Elegant Tampa Bay Garden Wedding | Palmetto Club Wedding

Samantha and Ryan's Tampa Bay garden wedding featured an elegant outdoor wedding ceremony, followed by a white and gold indoor reception.

“We wanted a theme that was classic and timeless,” the bride shared. “We chose white, gold, blush and navy because they were soft, romantic and timeless, and they worked for the time of the year, spring.”

The Plant City couple searched a Tampa Bay wedding venue that was near their hometown and could provide indoor and outdoor options.

“We wanted a venue where the ceremony could be outside with a garden feel, while the reception could be inside and more formal and elegant,” the bride explained. “We loved that the Palmetto Club wasn't just the venue, it was the caterer as well. It was beautiful and had the outside garden and also the inside elegant aspect. Their service was great! Lucille, the special event planner at the Palmetto Club, was amazing. She was very helpful and was there for any questions we had throughout the entire process.”

To keep their wedding day stress-free the bride and groom hired Tampa Bay wedding planner Kimberly Hensley Events.

“We hired a planner because we didn't want to worry about any of the details the day of our wedding. We wanted a wedding planner to help us with ideas, who was on top of everything and could plan out all the details,” Samantha shared. “I loved Kimberly and knew she was the best fit for our wedding upon meeting her. She was on top of everything and had timelines and checklists for us to go by, which I loved. All of her ideas and suggestions were exactly on point and everything turned out better than we could have imagined because of her.”

When it came to hiring a Tampa Bay wedding photographer, Samantha and Ryan chose Jeff Mason Photography.

“We wanted someone who we felt comfortable with and who had a great portfolio,” the bride said. “Jeff made us feel very comfortable from the day we met with him. Many other couples in Plant City have used him, and I have been in weddings where he was the photographer, so we knew he was good. He was so kind and so helpful on our wedding day! He made sure we got all the photos we wanted and did such a good job!”

Looking back, the couple's most memorable moment was seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.

“Ryan didn't want a ‘first look;' he wanted to keep things traditional. When coming out the doors to walk down the aisle, we both didn't even hear the music. The whole garden area just seemed to stand still. There were about 175 people there, and I didn't see anyone but him,” Samantha reminisced. “It was very emotional and something we both had looked forward to for so long, it was a moment we will never forget.”

What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Location was important to us. We wanted somewhere close by our hometown, so most of our family and friends would be able to attend. We also wanted a venue where the ceremony could be outside with a garden feel, while the reception could be inside and more formal and elegant. We loved that the Palmetto Club wasn't just the venue, it was the caterer as well. It was beautiful and had the outside garden and also the inside elegant aspect. Their service was great! Lucille, the Special Event Planner at the Palmetto Club, was amazing. She was very helpful and was there for any questions we had throughout the entire process. All of the staff on the wedding night were great. Everyone raved about the food and drinks!

How would you describe your theme?
Romantic, intimate and elegant. We wanted a theme that was classic and timeless. We had a pretty large wedding, but still wanted it to feel intimate and personal.

What were your colors?
White, gold, blush and navy. We chose these colors because they were soft, romantic and timeless, and they worked for the time of the year, spring.

What did you look for in a wedding planner, and why did you hire one?
We hired a planner because we didn't want to worry about any of the details the day of our wedding. We looked for someone who understood our vision and someone that we felt comfortable with. We wanted a wedding planner to help us with ideas, who was on top of everything and could plan out all the details. I loved Kimberly [of Kimberly Hensley Events] and knew she was the best fit for our wedding upon meeting her. She was on top of everything and had timelines and checklists for us to go by, which I loved. We couldn't have asked for anyone better. Our wedding day would have never been as great as it turned out if it weren't for her. She coordinated everything from day one and was so organized. From the minute we met, after explaining my vision to her, she immediately understood everything we wanted. All of her ideas and suggestions were exactly on point and everything turned out better than we could have imagined because of her.

What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
We wanted someone who we felt comfortable with and who had a great portfolio. We wanted to make sure the pictures we got from our wedding day would be photos we would love for many years. Jeff [of Jeff Mason Photography] made us feel very comfortable from the day we met with him. He offered so many different services, packages and options which were great. He did our engagement pictures which was great because we were able to get a feel for how he worked and were able to get to know him better before our wedding day. Many other couples in Plant City have used him, and I have been in weddings where he was the photographer, so we knew he was good. He was so kind and so helpful on our wedding day! He helped make things run smoothly and followed the timeline made by our wedding planner. He made sure we got all the photos we wanted and did such a good job! We felt so comfortable around him and his assistant, Dawn. They were both great!

The Proposal:
We started dating when we were 15-years-old, so it had been about eight years. I had a feeling that a proposal would be happening soon.

One afternoon last August, Ryan asked me if I wanted to go to Alderman’s Ford park and go for a walk. It looked like it was going to rain soon, so I mentioned that, and he said it would be fine. I was a little suspicious, but went along with his plan. We got to the park and began walking the trail and talking about our lives together. We got to a bridge over the water, and he wanted to stop and take a picture. We took a picture and when I turned around, he was down on one knee. Even though I felt it was going to happen soon, I was still shocked that it was actually happening! We called our families to tell them the news and right as we got back to our car, the rain started, so it was all perfect timing.ρ

What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Hire a wedding planner! We honestly would have went crazy if it weren't for Kimberly Hensley Events.

Also, take in every moment of the wedding day. It goes by so fast; before we knew it the night was over.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Palmetto Club
Photographer: Jeff Mason Photography
Videographer: Movie Magic Productions
Planner: Kimberly Hensley Events
Florist: Florist Fire
Caterer: Puff N' Stuff
Rentals: MMD Events
Tent Rental: US Tent
Cake: Alessi Bakery *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates – James King *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Pastor Brian Jones
Invitations: Minted
Calligraphy: Signed with Love, By Les
Transportation: Danny's Antique Cars and Olympus Limo
Dress Shop and Designer: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection, Ceremony Dress – Watters, Reception Dress – Mikaella Bridal
Bridesmaid Dress Shop and Designer: CC's Boutique, Bill Levkoff
Hair & Makeup: Style Hair and Makeup
Suits: Men's Wearhouse
Photo Booth: Shutterbooth *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro