As you bask in the glow of your freshly announced engagement, it’s natural to feel a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, love, and perhaps a bit of overwhelm by the journey ahead. While enjoying this special time is paramount, it’s also the perfect opportunity to start envisioning what your day will look like. To guide you through these first crucial steps, we’ve asked Tampa Bay’s most respected wedding vendors to provide their advice.
The first set of decisions you make over the next few weeks will set the tone of your wedding: budget, venue, date, etc. With engagement season in full force, as a majority of proposals happen between the holidays and Valentine’s Day, you’re “competing” with lots of other couples for your one coveted date. Several of our preferred venues and vendors have limited Saturday availability for 2025 and are starting to fill up their 2026 dates.
In this Expert Advice article, we dive into setting the foundation for a smooth and joyful wedding planning experience. Our experts, ranging from seasoned wedding planners to experienced photographers, caterers, and florists, share their insider tips on how to navigate this new chapter with grace. They’ve seen it all, from intimate backyard nuptials to grand destination weddings, and their advice is tailored to help you, regardless of the size or style of your celebration.
Enjoy the Excitement
“Do yourself a huge favor and resist the urge to immediately update your relationship status and post photos all over social media. It’ll be just as exciting for everyone tomorrow! Take five minutes, call those closest to you, and tell them first. You’d be surprised how often we hear about hurt feelings of parents, siblings, and close family because they found out about a couple’s engagement on social media!” -Tammy Waterman, Special Moments Event Planning
“Enjoy your engagement! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to jump head-first into planning your wedding the moment you’ve said ‘Yes!’ You are more than allowed to take your time and enjoy this special point in your relationship. A lot of people only see the leap from boyfriend/girlfriend to husband/wife, but the in-between period can be just as amazing. If you do start right away with planning your nuptials, remember to stop every now and then and remember what it’s all for. Be sure to keep making special moments with your loved one so that you can reflect upon your engagement with good memories.” -Melanie Eubanks, Lemon Drops Weddings & Events
“Enjoy being engaged. This season of your relationship will go by so quickly, and it can easily be consumed with wedding planning. Continue to date one another, building your relationship even deeper. You’re preparing for a healthy marriage, and that foundation isn’t built overnight. Remember to prioritize your significant other’s feelings over the hurred ‘check-list’ of the wedding. You’ll be glad you did once the wedding is over and the marriage begins.” -Stacy Boyce, Evoke Photo and Film
“The first thing you should do after you are engaged…enjoy it! The excitement is at an all-time high; everyone is asking questions, and you’re ready to get to planning. However, even if it’s just for a week or two, I highly suggest soaking in the engagement bliss to focus on you two and enjoy the moment together before you dive in head first. This is a moment you won’t get back, and it’s super important that you stop and smell the roses and truly enjoy the moment together.” -Delaney Driver, Wilder Mind Events
“Take a moment to bask in the joy of your engagement. Following saying ‘yes,’ take the time to truly enjoy your new engagement together. This is your moment to pause, be present, and enjoy each other’s happiness without any rush. Whether it’s visiting a sentimental spot to reminisce, a weekend getaway, or just reflecting on all of the moments that have lead to this one, allow yourself a moment to enjoy this stage of life before the busyness of planning and your wedding to-do list gets in the way. Cherish this chapter, then share the big news and start planning your big day.” -Tara Leitz, Limelight Photography
“Enjoy your engagement. Don’t rush right into planning. Throw some type of engagement party to kick off the festivities. This could be anything from a formal party to a casual gathering at a local bar. Make sure you only invite those you would also invite to the wedding. If family members haven’t met before, this is a great opportunity to introduce people.” – Karen Cerboni, EventFull Weddings
Envision What You Want Your Day to Be Like
“After you’ve taken a moment to enjoy your engagement, it’s time to start wedding planning. In addition to discussing church versus beach and in-town versus destination, have some conversations about what’s important to each of you. You may find out that you are completely aligned or completely opposite in your priorities. Find a way to compromise to honor what’s important to one another. Maybe you give in for that premium bar that’s important to your fiance, so you can prioritize having lots of flowers at your wedding. Marriage is all about give and take right? Here’s your first challenge.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Dating is getting to know each other, but we’d bet that you never talked about the size, style, or budget of hosting a wedding. Once the two of you are on the same page, which may take more than one conversation and a little compromise, have some conversations with your parents about their thoughts. Then come up with a rough budget, ideas about the date or season for the wedding, and how big of a wedding you might want. This is important to know when you start looking for wedding venues.” -Tammy Waterman, Special Moments Event Planning
