Rebecca and Jena's enchanting outdoor Tampa Bay garden wedding embraced nature with pastel pink and sage green for their color palette. Inspired by an intimate and low-key ambiance, the couple effortlessly incorporated vibrant wildflower hues into their cozy wedding day.
“We knew we wanted an outdoor venue, and we were very inspired by nature. I wanted lots of flowers, and Jena wanted trees on the property. We were going for an evening in the garden as our inspiration. The style seemed low-key and intimate, which is exactly what we wanted,” Rebecca shared. “I definitely felt my personality come through with the colors we chose to accent with. We chose pastel pink and sage green but really ended up incorporating lots of wildflower colors which were inspired by our wedding planner, and I absolutely fell in love with the idea. I believe the simplicity of the decor and the laid-back ambiance really reflected Jena's personality.”
Thanks to the invaluable resource of Marry Me Tampa Bay, the Ocala couple discovered the talented wedding planner Stephany Perry Events, whose expertise and vendor recommendations played a pivotal role in their remarkable three-month wedding planning journey. From the initial consultation to the flawless execution of every detail, Stephany's calm and reassuring presence made the process less stressful, creating a truly unforgettable celebration that perfectly reflected the couple's love and commitment. As small business owners with limited time, they were relieved to entrust Stephany with the responsibility of planning their wedding, including the vibrant floral arrangements they desired.
“I found our wedding planner, Stephany Perry Events, through Marry Me Tampa Bay! Stephany really helped in so many ways by suggesting the rest of our vendors, with the exception of our photographer,” the bride explained. “Marry Me Tampa Bay was crucial to our discovery of Stephany, and therefore we were able to plan an entire wedding in roughly three months' time, which was incredible.”
“We were looking for someone who could really take on the full responsibility of planning the wedding. When we first spoke with Stephany, she was so down to earth, and she really listened. She was up for the ‘impossible' task of planning a full, small wedding in less than three months. We knew she had what it took to get it done, and our intuition was correct,” the bride beamed. “We are small business owners and did not have time to plan at all. I was able to hand it all over to Stephany Perry Events, and she also did our flowers, so it was perfect. I really wanted color when it came to florals, and Stephany really handled the rest. It was great. She really hit all the marks and truly helped make our day perfect. I don't think Stephany could have captured our essence more perfectly.”
With limited time to find an outdoor venue in December, the couple's wedding planner suggested Mill Pond Estate, and upon seeing the captivating garden space in photos, they knew it was the ideal setting for their 27-guest reception. Rebecca and Jena were enchanted by the vibrant colors of the flowers and the serene sounds of a nearby pond, solidifying their decision to host their celebration at the property.
“We were worried we would not find a venue at all in our short time crunch. We knew we wanted an outdoor venue but had a very loose expectation for the venue itself. Our goal was to focus heavily on catering and have live music to create an intimate space, so we tried to imagine that through our search,” Rebecca recalled. “When our planner suggested Mill Pond Estate, we were so excited. As soon as we saw pictures of the garden space, we knew that it would be a perfect place for the reception. When we visited in person, we were even more amazed at how magical the property is. The broken oak, along with the garden, was a perfect combination for us.”
The couple's dream of a magical dining experience was brought to life by Elite Events Catering. With their expertise in elevated comfort food, the full-service caterer surpassed all expectations by delivering a stunning presentation that left guests in awe.
“The guests really were the focus of our wedding; it was important to us to put emphasis on having a wonderful meal together and to have time to be able to share in the moment since it was really our closest friends and family. We really wanted a great presentation and delicious food! Elite Events Catering had such wonderful menu options, and our menu inspiration was ‘elevated comfort food.' They went above and beyond, and they really paid attention to the details,” the bride revealed. “Our salads had a butterfly-shaped garnish to match our garden theme. It all added to the magic.”
As the couple reminisced, the anticipation and excitement of reading the carefully crafted words they had written weeks in advance created a truly indelible memory that will forever hold a special place in their hearts.
“We both agree that the most memorable moment was when we shared our vows. I had written them weeks in advance and couldn't wait to finally read them. That is truly a moment I will never forget,” Rebecca reminisced. “I don't know if it was just their bias showing through, but most of our guests described our wedding as ‘the most intimate and beautiful wedding they had ever attended.' We really focused on intimacy, sharing the moments with our loved ones and making sure that everyone could ‘feel the love in the air'.”
