Melissa and Danny’s elegant outdoor Tampa wedding was a picture-perfect celebration featuring lush eucalyptus greenery, soft white florals, and timeless décor that highlighted the beauty of their waterfront venue.

“We really wanted something elegant and simple, light and airy. We knew we wanted to be near the water without actually being on the beach. Our venue brought that Florida inspiration to life with an outdoor ceremony and a reception space that featured floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Tampa Bay,” Melissa beamed. “Our colors were deep eucalyptus green and white, which felt perfect for an afternoon ceremony outdoors. My bridesmaids all wore green, and Danny chose gray suits for the groomsmen because he wanted to keep the look light. One of his main priorities was making sure that he and the groomsmen didn’t have to wear tuxes.”

With countless details to consider, Melissa turned to Marry Me Tampa Bay as a trusted resource throughout the planning process for her 175 guest celebration. From discovering venues to narrowing down vendors, the site played an important role in guiding the couple along the way.

“Before we booked our venue, I actually went onto a few blogs from Marry Me Tampa Bay to see what kind of venues were around,” the bride revealed. “We relied on websites and reviews, so Marry Me Tampa Bay truly helped us. Each time I had a question and sent a DM, your team was incredibly responsive and helpful. It was nice to know we had you as a resource, especially since we had no idea what we were doing.”

Having built a connection with Sabrina Autumn Photography well before their engagement, the couple felt at ease selecting the husband-and-wife duo to capture their day through both photography and videography. Their past experiences and trust in the team made the choice an easy one.

“Sabrina Autumn Photography was pretty much a no-brainer for us—we didn’t even consider another team,” the bride raved. “We had met them at our friends’ weddings and had seen their photos and videos from each of those special days. The way they’re able to capture the essence of a couple and the feeling of the day is truly remarkable. We wanted a team we felt completely comfortable with, like they could be our friends. Not only were we going to be spending the most special day with them, but we also wanted engagement photos that genuinely captured our relationship. We knew that was exactly what we wanted, and Sabrina and Ryan exceeded all of our expectations. They encouraged us to be silly while also capturing the serious moments, and we are so happy with how our video and photos turned out.”

“Our favorite elements of Melissa and Danny’s wedding was them! Melissa’s smile is completely infectious, and she’s such an incredibly talented, beautiful soul and friend. You could just feel their love radiating all day! One of my favorite moments was during the ceremony when airplanes flew overhead—it felt like the perfect symbol of their long-distance journey coming full circle. Their first dance was so sweet, and the father-daughter dance had me in tears! ” Sabrina Massmann, owner of Sabrina Autumn Photography gushed. “It was such a blast seeing four of my past and future brides there as guests. This community really is something special.”

With photography and videography in trusted hands, Melissa turned her attention to finding a hair and makeup team that could bring her vision to life. She pictured a look that was natural with a touch of glam, with soft Hollywood waves that would hold throughout the night and makeup that enhanced her features while still feeling like herself. After connecting with Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup on Instagram and seeing them featured on Marry Me Tampa Bay, along with a glowing recommendation from a friend who was also getting married, Melissa was confident they were the perfect fit.

“I initially was planning a trial with another vendor until one of my friends, who was getting married the weekend after us, mentioned Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup. Marry Me Tampa Bay was extremely helpful in finding additional vendors, especially my hair and makeup angels,” Melissa revealed. “Once I spoke with Kassie and scheduled my bridal trial, it was a done deal! They made me feel so comfortable, like we had been friends for years. They listened to my vision and helped me make decisions when I was feeling indecisive. I knew they’d be spending a lot of time with us that day, and I wanted a team who would not only make me feel confident, but also make each of my bridesmaids feel comfortable, whether they preferred full glam or something more natural. They truly did it all.”

Melissa and Danny made it a point to infuse their personalities into every aspect of their wedding day. From the laid-back atmosphere to thoughtful, interactive touches, their celebration was a true reflection of who they are as a couple. Among the many personal details were signature drinks named after their beloved pets—Melissa’s Spicy Margarita, “The Finley,” was a nod to her dog while Danny’s favorite Miller Lite was playfully named after his cat, “The Moochie.” Guests were also invited to join in on the fun with playful “I Spy” cards placed on each table, encouraging candid photo moments to be captured and shared with the couple.

