Jackie and Chris
lithia acres barn
“Our wedding theme was modern rustic, casual, classy, and fun. It felt most like us: warm, relaxed, and welcoming, with just the right touch of elegance. It was the perfect balance of comfort and style.
We chose dusty blue as our wedding color because we fell in love with the look of white and blue hydrangeas. The soft blue tones felt timeless and elegant, and they paired perfectly with the navy suits worn by the men. It created a classic, romantic color palette that fit our vision beautifully.”
-The Bride
FEATURING
Jackie and Chris’s rustic Lithia wedding was a springtime celebration combining soft blue hues paired with classic white flora and natural wood tones. The Land O’ Lakes bride and groom exchanged vows surrounded by 150 guests under a towering oak tree before dining and dancing.
“The most important elements of our wedding were celebrating with our family and friends and creating a day that truly reflected us as a couple. We incorporated our personalities by including details that reflected what we love most: travel and celebrating with family and friends. We added travel-inspired touches, such as our seating chart and a postcard guest book table,” the bride detailed. “We wanted to spend the night on the dance floor, so we added a light-up dance floor to keep the party going and make the reception as fun and memorable as possible. It became the heart of our reception and kept the energy high all night long. It brought everyone together, created unforgettable memories, and made the celebration feel truly unique and full of life.”
Researching Wedding Vendors
“We used Marry Me Tampa Bay throughout our wedding planning process to do additional research on vendors and read reviews from other couples. It was especially helpful when learning more about vendors we were considering, such as Carrie Wildes Photography, and gave us confidence in making our final decisions.”
The Proposal
“We’ve always loved traveling and exploring new places together, so during a trip to Virginia to experience the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, Chris planned the perfect surprise. While visiting a park surrounded by stunning fall foliage, he got down on one knee and proposed. I had absolutely no idea it was coming, which made the moment even more special.”
The Hair and Makeup
Adore Bridal
“My wedding day beauty inspiration was natural glam. I wanted to look like the best version of myself—elegant, glowing, and polished while still feeling like myself. My goal was a timeless bridal look that enhanced my natural features rather than covering them up.
I hired Adore Bridal based on their outstanding reviews and reputation. From the beginning, they were professional, attentive, and easy to work with. Their service was amazing and truly exceeded all of my expectations. They did more than I could have hoped for, taking the time to listen to exactly what I wanted and bringing my vision to life perfectly.
On my wedding day, they made me feel beautiful, confident, and truly like a princess. I could not have been happier with my hair and makeup. The team listened to exactly what I wanted. I could not have been happier with my hair and makeup, and the look lasted beautifully throughout the entire day and night.”
The Bach Party & Honeymoon
“I hosted my bachelorette party in Newport because I wanted to visit somewhere I had never been before that also offered plenty of things to do. It ended up being the perfect destination, with a great balance of activities, sightseeing, and relaxation. We were able to explore the area, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and still have plenty of time to unwind and spend quality time together. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation with my girls.
Right after our wedding, we spent a five-day minimoon in Mexico at Atelier, an all-inclusive resort. We wanted a relaxing getaway where we could simply enjoy being newlyweds without having to plan anything or worry about daily responsibilities after the excitement of the wedding.
Our larger honeymoon was the trip we had always dreamed of: Italy. We started on the Amalfi Coast and are ending our trip in Sicily, where Chris’s family is originally from. We both love to travel, and it was important to us to experience the beauty, culture, food, and family heritage that make the country so special. From the breathtaking coastal views to exploring Sicily and connecting with Chris’s roots, it has been an unforgettable experience.”
The Photography
Carrie Wildes Photography Art & Design
“When looking for a wedding photographer, we wanted someone who made the experience feel easy and natural. Since we don’t love being in front of the camera, it was important to find someone who could make us feel comfortable and relaxed while capturing genuine, in-the-moment memories. We were drawn to a timeless photography style that would allow us to look back on our photos and relive the emotions of the day for years to come.
We chose Carrie Wildes Photography Art & Design because she was exactly what we were looking for in a photographer. The moment we met Carrie at a bridal expo, we instantly clicked—it felt like we were talking to a longtime friend. From the very beginning, she made the entire process feel easy and comfortable, which was so important to us.