“Brainstorm your wedding vision. Though you may have been dreaming of your wedding day for a while, it’s finally here and now you’ll need to narrow down some details. What colors do you want? How big would you like your bridal party to be? How many guests would you like to invite? These are details that will go to effect what decor, attire, and venue you choose. Also, determine your must-haves. Is there anything that defines your ideal wedding, like live music, a specific menu, or specific experiences? As you discuss these details with your partner, you’ll find that your wedding vision becomes clearer.” -Tara Leitz, Limelight Photography
“After you have soaked in the engagement some, the next steps are to figure out what kind of wedding you want. The best place to start is figuring out a rough guest count, where you want to get married, the time of year you want to get married, and how much money will be spent. There are a lot of factors that go into planning your day, and it’s going to save a lot of stress if you figure out these factors before you start touring venues and making plans. For example, some couples get fixated on a specific date, and it can really limit the venues they can pick from or they get fixated on the venue and it ends up being way out of budget. Having a game plan before you start shopping around can save you a lot of heartache and stress.” -Delaney Driver, Wilder Mind Events
“Discuss with your partner about what kind of wedding you each would like and the pros and cons of your options. Are you looking to elope as quickly as possible, or are you expecting to be engaged for three years to allow time to plan a three-day wedding event? The expectations of your partner may differ from yours, so it’s important to figure out things you both want and things you each are willing to compromise on.” -Melanie Eubanks, Lemon Drops Weddings & Events
“In the age of social media and Pinterest boards, weddings have taken a life of their own. Before making a single decision on venues and guest lists, make sure you both agree on what you envision your day to look like. Ask yourself questions like, ‘Do you want a large wedding?’ ‘Do you want an outdoor wedding?’ ‘Do you want a springtime beach wedding or a fall garden wedding?’ All of these questions are important to ask yourself in order to ensure that you both agree on what you would like your day to look like and then you are both on the same page at the very beginning of the planning process.” –Breezin’ Weddings
“Take some time to just enjoy being engaged! Then, when you’re ready to start planning, comb through Pinterest or Google Images to get a general idea of what aesthetic you like if you don’t already have an album. Once you have your venue and date, a planner, photographer, florist, or stationer/calligrapher can help you make sure to include all the beautiful little visual touches that will be forever saved as memories. All logistics are important but make sure you leave space for the ones you have your heart set on. Sometimes starting with the details can actually help you with the bigger picture, as you can incorporate something like a venue illustration or custom monogram throughout your entire event.” -Margot Griffin, Inky Fingers Calligraphy
“Getting clear on your wedding day style will be the foundation for the majority of your wedding day decisions, like venue, linen, color scheme, and decor. So, it is important to hone in on your unique wedding style early. A great way to do this is to get inspiration on social media. In this search process, you will naturally gravitate to the styles that speak to you. This research process will be huge in helping you select your color schemes and your must-have decor pieces. Along with style, get clear on how you want the atmosphere to feel on your wedding day because it is so essential. It will help set the tone of the entire day. Will it be fun and casual, sophisticated and black-tie? If you want a more casual reception, you may decide to have mostly cocktail tables and a handful of seated tables so your guests can mingle and dance. If you want a wedding day feel that is more sophisticated, you may opt to have only seated tables and charger plates so the look and feel of the event will be grounded and elevated.” -Ann Taylor, A Chair Affair
“Make a list of things you want and don’t want at your wedding and put them in order of importance. This will help prioritize your wedding budget and vendors. Remember that this is your day. Do not let your fourth cousin’s best friend’s sister insert their opinion on you and sway your wants. Trust me, they will totally do that, and it’s not cool. Stick to what you want.” -Amanda Biery, The Olive Tree Weddings
“After you have had a chance to enjoy being engaged and have told your family and friends, start discussing what each of you wants when it comes to your wedding day. Discuss what you each envision for your wedding and what is most important to you both. Being on the same page will help the planning process go much smoother.” – Amber McWhorter, Amber McWhorter Photography
Set a Budget
