Sabrina and Blake
Red Mesa Events
“Our wedding was a variation of an elegant winter theme. We definitely went for a more wintery feel with pine greenery and pine cones as part of our decor and had guests hang polaroids on a Christmas tree as a ‘photo guestbook.’ Our colors were white, black, silver, and green. We chose the white and black for a more timeless elegant look, and we incorporated silver and green to achieve a more wintery feel.” -The Bride
FEATURING
Sabrina and Blake’s chic downtown St. Pete wedding featured seasonal winter greenery paired with classic white blooms, natural wood accents, and romantic candlelight. The couple exchanged vows overlooking the city skyline before dining and dancing with their closest friends and family in a historic ballroom setting.
“Our wedding was a variation of an elegant winter theme. We definitely went for a more wintery feel with pine greenery and pine cones as part of our decor and had guests hang polaroids on a Christmas tree as a ‘photo guestbook.’ We had polaroids of us from when we were dating and engaged hung on the tree and also incorporated our personalities into our wedding with our signature drinks,” the bride detailed. “Our colors were white, black, silver, and green. We chose the white and black for a more timeless elegant look, and we incorporated silver and green to achieve a more wintery feel.”
The Maryland couple sought an inclusive venue for their 85-guest December celebration. Red Mesa Events‘ on-site decor and reputable catering were key factors that impressed the bride and groom.
“We wanted a venue that made having a wedding easy. Having a wedding at Red Mesa Events meant that a lot of things like chairs, linens, and catering were already taken care of. The most important elements of our wedding were the florals and food. I wanted everything to look good, but I also wanted my guests to have a good time and I think great food is one way to make that happen,” the bride revealed. “The food was a big reason why we chose Red Mesa Events. We knew it would be good since the restaurant is so good. Overall, everything at Red Mesa exceeded expectations and everyone had a great time.”
The pair prioritized the guest experience by focusing on transforming the event space through the floral arrangements, while also investing in a delicious menu for all to enjoy that evening. Upon hearing about Grant Hemond & Associates‘ amazing feedback, the couple knew they would keep their guests entertained.
“We looked for someone with a reputation of getting people on the dance floor. We hired Grant Hemond & Associates because of their reputation and were not let down by their service,” Sabrina beamed.
It was a surreal memory when Sabrina and Blake saw the event space, revealing the culmination of months of planning that had finally come to fruition.
“The most memorable moment was walking into the reception space for the first time and finally getting to see what we had spent years planning,” the bride reminisced.
The Proposal:
Blake proposed in December in D.C. at the National Christmas Tree. About a month prior, he told me that his work holiday party was coming up and had brought home an invite for it. I came to find out after he proposed that there actually wasn’t a work holiday party, and he just needed an excuse for us to dress up. He hired his friend to capture the proposal, and we later had reservations at the restaurant down the street where the fake holiday party was supposed to be.
What did you look for in a wedding photo/ video team?
We looked for someone who created timeless looking photos and reflected the personality of the couple. We chose Sabrina Autumn Photography because we felt Sabrina was able to capture special moments that other photographers may miss.
We were blown away by the service of Sabrina and her husband Ryan. They were amazing at capturing all the beautiful details of our wedding and helped us feel comfortable in front of the camera.
How would you describe your theme?
Our wedding was a variation of an elegant winter theme. We definitely went for a more wintery feel with pine greenery and pine cones as part of our decor and had guests hang polaroids on a Christmas tree as a ‘photo guestbook.’ We had polaroids of us from when we were dating and engaged hung on the tree and also incorporated our personalities into our wedding with our signature drinks.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We wanted a venue that made having a wedding easy. Having a wedding at Red Mesa Events meant that a lot of things like chairs, linens, and catering were already taken care of. The most important elements of our wedding were the florals and food. I wanted everything to look good, but I also wanted my guests to have a good time and I think great food is one way to make that happen. The food was a big reason why we chose Red Mesa Events. We knew it would be good since the restaurant is so good. Overall, everything at Red Mesa exceeded expectations and everyone had a great time.
What did you look for in a wedding DJ?
We looked for someone with a reputation of getting people on the dance floor. We hired Grant Hemond & Associates because of their reputation and were not let down by their service,
Which vendors exceeded your expectations?
Sabrina Autumn Photography exceeded our expectations in the way that they were able to capture every moment of the day perfectly. Truly Yours Wedding planning exceeded our expectations by making the wedding planning process so easy and relatively stress free. Justina at Just Beauty was amazing and exceeded my expectations for hair and makeup despite a last minute change from what we had done at my bridal trial.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Definitely do an engagement photo session with your photographer! We did one, and it helped us feel so much more comfortable when our wedding day came along.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Galley Bay in Antigua. We wanted to escape the cold of Maryland at an all-inclusive with a great beach and amazing food.