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
We were worried we would not find a venue at all in our short time crunch. We knew we wanted an outdoor venue but had a very loose expectation for the venue itself. Our goal was to focus heavily on catering and have live music to create an intimate space, so we tried to imagine that through our search.
When our planner suggested Mill Pond Estate, we were so excited. As soon as we saw pictures of the garden space, we knew that it would be a perfect place for the reception. When we visited in person, we were even more amazed at how magical the property is. The broken oak, along with the garden, was a perfect combination for us.
The Proposal:
Jena proposed first; we were walking through busy Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the sweltering heat. Searching for a cool, quiet place, if that exists in New Orleans, Jena had mapped out Jackson Square Park. This park is in the French Quarter and happened to be nearly empty on that busy Saturday in September.
As we entered the park, the noise from the street faded, and the crowd disappeared; I turned to her and actually said, “If I had a ring right now, this would be a perfect place to propose.” That is when Jena pulled the ring from her pocket and popped the question. I was stunned! It was a beautiful memory, and Jackson Square Park will always hold a special place in my heart.
“We were looking for someone who could really take on the full responsibility of planning the wedding. When we first spoke with Stephany of Stephany Perry Events, she was so down to earth, and she really listened. We are small business owners and did not have time to plan at all. She was up for the ‘impossible' task of planning a full, small wedding in less than three months. We knew she had what it took to get it done, and our intuition was correct. I was able to hand it all over to Stephany, and she also did our flowers, so it was perfect. She really hit all the marks and truly helped make our day perfect. I don't think Stephany could have captured our essence more perfectly.”
-The Bride
What did you look for in a wedding planner and florist?
We were looking for someone who could really take on the full responsibility of planning the wedding. When we first spoke with Stephany, of Stephany Perry Events, she was so down to earth, and she really listened. She was up for the “impossible” task of planning a full, small wedding in less than three months. We knew she had what it took to get it done, and our intuition was correct.
We are small business owners and did not have time to plan at all. I was able to hand it all over to Stephany Perry Events, and she also did our flowers, so it was perfect. I really wanted color when it came to florals, and Stephany really handled the rest. It was great. She really hit all the marks and truly helped make our day perfect. I don't think Stephany could have captured our essence more perfectly.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We are actually headed to do a tour of Italy for three weeks for our honeymoon! It is late because we had some business items that delayed our travels, but we will start in the Lake Como area, hike through the Dolomites, spend a few nights in Tuscany, then head down to the Amalfi coast. We chose Italy because we have visited before and loved how romantic Italy feels.
What did you look for in a wedding caterer?
The guests really were the focus of our wedding; it was important to us to put emphasis on having a wonderful meal together and to have time to be able to share in the moment since it was really our closest friends and family. We really wanted a great presentation and delicious food!
Elite Events Catering had such wonderful menu options, and our menu inspiration was “elevated comfort food.” They went above and beyond, and they really paid attention to the details. Our salads had a butterfly-shaped garnish to match our garden theme, adding to the magic.
“We knew we wanted an outdoor venue. Our goal was to focus heavily on catering and have live music to create an intimate space, so we tried to imagine that through our search. When our planner suggested Mill Pond Estate, we were so excited. As soon as we saw pictures of the garden space, we knew that it would be a perfect place for the reception. When we visited in person, we were even more amazed at how magical the property is. The broken oak, along with the garden, was a perfect combination for us.”
-The Bride
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
We knew we wanted an outdoor venue; we were very inspired by nature. I wanted lots of flowers, and Jena wanted trees on the property. We were going for an evening in the garden as our inspiration. The style seemed low-key and intimate, which is exactly what we wanted.
What were your colors?
We chose pastel pink and sage green but really ended up incorporating lots of wildflower colors which were inspired by Stephany, and I absolutely fell in love with the idea.
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
I have to give a special shout-out to our musician, who played live the entire wedding and reception. He was amazing and really set the tone for the whole night. He sang our wedding song, Stay by Rihanna, and it was such an amazing rendition.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Try not to limit yourself by being too specific in your search for the perfect venue. Tampa has a variety of venues, from hotels to beaches, farms, and industrial buildings. Let your imagination run for a truly unique experience.