“Budgets are the absolute most important document next to the marriage license. Be realistic about your number and what you are comfortable spending. Your initial budget and guest count will be the two driving factors in the next step, selecting a venue. Once the budget and guest count are established, we highly suggest hiring a wedding planner to assist you! They will help with selecting a venue that best aligns with your budget, guest count, and vision. Your planner will be able to help you allocate your money appropriately so that you’re getting the most for your budget. They will know industry standards and how they play into each piece of the budget. It is so easy to get overwhelmed and just spend, but your planner is instrumental in keeping that bottom line intact and still giving you the best quality for your budget. They will also help guide you through the remainder of the planning process, keeping you within budget and on track with the remaining vendor selections. This will provide an overall stress-free planning process with extensive experience and knowledge available every step of the way. ” -Jessica Ralph, Parties A’La Carte
“One of the most important things to do, once you get engaged, is to have that awkward conversation with both sets of parents to determine if they will contribute to the wedding and, if so, what they are willing to contribute. It could be financial assistance, helping with a specific vendor, or with a specific project; you need to be open to their assistance. Your parents have been looking forward to this day (much longer than you), so be open to hearing their thoughts. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, and it should reflect you, but it’s also a celebration for two families coming together. Before you spend a single penny on your wedding, you should have a mutually accepted budget breakdown. Not just a large number, but a breakdown of all of the expenses of your wedding with budgeted dollar amounts next to them. Your budget breakdown is your ‘Wedding GPS.’ You wouldn’t get in the car and just start driving, but rather, you would have a destination and route to get there. This is how you should think of your budget breakdown. Your overall wedding budget is your destination, and your budget breakdown is your route to get there.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Determine a budget for your wedding. This is one of the most difficult details to come to terms with because there are so many outliers, and it ultimately determines what kind of wedding is possible. Do you know if family will help fund the wedding? If so, how much? Will this be something you and your partner will be responsible for? What is a comfortable amount you both are willing to spend? Remember that planning a wedding involves a lot of compromise and communication. You may have dreamed of a fully decked-out event, but if your budget is more modest, then it may be time to reevaluate your vision.” -Melanie Eubanks, Lemon Drops Weddings & Events
“Before you dive into planning, spend some time reading about what’s involved in planning a wedding and what it can cost you. There are a lot of options from a traditional wedding at a church with a formal dinner reception to an intimate destination wedding. Spending some time here will help you understand the costs and what you need to budget for. Most have never planned such a big event and really have no idea what it involves. Parents haven’t planned a wedding in years and things have changed a lot since they got married so it’s a good idea to include them in the education process as well. Have a conversation with your fiancé and your families about financial expectations and responsibilities. Establish a clear budget and who will be contributing. Is your fiancé the type who wants to be involved in every decision, or do they care primarily about a few key points and are happy to leave the other details to you? You will both enjoy the process a lot more if you have an understanding of what details they are interested in and what they trust you to decide. Every wedding is beautiful regardless of how big or small. The key to being happy Iis feeling comfortable with your choices.” -Karen Cerboni, EventFull Weddings
“Talking about money has been taboo for a long time, but when you start to plan a wedding, talking about money and budgeting are two of the first things you dive into. One tip for alleviating stress is not dumping all the money into one big pot. If parents, grandparents, or other family members contribute money, designate it to specific areas. ‘Grandma’s money covers wedding gown and accessories.” -Tammy Waterman, Special Moments Event Planning
“Budget. Budget. Budget. Who is contributing? How much is everyone putting into the wedding? What is the max amount you are willing to spend? This is one of the most important things to figure out and will set the expectation for the type of wedding you are going to have. There is a strong possibility that you want to do something small after figuring out what is important to you, and you go elope instead, or perhaps you have a lot of family willing to contribute, and you want to have a full-scale wedding. Whatever is decided, the budget is how you get there. Make sure to have these conversations beforehand!” -Delaney Driver, Wilder Mind Events
