMD Events
Rentals: Photo Cabana
Cocktail Entertainment: Panakolada
Cake: The Artistic Whisk *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Band: The Grapevine Band
Officiant: Dan Lowry; Greg Cole (Homilist)
Invitations: URBANcoast
Transportation: Clearwater Jolley Trolley
Boat: John Connelly
Dress Shop and Designer: The Sentimentalist
Hair & Makeup: Lasting Luxe Artistry
Photobooth: Bash Booths
