Bre and Nick's glamorous Tampa Heights wedding was a springtime soiree that centered around the couple celebrating with loved ones. The stunning scene was set in the industrial-modern event venue by the Tampa Riverwalk, with the evening ending with a spectacular getaway boat exit.
“Our wedding was gala-themed. It was sparked by the alliteration of Nick's last name, Gantlin. I always envisioned a classy adult-only occasion. Although it was a gala, we wanted it to be a fun-filled experience that made our guests feel like they were a part of the day and not just spectators,” the bride explained. “Our wedding colors were black, emerald green, and gold accents. We chose these colors because of their boldness. Additionally, we wanted our colors to symbolize the two of us merging together as one. Nick's fraternity's colors are black and old gold, and my sorority's colors are salmon pink and apple green. Black and emerald gave us a great representation of the two.”
The May ceremony took place against a modern gold circular ceremony arch adorned with rich greenery and pops of white and ivory florals. A violinist set the tone by walking down the aisle and playing romantic renditions of the couple's favorite songs. After a cocktail hour in the courtyard, their 190 guests entered the ballroom for a spectacular seated dinner and dance floor reception.
“To incorporate our personalities, we leaned towards a fusion of traditional and modern themes. We chose our venue because we loved the exposed brick and the nearby river. Those attributes reminded us of Nick's hometown of Charleston, South Carolina,” Bre revealed. “Because of our mutual love for the arts, we were very intentional with having live music incorporated into our entire day: ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The cigar bar during cocktail hour was equipped with personalized matches and cigar labels to incorporate Nick's fondness for trying new cigars. Signature drinks and the lively party atmosphere directly aligned with my personality.”
With the ambiance centered around the couple's love for art, culture, and celebrating, it was important to find a videographer who would be able to capture the South Florida couple's vivacious energy. To ensure their visual arts team would seamlessly intertwine with the vision, Bre hired Priceless Studio Design at the recommendation of her photographer.
“We wanted a videographer with good quality work, lots of angles in his shots, and one with the ability to tell our story in a short video,” the bride shared. “Charles of Priceless Studio Design was able to do just that!”
As the bride thought about which memories from the celebration stood out, it was a series of magical moments that truly made the entire wedding unforgettable.
The most memorable parts of our wedding were walking down the aisle, our vow exchange, and our boat send-off,” Bre reminisced. “Each of the moments was filled with emotion and signified the beginning of our new chapter as a family.”
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
Panama City, Panama. Travel is one of my favorite hobbies. I wanted to experience a new culture without creating a financial strain for my bridal party. Thanks to my maid of honor, we enjoyed three great days relaxing and learning more about the country.
The Proposal:
On New Year’s Day, Nick proposed under a Royal Palm Tree in the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana. It was the farewell dinner of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to West Africa. As with the beginning of our love story, it began with a photograph. Nick and I got up from the dinner table to pose for some photos. As the photographer asked me to pose separately, Nick faded into the background. A sudden flash of the camera revealed Nick on his knee, asking for my hand in marriage. I, in complete shock and tearfully smiling, said yes!
What did you look for in a wedding videographer?
We wanted a videographer with good quality work, lots of angles in his shots, and one with the ability to tell our story in a short video.
Charles of Priceless Studio Design was able to do just that!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Our wedding was gala-themed. It was sparked by the alliteration of Nick's last name, Gantlin. I always envisioned a classy adult-only occasion. Although it was a gala, we wanted it to be a fun-filled experience that made our guests feel like they were a part of the day and not just spectators.
What were your colors?
Our wedding colors were black, emerald green, and gold accents. We chose these colors because of their boldness. Additionally, we wanted our colors to symbolize the two of us merging together as one. Nick's fraternity's colors are black and old gold, and my sorority's colors are salmon pink and apple green. Black and emerald gave us a great representation of the two.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Greece. We started in Santorini, traveled to Mykonos, and ended in Athens. We chose Greece because neither of us had traveled to Greece before. And the locations we chose, provided a mix of relaxation, nightlife, and history.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Premarital counseling was an important element of our engagement period. It is important to invest in the growth and health of your relationship, especially during a busy season like wedding planning season.
