Jessica and Tyrone's intimate Tampa Bay wedding was made possible by their family and friends who surrounded them in love during a stressful summer. While the couple's original wedding plans were changed, there were many welcomed surprises, including a surprise drive-by parade.
“COVID changed the entire trajectory of our wedding. Initially, we were going to reschedule and tried several dates, but we didn't know how long COVID would last,” the bride explained. “We basically canceled the entire wedding, as most of our guests were from out-of-town. Therefore we were just going to have the ceremony at the church, but my brother and sister-in-law are amazing, and they hosted our intimate reception at their home.”
MORE: INTIMATE WEDDING INSPIRATION
As the impacts of COVID-19 caused Jessica and Tyrone to cancel their initial plans, they knew their love for each other would pull them through the challenges and changes. Their original wedding planner had moved, leaving Jessica to rely on the expertise of Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros to pull off their dream reception.
“Marry Me Tampa Bay was my go-to for all our vendors. They especially helped me when I was without a wedding planner and florist, several weeks before the wedding,” the bride revealed. “They went above and beyond, stepped in, and connected me with the amazing florist we ended up working with.”
After canceling their original reception plans, the couple decided to move forward with their original date, emphasizing the importance of having their mothers and family at their vow ceremony. Jessica's brother-in-law and sister-in-law stepped in to host the magical reception experience she and Tyrone deserved.
“We decided to move forward with our date because as much we wanted to celebrate amongst family and friends, our wedding was truly about our union and our love for each other,” the bride reveled.
Seeking a luxurious and romantic experience, the Riverview couple selected The Don CeSar hotel for their wedding weekend accommodations.
“Initially, we wanted something on the water with a lovely ambiance, but unfortunately, we had to cancel our reception,” Jessica shared. “We hired The Don CeSar due to their known luxury in the area, especially since our wedding day was rearranged due to COVID.”
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During her wedding planning research, Jessica sought a reputable and experienced photographer with a diverse portfolio.
“We looked for someone professional, friendly, and who had experience taking photos of people of color,” the bride shared. “Our initial venue recommended Lifelong Photography Studio, and one of my friends from college used them for their wedding. [The owner] Buffy knew the property well, and the manager spoke highly of her.”
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The bride wore a flirty sweetheart neckline wedding dress from Isabel O'Neil Bridal. The lace detailing on the fitted bodice flowed down the white A-line style gown.
“I looked for a dress that was classic and elegant, yet something you didn't see every day,” the bride beamed. “Isabel O'Neil Bridal was a preferred vendor on Marry Me Tampa Bay. The service was wonderful, and Liz was great!”
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After finding herself without a florist leading up to her wedding date, the bride consulted with Marry Me Tampa Bay who referred her to Monarch Events & Design who created a bridal bouquet with lush blush pink and ivory roses, complemented with eucalyptus leaves.
“My floral design inspiration was classic, elegant, yet chic,” Jessica explained. “Jean from Monarch Events & Design was recommended to me by Marry Me Tampa Bay because I suddenly no longer had a florist a few weeks prior to the wedding date. Jean was so sweet, accommodating, and wonderful!”
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To pull off a magical ambiance, rentals from Kate Ryan Event Rentals provided the level of luxury needed to turn a living room into an intimate wedding reception.
“Kate Ryan Event Rentals were amazing, especially when my wedding planner, who connected me with them, was unresponsive,” the bride explained. They were extremely professional, helpful, and understanding of us switching our venue from Isla Del Sol to my brother and sister-in-law's home.”
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No wedding is complete without a memorable meal, and the couple incorporated their heritage into the menu.
“Our menu inspiration was a mix of traditional American, Latino, and Jamaican food as I am Dominican, and he is Jamaican,” the bride shared. “My sister-in-law coordinated the food, as she has used Catering by the Family before for various events.”
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Looking back on their whirlwind wedding weekend, Jessica cherished the journey that led her and Tyrone to finally saying “I do.”
“The most memorable moments were surprising him with one of his best men since they both live out of the area, having our family and friends who don't live in the area attend our ceremony via Zoom, and my brother and sister-in-law completely took their house apart to make their home look like a ballroom,” Jessica reminisced. “My brothers walked me down the aisle, as my father passed away in 2016. My sister-in-law connected with Jean, the florist, and surprised me with my favorite pictures of my father and me, hanging from the bouquet.”
What did you look for in a wedding dress?
Something classic and elegant, yet something you didn't see every day.
Isabel O'Neil Bridal was a preferred vendor on Marry Me Tampa Bay. The service was wonderful, and Liz was great!
The Proposal:
We initially went to Cancun for Tyrone's birthday, but I was the one in for the surprise! The first night that we arrived, we were walking on the beach. He had music playing (I later learned he made a special playlist and I was so oblivious) and distracted me by asking a question about a hotel further down the beach. When I turned around, he was on one knee!
What did you look for in hotel accommodations?Initially, we wanted something on the water with a lovely ambiance, but unfortunately, we had to cancel our reception.
We hired The Don CeSar due to their known luxury in the area, especially since our wedding day was rearranged due to COVID.
What did you look for in a wedding photographer?
“We looked for someone professional, friendly, and who had experience taking photos of people of color,” the bride shared. “Our initial venue recommended Lifelong Photography Studio, and one of my friends from college used them for their wedding. [The owner] Buffy knew the property well, and the manager spoke highly of her.”
How did COVID-19 affect your wedding?
COVID changed the entire trajectory of our wedding. Initially, we were going to reschedule and tried several dates, but we didn't know how long COVID would last. We basically canceled the entire wedding, as most of our guests were from out of town. Therefore we were just going to have the ceremony at the church. But my brother and sister-in-law are amazing, and they hosted our intimate reception at their home.
Why did you choose to move forward with your wedding date?
We decided to move forward with our date because as much we wanted to celebrate amongst family and friends, our wedding was truly about our union and our love for each other.
What was your floral design inspiration?
I wanted something classic, elegant, yet chic. Jean from Monarch Events & Design was recommended to me by Marry Me Tampa Bay because I suddenly no longer had a florist a few weeks prior to the wedding date. Jean was so sweet, accommodating, and wonderful!
How did the rentals enhance the ambiance of your event?
Kate Ryan Event Rentals were amazing, especially when my wedding planner, who connected me with them, was unresponsive. They were extremely professional, helpful, and understanding of us switching our venue to my brother and sister-in-law's home.
What was your wedding menu inspiration and what did you serve?
A mix of traditional American, Latino, and Jamaican food as I am Dominican (the bride), and he (the groom) is Jamaican.
My sister-in-law coordinated the food, as she has used Catering by the Family before for various events.
What advice would you give to other couples who have been affected by COVID?
Focus on your love for each other and the union.
Ceremony Venue: St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Private Residence
Portrait Venue: The Don Cesar *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Venue
Photographer: Lifelong Photography Studio *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Videographer: Tanner Lorenzo Media
Florist: Monarch Events & Design *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Caterer: Catering by the Family *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Additional Catering: Latin Market
Furniture Event Rentals: Kate Ryan Event Rentals *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Cake: I Heart Cupcakes
DJ: Playlist curated by DJ NY Giant
Officiant: Deacon Rich
Invitations: Shop Surcie, Tori Leigh Stationery
Transportation: Alpha Limousine, Chauffeur Service Inc.
Dress Shop and Designer: Isabel O’Neil Bridal Collection *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN, Lilly Pulitizer
Hair: Facelook Salon by Ivett Pichardo
Makeup: Casey Cheek
Cookies: Moreno's Bakery
Flower Wall and Large Custom Letters: Flower Me Tampa
