Amaiah and Dakoda’s Dade City wedding combined glamour and countryside charm into a style that was uniquely theirs. The Florida couple opted for a predominantly black color palette, accented by touches of white, gold, and abundant wooden elements, all highlighted by the addition of cowboy boots.

“Our colors were mostly black, with some white and gold accents. We incorporated both of our styles very well. I wanted everything shiny and glamorous, but it was important to be casual enough that we (and all of our guests) would still be comfortable and not feel out of place,” the bride explained. “My mom always jokingly told people our theme was ‘diamonds in the sky,’ but my husband enjoys his jeans and a good pair of boots, so we met in the middle with a semi-formal wedding with lots of fun and southern touches.”

The February ceremony unfolded at Simpson Lakes on a picturesque promenade nestled between two serene lakes. The artful placement of palm trees and a richly stained wooden ceremony arbor created a serene backdrop. Following an enchanting outdoor cocktail hour beneath the pergola and the warm glow of Edison lights, the 250 guests were welcomed to the reception in the Grand Room.

The reception featured an array of handcrafted wooden farm tables paired with classic cross-back chairs and enchanting floating candles. To elevate the elegance, delicate white floral arrangements adorned the tables, complementing sleek black linens and luxurious gold encircled chargers. Softly draped fabric, illuminated by twinkling lights, created an enchanting ambiance filled with romance and charm.

“When looking for a wedding venue, we wanted elegant but also outdoorsy and barn-style. Simpson Lakes was the perfect mix of both,” the bride raved. “I knew from the first pictures I saw of Simpson Lakes that I was going to pick it; it is such a beautiful venue on the most amazing property and not too close to anything. The first time we went to tour Simpson Lakes, Caroline was so amazing and friendly that we immediately knew we wanted to work for her in the entire wedding planning process.”

To add an extra touch of personalization to their wedding, Amaiah and Dakoda commissioned a personalized brand combining their initials and last name initial. This distinctive emblem adorned various personal items distributed during the event. Additionally, they elevated the atmosphere by wrapping the dance floor with their personalized monogram, creating an extra element of surprise and delight for their guests.

To amplify the allure of the dance floor, the Plant City couple enlisted the DJ services of Events Done Right Tampa Bay. They were chosen for their talent in assessing the crowd and their versatility in catering to diverse musical preferences.

“The most important element of our wedding was the dance floor and the bar. Our families and friends like to have a good time, and we knew just how to make that happen for all of them. We wanted a DJ who was fun and interactive and could read the room on what kind of music to play at what time, because we enjoy all different kinds of music,” the bride shared. “We chose Events Done Right from the preferred vendors’ list at Simpson Lakes, and we had no regrets about that. From the beginning, they were amazing to work with, easy to communicate with, and ready to make any of our ideas come to life.”

Of the many cherished moments from their wedding day, the one that resonated most with the bride was the intimate first dance shared exclusively between the couple while the guests eagerly awaited their exit outside.

“Our last dance was something so memorable for both of us,” the bride reminisced. “After dancing and partying all night long with our friends and families, to be able to share a last dance with just us two while everyone lined up for our sparkler exit was something I will remember forever.”

Where did you host your bachelorette party?
We did a spa day with brunch and then went out to downtown Tampa. I do not go out much, so my maid of honor and bridesmaids did such a good time making sure it was something that I would love doing without being too much! 

The Proposal:
Dakoda’s family has spent every Memorial Day at Lake Rosalie in Lake Wales for longer than my husband has been alive. It is something so special to him, and in turn, it has become so special to me; we look forward to it every year.

We went down by the water to ‘take family pictures,’ but little did I know he was going to propose. Now, something that was already such a special time to us will hold an even more special memory forever. 

How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
My mom always jokingly told people our theme was ‘diamonds in the sky,’ but my husband enjoys his jeans and a good pair of boots, so we met in the middle with a semi-formal wedding with lots of fun and southern touches.

What were your colors?
Our colors were mostly black, with some white and gold accents. We incorporated both of our styles very well. I wanted everything shiny and glamorous, but it was important to be casual enough that we (and all of our guests) would still be comfortable and not feel out of place.

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
Our planner absolutely exceeded our expectations in coordinating every single detail up to the big day. I never felt like I was going to second guess a single aspect of my wedding day with her leading me in the right direction and knowing all the questions to ask other vendors. 

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Do what you want on your big day, not what everyone else suggests or expects. While you want to accommodate and make sure everyone is enjoying themselves, at the end of the day, it is your wedding and your memories.