“To avoid unnecessary stress, come up with a budget. Setting a clear, realistic budget is one of the first steps to bringing your wedding vision to life and will help with decision-making down the road. Knowing your priorities helps guide where to allocate more resources, whether it’s the venue, photographer, honeymoon, etc. You’ll need to discuss a comfortable total amount you can commit to without overstretching. Be realistic about your savings, contributions from family, and what you can manage. You will also want to consider additional to-come expenses, like honeymoon plans or new home expenses. Tracking tools are super helpful when it comes to ensuring that you’re staying on track with your budget.” -Tara Leitz, Limelight Photography
Choose a Date
“Most couples will start with a date that’s already significant to their relationship, such as their dating anniversary, but it’s also important to understand how this date is impacted by the local wedding industry, holiday calendar, and weather. With two main wedding seasons in the Tampa Bay area (October-November and March-April), you will find more demand, less negotiating opportunities and less available dates during these prime times. There’s a reason why they’re popular. So, if your dream is to get married during one of the Tampa Bay wedding seasons, be prepared to be flexible with your actual date, day of the week or budget to get your desired wedding date. The American holiday calendar is also something to consider when it comes to selecting your wedding date. You should think about how close your selected date is to major holidays/holiday seasons. For example, if you choose to get married a week or two prior to Thanksgiving week, you may get a lower out of town response rate, as guests may already have standing family travel plans. On the other hand, if you choose to get married Easter weekend, guests may turn your wedding weekend into their holiday travel plans. And, let me go ahead and address the pink elephant in the room, weather. As Floridians, weather impacts basically everything we do, and it definitely affects wedding plans as well. If you choose to have a completely indoor wedding at a single location, it will impact you much less, only affecting your outdoor photos. But, if you choose a multiple location wedding, with an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour, make sure you discuss plan b options early. The last thing that you want is to make major last-minute changes, changing the design integrity of your wedding, because these details weren’t worked out prior.”pp -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“When choosing the date, make sure to consider the location and venue where your wedding will be held. It is important to envision what you want your ceremony and reception to look like before you choose the actual date. For example, if you want an outdoor wedding, then choose a time of the year when the weather is typically cooler, less humid, and sunny. The fall season in Florida, between the months of October through January, is usually the most popular time of the year to get married since the weather is the most pleasant. By determining the time of the year that coordinates with the wedding you have envisioned, you are best equipped to choose the perfect date.” –Limelight Photography
“The best way to get the date you want is to have a few in mind! Second, the best solution to this problem is to invert. For example, ask key family members and friends for dates that do not work for them, then work backward and have a list of dates that everyone is available. Once the venue is reserved for a specific date, you can start to reach out to all the vendors involved and confirm their availability. We recommend leaving a deposit ASAP to secure the date with the venue and each of the vendors accordingly. You risk losing the date/vendor or both if you delay this investment (and it unfortunately happens frequently). Often, couples will go back and forth discussing packages/pricing, etc., and then, for some reason, hold off leaving a deposit for a couple of weeks, only to find out this specific venue or vendor has been reserved in the interim (and you have to start the selection process all over again). Our advice is to be diligent, confirm, and reserve sooner than later. There are a ton of great venues, vendors, and professionals in the industry; however, you cannot reserve your favorites without confirming availability of a date on the front end and leaving a deposit.” -Brandon Wheeler, Gulf Beach Weddings
“Think about your ideal wedding date. Keep in mind that popular dates and seasons are always booked first. Also, be sure to think about the weather.” -Amanda Biery, The Olive Tree Weddings
Narrow Down Venue Styles
“Narrowing down venue styles seems easy right? Nope. There is a plethora of options out there, from barn weddings to city hotels to having your wedding on a ship. Gone is the standard church and banquet hall. Couples have so many different options when it comes to selecting their venue, and from this wedding planner’s perspective, it’s so much fun! In addition to thinking about whether you want to have your wedding indoors or outdoors, in the city or the country, with on-site accommodations or not, you should also think about how your venue selection will affect your overall design direction. It’s a bit more challenging to create a modern, high-style, sophisticated wedding in a barn (although, we’ve done it – see Vanessa and Tyler’s Mision Lago wedding ) or a sweet, garden wedding inside a ballroom. These designs are definitely possible, but will require more money allocated into design and decor to create the environment. So, if you want your style to truly engulf your guests without breaking the decor bank, make sure your venue selection also helps communicate this design direction as well.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Take some time to celebrate, let your friends and family know, and soak it in because it’s such an exciting time. Then, start planning, but really take some time with your fiancé and cast a vision for the type of wedding, feel, style, and time of year you want to get married. Here in Tampa Bay, there are so many styles of venues, from beachfront to rustic barn to downtown. It will save you a ton of time when you start the venue search if you can have a vision for what you want your wedding to be.” -Carrie Wildes, Carrie Wildes Photography