Carrie was incredible every step of the way, providing guidance, support, and a calming presence throughout our wedding journey. Most importantly, she captured timeless photos and genuine moments that we didn’t even realize were happening. Looking through our gallery allows us to relive the day exactly as it felt. We truly could not recommend Carrie more highly!”
From The Photographer
“I love the style and decor from their wedding; even though it was a barn venue, it’s not really a barn style. The light-up dance floor was amazing! I don’t normally like garter removals, but Chris went all Magic Mike, and it was epic! They have a ton of single friends so it totally made sense!”
-Carrie Wildes, Carrie Wildes Photography Art & Design
The Inspiration
“Our wedding theme was modern rustic, casual, classy, and fun. We chose it because it felt most like us: warm, relaxed, and welcoming, with just the right touch of elegance. It was the perfect balance of comfort and style.
We chose dusty blue as our wedding color because we fell in love with the look of white and blue hydrangeas. The soft blue tones felt timeless and elegant, and they paired perfectly with the navy suits worn by the men. It created a classic, romantic color palette that fit our vision beautifully.”
The Flowers
La Maison des Fleurs
“We didn’t have to spend much time looking for a florist. Chris’s mom had been working with the same florist for over 20 years, so it was an easy decision for us. We trusted her recommendation completely, and knowing the florist had consistently delivered beautiful work for so many years gave us confidence that we were in great hands.
We chose La Maison des Fleurs because my mother-in-law had a long-standing relationship with the previous owner, who actually began working with us before the business changed owners. We also knew Brenda Hayes from many other family events she had decorated over the years, and she always did an incredible job.
From the start, we felt confident that we were in great hands. Brenda was wonderful to work with—she truly listened to what I wanted and brought my vision to life perfectly. La Maison des Fleurs exceeded our expectations by bringing my vision to life perfectly. Every arrangement and detail was exactly what I had imagined, and added so much beauty to the day. We couldn’t have been happier with the service and the final result.”
From The Florist
“The most beautiful weddings begin with beautiful people. It was such a pleasure designing for this wonderful couple. Their timeless palette of whites, soft blues, and greens, plus candlelight, created an atmosphere of effortless elegance. Working with Jackie and her mother-in-law, who were such a joy, made this celebration even more meaningful. Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do.”
-Brenda Hayes, La Maison Des Fleurs
The Entertainment
Events Done Right
“When looking for a DJ, we wanted someone who would make the night fun, keep the dance floor full, and be down-to-earth. We met Ed Grube from Events Done Right through the venue, and from the moment we booked, he was all in.
Ed reached out right away, answered every question we had, and took the time to understand the vibe we were looking for. It was clear from our conversations that he understood exactly what we wanted for our wedding day. Ed was absolutely amazing! He kept the dance floor packed all night long, played great music, and helped create an atmosphere that our guests are still talking about. His energy and ability to read the crowd made the reception unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better DJ experience!”
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
It’s hard to choose because we truly had an incredible experience with all of our vendors, and each one played an important role in making our wedding day so special. We also couldn’t have chosen a better venue. The family at Lithia Acres helped us every step of the way and went above and beyond to make our day incredible. Their support, kindness, and dedication made us feel cared for throughout the entire planning process and on our wedding day itself.
Torrie Fagan of Torrie Fagan Studios, our planner, absolutely exceeded our expectations. Her organization, attention to detail, and ability to keep everything running smoothly allowed us to be fully present and enjoy every moment. Without her, the day would not have come together as seamlessly as it did.
Our photographer, Carrie Wildes Photography, and videographer, Albey Productions, did an amazing job capturing our wedding day. They documented every special moment so beautifully and authentically, giving us memories that we get to relive every day through our photos and videos. We are so grateful for their talent and the care they put into preserving such an important day in our lives. We were incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing team of vendors, and each one played a huge role in making our wedding everything we dreamed it would be.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Take your time when choosing your vendors. Don’t just book the first vendor you come across—do your research, read reviews, and most importantly, pay attention to the connection and feeling you get when speaking with them. We made every vendor decision based on both their work and the comfort and confidence we felt in our interactions with them.
Trusting our instincts throughout the planning process led us to an incredible team of vendors, and we couldn’t be happier with how our wedding turned out. The right vendors truly make all the difference.
