Vanessa and Tyler’s elegant rustic Thonotosassa wedding exuded Italian charm and natural elegance, surrounded by live oak trees and adorned with lush greenery and wooden accents.

“Our theme was modern elegance. We chose it because we thought it was timeless,” the bride shared. “Our wedding colors were neutrals with gold, black, and copper accents.”

The ceremony took place in a shaded outdoor area with towering oak trees and abundant greenery. Following the vows, the 150 guests sipped champagne before entering the rustic, elegant barn, which featured wooden banquet tables, romantic lighting, and florals and greenery throughout.

To bring their wedding vision to life and ensure a seamless wedding day, the bride and groom hired a planner and designer, UNIQUE Weddings + Events.

“We wanted a wedding planner who was going to take our design ideas and elevate them to a whole new level to create a wedding that was truly unique to us. It was essential for us to have a full-service wedding planner because we wanted to enjoy the wedding planning process and not get overwhelmed or bogged down with the small details. We also wanted a planner who was fun to hang out with because we knew we’d be spending a lot of time together,” the bride revealed. “We had to look no further than UNIQUE Weddings + Events. Staci knew our vision and was able to find vendors that would be able to create our vision flawlessly.”

Infusing their personalities into the wedding was a top priority for Vanessa and Tyler, who curated their personalized decor, music, and culinary menus.

“The most important elements of our wedding were an intimate ceremony, modern plating of all food and beverages, and all of our guests having an excellent time,” the bride beamed. “We incorporated our personalities by writing our own vows, customizing our music playlist, and incorporating some personalized design elements, such as wax seals on our stationery, cigar labels, and a signature cocktail sign featuring our dogs.”

While the entire day was filled with countless moments, a few memories stood out the most to Vanessa.

“The most unforgettable moments included our vows, the design elements at the ceremony, the cocktail hour and reception, the sparkler exit, and our departure in a Rolls Royce. Before I walked down the aisle, my husband turned around until I was at the back of the aisle. The moment he turned and saw me for the first time was a very special and intimate moment between us. Additionally, we read personal vows to each other. This was important for us to do in front of our friends and family who have watched our love grow and impacted us as a couple in so many ways,” the bride reminisced.

The Proposal: 
Tyler proposed at Weedon Island Preserve which is where we had our first date almost two years before. He hired a professional photographer to capture the special moment.

What did you look for in a wedding planner? 
We wanted a wedding planner who was going to take our design ideas and elevate them to a whole new level to create a wedding that was truly unique to us. It was essential for us to have a full-service wedding planner because we wanted to enjoy the wedding planning process and not get overwhelmed or bogged down with the small details. We also wanted a planner who was fun to hang out with because we knew we’d be spending a lot of time together.

We had to look no further than UNIQUE Weddings + Events. Staci knew our vision and was able to find vendors that would be able to create our vision flawlessly.

Which vendors really exceeded your expectations and how? 
All of our vendors exceeded our expectations. We believe this speaks to the amount of time and attention to details by our venue and planner.

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples? 
Truly enjoy the wedding planning process and to make the day 1000% about them and their love.