“There are many gorgeous venues in the Tampa Bay area, but choosing the one that is right for you all comes down to how you envision your wedding style. If your theme is a rustic vibe, then you would want to choose a venue with that rustic and historic feel. If your wedding style is a fairytale garden theme, then you would want to choose a venue with luscious gardens. Choose a venue that matches the overall theme of your wedding day.” –Limelight Photography
”When it comes to the exciting step of wedding venue shopping, be prepared to share as many details with your initial inquiry i.e., preferred wedding dates, expected guest count, desired meal service and bar, as well as your desired budget guidelines. Providing these details upfront to the venue coordinator will allow them to best speak to the reception space as it relates to your special day. In most cases, we can use your helpful updates to prepare an initial proposal for your review. A custom proposal based on your specific wedding day wants and needs can be a wonderful planning tool as you narrow down and compare your favorite venue spots!” –The Birchwood
“When you are ready to begin planning for the big day, reach out to your favorite catering company to ask their professional opinion on selecting a venue that will best fit your vision. As a full-service catering company, we love helping our clients find the perfect venue that suits their personality and style and can help them with checking venues for availability and giving them an insider perspective on what might work best for their overall budget.” -Melissa Misgen, Elite Events Catering
Find Wedding Venues
From St Petersburg to Clearwater, we’ve gathered the best wedding venues in Tampa Bay in our venue directory.
Think About Your Guest List
“If money wasn’t a factor, most couple’s weddings would be large guest counts. The cliché goes, ‘the more, the merrier, right?’ But, you live in reality and money is definitely a factor when it comes to your guest list. Here’s the key – edit! Start with a preliminary list, and then edit it. And then, edit it again. You should end up with a list of true VIPs, people who you love and you want to celebrate with and finally a list of people that you could cut, if you need to. When you have these three lists, then you make your venue selection. You may find that you locate your dream location, but it means that your wedding guest count cannot exceed 50, due to venue capacity limitations, or you can invite your entire list and still get the venue that you want. You don’t want this magic number to completely direct your initial decisions. Be flexible early on. You have months of planning to be strict with your guest list.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Start thinking about your guest list. First, start with family members and friends who are an absolute must for you and your partner. Immediate family members, best friends, individuals who have played a big part in your life, etc. If either of you has family members or friends who must be included, agree on them early to avoid potential disagreements down the line. Next, consider cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family members. You can also include childhood friends, college roommates, or work friends who you’d love to celebrate with. Lastly, consider plus-ones and children. Generally, couples and immediate family members often have plus-ones or bring their children, but it depends on your budget and venue capacity.” -Tara Leitz, Limelight Photography
“Start working on the guest list with parents and collecting addresses so you can determine the number of anticipated guests, which helps with the venue selection process. There’s nothing worse than booking a venue that is not large enough for the number of guests or is too large for the number of anticipated guests.” -Tammy Waterman, Special Moments Event Planning
“Build your guest list and look at the demographics. Do you have grandparents and older guests who may be comfortable in an outdoor setting? Do you have a lot of guests from out of town? Do you want to keep it intimate? There are many considerations to think about, but you can still have the wedding of your dreams and have all your favorite people there.” -Carrie Wildes, Carrie Wildes Photography
Hire Professional Wedding Vendors
“Hiring professionals is the best route in making your wedding planning process seamless and stress-free! Once the venue and date are secured, the initial vendors we suggest securing are photography, entertainment, and videography. These tend to book up fairly quickly, depending on your selected date!” -Jessica Ralph, Parties A’La Carte
