Jen and Danny's Clearwater Beach wedding was an elegant evening filled with meaningful traditions, glamorous details, and bountiful flora in shades of lilac, blush, and white. The bride and groom exchanged sacred vows under a stunning rose-clad chuppah before dining and dancing the night away in a romantic ballroom reception with their closest friends and family.
“Danny and I wanted a wedding that represented us as a couple. We wanted a timeless, elegant wedding that would never go out of style and something memorable for us and our guests. We opted to have a black-tie wedding. It was so nice seeing our family and friends dressed beautifully while celebrating us,” the bride beamed. “Gold, white, and different shades of pink and purple were the main colors at our wedding.”
The Arizona couple had recently relocated to the Tampa Bay area and utilized Marry Me Tampa Bay for the wealth of knowledge and local resources it provided when planning their 190-guest February celebration. The real wedding inspiration and list of reputable wedding pros aided in their vendor selection.
“I used Marry Me Tampa Bay to find the majority of my vendors. I loved that I was able to get a lot of great ideas from different wedding blogs. It was also helpful to see the vendors' final work captured in photos. This gave me an idea of what vendors I wanted to work within the area,” the bride shared. “Itโs a great resource for finding different wedding vendors. I loved seeing all of the different vendors' work displayed. It helped me sort out and narrow down who I wanted to work with.”
The bride sought an experienced wedding photographer with a natural style and the expertise to seamlessly capture all of the day's events and selected Carrie Wildes Photography, known for their comforting demeanor and ability to make the bride feel authentically herself in front of the camera.
“I wanted to work with a photographer who was real and precise at capturing the perfect moment. I wanted a photographer who was true to the moment without any major picture editing. Photos can be overwhelming but I felt like Carrie Wildes Photography and her team let me be without missing out on the important photo moments,” Jen beamed. “I never felt like I was rushed or stressed. I felt like the photos just flowed with the day. Carries is a very talented and the absolute sweetest!”
The beauty of the flora-adorned chuppah was only rivaled by the sheer emotion during the tender exchange of vows. Jen and Danny honored the sanctity of their nuptials by focusing on the poignant experience of their traditional Jewish ceremony and experiencing the powerful feeling of being surrounded by those they loved most.
“The ceremony was the most important element of our wedding. Getting married under the most gorgeous chuppah to my best friend was far beyond special. Both our parents stood under the chuppah, along with Rabbi Weizman and Rabbi Upbin. There was so much love and joy felt not only in the chuppah but all around the room,” the bride detailed. “There was a moment during our ceremony when every guest stood up and read us one of the seven sheva brachot (wedding blessing). It was so special being blessed by the people who we love the most. We will never forget this moment!”
To complement her elegant satin mermaid gown with a beaded bodice from Truly Forever Bridal, the bride opted for a natural beauty look with soft, loose curls and neutral shades for her eyes and lips. The talented team of artists from Femme Akoi Beauty Studio glammed up the bridesmaids and mothers with elegant hair and makeup to enhance their natural beauty and formal attire.
“I picked a half-up and half-down hairstyle for my wedding because my dress was strapless. I didnโt want to feel too bare or uncomfortable. I opted for a hairstyle that felt natural to me,” Jen detailed. “I chose to work with Femme Akoi because theyโre the best in Tampa Bay. My bridal group was extremely happy with the outcomes of their hair and makeup. All of the makeup artists were very outgoing and fun to work with!”
Jen turned to Kate Ryan Event Rentals to elevate the place settings with their chic gold chiavari chairs, beaded edge glass charger plates, elegant gold flatware, bone china, and gold-rimmed glassware. The touch of sparkle added a luxurious feel to the ballroom reception and perfectly set the tone for an unforgettable meal.
“Kate Ryan Event Rentals was very accommodating and easy to work with. They have a wide range of quality inventory to meet any wedding event needs,” the bride gushed. “Our dinnerware rentals were glass chargers with a beautiful gold rim touch. It matched perfectly with our wedding theme. Not to mention how gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing they looked on our tables. Kate Ryan Event Rentals helped pull our wedding vision together!”
The entire celebration was filled with unforgettable moments, but locking eyes with the groom during her walk down the aisle is a feeling the bride will forever treasure.
“Seeing Danny see me for the first time was one of my favorite moments,” Jen reminisced. “I could just see in his eyes how beautiful I looked.”
What were your wedding hair and makeup inspiration?
I picked a half-up and half-down hairstyle for my wedding because my dress was strapless. I didnโt want to feel too bare or uncomfortable. I opted for a hairstyle that felt natural to me.
I chose to work with Femme Akoi because theyโre the best in Tampa Bay. My bridal group was extremely happy with the outcomes of their hair and makeup. All of the makeup artists were very outgoing and fun to work with!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Miami, FL. I chose Miami because of convenience, and I knew it was a guaranteed fun time. It was nice spending time with my girlfriends and moms!
The Proposal:
Danny proposed along the Tampa Bay Riverwalk. It was so meaningful to get engaged in a place we will soon call our home again.
What did you look for in a wedding dress?
Iโve always dreamed of a white long, classy and elegant wedding dress. I wanted my dress to be memorable and special.
I opted for a mermaid/ trumpet wedding dress style because it was the best fit for my body. I felt beautiful yet comfortable.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
I wanted to work with a photographer who was real and precise at capturing the perfect moment. I wanted a photographer who was true to the moment without any major picture editing.
Photos can be overwhelming but I felt like Carrie Wildes Photography and her team let me be without missing out on the important photo moments. I never felt like I was rushed or stressed. I felt like the photos just flowed with the day. Carries is a very talented and the absolute sweetest!
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Danny and I only had a week off, so we honeymooned in the Bahamas. Traveling to Nassau from Tampa was so easy. It was a wonderful 1 hour and 40 minute direct flight. We really enjoyed the beautiful island and the food. After working so much leading up to the wedding, we really valued having some alone time.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Danny and I wanted a wedding that represented us as a couple. We wanted a timeless, elegant wedding that would never go out of style and something memorable for us and our guests. We opted to have a black-tie wedding. It was so nice seeing our family and friends dressed beautifully while celebrating us.
What were your colors? Gold, white, and different shades of pink and purple were the main colors at our wedding.
How did the rentals enhance the ambiance of your wedding day?
We rented charger plates, dinner plates, salad plates, flatware, champagne glasses, water glasses, and Chiavari chairs from Kate Ryan.
Kate Ryan Event Rentals was very accommodating and easy to work with. They have a wide range of quality inventory able to meet any wedding event needs. Our dinnerware rentals were glass with a beautiful gold rim touch. It matched perfectly with our wedding theme. Not to mention how gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing they looked on our tables. Kate Ryan Event Rentals helped pull our wedding vision together!
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Milk every second of your wedding day! It was the most memorable and happiest day of our life.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
The event manager at the Sandpearl was absolutely superb. She worked with us since day one and was very involved in the process. Every request I made, she made it happen. She was easy to work with and very understanding of our religious
requests. Our florist was the creative mind behind my beautiful wedding. She made me the most beautiful chuppah and centerpieces I have ever seen. Our DJ is an absolute rockstar! Heโs kept my wedding guests dancing all night long! Our day of planner kept everything running smoothly and in order. She took charge and made it all happen!
