Lord of the Rings Inspired Wedding | St. Petersburg Wedding
Jessica and Mitchell’s Lord of the Rings inspired wedding featured an outdoor garden ceremony, floral crown for the bride and personal touches by the St. Pete couple.
“The tables were all named after nerdy things we love: Hogwarts, Endor and Halloweentown! The kid’s table was Never Land,” the bride explained. “The music played during dinner was string quartet versions of songs from our favorite video games and movies.”
Because their non-traditional wedding, theme the bride and groom searched for a St. Petersburg wedding florist who could fit their quirky style.
“I knew that my vision was unique, and when I met with some vendors, I could tell they just didn’t get it. Just kind of looked at me like some nerd who wanted this ridiculous theme. I needed someone who could help me focus my ideas and create something really beautiful,” Jessica shared. “Wonderland Floral Art really understood my vision. Cassie was easy to bounce ideas off of and give me practical answers to my fantastical vision. It was incredibly elegant, more than I had imagined!”
The wedding guest experience was one of the most important elements to Jessica and Mitchell’s St. Petersburg wedding.
“We really tried to provide a fun experience for our guests. At each guests’ setting, there were booklets designed in the style of the Lord of the Rings books that told guests the different fun activities we had provided,” the bride explained. “There were silly icebreaker questions at all the tables to help people relax, like, ‘Would you rather be bitten by a radioactive spider or a vampire?’”
Looking back, one of the bride’s most memorable moments happened while she serenaded her new husband.
“In college, I was in an a cappella group. They were all invited, and we sang for my husband as my gift to him. It’s funny because a lot of friends and family members don’t really know that side of me, so I think it was a little surprise to see me come out of my shell,” Jessica reminisced.
What did you look for in a wedding florist?
I knew that my vision was unique and when I met with some vendors, I could tell they just didn’t get it. Just kind of looked at me like some nerd who wanted this ridiculous theme. I needed someone who could help me focus my ideas and create something really beautiful. It was incredibly elegant, more than I had imagined! Wonderland Floral Art really understood my vision. Cassie was easy to bounce ideas off of and give me practical answers to my fantastical vision.
The Proposal:
It was Christmas time and my husband set up a photo scavenger hunt using our Elf on the Shelf. He took funny pictures of our elf hiding in different places around the house, showing me where to look next. At the end, he wrote a letter from the elf saying there was a surprise for me on the tree. There was a beautiful ornament that opened up and inside was the ring. It was so perfect because I love all the Elf on the Shelf antics and just can’t wait till I can come up with crazy ideas for my own kids!
How would you describe your theme?
Our theme was a hobbit inspired wedding. I always loved the Lord of the Rings; I’ve read the book and seen the movies. What inspired me was the first movie of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. At the beginning of the movie, they have this big party for Bilbo’s birthday. I’ve watched it so many times and was always so struck by how lively and fun in was, in such a simple way. We both really wanted our wedding to just be a fun and light occasion. Everyone running around, doing his or her own thing, eating good food and genuinely having fun!
What were your colors?
They were earth tones, appropriate to the theme. Plus, I’m a total forest child! No matter what, I wanted tree slices and moss and to feel like I was in an enchanted forest.
What did you look for in a rental company?
We’ve used Rent All City for many events, and they were the most affordable. When you’re looking at 150 chairs, it adds up. They were great. We also used them for the rehearsal dinner for our tables, chairs and linens. They were very easy to work with changing our numbers close to the date and on time with everything, so I didn’t need to worry about that.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay Brides?
Be true to yourself! You really want to go through your wedding day and enjoy it. Who wants to spend so much money and at the end wish that you had done something differently?
I feel like the best way to do that is to sit down with your spouse-to-be and have an honest discussion about what’s really important to you both. How do you want to feel on your wedding day? What’s going to make YOU happy? People should understand that they are all there to celebrate that fact that you two have found each other and are committing to making each other happy for the rest of your lives. So why wouldn’t that start with the wedding?
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Garden Club of St. Petersburg
Photographer: Light of the Moon Photography
Florist: Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft
Caterer: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Rentals: Rent All City
Cake: Chantilly Cakes
DJ: DJ Felix Event Productions
Officiant: Stephen S. Willis
Invitations: DIY
Favors: The Hole Donuts
Dress: JJ’s House
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
