Lissette and Dan's Davis Islands Garden Club Tiffany Blue & Lime Green Wedding with Tampa Wedding Florist Apple Blossom Floral Design:
Lissette and Dan were high school classmates who both attended the University of Florida, but luckily (at the time) they didn't cross paths.
“That was probably a good thing because at that time, we had switched roles. I went from a rambunctious and rebellious teenager to studious and dorky young lady. Dan, on the other hand, went from the perfect son to the wild fraternity boy. Not likely I would have been impressed with his keg stand abilities, as I was studying for the CPA exam, and he likely would have found me a bore.”
But as the Tampa Bay couple morphed into adults, fate brought finally them into each others lives.
“Almost 13 years later, I was hosting an engagement party for a friend and Dan happened to be in town and came with a mutual friend that he was visiting. When I turned around and saw him standing there, I went down for the count! With those gorgeous green eyes and dark hair, there was no hope for me,” Lissette reminisced. “I like to think I impressed him with my quick wit and humor, but I’m pretty sure I was only one of three single girls there that evening so I had good odds. We stuck together throughout the evening and at the end of the night, after realizing the shy version of Dan was still there and the outgoing me was still the same, I looked at him and asked him when he was going to ask me to dinner on a proper date.”
Since the pair are both Catholic, they decided to hold a formal Tampa wedding ceremony, but during the reception, Lissette and Dan showed their easy going personalities.
“Ever heard the phrase A little bit of business and a little bit of party? That would describe Dan and I!” Lissette explained. “Our ceremony reflected our beliefs in the sanctimony of marriage and how important it is for us to share our faith. However, we’re also the first ones to cut loose and celebrate with our loved ones and wanted to have a reception that enabled us to do both.”
The couple searched for an outdoor Tampa wedding reception venue, with an indoor space for inclement weather, and chose the Davis Islands Garden Club.
“DIG is a gorgeous outdoor venue,” Lissette gushed. “I wanted a venue that allowed me to get creative and add my personal touch. The venue coordinator was completely flexible and they gave me carte blanche to make it my own!”
Lissette and Dan relied on their trusted florist Apple Blossoms Floral Design to designed their wedding flowers.
“My husband has been buying flowers from Apple Blossoms for me for years now. We love their creativity and the unique arrangements they make,” the bride shared. “Every arrangement they do is different, and I completely trusted them to give me the look I was going for. I walked in, gave him my budget, and told him to make it gorgeous!”
The bride also had help from one of her newest family members when it came to planning her Tampa wedding reception.
“More than anything, we have to give my sister-in-law credit for the memorable wedding we had. She handmade a lot of the decorations and helped me brainstorm on the rest. I could describe what I wanted and had the ideas, but she was the one that made it happen and pulled it all together. Between her, my mother, and my mother-in-law all sharing ideas and solutions, it was the reception we’d always dreamed of!” Lissette gushed.
The most memorable moment was when Dan and I said our vows, hands down. – The Bride
My husband has been buying flowers from Apple Blossoms for me for years now. We love their creativity and the unique arrangements they make. Every arrangement they do is different, and I completely trusted them to give me the look I was going for. I walked in, gave him my budget, and told him to make it gorgeous! – The Bride
We wanted an outdoor wedding reception because we love the look of big trees and stars and the freedom it gives you. Having the reception outdoors made it feel natural and homey and using the lights, signage, lanterns, candles and décor allowed us to make it have a special glow in the evening. – The Bride on choosing Tampa wedding venue Davis Islands Garden Club
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
The best advice I could give a fellow bride would be this: A wedding is not just about you and what you've always dreamed of for your wedding day. The sooner you accept this – the fewer problems you’ll have down the line. A wedding is what your parents have dreamed of for you, what your fiancé has dreamed of for him, what his family has dreamed of for him, and what your friends expect from you. Everyone has different expectations of what a wedding/reception should and should not be, how you should act, what it looks like, what you do at it, and so much more. I recommend trying to get everyone’s expectations and thoughts of what is normal for a wedding out on the table as soon as you can! Then compromise on the things you can give on and stand your ground on the things you can’t.
Tampa Wedding Venue: Davis Islands Garden Club
Tampa Wedding Photographer: Life’s Highlights
Tampa Wedding Planner: Winsor Event Studio
Tampa Wedding Florist: Apple Blossoms Floral Design
Tampa Wedding Lighting: Tampa Lights
Tampa Wedding DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates (Ben)
Tampa Wedding Limo: His & Hers Limousines
Tampa Wedding Tuxedo: Sacino's Formalwear
Tampa Wedding Hair: L&J Salon (Jorge)
Tampa Wedding Makeup: The Art of Hendrickje
We are proud to have Apple Blossoms Floral Designs and the Davis Islands Garden Club as a Marry Me Tampa Bay sponsor!
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