Brielle and Larry
“Our theme was elegant black and white with chic, oversized bows. We wanted a timeless, sophisticated design with playful, personal touches that reflect our personalities and create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Our wedding colors were black and white, chosen for their timeless elegance and ability to complement the sophisticated, chic vibe we envisioned for our day.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Brielle and Larry’s chic Clearwater Beach wedding combined classic white flora with neutral greenery and modern black accents for a timeless atmosphere. The local couple exchanged vows overlooking the crashing waves, before hosting their 73 closest friends and family in an elegant ballroom reception filled with luxurious decor, candlelight, and a surprise slide and ball pit!
“Our wedding blended elegance with playful, personal touches for our one-year-old son and many friends with children. Oversized bows, custom Louboutins with our initials, and a ball pit—complete with the fun quote, ‘Because a dance floor just wasn’t enough’—all reflected our personalities while celebrating our family,” the bride shared. “Personalized kids’ boxes added a thoughtful, stylish touch, and the welcome party bags, which included homemade cookies from my father-in-law, made the weekend feel warm and personal. All of these details created a fun, family-friendly atmosphere while maintaining a sophisticated and elegant vibe. Our wedding was unique for many reasons, but one of the most special was that my husband and I already had a son together, and we wanted to focus on the unity of family. For this reason, we chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen.”
The Dress
Truly Forever Bridal
“I always dreamed of a stunning, show-stopper dress. Being plus-size and having had a baby less than a year ago, I struggled to find something that matched my vision. I actually went to five dress shops before Truly Forever Bridal, and I found that many places were not truly size-inclusive.
Truly Forever Bridal was completely different—they not only carry every size but also every style, and their seamstress is absolutely incredible. The sales team was amazing, too. They really listened and helped me customize my gown with an attached overskirt so I could have two unique looks in one.
Another detail I loved was their concierge/on-site steaming service. Since my family was traveling in from out of town, I hired them to come to Opal Sands to steam not only my dress, but also my husband’s jacket and pants, my mother’s dress, and a few other outfits we needed touched up. That extra level of care made everything stress-free and polished for the big day.
The Proposal
“Larry proposed during our baby announcement shoot, which was perfectly timed as we were already celebrating the excitement of our son. The surprise was orchestrated by Larry and the photographer, with Chrystin Bethe Photography capturing the intimate moment, without my knowledge. It was heartfelt and unforgettable.”
The Venue
Opal Sands
“We live in Clearwater and chose Opal Sands for our wedding because it was also where Larry took me for dinner on our third date. We both love the stunning views, and the quality of the food and service are unmatched in Clearwater Beach, so the area made perfect sense since it offers a plethora of hotel/food options to meet our guests’ needs.
We wanted a venue that felt elegant and modern while showcasing the beauty of Clearwater Beach, and Opal Sands was perfect. Our ceremony on the lawn above the ocean was breathtaking, and with family traveling from multiple states — including children — having everything in one place for our rehearsal dinner and welcome party made the weekend seamless.
The service, food, and setting were exceptional, and it was especially meaningful since Opal Sands was one of our first date spots. Opal Sands has everything you could dream of, and Jenna Arnal and her team were incredible to work with, making the experience seamless and unforgettable.”
Finding Wedding Vendors
“I DM’d Marry Me Tampa Bay, asking for Clearwater Beach venue recommendations. I was sent links to all of the Clearwater Beach weddings featured, and the blogs from real weddings truly helped us identify trusted vendors and provide creative inspiration for personalizing our wedding.”
The Photography
Lifelong Studios Photography
“We were looking for someone with a bright and chic aesthetic who was familiar with our venue and could creatively bring our vision to life. It was important that they truly listened and also had a creative mindset to capture every moment we wanted.
We chose Lifelong Photography because they captured the bright, chic aesthetic we wanted and knew our venue well, I mean, they really, really know Opal Sands!
They went above and beyond, making sure we moved seamlessly between locations and listening carefully to our ideas. Their creativity and professionalism made the experience effortless and fun!”
The Experience
“The most important elements for us were photography, videography, hair and makeup, and food. We wanted to make sure the day was beautifully documented, our guests had an unforgettable culinary experience, and we felt confident and radiant throughout the celebration.
There were so many special moments during our wedding weekend, but the one that will always stand out the most was an unexpected health scare I experienced starting Thursday night. I had to go to the hospital and miss my own rehearsal dinner for surgery to remove a kidney stone. The incredible team at Mease Dunedin not only helped me recover in time to attend the late-night party but also made it possible for me to walk down the aisle on our wedding day. Despite the unexpected challenges, being able to share that moment with my husband and loved ones made it unforgettable.”
The Bach Party and Honeymoon
“Larry and I did not host a bachelorette or bachelor party, focusing instead on spending quality time with family and friends in the days leading up to our wedding.
We are planning a 14-day honeymoon across Italy and Europe. We chose this location to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, exploring beautiful cities, historic landmarks, and stunning landscapes. It will be the perfect way to celebrate our marriage while enjoying quality time together and creating unforgettable memories.”
The Inspiration
“Our theme was elegant black and white with chic, oversized bows. We wanted a timeless, sophisticated design with playful and personal touches to reflect our personalities and create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Our wedding colors were black and white, chosen for their timeless elegance and ability to complement the sophisticated, chic vibe we envisioned for our day.
We incorporated our personalities through both small and large details. Custom napkins and drink stirrers, custom Louboutins with our initials, a wishing well for gifts, personal vows, and a ball pit for kids and adults all reflected who we are. We also focused on high-quality, beautifully presented food, making the dining experience as much a reflection of our style as our décor.”
The Rentals
Gabro Event Services & Kate Ryan Event Rentals
“Gabro Event Services offered a wide assortment of items at comfortable pricing points, which made it easy for us to source multiple essentials through them—including our pipe and drape, linens, and chairs.
Kate Ryan Event Rentals provided more elevated pieces, like the stunning white runner and stage, which we decided on almost at the last minute after I changed my flowers. Together, both companies helped bring our vision to life seamlessly.”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Several vendors went above and beyond, including Lifelong Photography, Ava Elise Events, Selena Lopez, and Elegant Affairs by Design. Lifelong Photography captured every moment beautifully while staying true to our vision and keeping us on track.
Ava Elise Events delivered stunning floral designs that perfectly complemented our theme. Selena Lopez managed an incredibly full schedule—coming to the hospital the night before to glam me up and get me to my guests for the welcome drinks party at Sandbar, to adjusting my hair the morning of when I couldn’t wash it, and providing touch-ups for me and my mother through cocktail hour in the mid-June heat (so grateful for her). Elegant Affairs by Design not only handled the day-of setup but also helped execute our design plan. They also stepped in to assist with night-before activities while I was in the hospital with a kidney stone, ensuring everything ran smoothly despite the unexpected challenges.
The Team at Opal Sands truly executed both beautiful and delicious food throughout the weekend and also catered to any guests with food allergies or preferences (GF, V, VG etc.)
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Get multiple quotes and really consider what matters most to you and what you can do without. If your venue requires a day-of planner, ask detailed, scenario-based questions to understand exactly what’s included. Clarify responsibilities for your timeline, speeches, and other logistics. If possible, print a day-of design guide and do a walkthrough of your cocktail hour and reception locations. I also recommend setting up a multi-vendor call so everyone is on the same page—it makes the day run much smoother and ensures your vision is executed perfectly.
