Erica and Tom’s Clearwater Beach wedding was a tropical daydream featuring the bride’s favorite views in all of Tampa Bay. The bride and groom selected a classic color palette and theme to cohesively tie in their wedding venue’s pink facade and beachfront location.
“I would describe our wedding as elegant. We did white florals with greenery with gold accents because I love this elegant look and felt it went great with the wedding venue,” the bride beamed. “The bridesmaids wore mauve because I love this color, and I felt it went well with the wedding venue without clashing against the pink. Men wore black tuxes because we both loved the classic black tux!”
As soon as the Seminole couple was engaged, Erica immediately reached out to the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach to host their dream wedding day. She knew the beachfront views and stunning sunsets would provide the perfect backdrop for their 138 guests.
“I wanted a beach view without being directly on the beach. Sunset views and the sunset are my favorite things. A view of the water from the reception hall, great food, a venue that was easy to work with and communicate with, and one that I know could make for beautiful pictures,” the bride detailed about why she chose her venue. “I knew well before I was even engaged that I wanted the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach to be the venue. I actually did not even look at any other venues because I was set on the Hyatt. From the first meeting where we were able to tour the venue and chose our date, the service was great. I choose the Bellair ballroom because I wanted beach views. The food tasting was fantastic, and the chef even came to introduce himself. On the day of the wedding, I did not have to worry about a single thing between having my wedding planner and Kayla at the Hyatt. I was able to stay in the moment and not stress at all. Everything went perfectly, and it was exactly how I envisioned it.”
With her venue selected, Erica turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay to find real wedding inspiration from the Hyatt, as well as choose the perfect wedding planner.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay several times! I first used it to help read about different venues, although I had already had my heart set on the Hyatt,” the bride shared. “I also browsed it for vendors, found Special Moments Event Planning which the Hyatt also recommended, and décor ideas.”
After their first meeting, Erica knew Special Moments Event Planning would complement her bright personality while also ensuring the planning timeline would not fall behind.
“In a wedding planner, I looked for someone who had a lot of experience working with the venue I chose. I wanted someone who would keep me organized and accountable because I easily procrastinate. I wanted someone who was easy to work with and would be a valuable resource,” Erica explained. “I found Special Moments Event Planning on Marry Me Tampa Bay, and it was also a recommendation from our wedding venue. I arranged to meet with Tammy and knew she was it! She was such a great source of knowledge and experience. I hired her as a day-of planner but asked many questions throughout the process which she was happy to answer and offer guidance. Tammy made sure we followed the timeline she had organized. She was there to help anytime I needed throughout the night. The venue looked exactly like I imagined. I was so thankful to have Special Moments throughout this process.”
The bride also found her florist, Bruce Wayne Florals, on Marry Me Tampa Bay. They created the bride’s vision by intertwining ivory roses and white hydrangeas surrounded by rich greenery. To enhance the modern aesthetic of the Hyatt’s Bellair ballroom, the reception featured tall floral centerpieces that popped against gold geometric accents.
“I wanted a florist who does beautiful work of course, but also one who would work with our budget. I wanted a certain look for the centerpieces but also for each of the bouquets,” Erica explained. “Bruce Wayne was absolutely fantastic! The florals were exactly what I pictured. They were extremely easy to communicate with and worked to accommodate all of my requests. Everyone commented on how beautiful the flowers were. They worked to stay right within our budget!”
While Erica and Tom reminisced on their magical celebration, they remembered all moments of the day, from first looks to the epic dance party that ended their night.
“The whole weekend was so memorable: getting ready during the day and just feeling such excitement, seeing the ceremony and reception venues for the first time, seeing the bride and groom for the first time, the first look of the bride with dad, walking down the aisle, and dancing the night away at the reception,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
Tom actually proposed on the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach rooftop 11 months prior to our wedding at sunset. He knew it was one of my favorite views. He then had our family and friends waiting at a place nearby for dinner to celebrate. We were staying the weekend at the Hyatt.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Elegant. The rooftop is already such a beautiful area, so I didn’t want to take away from the view. I wanted a couple of flower arrangements and pedals on the ground. The reception hall is also a beautiful space. I choose the Bellair ballroom because I wanted beach views. I went with primarily white with gold accents and white florals with greenery. I felt this worked well with the flooring in the area.
What were your colors?
The bridesmaids wore mauve because I love this color, and I felt it went well with the wedding venue without clashing against the pink. Men wore black tuxes because we both loved the classic black tux! We did white florals with greenery with gold accents because I love this elegant look and felt it went great with the wedding venue.
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
Someone who had a lot of experience working with the venue I chose. I wanted someone who would keep me organized and accountable because I easily procrastinate. I wanted someone who was easy to work with and would be a valuable resource.
I found Special Moments Event Planning on the Marry Me Tampa Bay website, and it was also a recommendation from our wedding venue. I arranged to meet with Tammy and knew she was it! She was such a great source of knowledge and experience. I hired her as a day-of planner but asked many questions throughout the process, which she was happy to answer and offer guidance. She also came to the food tasting and was very helpful when helping to decide and finalize details. She contacted all of our vendors prior to the wedding day to confirm all details. Rehearsal and wedding day was smooth sailing, thanks to Tammy. She made sure we followed the timeline she had organized. The venue looked exactly
like I imagined. She was there to help anytime I needed throughout the night. I was so thankful to have Special Moments throughout this process.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
I wanted a beach view without being directly on the beach. Sunset views and the sunset are my favorite things. A view of the water from the reception hall, great food, a venue that was easy to work with and communicate with, and one that I know could make for beautiful pictures.
I knew well before I was even engaged that I wanted the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach to be the venue. We stayed out there a couple of years prior, and that is when I knew that would be it. I actually did not even look at any other venues because I was set on the Hyatt. From the first meeting where we were able to tour the venue and chose our date, the service was great. Throughout the process, they were always very prompt in answering any questions or concerns I had. The food tasting was fantastic, and the chef even came to introduce himself. On the day of the rehearsal, they were very helpful and attentive. They came and picked up all of the wedding items we had and stored them, so we did not have to worry about it on the day of the wedding. Kayla made herself very available for any questions, concerns, or services I may need. On the day of the wedding, I did not have to worry about a single thing between having my wedding planner and Kayla at the Hyatt. I was able to stay in the moment and not stress at all. Everything went perfectly, and it was exactly how I envisioned it.
Where did you spend your honeymoon and why did you choose that location?
We were planned to go to Greece in May, although due to COVID-19 that is temporarily postponed. We did go away for a couple of days right after the wedding to Baha Mar in the Bahamas for a “mini-moon,” and I am so thankful we had the chance to do this. We are planning to do a late honeymoon and first anniversary trip to Greece next year if we are able to travel at that time.
What did you look for in a wedding florist?
I wanted a florist who does beautiful work of course, but also one who would work with our budget. I wanted a certain look for the centerpieces but also for each of the bouquets.
Bruce Wayne Florals was absolutely fantastic! The florals were exactly what I pictured. They were extremely easy to communicate with and worked to accommodate all of my requests. I stalked a lot of Bruce Wayne’s social media posts and just loved the look of white, greenery, and gold! Everyone commented on how beautiful the flowers were. They worked to stay right within our budget!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Research vendors! Sit down with your partner and decide what is most important for you both the day of your wedding so you can focus on incorporating that into the wedding and make the budget accordingly. Definitely make a budget to give you an idea of where you should splurge or save money.