“As a wedding professional, we will always recommend fellow professionals. It’s not for our own benefit, but rather, yours. With sixteen years of experience, we have seen it all – Craigslist DJ, DIY centerpieces, create your own wedding cake, etc. Trust me, we aren’t proud of this, but we have watched the most well intentioned family members and friends completely flake on a couple and leave them high and dry. Sorry, it’s true. Yes, they love you, but are you willing to put the most important day of your life in someone else’s hands ‘as a favor?’ Don’t do it! There’s a certain responsibility that comes along with signing a contract with a wedding professional and making a deposit. It’s an important position that we, as professionals, take on. We take it very seriously. In this litigious society, it’s not just about the threat of judicial intervention, but also our reputation that’s on the line. I can tell you with full confidence that most individuals in this industry don’t just do it ‘for the money.’ We choose this profession for the personal enjoyment and joy that we bring others. We could probably make more money in another profession, but we wake up every morning and we choose to serve couples to create lifetime memories for them and their families and friends, and why wouldn’t you want someone like that, on your side, for your wedding day?” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Once you are engaged, we recommend for couples to start a Pinterest board to bring together their vision and ideas. Once they know the style they are looking for, the next step would be to pick a venue. Many event spaces have a list of approved or preferred vendors, so it is often best to secure your date at your venue of choice first. Once you have secured your venue, you will be given a list of vendors that have been vetted and are accustomed to working in that particular space. The next step would be to find a planner that you connect with, and that can help bring your vision to life. And lastly, don’t forget to breathe and enjoy the process!” –The West Events Space
“Many couples turn to a wedding consultant to help them every step of the way in the planning process. However, with technology today, many couples are capable of planning a beautiful wedding by themselves, but who will be there to ensure it’s executed properly? Do not rely on your thousands of dollars and months of planning in the hands of a bridesmaid who planned events for her sorority in college or your Aunt Sally, who loves throwing dinner parties and is self-proclaimed ‘crafty.’ Give yourself the peace of mind that not only will your wedding run smoothly, but you are able to relax and enjoy your day because your wedding planner will also put out the fires that will occur without you ever even knowing!” –Breezin’ Weddings
“After nearly a decade in the business, we cannot overemphasize how important it is to choose wedding professionals to handle your wedding day. When looking for a wedding photographer, for example, hire someone who has had plenty of experience shooting weddings. Entrusting a photographer to capture the moments you will remember forever is so very important. That is why you want to choose a professional wedding photographer who is confident in his or her skill and will deliver high-quality photos.” –Limelight Photography
“Hire a wedding planner to save you time, money and stress. Do this before making any other decisions. Your wedding planner will provide a wealth of knowledge and support. We help you make financially wise decisions, keep you on a timeline while planning, help with design and provide a resource for reliable and talented vendors and so much more. Planning large scale events is what we know, what we love and what we are experts at. Don’t try to navigate this on your own.” -Karen Cerboni, EventFull Weddings
“Decide which vendors and details are ‘must haves’ and which you are more flexible about. If there is a specific photographer whose portfolio you love or a venue that your partner has been dreaming about for years, be sure to reach out asap. Vendors and venues, especially ones that are popular in the area, can be booked out years in advance and require getting on their list sooner than later.” -Melanie Eubanks, Lemon Drops Weddings & Events
“Getting engaged is one of the most exciting seasons in a couple’s life but can become overwhelming once you get into details of picking vendors. When selecting your vendor team, make sure you read reviews and chat with other vendors to see who they recommend. Check out their website and schedule a consultation call to really get to know the people behind the brand. Even if you hire a wedding planner, it’s great to make that personal connection with your vendors. Once you find the right fit, book them! Wedding dates are going even faster than normal with in-demand vendors.” -Kelcey Yaeger, Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
“Reach out to a wedding planner for a consultation. We can help explain what’s going on in the industry, realistic budgets, venue options, and much more before signing any contracts.” -Katy Martin, Coastal Coordinating
“Hire a wedding planner. This will just help everything be less stressful and more fun during the wedding planning process. You don’t get married every day, but wedding planners do this every day for a living. We have your best interest and lots of knowledge to guide you along the way.” -Amanda Biery, The Olive Tree Weddings
