Sarah and Kennan's hometown South Tampa wedding combined a southern chic vibe with garden party elegance. Rather than having an over the top affair, the Tampa couple hosted a relaxed outdoor wedding for 275 guests.
“We are simple kids. We don’t do much on the ‘fancy' end on a regular basis, and we wanted our wedding to feel like us: relaxed and fun. We had the traditional photo booth and cigar bars for our wedding day, a custom wood cornhole game (that our amazing wedding planner Jessie Soplinski gifted us) set up for people to play, and s’mores bar in the dessert area,” the bride explained. “Our flowers were all different colored wildflowers because we’re spunky, and I loved the idea of all of the flowers being ones you could walk through a field somewhere and pick as you go.”
MORE: SOUTHERN CHIC WEDDING INSPIRATION
Looking for a South Tampa wedding planner who would help Sarah and Kennan plan their wedding in a 5-month time frame, the couple hired Breezin' Weddings.
“I never was one of those girls who spent time thinking about her own wedding, so I had no idea what I was doing. I wanted someone knowledgeable, easy to work with, and that had a good long list of reliable vendors they trust. I wanted someone who could ‘Get it done, and get it done right,'” Sarah explained. “Within five minutes of sitting down with Jessie of Breezin' Weddings, I just knew. I immediately felt like Jessie was already a friend of mine, even when she was talking business! And she was discussing things I knew nothing about, had no experience in, and yet she got me excited and motivated, and I just knew I was in good hands. She was the easiest and best decision I made throughout this whole process, hands down. And boy, did she deliver.”
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Reminiscing on their wedding day, Sarah and Kennan's family made sure to make their wedding day one they would never forget.
“My dad made a surprise guest DJ appearance and closed out the reception for the last 45 minutes or so. He absolutely crushed it, as Arthur Lastra always does. It was one of the best moments of the night seeing him sneak onto the second floor lounge deck and everyone started chanting his name. I’m still laughing thinking about it,” the bride beamed. “The most memorable part of the whole thing though, other than marrying Keenan, was having my brother Rob officiate. He’s my best friend, always has been, and is my hero in so many ways. I knew he was the one who had to make it official between Kennan and me. He made it so special for us, and it’s something I will never, ever forget.”
What did you look for in a wedding planner?
I never was one of those girls who spent time thinking about her own wedding, so I had no idea what I was doing and how to do it in a 5-month period. I wanted someone knowledgeable, easy to work with, and that had a good long list of reliable vendors they trust. I wanted someone who could, “Get it done, and get it done right.”
I want to learn more about wedding planning from Breezin' Weddings.
I hired Breezin' Weddings because of Jessie Soplinski, their Director of Events. Within five minutes of sitting down with her, I just knew. I am the type of person who has to connect with someone. If I can’t connect or vibe with you in some way, it’s not likely I’ll be moving forward with working with you. I immediately felt like Jessie was already a friend of mine, even when she was talking business! She made me feel so calm and comfortable. She was discussing things I knew nothing about, had no experience in, and yet she got me excited and motivated. I just knew I was in good hands. She extremely knowledgeable in her space, and she was going to do what it took to get the job done and make her clients happy, regardless. She was the easiest and best decision I made throughout this whole process, hands down. And boy, did she deliver!
The Proposal:
Keenan and I were in London, on the first leg of his grandfather's birthday trip. We have a very close and very special relationship with “Grampy;” we do a ton together, and we were all very excited. Little did I know, for the last 4-5 months, they’d been planning this big birthday trip to London and Scotland so Keenan could propose. So at the end of this amazing 5-course meal, and after quite a bit of wine, they bring out these individual little birthday cakes for each one of us. We sing happy birthday and celebrate. I am so full by this point and cannot possibly take a bite of this cake. Keenan keeps telling me “Just take a bite, just take a bite.” So finally I take a little sliver off the end, and he says, “No take a big bite! Cut it down the middle!” I sliced down the middle of the cake and inside was a little plastic heart-shaped box that held his mother's wedding ring, and before that his great grandmother's, which made it infinitely more special). It couldn’t have been more perfect. We spent the next seven days celebrating in London and Scotland.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Rustic/southern chic meets garden party. We are simple kids. We don’t do much on the “fancy” end on a regular basis, and we wanted it to feel like us: relaxed and fun. We had the traditional photo booth and cigar bars for our wedding day, a custom wood cornhole game (that our amazing wedding planner Jessie Soplinski gifted us) set up for people to play, and s’mores bar in the dessert area.
What were your colors?
I didn’t really have set colors. My bridesmaids wore black, because everyone looks great in black. Keenan picked a greenish-grey suit for himself and his groomsmen. It was pretty adorable to watch because he normally has zero interest in picking out clothes or what he wears, but I could tell he loved this suit. Our flowers were all different colored wildflowers because we’re spunky, and I loved the idea of all of the flowers being ones you could walk through a field somewhere and pick as you go.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t worry so much about the details, because all you’ll truly remember and care about that day is how you felt and the look on your spouse's face and the faces of your friends and family. Nothing else truly matters except marrying your love, so try to enjoy the process. It can be super stressful, just try to enjoy the process.
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club
Photographer: Lovestruck Photo FL
Planner: Breezin' Weddings – Jessie Soplinski *Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pro
Florist: Northside Florist
Rentals: Outside the Box Rentals
Cake: Goldies Goodies
DJ: Inpulse Entertainment
Officiant: Robert Lastra, brides brother
Invitations: Gutchers
Transportation: Bayside Limo
Dress: The White Magnolia
Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Hair & Makeup: Studio Bride
Cigar Bar: Long Ash Cigars
Mini Donuts: Little Donut House
Additional Dessert: Edible Arrangements
Photo booth: Snapshot Photobooth
