Cailyx and Nathan's elegant Tampa Bay wedding combined rustic and romance to create an unforgettable day. The bride and groom exchanged their vows in an outdoor ceremony underneath a canopy of trees adorned with hanging Spanish moss and a ceremony aisle lined with white and ivory amidst greenery. They ended the night dancing underneath bistro lights and kissing during their sparkler sendoff.
“Our wedding theme and design inspiration were elegant, simple, chic, and timeless,” the bride explained. “I have always loved the idea of a simply elegant wedding. We kept things very simple and straightforward. Our color scheme was timeless as well. It consisted of white, ivory, greenery, pale pink, and blush.”
The South Carolina couple didn't have the luxury of time when it came to planning their fall wedding. The pair looked for a venue close to where they grew up and where their families live in South Florida. They were instantly smitten with Cross Creek Ranch, an 18-acre wedding venue that sits on an idyllic countryside that features ancient oak trees, manicured greens, and gardens. The all-inclusive property provides couples with everything from a planner to a florist.
“We planned our wedding in a very quick timeframe due to family medical circumstances,” the bride shared. “We really were looking for an all-inclusive venue, and Cross Creek Ranch met the necessities. They went absolutely beyond and were incredible. Also, they were extremely flexible and made our very short wedding planning process easy and enjoyable. We would recommend them 10 times over.”
Hosting an intimate wedding of 51 guests, Cailyx wanted every emotional moment captured, from her first look with her father and bridesmaids to her husband's loving reaction watching her walk down the aisle.
“Our focus was our family, and it was a very emotional day due to a variety of factors. I found our photographer and videographer, J&S Media, through Instagram and loved their work with both photo and video. Our photos and wedding video exceeded our expectations!” the bride beamed. “The pictures turned out so beautiful, and we’ve gotten so many compliments. The media team was wonderful to work with. They made us feel very comfortable, and everything was timely and organized.”
The couple wanted the music to represent them, so they turned to Tampa Bay's most reviewed DJ for their years of experience, knowledge of her venue, and excellent reputation.
“We are very go-with-the-flow people, and the only thing that mattered was having fun with each other and our families. I think that really showed with the ease of the day. We curated our wedding music playlist to represent us. We wanted dancing music, delicious food, and a fun environment for our guests,” the bride revealed. “Grant Hemond & Associates was the company our venue partnered with, and DJ Tony was fabulous! He worked with us within our short time frame and was super flexible. He also played all the music we loved! We got so many compliments on our DJ!”
Even with a short planning window, no elegant detail was overlooked. Lush garland and soft blush and white flowers decorated the sweetheart table, while the wedding cake matched their theme and venue!
“We wanted elegant and timeless florals. I loved the simplicity of whites, greens, and blush florals. Monarch Events & Design were fabulous! They did a wonderful job on all of our floral arrangements and produced exactly what I envisioned,” Cailyx beamed.
The bride dazzled as she walked down the aisle in a fitted wedding gown with an open back covered in delicate lace that fell into a dramatic train. Love and happiness overtook the day, and the couple remembers it fondly, with a few special moments standing out among the rest.
“Our ceremony was so special because our officiant, my husband’s brother, made it lighthearted. He made us laugh numerous times and really curated it for us,” the bride reminisced. “My husband and I's private last dance was probably my favorite moment between the two of us. Just being able to just soak up the night and wind down dancing to our favorite song, The Heart of Gold, by Watch House, was incredibly romantic. I have been told countless times that our wedding was one of the most ‘heartfelt' weddings our friends and family ever attended.”
“Our focus was our family, and it was a very emotional day due to a variety of factors. Our photos and wedding video from J&S Media exceeded our expectations! The pictures turned out so beautiful, and we’ve gotten so many compliments. The media team was wonderful to work with. They made us feel very comfortable, and everything was timely and organized.”
-The Bride
The Proposal:
We were hiking at Mt. Rainier in Washington with our family. Nathan completely surprised me and got down on one knee with the most incredible backdrop. It was breathtaking and so so special. I was shocked!
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We planned our wedding in a very quick timeframe due to family medical circumstances.
We really were looking for an all-inclusive venue, and Cross Creek Ranch met the necessities. They went absolutely beyond and were incredible. Also, they were extremely flexible and made our very short wedding planning process easy and enjoyable. We would recommend them 10 times over.
What did you look for in a wedding photo and video team?
Our focus was our family, and it was a very emotional day due to a variety of factors.
I found our photographer and videographer, J&S Media, through Instagram and loved their work with both photo and video. Our photos and wedding video exceeded our expectations! The pictures turned out so beautiful, and we’ve gotten so many compliments. The media team was wonderful to work with. They made us feel very comfortable, and everything was timely and organized.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Switzerland and Italy. They were both places my husband and I have dreamed of going. It was our first time in Europe!
What was your floral inspiration? What did you think of Monarch Events & Design service?
We wanted elegant and timeless florals. I loved the simplicity of whites, greens, and blush florals. Monarch Events & Design were fabulous! They did a wonderful job on all of our floral arrangements and produced exactly what I envisioned.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We are very go-with-the-flow people, and the only thing that mattered was having fun with each other and our families. I think that really showed with the ease of the day. We curated our wedding music playlist to represent us. We wanted dancing music, delicious food, and a fun environment for our guests.
Grant Hemond & Associates was the company our venue partnered with, and DJ Tony was fabulous! He worked with us within our short time frame and was super flexible. He also played all the music we loved! We got so many compliments on our DJ!
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
We loved all of our vendors. Our top three would be catering, DJ, and photo/video.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Don’t get caught up in the little things. Just enjoy your day with your family, friends, and new spouse. At the end of the day, being married to your best friend and surrounded by your people is all that matters. The details are just details.