“Already overwhelmed? Hire a wedding planner. Full-service wedding planners help you from start to finish. That means we can help you with your budget, venue search, and help navigate this process from the very start. This also will help your wedding process feel more enjoyable and smooth.” -Delaney Driver, Wilder Mind Events
Book Your Engagement Session
“Save-the-Dates should be ordered 9-12 months prior to your wedding date. We suggest scheduling an engagement shoot with your selected wedding photographer. These images can be utilized on your Save-the-Dates. This also allows you and the photographer to get to know each other prior to your big day. By developing this relationship, the photographer will be able to note poses that make you comfortable, what makes you laugh, your favorite angles, and much more! This makes portraits on the wedding day so much better, and you know you’re in good hands. Pro Tip: We also recommend scheduling your hair and makeup trial on the same day as your shoot! With this, you can see how your hair and makeup photographs.” -Jessica Ralph, Parties A’La Carte
“We don’t recommend just booking an engagement session with a random photographer, but rather, your wedding photographer will either provide an engagement session as part of their package or as a small upgrade. Trust us, don’t skip this session! You may think that the 1,852,572 photos that you’ve taken with your phone and posted on your Instagram, will suffice, but we are here to tell you you are wrong! Engagement photos are different and special, and your engagement session creates an opportunity to not only get some great photos of you two and your ring, but also to truly see your wedding photographer in action. You will be able to build a rapport and comfort in front of your photographer’s lens and your photographer will also be able to see how you two interact with one another. Some couples are super shy on camera or are uncomfortable with PDA. Your engagement session will allow your photographer to understand you two better, and be fully prepared to show you two in your best light in your wedding day photos.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
“Take engagement photos! These can be used for your Save-the-Date or wedding invites. This is also the best possible way to find a wedding photographer that you vibe with and love their work. Wedding photos are forever. Be sure you like the photos and the person behind the camera capturing these moments.” -Amanda Biery, The Olive Tree Weddings
Buy Wedding Insurance
“Your engagement ring is probably the most special piece of jewelry you’ll own in your lifetime so don’t risk not having it insured. Your homeowner or renters insurance likely has a limit on jewelry that will not be sufficient to cover the cost of your ring if lost or stolen so a ‘valuable items’ policy also know as a ‘personal articles’ floater or rider is a good idea. You will need to have a jewelry appraisal to supply to your agent. Also, purchase wedding insurance to protect your investment from a number of perils. October and November are popular wedding months in Florida, but they still fall within hurricane season.” -Karen Cerboni, EventFull Weddings
“None of us know the future, and unfortunate things may happen that could affect your wedding plans. In Florida, during the summer months, for example, hurricanes can cause unexpected damage to an area. If you are a bride planning your beautiful Florida wedding, then you must consider that unexpected Florida weather may arise. That is why it is important to protect your investment by planning ahead and purchasing wedding insurance. You can never be too safe, especially when you are planning the wedding of your dreams.” –Limelight Photography
Focus on the Marriage, Not Just the Wedding
“The first thing couples should do after they are engaged is to look for a premarital counselor. I can’t stress enough the importance of having those harder conversations at the beginning. The engagement is such an exciting time, but I want each bride that we come in contact with to have a long and successful marriage! Take the time to nourish your relationship in the midst of wedding planning chaos!” -Lela Haas, Truly Forever Bridal
“Whether it’s pre-cana as required by your church or clinical pre-marital counseling that you choose to complete, it’s important to understand that at the end of the day, wedding planning is just a form of preparation. No, not for the party, but rather for a marriage to last a lifetime. Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in selections of peonies versus roses, or beef versus chicken, but immediately after the wedding is over., what you are left with? One another. Are you ready for that? Have you discussed having a family, how finances will work, whether you will move away, etc. If you think wedding planning is hard, get ready. Marriage brings a much larger challenge to work through together, and it’s important that you take the time to truly prepare for this. So carve out time through the wedding planning process to marriage plan. Have deep, thorough discussions and remember that at the end of the day, wedding planning is just a kickoff to a marriage that both of you are committing to, for a lifetime.” -Staci Mandikas, UNIQUE Weddings + Events
Research Tampa Bay Wedding Vendors
We’ve done the research for you and curated a list of the best of the best: Tampa Bay wedding vendors who are professionally vetted and sure to help you create a magical event.