Beyond the fun, Melissa and Danny were deeply intentional about making their ceremony meaningful. With family traveling in from across the country, especially significant due to their long-distance relationship, the ceremony served as a heartfelt moment of unity and faith.

“It was very important for our wedding to be a faith-centered ceremony. We were fortunate to have Danny’s childhood pastor from Indiana officiate our ceremony, which meant the world to us,” the bride reminisced.

Looking back, the newlyweds shared the meaningful parts of the day, from the elated emotions before the ceremony to feeling surrounded by love from their closest friends and family.

“My most memorable moment was how unbelievably nervous I was leading up to it,” Danny shared. “But once Melissa was beside me, I felt extremely at ease and calm. I also remember after our exit and spending a moment together how weird it felt to wear a ring… and it still feels weird.”

“There was a moment in our ceremony where our pastor asked us to turn to our guests and take in how many people were there to celebrate our love and new life together,” Melissa reminisced. “It brought tears to my eyes realizing that we had so many special people who traveled near and far to be there with us. Another memorable moment was the eruption of cheers when Danny lifted me during our first dance—especially since almost no one knew we took lessons!”

The Proposal: 
Danny: We had gone ring shopping at a few different places, so I had a pretty good idea of the ring she wanted. I ended up going to a friend’s jewelry store—Eric Bunch at Bunch Jewelers—to have her ring custom-designed. I didn’t know exactly when it would be finished, but the timing couldn’t have been more perfect: I picked up the ring the day before Melissa and I were heading to my favorite place in the world, our family cottage. Proposing there just felt natural.

Melissa: I had absolutely no idea! While visiting Danny in Indiana the weekend of May 6th, we decided to head up to his family cottage to help get it ready for summer. I even asked, “Should I shower before we leave or do my hair?” and he quickly replied, “No, we’re just cleaning.” On the way there, I didn’t think much of his odd behavior—though now I realize he was quieter than usual for a reason. I honestly thought he might propose around my birthday in June or maybe on the 4th of July, since we had already looked at rings.

After we finished cleaning, Danny’s mom asked him to bring in the chairs from the beach, and I offered to help. We walked down the 72 steps to the dock, each of us going down opposite sides of the pier. He asked me to walk on his side, but I was nervous he might throw me into the cold lake—so I stayed put! Instead, he offered me a piggyback ride and carried me to the wider section of the platform.

That’s when he started talking about how much the family cottage meant to him—and how much I meant to him. I may have blacked out a little from surprise, but then all of a sudden he dropped to one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?” I was in total shock. An immediate “YES!” burst out of my mouth, and just like that—I officially had a fiancé! We spent the rest of the afternoon sharing the news with our family and friends. It was truly the perfect day.

What was your wedding day beauty inspiration? 
I initially was planning a trial with another vendor until one of my friends, who was getting married the weekend after us, mentioned Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup. Marry Me Tampa Bay was extremely helpful in finding additional vendors, especially my hair and makeup angels. Once I spoke with Kassie and scheduled my bridal trial, it was a done deal! They made me feel so comfortable, like we had been friends for years. They listened to my vision and helped me make decisions when I was feeling indecisive. I knew they’d be spending a lot of time with us that day, and I wanted a team who would not only make me feel confident, but also make each of my bridesmaids feel comfortable, whether they preferred full glam or something more natural. They truly did it all.

What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team? 
Sabrina Autumn Photography was pretty much a no-brainer for us—we didn’t even consider another team. We had met them at our friends’ weddings and had seen their photos and videos from each of those special days. The way they’re able to capture the essence of a couple and the feeling of the day is truly remarkable. We wanted a team we felt completely comfortable with, like they could be our friends. Not only were we going to be spending the most special day with them, but we also wanted engagement photos that genuinely captured our relationship. We knew that was exactly what we wanted, and Sabrina and Ryan exceeded all of our expectations. They encouraged us to be silly while also capturing the serious moments, and we are so happy with how our video and photos turned out.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples? 
Enjoy every moment of the planning process—especially your big day. Little things might go wrong, but in the end, what truly matters is that you’re marrying your person and beginning this beautiful life together!